John Henry Terry


John Henry Terry was born in New York, probably in Riverhead, Suffolk County Long Island, on April 16, 1842. John's parents, Isaac P. Terry and Mary Seal, were recent immigrants from England. The Terry family moved to Michigan sometime between 1846-1848, settling in Sumpter Township, where they owned and operated a farm.

John Henry was mustered into service with Company G of the 24th Michigan Volunteers on August 13, 1862 in Detroit, Michigan. He was twenty years old. His first encounter with war was at Fredericksburg in December of 1862.

On or about June 16, 1863 while on the march from Virginia to Pennsylvania, he suffered sun stroke and was hospitalized at Fairfax Seminary Hospital from June 1863 until January 1864. For this reason, he did not see battle at Gettysburg. It is not certain exactly when he rejoined his unit but know that he fought at Wilderness, Cold Harbor, and Petersburg.

On June 29, 1864 while engaged at Petersburg, John Henry Terry suffered a gun shot wound to the right hand. He was not admitted to the hospital until October 5, 1864. Once there, his 4th finger, part of his 3rd finger and part of his palm were amputated. Damage to his wrist is noted in his medical papers. Dr. Edwin Bentley was the attending physician who stated that John Henry was no longer able to serve in the military due to his shattered hand. John Henry Terry was discharged at Alexandria, Virginia on November 15, 1864.

Returning to Michigan, John Henry married Catharine Truax. Their son, George H. Terry was born on March 26, 1866 in Sumpter Township, Michigan. Catharine died January 15, 1876. Soon after her death, John Henry left Michigan and settled in Scroggsfield, Ohio. There he met and married Harriet Johnson Terry, a widow with five children. John and Harriet had three sons, Charles, James, and Benjamin.

According to documents pertaining to his pension, and sworn affidavits, John Henry suffered constant pain in his mutilated right hand and was unable to continue working as a farmer. He also suffered from severe and debilitating head pain and bouts of dizziness which left him unable to walk. John Henry attributed his condition to being untreated by a physician following the sun stroke he suffered on the march to Pennsylvania in June of 1863.

John Henry Terry died in Toledo, Ohio on April 13, 1917 just three days short of his 75th birthday. He does not seem to have remained in contact with his old comrades. He did not attend "Michigan Day at Gettysburg", and is not listed in the 1904 "Roster of the Survivors of the Iron Brigade".


Sources:

Death Record of John Henry Terry
Affidavits of George Terry, John L. Thompson, Harriet Terry, William Rush, Alexander Telsen.
Declaration for Invalid Pension
Dept. of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions
Declaration For Widows Pension
U.S. Army Certificate of Disability for Discharge Adjutant General's Office
1840 Census, Suffolk Co. Long Island New York
1860 Census, Sumpter Twp. Wayne Co. Michigan

Biography submitted by: Peggy J. Terry-Coucke, Buffalo-Gal@torchlake.com, Great Grandaughter of John Henry Terry.

Additional descendant: Rick Snider zen1@vnet.net



Last Updated: 07/27/99
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