Post Civil War Photo of Lt. Richard Roberts Lippincott Company R , 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers. He was born in Rancocas New Jersey in 1840. He was the son of William and Elizabeth Lippincott. “Come 1860 and the Civil War. R.R. Lippincott and Ella Hansell were sweethearts, too
young for marriage but much in love.” He enlisted into the 23rd Pennsylvania at the Schuylkill Arsenal in Philadelphia on September 4th 1861. On September 8th 1861,with the rank of Corporal, he moved with the Regiment to Washington D.C, where he was encamped just three miles north of the Capitol on “The Queen’s Farm” at Camp Graham . He was there with the Regiment during the cold winter months and in December of 1861; Typhoid Fever broke out within the Camp which resulted in the Death of Fifty-One men of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers. It was decided on March 12th 1862 to move the camp to higher ground in Bladensburg, Maryland to rid the epidemic and ready the Soldiers for campaign. The 23rd Pennsylvania moved to Bladensburg and were encamped at Camp Clark . On March 14th 1862, an order was given that Four Companies of the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers, L,O,P, and R, were to be transferred to the 61st Pennsylvania Volunteers. This order was met with much protest since the men enlisted as the 23rd PA Regiment and did not enlist to fight with the 61st PA. After a time the men obeyed the order. Richard Roberts Lippincott of Company R , now was transferred to Company I of the 61st PA Volunteers. He was Promoted to Sgt Major shorly afterward and then again to 1st Lt on September 12th 1863. He was seriously wounded at The battle of Spotsylvania on May 10th 1864 being shot in the leg and left abdomen. The two Hansell boys searched the battlefield and
found him almost dead. They brought him to the
‘field hospital,’ a surgeon refused to attend him—
said he would be wasting his time. George said,
‘This man is an officer, he gets preference and you
know it. You do everything you can and do it now.
This gun’s loaded and one false move from you and you’ll have a minnie ball through your head.’He was sent to General Hospital in Annapolis ,MD to recover.At Annapolis, he was
treated for a shell wound of his back and left side until he could be sent home to Rancocas and
placed under the care of Dr. Granville S. Woolman. He was mustered out of Service on September 3rd 1864. After the War, He returned to Rancocas, bought the Rancocas Country Store, made it prosper, married his sweetheart,
Ella Hansell.1870 Census
Richard (age 30) and Ella (age 26) are living in Willingboro Township. His occupation is
dry goods and groceries.
In 1870, Richard served as the Willingborough Township Clerk. Aunt Ella writes in her
remembrances that Richard and Ella were active members of the Lyceum Literary Society. Ella
acted as Mrs. Jarley in the Waxworks (a combination of monologue and tableaux production
piece for benefit purposes.)
1872 - Richard – Postmaster of Rancocas for $160/Year.“In the 1880’s Richard and Ella built the stone house where I was born. The stone came
from a quarry in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Albert Hansell bought carloads of apples from
the Pennsylvania Dutchmen and he
got the stone cheap. The only stone
house in the village. The stone was
hauled three miles from the railroad
at Masonville across the river to
Rancocas.1880 - Richard Granted Civil War Pension
Richard was awarded a pension of $8.50 per month.
1880 Census – June 15, 1880
RR and Ella and their three children, Hansell (9), Jessie H. (6) and Ella H. (5) are living in
Willingboro with Ella’s parents, James S. Hansell (69), his wife Hannah (69) and son Richard
(27).1888 - Richard Attends a Civil War Reunion
History of the Twenty-Third Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, Birney’s Zouaves, 1903-
1904, has a long article on the June 1888 Reunion of Shaler’s Brigade. A three day reunion was
held in Gettysburg, hosted by the 23rd Pennsylvania Volunteers Association; thousands attended.
The Fayetteville Recorder newspaper of New York reported:
“Captain Dick Lippincott marshalled the Rancocas contingent of fourteen. They roomed
together, a most social crowd. We found the squad wherever we went, enjoying the occasion.
Dick says he will have to kill some of them off, or they will soon outnumber the
survivors.”
The contingent included the following: Wilmot Hansell and George Hansell came from
Philadelphia. Men from Rancocas are: Richard R. Lippincott, Jos. Lundy, M.B. Friant, Charles
Funk, Joseph Wills, J.B. Wilson, John Wells and Emlin Martin.1900 Census – June 15, 1900
RR (61) and Ella (58) are living Westhampton Township. His occupation is listed as
salesman. Included in the household are J. Hansell (29, farmer) and his wife of one year, Lida
(26).
Because of his poor health, Richard gave up the store and was a traveling salesman. His death occurred on May 31st 1901. He is buried at The Friends Quaker Cemetery in Rancocas, NJ. His stone, U.S. Government issue to Civil War veterans, is one of two
which proudly rise above the modest Quaker stones. Almost every family in the village and in
surrounding farms was represented at his funeral
and the line of wagons extended from the cemetery
back through the village, almost a mile. Papa
told me this as a little boy. No other person in the
area, before or since, has been so honored.”
You can view a Photo of the Grave of Richard Roberts Lippencott on Page 13 of the 23rd Pennsylvania, Virtual Cemetery pages.
Photo of Private Abraham Stauffer of Company I. He was born in 1839 and as a young man lived at the home of John and Annie Miller in Washington Boro, PA. By 1860 he was an apprentice at Mellinger's and then the Civil War broke out. He was mustered into service on September 4th 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Cold Harbor on June 1st 1864. On September 8th 1864 he was mustered out with the regiment.He re-enlisted and was placed in the 82nd Pennsylvania, Company H. Somewhere around this time he married his sweetheart Mary. After the war he became a laborer and he died in 1898. He is buried in Washington Boro,PA at Washington Boro Church of God Cemetery. Thanks to Robert Kise (Decendant) for the photo and information about the life of, "Hero" Abraham Stauffer.
Sgt. John F Reen of Company G. He was mustered inon August 13th 1861 at the arsenal in PHiladelphia. He was wounded FIVE times at the Battle of Fair Oaks on May 31st 1862, a year later while charging Marye's Heights at Fredericksburg, he was wounded again. He was mustered out of the 23rd on September 8th 1864 and re-enlisted with the 82nd PA Company E. While a member of the 82nd, he was wounded four more times. He was mustered out a vet on July 13th 1865. WE HAVE NOT YET LOCATED THE GRAVESITE OF JOHN F REEN. IF ANYONE HAS INFORMATION ON HIS WHEREABOUTS, PLEASE E MAIL US.
Pvt. John Moffitt of Company F. He was mustered into service on August 2nd 1861. He was wounded at the Battle of Fair Oaks and then again at Maryes Heights. He was mustered out of service on September 8th 1864. John Moffitt returned home to Pittsburgh, PA where he worked in his families grocery store. He died there and is buried in Allegheny Cemetery. You can see his gravesite and information about it in the Virtual Cemetery.
Post War G.A.R. Photo of Pvt. William Clement of Company D, 23rd PA. Pvt. Clement is to be the last Survivor of the 23rd PA when he died on November 30th 1935. He was one of the last 50 Veterans of the Civil War in Philadelphia. We have yet to find his final resting place. If you know where William Clement is buried, please let us know. He was a member of Post 2 G.A.R. in Philadelphia, Member 1177 and transfered to Post 63. Thanks to Tom Prince for the info and picture.
Pvt Jacob H. Youcum of Company G. He was born in 1839 in Philadelphia PA. He was mustered into service on September 1st 1861. On September 8th 1861 he moved with the Regiment to Washington D.C. for the defences of the Capital against possible Rebel Invasion. The 23rd was encamped at "The Queen Farm" owned by Jacob Queen and they made Camp Graham thier home. Typhoid Fever broke out in November and December of 61 and over fifty men of the unit died forcing them to move to higher ground near Bladensburg, MD. There they established Camp Clark . He was mustered out with the Company on September 8th 1864. Jacob died in 1913 and is buried at St. James Kingsessing Church in Philadelphia. there is a Photo of his gravesite on Page 52 of the Virtual Cemetery . You can also see a picture of Jacob's Forage Cap on Page 3 of the Traveling Artifacts.
