THOMAS ROBINSON WELBURN

Thomas Robinson Welburn

Thomas R. Welburn was born May 1849, presumedly the 2nd of at least 5 sons of Mary Gray & George Welburn. He is rumored to have been named for Thomas Robinson, a white Millsboro farmer, to whom his future brother-in-law William Oliver was bound.

On August 18, 1864 at the young age of 15, Thomas enlisted as a Private in the Union Army (Company H, 28th US Colored Infantry). He was a substitute for Daniel B. Cannon of SE Broad Creek Hundred, who enlisted 18 months earlier (see substitution document below). His muster card describes him as 5'3" with black complexion, eyes, and hair. His age is mistakenly recorded as 18.

By the beginning of 1865, Thomas' rank was transitioned to "Musician". This change is probably due to the revelation of his true age. Most of the Civil War fifers, drummers, and buglers were young boys. Acording to the oral tradition pased down through his descendants, Thomas was a bugler.

Thomas returned home to his parents after his discharge in November 1865. The 1870 Census lists his occupation as "mariner". He eventually relocated to Chester County, PA. In 1872 he married Lucy Townsend. 8 children were born during the marriage. Six survived to adulthood:

Thomas Robinson Welburn died in 1924.

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