Alexander Russom (b.
1842 - d. 1922)
MSA SC 3520-4647
USCT Soldier, Talbot County, Maryland
Biography:
Alexander Russom was born in Trappe, Talbot County, Maryland on August 26, 1842.1 Russom was free born and was considered "free on or before April 19, 1861."2 While in Talbot County, Russom was employed as a farmer.3 By 1863, with the Civil War in its second year, President Abraham Lincoln called for free blacks and slaves to be recruited into the United States Army.4 As a free man, Russom decided to enlist in the army on September 23, 1863.5 He enlisted as a private in Company B of the 7th U.S. Colored Troops regiment.6 No muster roll exists for Alexander Russom.7
While in the service he was diagnosed with "rheumatism; injury to right shoulder; disease of throat and lungs."8 The war proved to be costly for Russom who suffered physically from various ailments. Around January 26, 1865, at Fort Harrison, Virginia, Russom became disabled when he was injured "under the right shoulder blade by a needle whilst lying in his bunk."9 During the spring of 1865, the regimental surgeon diagnosed Russom with "rheumatism in the legs with great pain and aching."10 After participating in 14 campaigns during the war, Russom was granted his honorable discharge on October 13, 1866.11 Russom served in the 7th regiment for three years and twenty days before being discharged.12
After his discharge, as an occupation, Russom was able to perform light work as a farmer.13 According to a questionnaire, Russom stated that he lived in the Trappe area of Talbot County until 1870 when he decided to move to Baltimore.14 He resided in Baltimore for around 38 years.15 His residences in Baltimore included 806 Spring Street, 38 Watson Street, 814 Webster Alley, 721 Prices Court, 723 Prices Court, and 1029 St. Thomas Court.16 While in Baltimore, he married his first wife in 1882.17 However, four years later in 1896, she deserted him and moved out of the state.18 On March 27, 1912, he married for a second time to Mary Francis Russom.19 They were married at 1810 North Spring Street, Baltimore by Reverend Sides.20 By 1915, he had survived all of his children.21
After moving from Baltimore, he resided at St. Leonard's, Calvert County, Maryland for a number of years.22 On August 3, 1922, at the age of 80, Alexander Russom died from a cerebral hemmorage while residing in Calvert County.23 He was buried at St. Johns Church on August 5, 1922.24 Russom became a pensioner beginning in 1890 at a rate of $6.00 per month.25 Under the Act of February 6, 1907, Russom was pensioned at a rate of $12.00 per month.26 By August 28, 1912, he was receiving a pension rate of $24.00 per month.27 On August 26, 1917, that rate increased to $30.00 per month.28
Endnotes:
1. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) [MSA SC 4126] Alexander Russom. Box 24. Folder 500. Pages 39, 73, 95, 97.
4. Callum, Agnes Kane. Colored Volunteers of Maryland: Civil War 7th Regiment United States Colored Troops, 1863-1866. Baltimore, MD: Mullac Publishers, 1990, 1.
5. Ancestry.com. National Archives and Records Administration. U.S., Colored Troops Military Service Records. Alexander Russom. Company Descriptive Book. Page 3.
6. Ibid.
7. SPECIAL COLLECTIONS (U.S. Colored Troops Pension File Collection) Alexander Russom. Page 18.
8. Ibid., 3.
10. Ibid., 8.
11. Ibid., 92.15. Ibid., 93.
16. Ibid., 3, 35, 40, 41, 43, 44.
17. Ibid., 80.
18. Ibid.
19. Ibid., 97.
20. Ibid.
21. Ibid.
23. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH BUREAU OF VITAL STATISTICS (Death Record, Counties). 08/1922. Calvert County. Alexander Russom. MSA SE43-3387.Written and Researched by Tanner Sparks, 2012.
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