He enlisted in the Civil War in May 1861 in the Second Regiment Mass. Vol. Malitia band,playing the big tuba, was discharged June 1862 having served in Maryland
and Virginia.5
John was noted for taking out the most books at the Malden library in his day.3
John Sargent was born in Malden, Massachusetts, in 1820, the son of Lewis Fisher and Sarah Sargent. He was apparently named after a brother who died at the age of 1 in 1819, the year before John's birth.
The Civil War broke out in 1861 and John enlisted the same year. (Although he enlisted as a 30 year old, he was actually closer to 41.) He mustered in as a musician in the Company Band of the Massachusetts 2nd Infantry on May 25, 1861. He was discharged in June of 1862.
He married Frances Frothingham in 1845, and they settled at Malden, where John worked as a dyer (1850) and currier (1855+). They had a large family. In 1880, he was living in Wakefield, Massachusetts, with his wife and struggling with rheumatism.
John died in 1908 and was buried with his wife at the Salem Street Cemetery in Malden.
Source: Long Beach Press
Date: 01 MAR 1920
Abstract: Died Feb 28, 1920 at the home of her daughter, Mrs. F. A. Pagel, 1349 Walnut Avenue. Age 73. Survived by another daughter Mrs. J. H. Olmstead of Homer, N.Y.; five sons, Richard F. of Alsea, Ore., Harry A. Spencer of S. D., John F. of Boston, Mass., Gilbert O. of New Orleans, LA., and Lawrence W. of Parker, S.D.; and twenty-three grandchildren. She was a native of Walden, Mass. and came to California from South Dakota in 1911 where she made her home in Long Beach. She was a pioneer in South Dakota, and her husband, R. T. Robinson, Civil war veteran, died in that state fifteen years ago.
The following was written by himself: "I was born Aug. 4, 1840, at Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, was kept moving through the province from town to town, father being a school teacher until 1849 when he went to Sidney Mines, Cape Bretton Island , stayed there about 2 years, returned to Halifax, N.S. where we remained about a year when we moved to Boston, I think in the year 1852. In the summer of 1 856, I visited Nova Scotia, staying until December of that year.
From 1856 to 1862, I earned my bread by the sweat of my brow in Boston. On the 29th day of August, 1862, I enlisted in the Co.C. 44th Massachusetts Volunteers, nine months men, served the entire time in North Carolina and was discharged at Reedville, Mass. on the 18th day of Oct. 1864 and cast my first vote for Abraham Lincoln for president that year."
"In October 1865, I married Harriette Copeland of Boston, who lived but a short time, leaving no children, May 21, 1867. Was married again to Emma F. Fisher in 1868. I was appointed Grand Worthy Assist ant Secretary of the IndependentOrder of Good Temples of Massachusetts, which o ffice I held for nearly 2 years.After that I went to Boston, Mass and Providenc e R.I. for a business directory. In the spring of 1872, I engaged in the prin ting business in Boston, firm name, Kendell and Robinson, was broke up by the B oston fire in Nov. 1872, tried to renew our business but owing to lack of capit al had to succumb in the spring of 1873, sold out all remaining interest in th e business and removed with my family to Vineland, New Jersey to try fruit farm ing, struck Vineland the same year the gripe rot did, consequently a failure. " "I went into the shoe factory and learned the business. Together with three o ther men, started a small factory at Newfield, N.J. in 1878, which was a failur e principally owing to lack of capital (one of the other partners stole the pay roll R.F.R.)." "During the fall election campaign of that year took an active pa rt laboring with and for the labor element. That year I joined the Knights o f Labor, was not a candidate for any office." "In the spring of 1879, broke up m y family, sent wife and three children to Massachusetts and started with olde r boys (Frank & Henry) for Dakota where we arrived in June, 1879, having walke d the last 75 miles in consequence of collapse of pocket book, reached Firestee l, Davison Co., Dakota Territory with just 27 cents in pocket. Wife and childr en arrived in Firesteel in Spring of 1880. In May of the same year, we went o n a farm (SE qtr Sec 23, town 104n, range 60W). In the fall of 1886,was nomin ated for office of County Register of Deeds on the Republican ticket, was defea ted by a small majority. In July 1887, the previous legislature having create d the office of County auditor was appointed to that position. In 1888, was el ected to the same office by a large majority and again in 1890, serving until M arch 1895."Joined the Congregational Church at Mitchell, Sept. 1888, was Chairm an of the Board of Trustees and Deacon. Was an active member of the Y.M.C.A. a nd was its treasurer." In 1889, was appointed Assistant Adjutant General of th e Grand Army of the Republic for Dakota Territory, attended the National Encamp ment at Milwaukee, Wis. that year. In 1890, was sent to the National Encampmen t at Boston, Mass. as adelegate-at-large for the State of South Dakota." The f ollowing was taken from "The descriptive list & account of pay and clothing o f Private Richard T. Robinson of Co.C. 44th Mass Reg. "Engaged in a skirmish a t Little Ford, Smitherwick Creek near Williamston, N.C. Nov. 2. 1862." The fol lowing was taken from a history of the war by the U.S. Government. New Berne, N ov. 15, 1862 Sir: I have the honor to report the following as the result of th e skirmish in which a brigade was engaged on Sunday night Nov. 2, 1862". "At ab out dusk, as the advance guard, composed of the Marine Artillery, a company o f the 10th Connecticut and a portion of cavalry were crossing Little Creek on t he road from Washington to Williamston, they.