Thomas Coursey grew up in Valley, Pennsylvania and later served in the United States Colored Troops during the Civil War. It appears that Coursey was born on August 10 in either 1832 or 1833. His parents’ names are unknown. Coursey enlisted on September 25, 1863, in Company B of the 8th USCT Regiment at Shelton Hill, Pennsylvania. Records indicate that authorities arrested him on February 9, 1864 for deserting in late January 1864. Coursey, however, returned to his company after paying a fine and the case never went to trial. He apparently served without further incident and was discharged in December 1865. Coursey died on February 9, 1927 and was buried at the Union American Methodist Episcopal Church Cemetery in East Fallowfield Township, which is located South-East of Coatesville, Pennsylvania. Whether Coursey ever married remains unknown. (By Don Sailer)
Life Span
to
Life Summary
Full name
Thomas Coursey
Place of birth
Valley, PA
Birth Date Certainty
Estimated
Death Date Certainty
Exact
Gender
Male
Race
Black
Sectional choice
North
Origins
Free State
Relation to Slavery
Free black
Military
Union Army