Molson, William Nelson

While few records exist that document his life, historians know that William Nelson Molson was born to William and Elizabeth Molson in Mexico, a small community in Juniata County, Pennsylvania. Molson worked as a boatman, barber, and elevator operator. In March 1864, Molson joined Company B of the 43rd United States Colored Troops Regiment. Within a month he received a promotion to corporal. According to his service records, Molson served as the color guard during an engagement at Hatchers Run, Virginia, on October 27, 1864. He served with his regiment until it was mustered out in October 1865. He married Sarah J. Parker, his second wife, and they had at least one daughter, Mary. Molson died less than three weeks after the end of World War I and was buried in Eastern Light Cemetery in Altoona, Pennsylvania. (By Don Sailer)
Life Span
to
    Full name
    William Nelson Molson
    Place of Birth
    Birth Date Certainty
    Exact
    Death Date Certainty
    Exact
    Gender
    Male
    Race
    Mixed (Mulatto)
    Sectional choice
    North
    Origins
    Free State
    Family
    William Molson (father), Elizabeth Murray Molson (mother), Sarah J. Parker (second wife), Mary Molson Groce (daughter)
    Occupation
    Military
    Other
    Other Occupation
    Boatman, Barber, Elevator Operator
    Relation to Slavery
    Free black
    Military
    Union Army
    How to Cite This Page: "Molson, William Nelson," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, https://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/32474.