4. Caldwell's death date is a little fishy because it lists 1871 on his death certificate and army papers, however it was published in the newspaper on the same date in 1872. Someone made an error on the documents I assume since I would be inclined to trust the newspaper.
What is the exact date of death given on death certificate and army papers? publication date of newspaper obituary/death notice?
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates Index, 1803-1915 : 4 Jan 1872 as given in the index, but 4 Jan 1871 is recorded on actual certificate
The Philadelphia Inquirer - Mon, Jan 8, 1872 - Page 4 : "On the 4th instant, CALDWELL WALLACE, son of James and Matilda Wallace, aged 36 years."
Files requisitioned from NARA by myself indicate 1871. I think the death certificate was incorrectly written and this was used in the NARA documents for his wife's application for pension. Examples:
Department of the Interior Pension Office July 11 1872 : "You are respectfully requested to furnish official evidence of the enrollment, muster service, duty, and discharge or death of Caldwell Wallace, who was a Sergeant in Company D, 73 Regiment of Pennsylvania Vols., reported died January 4, 1871."
203470 : "Mustered out July 14, 1865, Died January 4, 1871"
A few more instances are in the packet.
Sad life, he had 4 children after the Civil War with his wife Sarah and all of them died in their infancy of various diseases until he died himself. Only one child made it to two years in age before contracting some disease and then dying. At the time of his death, Caldwell's last living child and only son John Caldwell Wallace was still alive but unfortunately died later on 29 Jan 1872. Sarah then married the brother of the husband of Caldwell's sister Matilda, with whom she had two more children that lived to adulthood.
