Much of the following research was done by Pamela Mumma July 2002. Please contact her at mumma6@yahoo.com and Doug Mumma at doug@mumma.org if you have additional information to contribute
*************** Note by Pamela Mumma, Jan 2015 ***********************
DNA testing done in 2009 shows that the James B Mumma branch of the Fulton Mummas are genetically connected to the other Fulton County Mummas. There are three brothers that could qualify as father of James. I believe it is George.
George Mumma (born about 1815 Franklin County, Pa) son of David Mumma had an intimate relationship with Rhoda McCurdy in Franklin County in the winter of 1938-1839. We know, by DNA study of one of James B Mumma's descendants, that James is from this Mumma lineage. His DNA matches two descendants of George's family. Rhoda visited the Mumma household on several occasions as evidenced in brother Jacob Mumma's ledger owned by Keith and Pamela Mumma. James B. Mumma was born October 24, 1839 when Rhoda was about 20 and George was about 25.
George did not marry Rhoda McCurdy. George moved to Fulton County and later married Elizabeth Deshong. Rhoda never married and she was a domestic servant the rest of her life.
James was shuffled out as a youngster. He is found as a ten year old farm hand in the Franklin County census of 1850 living with Henry 52 and Elizabeth 49 Reamer family. He is a 20 year old farmhand in the 1860 census living with Eliza Flickinger and family, including JH Flickenger Physician.
James married Mary Meyers on January 30, 1862 in Franklin County. Later that year James went off to war. James enlisted on August 4, 1862 and was discharged May 20, 1863. It is noted in his military records that James had auburn hair and blue eyes. He reenlisted on February 18, 1864 and was discharged November 9, 1865. He returned to Franklin Co. a sick man. James was treated by Dr. John Flickenger in Franklin County.
By 1870 Mary and James B Mumma moved to Fulton County. By 1893 when he died he was living in the Burnt Cabins area of Fulton County. He is buried in the Burnt Cabins Cemetery. This is why we call this Fulton County Mumma line the Burnt Cabins Mummas.
Rhoda McCurdy stayed in Franklin County as a single woman through the censuses. There is no way to know what year she moved to Fulton County if she did at all. She is clearly in the 1850 (30 years old), 1860 (40 years old), 1870 (45 years old), 1880 (60 years old) censuses in Franklin County. She is a family domestic servant. She died 30 Jun 1890 (age 72.) She is buried next to her son in the Burnt Cabins Cemetery, and the tombstone says Mother on it. (Personally viewed cemetery in August 2009) Written/researched by Pamela Mumma, 2014.
***************************************************************************
1850 census: There is a Jame Mumah 10 years old born PA found in Peters twp Franklin County, PA living with family # 975, Henry 52 and Elizabeth 49 Reamer family. Could this be James B.?
1860: There is a James Mumma 20 years old farm hand living with Eliza Flickinger and family, Including JH Flickenger Physician, in Franklin County, PA, Metal Township in 1860 census, p 165. Is this James B.? James has not been found in the Fulton County 1860 census. More than likely this is James, considering the birth information obtained from the pension file as well as the doctor that he visits after the war is John Flickenger. (This census listing is located on pg 165.)
email from Doug Mumma to Pamela Mumma. "The contributor on Sun Mar 7 2004 was Mac McCurdy, Macmcurdy@hotmail.com. He references the following book.
Title: Biographical Annals of Franklin County
Publication: Chicago: Genealogical Pub. Co., 1905, 778 pgs.
Abbrev: Biographical Annals of Franklin County, Page: p 550
Mac's genealogy follows:
John Flickinger b: in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania --
(Had son, Henry whom married Elizabeth Snively.)
Father: Henry Flickinger b: 21 MAY 1792, Death: 12 MAR 1851 in Franklin Co., PA
Mother: Elizabeth Snively b: 16 DEC 1797
Children:
David Flickinger b: OCT 1829 in Franklin Co., PA
John Flickinger b: in Franklin Co., PA
Catherine Flickinger b: in Franklin Co., PA
This would seem to fit the census record where James was enumerated. The father has died and Elizabeth is the head of the house. Several of these children names are listed as living with her, along with James B. Mumma in the 1860 census.
.... At least we know Elizabeth's husband's name and they appear in the 1850 census. I guess this probably suggests that James B. Mumma was not related to them, but simply working for Elizabeth on the farm."
In 1860 Mary Meyers (James' future wife) lives in Fannettsburg, Metal twp with her parents and siblings. census pg 160.
They married on January 30, 1862.
James B. Mumma served in the Civil War. There is a web site that notes his service.
http://valley.vcdh.virginia.edu/govdoc/soldiers_dossier.html
Last First Rank Company Regiment Place Enlisted Enlisted
Mumma James Wagoner G 126th Pa. Chambersburg, Pa. 8/4/1862
More importantly James' Pension Records can be found in the National Archives, Washington DC. Researched June 2002 by Pamela Mumma. The following information was found in these records:
James was enlisted August 4, 1862 under the command of George L. Miles as a Wagoner in Company G, 126 Regiment PA Vol Infantry (In different papers collected in the pension file it lists the regiment as 188) in Chambersburg, Franklin Co., PA. It is noted in the pension files that he served in the Battle of Antietam in Maryland, September 16 and 17, 1862.
He was discharged May 20, 1863 in Harrisburg, PA. In the roll call sheets of Jan Feb 1862, for these 2 months only, he is listed as a Musen not as a Wagoner .
According to the Volunteer Enlistment paper found in his pension folder, he reenlisted February 18, 1864 in Chambersburg, PA as a Private in Company C, 152nd Regiment PA Vol. under Capt Geo Eyster. Yet everywhere else in his file it appears that he served in Company C, 3rd Regiment PA Vol Heavy Artillery as a Private. He marks his name with an X on a Volunteer Enlistment paper indicating he is 22 years old on Feb 18 1864. (This would make his birth year 1841.) He signs for a three year service. The records also indicate that this soldier has blue eyes, auburn or light hair, florid (reddish) complexion, is 5 feet 6 inches high, weighed 145, and was a laborer prior to service. It indicates he was born in "New Franklin, PA"
His roll call sheets indicate the following duty:
Stationed enrollment to Ap 30 1864 Camp Hamilton, VA
May June 1864 Fort Monroe, VA "pulling extra duty"
July Aug 1864 Fort Monroe,VA "pulling extra duty"
Sept Oct 1864 Fort Monroe,VA "pulling extra duty"
Nov Dec 1864 Fort Monroe,VA "pulling extra duty"
Jan Feb 1865 Fort Monroe,VA "on daily duty at Artesian well"
March April 1865 Fort Monroe,VA "unassigned recruit"
May June1865 Fort Monroe,VA
July Aug1865 Fort Monroe,VA
Nov 9 1865 Fort Monroe,VA
He was honorably discharged November 9, 1865.
The file also indicates that James was near death during his service. This illness left him deaf in his right ear and with weakness in his left chest muscle. The records have many affidavits that claim they know the origin of disability. These mess mates all state something of the following story: he was involved in a forced march from Washington to Frederick, MD then crossing South Mountain to Sharpsburg to the Battle of Antietam when said soldier contracted a bad cold. He was confined to his bed nearly a month and treated by Dr. W. Neugent, military doctor. Many of the affidavits claim they thought he would die. The following soldiers that marched with him submitted testimony for his pension claim: David W. Kelso, John D. Jones, David W. Jones of Metal twp, Franklin Co., Adam Sharp of Houtsdale, Clearfield Co., M.R. Dunkle of Franklin Co., Job Kennedy of Franklin, Daniel Wolff of Franklin Co., and Noah Varner of Amberson Valley, Franklin Co., Soon after his return from war, James was treated by Dr. John Flickenger in Franklin County. There are other doctors' reports included in the file. They indicate that James suffered with a 50% disability to accomplish his labor duties.
These Pension Records indicate that Mary was his only wife. It notes their marriage date and place. In filing for widow's pension, the names and birth dates are listed for the three youngest children who are still living at home when James died. (Until children reach the age of 16 they are considered dependents and require extra pension funds from the government.) According to the pension file, he died on December 6, 1893. Apparently James had sold their property before his death with the consideration that Mary buy it back for $300. When she could not do this she lost her home. There are affidavits in defense of Mary's application for widow pension from the following people indicating the following information:
From Mary herself: "I was not able to meet requirements of purchase and never got a deed for same. My personal property consists of household goods worth less than one hundred dollars. I have no income outside my own labor and no one legally bound to support me and my children Nicholas, Chester, and Lulu who are all living and under 16 years of age who I have to care for and support. Marked with an X. Witnessed by Myrtle Mumma (daughter-in-law) and A.C. Mathias.
Jacob W. Miller age 66 of Burnt Cabin written 17 Jan 1894. "known James for 28 years. ... knew husband James Mumma from a child. I lives next door."
A.J. Fore, Jr. age 27, "known Mary 20 years..."
A.J. Fore, Sr. age 76, Knobbsville, Fulton County, PA "known 30 years"
Mary McKelsy ( or McKeley or McKelery) written May 5, 1894, 63 yrs old of Fort Loudon of Franklin Co., PA "present at the marriage of Mary and James"
Sarah Miller, 47, of Fort Littleton, Fulton Co., PA "present at birth of Chester, Oct 16, 1888."
Catherine Myers, 74 yrs old resident of Knobbsville mother of Mary, claimed she was "present at the birth of Lulu Mumma, daughter of above claimant Feb 16 1883." signed with her mark of three plus signs in a row +++.
Mrs. Katie Miller, daughter, age 24 of Burnt Cabins, Fulton Co., PA declared she was taking care of her mother after the births of these children and claimed the birth years of these individuals. U.S. Miller was a witness to her signature.
All the affidavits that mention the children's birth dates indicate that Nicholas was born June 27, 1880, Lulu was born February 16, 1883, and Chester was born October 16, 1888.
Also included in this pension file is a letter from Mary's daughter Mrs. Amos Koon of 1638 Grand Ave., New Castle, Ind indicating that Mary had died October 15, 1926.
1870 Census T.O. Todd TO 90 F 94
Mumma, James 26 MW F
Mary 23 FW KH Mfb (mother foreign born)
Elizabeth 7
Almeda 6
John 4
Amanda 2
1880 Census Place: Ayr, Fulton, Pennsylvania
Source: FHL Film 1255133 National Archives Film T9-1133 Page 87A
Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace Occ: Father's birth place Mother's birthplace
James MUMA Self M M W 38 PA Farm Laborer Fa: PA Mo: PA
Mary MUMA Wife F M W 37 PA Keeping House Fa: PA Mo: HESSELAND
Mary E. MUMA Dau F S W 18 PA Helping Mother Fa: PA Mo: PA
John MUMA Son M S W 13 PA Laborer Fa: PA Mo: PA
Catherine MUMA Dau F S W 10 PA At Home Fa: PA Mo: PA
George MUMA Son M S W 8 PA Fa: PA Mo: PA
Albert MUMA Son M S W 7 PA Fa: PA Mo: PA
Nic Ira MUMA Son M S W 11M PA
Obituary reads:
Burnt Cabins
On December 6, 1893 Mr. James Mumma, departed this life after a short illness, aged 52 years, 1 month, and 10 days. He died in the triumph of a living faith in Christ. Funeral services conducted by the Rev. W. W. Rothrook.
Source: The Fulton County Republican, December 15, 1893.
MUMMA, James, BURNT CABINS, d-6 Dec. 1893; Age 54y; Co. C, 126th PA. Inf.; GAR
Source: FCHS Cemetery Disk, 1997
Census of 1870 has James and Mary's age as 26 (1844) and 23 (1847). In 1880 ages as 38 (1842) and 37 (1847). Pension records would have him born in 1841. The cemetery disk lists his birth year as 1839. His obituary indicates the birth year as 1841. The two early censuses would have his birth in 1840 or 1841. being that he was listed as 10 and 20.