James A Mackey

Private James Adam Mackey

James Adam Mackey was born on April 20, 1839 in Mackey, Schoharie County, New York. He was the eldest of nine children of James Governor Mackey and his wife, Catherine Mattice. He enlisted in the United States Army at Conesville, New York the day after Christmas in 1861. He served in Company B., 4th New York Heavy Artillery from December 27, 1861 to January 3, 1865. His main duties were as a teamster, although he often also carried the company's payroll as well.

After his discharge from the Army, he lived in New York City, where he worked as a teamster. There, he met Charlotte Jane Forrester, who was born in Dublin, Ireland, but had emigrated as a child to the United States. The two were married at the Church of the Epiphany in New York City on August 21, 1875. They remained in the City for several more years, having six children: Mary K, Frank Forrester, Alice L, Mary Charlotte, Catherine Georgina, and James Governor. After the death of James' father in 1890, the family moved to Mackey, New York and took over the running the family farm. James passed away there on June 1, 1909, in the same room he was born in.

Photograph and information submitted by James' great-grandson, John A. Losee.

Private James Adam Mackey