Civil War Union veteran James and wife Sarah Jane Devlin came to Hawaii in their late 20's, around 1880, from San Francisco, where he was an engineer in a mill. They had married in 1878. He became an engineer on interisland steamships, achieving status of chief engineer.
Sarah Jane was born "at sea." She may have been of Acadian (Cajun) descent, giving birthplaces for parents on various censuses as France, Canada, Louisiana or New Orleans -- all of which parallel the Cajun lineage. James was of Irish descent, both parents born in Ireland. By 1910 they owned a home at 1268 Young St with a mortgage; by 1920 it was free and clear. In 1920, James at 69 was still working on the ships, and Sarah Jane, 63, was a lacemaker.
From 1923 to 1925, aged 75-77, James was in a Disabled Soldiers care home in California. These entries from their records give much detail about his life. He returned to Honolulu and lived out his remaining days with Sarah Jane.
-----------
Excerpt from "Commemorating the Grand Army of the Republic in Hawai‘i: 1882–1930," Ralph Thomas Kam, The Hawaiian Journal of History, vol. 43 (2009):
On May 30, 1930, Governor Wallace Rider Farrington delivered the oration at the last Memorial Day ceremony held at the GAR plot:
"Today we see the few surviving veterans of the Civil War, grizzled and gray, fading into the horizon." GAR members James Devlin and James Morelock attended the last gathering at the Nu‘uanu gravesite. By 1931 the Memorial Day march was no longer up Nu‘uanu to the GAR plot, but instead consisted of a parade from ‘A‘ala Park to Thomas Square. It was a Memorial Day ceremony that ironically lacked the presence of the Grand Army of the Republic, the group that had started the commemoration in the first place.
The last GAR member, James Devlin, "was all prepared to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies which originated to do honor to his fallen comrades of the battles of 1861–1865—but nobody came to take him to the services."
"‘He was terribly disappointed' said Mrs. Devlin."
Devlin would not see the next Memorial Day. He died January 18, 1932, and was buried in the GAR section of O‘ahu Cemetery, the last of Hawai‘i's members to pitch his tent on "fame's eternal camping ground."
-----------
RECORDS
US National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
Pacific Branch / Sawtelle, CA / Admitted 1923
JAMES DEVLIN
MILITARY HISTORY
Time/Place of Enlistment: Nov 27, 1863 / Nashville, Tenn.
Rank: P Company: C Regiment: 10 Tenn. Cav.
Time/Place of Discharge: June 8, 1865 / Nashville, Tenn.
Cause of Discharge: M.O.
Disabilities when admitted to the home:
Left inguinal hernia; old operation for rt inguinal hernia; sciatica left side; arteriosclerosis; defect list.; defect vision.
DOMESTIC HISTORY
Born: Delaware Age: 75 [est dob 1848]
Height: 5-7; Complexion: Ruddy; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brn
Read/Write: yes; Religion: Cath; Occ: Retired;
Residence Subsequent to Discharge: Honolulu TH
Married. Wife: Mrs. Sarah J. Devlin
Resides: cor. Ventura and Ferdinand Sts., Honolulu, TH
HOME HISTORY
Rate of Pension: 50
Date of Admission: Ad. P.B. May 29, 1923
Date of Discharge: O.R. Dec. 18, 1925
-------------
Buried in the "Grand Army of the Republic" (GAR) section of the cemetery.
After the end of the American Civil War, veterans formed fraternal groups to continue bonds formed in the war, ultimately gaining political power. The GAR emerged as the most powerful among the various organizations, by 1890 numbering 409,489, and aligned with the Republican Party. Founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, membership was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between April
12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.
Sarah Jane was born "at sea." She may have been of Acadian (Cajun) descent, giving birthplaces for parents on various censuses as France, Canada, Louisiana or New Orleans -- all of which parallel the Cajun lineage. James was of Irish descent, both parents born in Ireland. By 1910 they owned a home at 1268 Young St with a mortgage; by 1920 it was free and clear. In 1920, James at 69 was still working on the ships, and Sarah Jane, 63, was a lacemaker.
From 1923 to 1925, aged 75-77, James was in a Disabled Soldiers care home in California. These entries from their records give much detail about his life. He returned to Honolulu and lived out his remaining days with Sarah Jane.
-----------
Excerpt from "Commemorating the Grand Army of the Republic in Hawai‘i: 1882–1930," Ralph Thomas Kam, The Hawaiian Journal of History, vol. 43 (2009):
On May 30, 1930, Governor Wallace Rider Farrington delivered the oration at the last Memorial Day ceremony held at the GAR plot:
"Today we see the few surviving veterans of the Civil War, grizzled and gray, fading into the horizon." GAR members James Devlin and James Morelock attended the last gathering at the Nu‘uanu gravesite. By 1931 the Memorial Day march was no longer up Nu‘uanu to the GAR plot, but instead consisted of a parade from ‘A‘ala Park to Thomas Square. It was a Memorial Day ceremony that ironically lacked the presence of the Grand Army of the Republic, the group that had started the commemoration in the first place.
The last GAR member, James Devlin, "was all prepared to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies which originated to do honor to his fallen comrades of the battles of 1861–1865—but nobody came to take him to the services."
"‘He was terribly disappointed' said Mrs. Devlin."
Devlin would not see the next Memorial Day. He died January 18, 1932, and was buried in the GAR section of O‘ahu Cemetery, the last of Hawai‘i's members to pitch his tent on "fame's eternal camping ground."
-----------
RECORDS
US National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
Pacific Branch / Sawtelle, CA / Admitted 1923
JAMES DEVLIN
MILITARY HISTORY
Time/Place of Enlistment: Nov 27, 1863 / Nashville, Tenn.
Rank: P Company: C Regiment: 10 Tenn. Cav.
Time/Place of Discharge: June 8, 1865 / Nashville, Tenn.
Cause of Discharge: M.O.
Disabilities when admitted to the home:
Left inguinal hernia; old operation for rt inguinal hernia; sciatica left side; arteriosclerosis; defect list.; defect vision.
DOMESTIC HISTORY
Born: Delaware Age: 75 [est dob 1848]
Height: 5-7; Complexion: Ruddy; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brn
Read/Write: yes; Religion: Cath; Occ: Retired;
Residence Subsequent to Discharge: Honolulu TH
Married. Wife: Mrs. Sarah J. Devlin
Resides: cor. Ventura and Ferdinand Sts., Honolulu, TH
HOME HISTORY
Rate of Pension: 50
Date of Admission: Ad. P.B. May 29, 1923
Date of Discharge: O.R. Dec. 18, 1925
-------------
Buried in the "Grand Army of the Republic" (GAR) section of the cemetery.
After the end of the American Civil War, veterans formed fraternal groups to continue bonds formed in the war, ultimately gaining political power. The GAR emerged as the most powerful among the various organizations, by 1890 numbering 409,489, and aligned with the Republican Party. Founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, membership was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between April
12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.
Civil War Union veteran James and wife Sarah Jane Devlin came to Hawaii in their late 20's, around 1880, from San Francisco, where he was an engineer in a mill. They had married in 1878. He became an engineer on interisland steamships, achieving status of chief engineer.
Sarah Jane was born "at sea." She may have been of Acadian (Cajun) descent, giving birthplaces for parents on various censuses as France, Canada, Louisiana or New Orleans -- all of which parallel the Cajun lineage. James was of Irish descent, both parents born in Ireland. By 1910 they owned a home at 1268 Young St with a mortgage; by 1920 it was free and clear. In 1920, James at 69 was still working on the ships, and Sarah Jane, 63, was a lacemaker.
From 1923 to 1925, aged 75-77, James was in a Disabled Soldiers care home in California. These entries from their records give much detail about his life. He returned to Honolulu and lived out his remaining days with Sarah Jane.
-----------
Excerpt from "Commemorating the Grand Army of the Republic in Hawai‘i: 1882–1930," Ralph Thomas Kam, The Hawaiian Journal of History, vol. 43 (2009):
On May 30, 1930, Governor Wallace Rider Farrington delivered the oration at the last Memorial Day ceremony held at the GAR plot:
"Today we see the few surviving veterans of the Civil War, grizzled and gray, fading into the horizon." GAR members James Devlin and James Morelock attended the last gathering at the Nu‘uanu gravesite. By 1931 the Memorial Day march was no longer up Nu‘uanu to the GAR plot, but instead consisted of a parade from ‘A‘ala Park to Thomas Square. It was a Memorial Day ceremony that ironically lacked the presence of the Grand Army of the Republic, the group that had started the commemoration in the first place.
The last GAR member, James Devlin, "was all prepared to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies which originated to do honor to his fallen comrades of the battles of 1861–1865—but nobody came to take him to the services."
"‘He was terribly disappointed' said Mrs. Devlin."
Devlin would not see the next Memorial Day. He died January 18, 1932, and was buried in the GAR section of O‘ahu Cemetery, the last of Hawai‘i's members to pitch his tent on "fame's eternal camping ground."
-----------
RECORDS
US National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
Pacific Branch / Sawtelle, CA / Admitted 1923
JAMES DEVLIN
MILITARY HISTORY
Time/Place of Enlistment: Nov 27, 1863 / Nashville, Tenn.
Rank: P Company: C Regiment: 10 Tenn. Cav.
Time/Place of Discharge: June 8, 1865 / Nashville, Tenn.
Cause of Discharge: M.O.
Disabilities when admitted to the home:
Left inguinal hernia; old operation for rt inguinal hernia; sciatica left side; arteriosclerosis; defect list.; defect vision.
DOMESTIC HISTORY
Born: Delaware Age: 75 [est dob 1848]
Height: 5-7; Complexion: Ruddy; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brn
Read/Write: yes; Religion: Cath; Occ: Retired;
Residence Subsequent to Discharge: Honolulu TH
Married. Wife: Mrs. Sarah J. Devlin
Resides: cor. Ventura and Ferdinand Sts., Honolulu, TH
HOME HISTORY
Rate of Pension: 50
Date of Admission: Ad. P.B. May 29, 1923
Date of Discharge: O.R. Dec. 18, 1925
-------------
Buried in the "Grand Army of the Republic" (GAR) section of the cemetery.
After the end of the American Civil War, veterans formed fraternal groups to continue bonds formed in the war, ultimately gaining political power. The GAR emerged as the most powerful among the various organizations, by 1890 numbering 409,489, and aligned with the Republican Party. Founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, membership was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between April
12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.
Sarah Jane was born "at sea." She may have been of Acadian (Cajun) descent, giving birthplaces for parents on various censuses as France, Canada, Louisiana or New Orleans -- all of which parallel the Cajun lineage. James was of Irish descent, both parents born in Ireland. By 1910 they owned a home at 1268 Young St with a mortgage; by 1920 it was free and clear. In 1920, James at 69 was still working on the ships, and Sarah Jane, 63, was a lacemaker.
From 1923 to 1925, aged 75-77, James was in a Disabled Soldiers care home in California. These entries from their records give much detail about his life. He returned to Honolulu and lived out his remaining days with Sarah Jane.
-----------
Excerpt from "Commemorating the Grand Army of the Republic in Hawai‘i: 1882–1930," Ralph Thomas Kam, The Hawaiian Journal of History, vol. 43 (2009):
On May 30, 1930, Governor Wallace Rider Farrington delivered the oration at the last Memorial Day ceremony held at the GAR plot:
"Today we see the few surviving veterans of the Civil War, grizzled and gray, fading into the horizon." GAR members James Devlin and James Morelock attended the last gathering at the Nu‘uanu gravesite. By 1931 the Memorial Day march was no longer up Nu‘uanu to the GAR plot, but instead consisted of a parade from ‘A‘ala Park to Thomas Square. It was a Memorial Day ceremony that ironically lacked the presence of the Grand Army of the Republic, the group that had started the commemoration in the first place.
The last GAR member, James Devlin, "was all prepared to participate in Memorial Day ceremonies which originated to do honor to his fallen comrades of the battles of 1861–1865—but nobody came to take him to the services."
"‘He was terribly disappointed' said Mrs. Devlin."
Devlin would not see the next Memorial Day. He died January 18, 1932, and was buried in the GAR section of O‘ahu Cemetery, the last of Hawai‘i's members to pitch his tent on "fame's eternal camping ground."
-----------
RECORDS
US National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers
Pacific Branch / Sawtelle, CA / Admitted 1923
JAMES DEVLIN
MILITARY HISTORY
Time/Place of Enlistment: Nov 27, 1863 / Nashville, Tenn.
Rank: P Company: C Regiment: 10 Tenn. Cav.
Time/Place of Discharge: June 8, 1865 / Nashville, Tenn.
Cause of Discharge: M.O.
Disabilities when admitted to the home:
Left inguinal hernia; old operation for rt inguinal hernia; sciatica left side; arteriosclerosis; defect list.; defect vision.
DOMESTIC HISTORY
Born: Delaware Age: 75 [est dob 1848]
Height: 5-7; Complexion: Ruddy; Eyes: Blue; Hair: Brn
Read/Write: yes; Religion: Cath; Occ: Retired;
Residence Subsequent to Discharge: Honolulu TH
Married. Wife: Mrs. Sarah J. Devlin
Resides: cor. Ventura and Ferdinand Sts., Honolulu, TH
HOME HISTORY
Rate of Pension: 50
Date of Admission: Ad. P.B. May 29, 1923
Date of Discharge: O.R. Dec. 18, 1925
-------------
Buried in the "Grand Army of the Republic" (GAR) section of the cemetery.
After the end of the American Civil War, veterans formed fraternal groups to continue bonds formed in the war, ultimately gaining political power. The GAR emerged as the most powerful among the various organizations, by 1890 numbering 409,489, and aligned with the Republican Party. Founded in Decatur, Illinois on April 6, 1866 by Benjamin F. Stephenson, membership was limited to honorably discharged veterans of the Union Army, Navy, Marine Corps or the Revenue Cutter Service who had served between April
12, 1861 and April 9, 1865.
Inscription
[CROSS]
JAMES DEVLIN
JAN 1, 1848
JAN 19, 1932
SARAH JANE DEVLIN
NOV 7, 1852
OCT 21, 1936
Gravesite Details
Stone birthdate probably in error; paperwork he filled out himself gave 12/28/1848
Family Members
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