Thomas K. Jones music carpetbag, ca. 1861
Contributed by Maine Historical Society
Description
Thomas K. Jones, a native of Boston who worked as a sign painter, joined the 11th Maine Band in 1861. At 41, he was the oldest of the band's 24 members.
When bands were no longer supported by the army after August 1862, he re-enlisted as private in Co. B of the 17th Maine, transferred to Co. H of the 17th, and finally to the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery before he mustered out in 1865.
According to an 1893 newspaper article, he was the only person in Portland who ever learned the "art of ringing chimes," which he did for Union Church starting in 1855. Jones used this carpetbag during the war; his name and regiment are stenciled inside the flap.
View additional information about this item on the Maine Memory Network.
