Musicians; Sailors


Thomas K. Jones music carpetbag, ca. 1861

Thomas K. Jones music carpetbag, ca. 1861
Item 84266   info
Maine Historical Society

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. After bands were no longer supported by the army, 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.

Accord 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 the carpetbag during the war; his name and regiment are stenciled inside the flap.

Item 3 of 15