In partnership with the Maine Memory Network Maine Memory Network

Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea

This is a breadcrumb navigation to take you back to previous pages.Maine Memory Network > Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea > Civil War > Tilson's Hat
  • Skip to Navigation
  • Skip to Content
  • Skip to Sidebar Content
  • Skip to Footer
  • Home
  • Thomaston Narrative
  • Architecture
  • Civil War
    • Ammunition Case
    • Atticus: A Fugitive Slave
    • Emerson Letter
    • Greenleaf Cilley
    • JP Cilley Ledger From Post
    • P.H. Tilson Death Notice
    • Tilson's Hat
    • Tillson Testimonial
    • U.S. Flagship Hartford
  • The Great Depression
  • Henry Knox
  • Maine State Prison
  • Shipbuilding
  • About Us

Tilson's Hat

Civil War Union Cap worn by Perez Tilson
Civil War Union Cap worn by Perez Tilson
Thomaston Historical Society

➢ This is a recreation Henry Tilson’s possible conversation before he left for war.

“Henry! Henry, come hither, “ said his mother, Maratha.
“Coming Mother, “Henry said. “What is it Mother?”.
“Oh darling, I am going to miss you so much!”
“What? What is it? Mother, what’s wrong?”
“Henry, President Lincoln is calling upon 1,500 men into war to fight against the Confederates.”
“I will go Mother. I love my schooling, but I love my country more. I will leave tomorrow.”
“Henry, I am going to miss you. Go tell your father of your plans.”
That night it was quiet at the dinner table. Both parents were surprised that their son was going into the war. The next morning, Henry left carrying a bag on his shoulder. Later that day he reached camp.
“Perez Henry Tilson? Perez Henry Tilson?” said the General.
“Yes, Sir, I am here,” Henry said.
“Ah, yes, we are leaving for battle at 1900.”
“Okay sir, I will be there.”
The next morning the soldiers left for battle. During the battle, the Confederates drove the Union soldiers off the field. Perez Henry Tilson was the first man to die from Thomaston in the Civil War. He was killed by a cannon ball that blew off both of his legs. As he was dying, he gave his diary and hat to the soldiers to bring back home.

THE END

Everts, Louis H. Ms. Thomaston, ME.
This is a summary of Perez Henry Tillson's life. This summary explains how he was called to battle. Primary Source

Everts, Louis H. Ms. Thomaston, ME.
This manuscript told us what battle Perez Henry Tillson was in and when he died. Primary Source

Beckett, Brad. A History of Thomaston Maine For Young Readers. Rockland: Lakeside Printing, 1994.
The chapter of this book that we read told us about Perez Henry Tilson gave a little backround about what he did before he left for war. It aslo told us how he died. Secondary Source






Thomaston: The Town that Went to Sea    |    Thomaston Public Library, 60 Main Street, Thomaston, Maine 04861    |    (207) 354-2453    |    Contact Us 
In partnership with the Maine Memory Network    |    Project of Maine Historical Society