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Civil War Veteran -- He enlisted in Company B, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and went to the front to fight for the Union. On May 19,1864, he received a severe wound in his thigh, (probably during the battles around Spotsilvania) and, being unable to make his escape, was captured by the enemy, who took him to Andersonville Prison, from thence to Mellen Prison, from which he made his escape, joining Sherman's Army at Goldsboro, N.C., finally reaching Washington, D.C. on April 7,1865. At Washington he obtained a furlough. But, on reaching home, he was taken ill with typhoid pneumonia, and on account of his weak condition, it was six weeks before he was able to return to his post. He received his honorable discharge at Boston, on June 25,1865.
Son of Brian Atkins and Catherine M "Kate" (Sweeney) Atkins. They immigrated to America about 1850.
He married Annie Gallagher on Jan 1,1869 at Brattleboro,VT.
In the 1910 census in Buckland,MA, Michael is listed as born in Ireland c.1845, and Annie is listed as born in Vermont c.1851. In 1910, Annie is listed as a mother of twelve children, six of whom were living at the time.
Children: William F Atkins, Joseph Robert Atkins, an infant daughter, Jane Katherine "Jenny" Atkins, Henry Michael Atkins, George B Atkins, Mary Eliza Atkins Keach, Charles Frederick Atkins, Anna Maud Atkins Reene, Alice Maud Atkins, Paul Edward Atkins, John Patrick Atkins.
Sunday, April 2,1916, Springfield Republican:
WAS IN FORD THEATER - SAW LINCOLN ASSASSINATED
Veteran Witnessed Shooting - Was in Andersonville and Libby Prisons
Michael H Atkins, 71, of Shelburne Falls, a witness to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, died suddenly yesterday afternoon while on the way to a spring near his home. Mr Atkins had a stirring record of service in the civil war. He served in heavy artillery and had been imprisoned at both Anderson and Libby prisons. He was in the Ford Theater in Washington, D.C. when Booth shot Lincoln. This spring Mr Atkins saw the motion picture play, "The Birth of a Nation," and said it was almost a perfect rendition of the assassination as he saw it. Mr Atkins thought no one saw the shot fired but all heard the report. He saw Booth jump over the edge of the box to the stage, catching his foot on the bunting and falling so that he injured his leg. Mr Atkins saw Booth make his way across the stage and out. At the time people thought it part of the play, but hearing Mrs Lincoln scream soldiers and civilians rushed up the stairs to the box, only to find the door locked. Booth seized the opportunity to go into the box where Mr and Mrs Lincoln were after Lincoln's body guard had gone inside to witness the play, Atkins says.
Mr Atkins had lived in Shelburne Falls for 66 years and was in the employ of Lamson & Goodnow manufacturing company. He had been the sexton at St Joseph's church in that town ever since it was built. He served as selectman in the town of Buckland for some time and was one of the committee at the time of the building of the Iron bridge connecting Shelburne and Buckland. He was a highly respected citizen and will be missed by many. Besides his widow, he leaves three daughters and two sons, Jennie and Mary of Florence, and Annie at home, Paul E and Joseph R at home. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 8.30 at St Joseph church. The burial will be in Arms cemetery.
Civil War Veteran -- He enlisted in Company B, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and went to the front to fight for the Union. On May 19,1864, he received a severe wound in his thigh, (probably during the battles around Spotsilvania) and, being unable to make his escape, was captured by the enemy, who took him to Andersonville Prison, from thence to Mellen Prison, from which he made his escape, joining Sherman's Army at Goldsboro, N.C., finally reaching Washington, D.C. on April 7,1865. At Washington he obtained a furlough. But, on reaching home, he was taken ill with typhoid pneumonia, and on account of his weak condition, it was six weeks before he was able to return to his post. He received his honorable discharge at Boston, on June 25,1865.
Son of Brian Atkins and Catherine M "Kate" (Sweeney) Atkins. They immigrated to America about 1850.
He married Annie Gallagher on Jan 1,1869 at Brattleboro,VT.
In the 1910 census in Buckland,MA, Michael is listed as born in Ireland c.1845, and Annie is listed as born in Vermont c.1851. In 1910, Annie is listed as a mother of twelve children, six of whom were living at the time.
Children: William F Atkins, Joseph Robert Atkins, an infant daughter, Jane Katherine "Jenny" Atkins, Henry Michael Atkins, George B Atkins, Mary Eliza Atkins Keach, Charles Frederick Atkins, Anna Maud Atkins Reene, Alice Maud Atkins, Paul Edward Atkins, John Patrick Atkins.
Sunday, April 2,1916, Springfield Republican:
WAS IN FORD THEATER - SAW LINCOLN ASSASSINATED
Veteran Witnessed Shooting - Was in Andersonville and Libby Prisons
Michael H Atkins, 71, of Shelburne Falls, a witness to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, died suddenly yesterday afternoon while on the way to a spring near his home. Mr Atkins had a stirring record of service in the civil war. He served in heavy artillery and had been imprisoned at both Anderson and Libby prisons. He was in the Ford Theater in Washington, D.C. when Booth shot Lincoln. This spring Mr Atkins saw the motion picture play, "The Birth of a Nation," and said it was almost a perfect rendition of the assassination as he saw it. Mr Atkins thought no one saw the shot fired but all heard the report. He saw Booth jump over the edge of the box to the stage, catching his foot on the bunting and falling so that he injured his leg. Mr Atkins saw Booth make his way across the stage and out. At the time people thought it part of the play, but hearing Mrs Lincoln scream soldiers and civilians rushed up the stairs to the box, only to find the door locked. Booth seized the opportunity to go into the box where Mr and Mrs Lincoln were after Lincoln's body guard had gone inside to witness the play, Atkins says.
Mr Atkins had lived in Shelburne Falls for 66 years and was in the employ of Lamson & Goodnow manufacturing company. He had been the sexton at St Joseph's church in that town ever since it was built. He served as selectman in the town of Buckland for some time and was one of the committee at the time of the building of the Iron bridge connecting Shelburne and Buckland. He was a highly respected citizen and will be missed by many. Besides his widow, he leaves three daughters and two sons, Jennie and Mary of Florence, and Annie at home, Paul E and Joseph R at home. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 8.30 at St Joseph church. The burial will be in Arms cemetery.
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Civil War Veteran -- He enlisted in Company B, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and went to the front to fight for the Union. On May 19,1864, he received a severe wound in his thigh, (probably during the battles around Spotsilvania) and, being unable to make his escape, was captured by the enemy, who took him to Andersonville Prison, from thence to Mellen Prison, from which he made his escape, joining Sherman's Army at Goldsboro, N.C., finally reaching Washington, D.C. on April 7,1865. At Washington he obtained a furlough. But, on reaching home, he was taken ill with typhoid pneumonia, and on account of his weak condition, it was six weeks before he was able to return to his post. He received his honorable discharge at Boston, on June 25,1865.
Son of Brian Atkins and Catherine M "Kate" (Sweeney) Atkins. They immigrated to America about 1850.
He married Annie Gallagher on Jan 1,1869 at Brattleboro,VT.
In the 1910 census in Buckland,MA, Michael is listed as born in Ireland c.1845, and Annie is listed as born in Vermont c.1851. In 1910, Annie is listed as a mother of twelve children, six of whom were living at the time.
Children: William F Atkins, Joseph Robert Atkins, an infant daughter, Jane Katherine "Jenny" Atkins, Henry Michael Atkins, George B Atkins, Mary Eliza Atkins Keach, Charles Frederick Atkins, Anna Maud Atkins Reene, Alice Maud Atkins, Paul Edward Atkins, John Patrick Atkins.
Sunday, April 2,1916, Springfield Republican:
WAS IN FORD THEATER - SAW LINCOLN ASSASSINATED
Veteran Witnessed Shooting - Was in Andersonville and Libby Prisons
Michael H Atkins, 71, of Shelburne Falls, a witness to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, died suddenly yesterday afternoon while on the way to a spring near his home. Mr Atkins had a stirring record of service in the civil war. He served in heavy artillery and had been imprisoned at both Anderson and Libby prisons. He was in the Ford Theater in Washington, D.C. when Booth shot Lincoln. This spring Mr Atkins saw the motion picture play, "The Birth of a Nation," and said it was almost a perfect rendition of the assassination as he saw it. Mr Atkins thought no one saw the shot fired but all heard the report. He saw Booth jump over the edge of the box to the stage, catching his foot on the bunting and falling so that he injured his leg. Mr Atkins saw Booth make his way across the stage and out. At the time people thought it part of the play, but hearing Mrs Lincoln scream soldiers and civilians rushed up the stairs to the box, only to find the door locked. Booth seized the opportunity to go into the box where Mr and Mrs Lincoln were after Lincoln's body guard had gone inside to witness the play, Atkins says.
Mr Atkins had lived in Shelburne Falls for 66 years and was in the employ of Lamson & Goodnow manufacturing company. He had been the sexton at St Joseph's church in that town ever since it was built. He served as selectman in the town of Buckland for some time and was one of the committee at the time of the building of the Iron bridge connecting Shelburne and Buckland. He was a highly respected citizen and will be missed by many. Besides his widow, he leaves three daughters and two sons, Jennie and Mary of Florence, and Annie at home, Paul E and Joseph R at home. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 8.30 at St Joseph church. The burial will be in Arms cemetery.
Civil War Veteran -- He enlisted in Company B, First Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and went to the front to fight for the Union. On May 19,1864, he received a severe wound in his thigh, (probably during the battles around Spotsilvania) and, being unable to make his escape, was captured by the enemy, who took him to Andersonville Prison, from thence to Mellen Prison, from which he made his escape, joining Sherman's Army at Goldsboro, N.C., finally reaching Washington, D.C. on April 7,1865. At Washington he obtained a furlough. But, on reaching home, he was taken ill with typhoid pneumonia, and on account of his weak condition, it was six weeks before he was able to return to his post. He received his honorable discharge at Boston, on June 25,1865.
Son of Brian Atkins and Catherine M "Kate" (Sweeney) Atkins. They immigrated to America about 1850.
He married Annie Gallagher on Jan 1,1869 at Brattleboro,VT.
In the 1910 census in Buckland,MA, Michael is listed as born in Ireland c.1845, and Annie is listed as born in Vermont c.1851. In 1910, Annie is listed as a mother of twelve children, six of whom were living at the time.
Children: William F Atkins, Joseph Robert Atkins, an infant daughter, Jane Katherine "Jenny" Atkins, Henry Michael Atkins, George B Atkins, Mary Eliza Atkins Keach, Charles Frederick Atkins, Anna Maud Atkins Reene, Alice Maud Atkins, Paul Edward Atkins, John Patrick Atkins.
Sunday, April 2,1916, Springfield Republican:
WAS IN FORD THEATER - SAW LINCOLN ASSASSINATED
Veteran Witnessed Shooting - Was in Andersonville and Libby Prisons
Michael H Atkins, 71, of Shelburne Falls, a witness to the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln, died suddenly yesterday afternoon while on the way to a spring near his home. Mr Atkins had a stirring record of service in the civil war. He served in heavy artillery and had been imprisoned at both Anderson and Libby prisons. He was in the Ford Theater in Washington, D.C. when Booth shot Lincoln. This spring Mr Atkins saw the motion picture play, "The Birth of a Nation," and said it was almost a perfect rendition of the assassination as he saw it. Mr Atkins thought no one saw the shot fired but all heard the report. He saw Booth jump over the edge of the box to the stage, catching his foot on the bunting and falling so that he injured his leg. Mr Atkins saw Booth make his way across the stage and out. At the time people thought it part of the play, but hearing Mrs Lincoln scream soldiers and civilians rushed up the stairs to the box, only to find the door locked. Booth seized the opportunity to go into the box where Mr and Mrs Lincoln were after Lincoln's body guard had gone inside to witness the play, Atkins says.
Mr Atkins had lived in Shelburne Falls for 66 years and was in the employ of Lamson & Goodnow manufacturing company. He had been the sexton at St Joseph's church in that town ever since it was built. He served as selectman in the town of Buckland for some time and was one of the committee at the time of the building of the Iron bridge connecting Shelburne and Buckland. He was a highly respected citizen and will be missed by many. Besides his widow, he leaves three daughters and two sons, Jennie and Mary of Florence, and Annie at home, Paul E and Joseph R at home. The funeral will be held Tuesday morning at 8.30 at St Joseph church. The burial will be in Arms cemetery.
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