Object ID	2006.0027.011
Accession#	2006.0027
Object Name	Certificate, Pension
Abstract	A pension certificate for Robert A. Cassidy's widow, Caroline. It was issued for his services as a musician in the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War
Date	August 19, 1918
Search Terms	Canton Ohio Pennsylvania Civil War Musicians Mayors Pensions
Collection	Robert A. Cassidy Collection
Access Conditions	By appointment.
People	Cassidy, Robert A. Cassidy, Caroline Johnson
Subjects	Pensions
Catalog date	12/27/2006
Classification	Military
Credit line	Cassidy's granddaughters Jean Takacs Burda, Grace Denny Embrey, and his great grandchildren John Mathew Burda and Pamela Sue Burda.
Home Location	G.A.R. Hall Museum
Language	English
Notes	Collection of Civil War memorabilia collected and owned by Robert Andrew Cassidy of Canton, Ohio. He was a mayor of Canton, political figure, clergyman, and distinguished Civil War veteran; a friend of presidents Ulysses S. Grant and William McKinley who was also from Canton. The collection was given to the Robert L. Hunker Historic Preservation Foundation for perpetuity to be a part of the Civil War Museum housed in the G.A.R. Hall at 1785 Main Street in Peninsula, Ohio by granddaughters Jean Takacs Burda and Grace Denny Embrey and great grandchildren John Matthew Burda and Pamela Sue Burda. This collection came to the Foundation via a series of unrelated coincidences commencing with the three books given to Robert L. Hunker, the Museum and Foundation founder by Joseph Rinella in 2004. Rinella was an associate involved with Robert L. Hunker's country estate Gully Ridge House and farm and gave the books as payment for unpaid rent. Joseph Rinella, a special duty nurse, was given the books by his patient, Glenn Cassidy, whom he nursed for six months in Canton in 2002. (Further research in process on Glenn Cassidy and he is unknown by Robert A. Cassidy's heirs) In the one book is a letter from General Grant to Robert A. Cassidy. Robert L. Hunker took the book to his friend Ronda Russell, owner of the Antique Emporium in Peninsula and an educated Civil War buff and Roundtable activist to evaluate. Question: Who is Robert A. Cassidy? Ms. Russell was getting nowhere with her research on Cassidy when Peninsula resident and friend Jean Burda came in to Russell's Antique Emporium with a part of this collection wrapped in a green silk scarf. She asked Ronda to evaluate and dispose of them. She said they belonged to her grandfather, Robert A. Cassidy who fought in the Civil War and lived in Canton. Here was the answer to the identity of Robert A. Cassidy! Mrs. Burda and Ronda asked Mr. G. Paul Huff, Civil War researcher, collector, and expert to evaluate. He placed the value of this collection at at least $6,000.00. It was re-evaluated at $9,000 due to additional research and expansion of the collection. In determining the value of this collection, Huff considered several factors: First, the simple amount of related material - diaries (four), a photo album, official documents, photos, Bibles, letters and newspaper clippings is fantastic. Some of the military records concern other members of Cassidy's family. There is a CDV of Cassidy from the Civil War and photos (one of them where he's wearing his G.A.R. ribbon) following the Civil War. Secondly, the Civil Regiment is another thing to consider. Cassidy served in a well known fighting unit of the Civil War, the 148th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. In one diary, Cassidy writes of the battles of Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. Thirdly, Cassidy owned the material. He served as the Principal Musician in a fighting unit, was active in his Canton's G.A.R. Post (once serving as its Commander) and served as the Mayor of Canton. He outlined his service in the 148th P.V.I. in its Regimental History (a regimental some consider to be one of the finest ever produced) and is mentioned by others in that regimental. So, we have a man with national recognition. You don't have to dig far to find Cassidy. He's there in the literature of the day! Fourthly is Cassidy's connection with other well-known men of his day. You have a military pass and post-war letter from the Unit's Colonel, James A. Beaver. Beaver served as the Governor of Pennsylvania and Beaver Stadium is named after him. And then there's the McKinley connection! Cassidy belonged to the same G.A.R. Post as McKinley and attended the same Methodist Church. He delivered a eulogy to McKinley and would later serve as one of the seven pallbearers to the President. Mrs. Burda and heirs are not familiar with Glenn Cassidy who gave the books to Joe Rinella. (Research in process 12/2006) This is one of the most rare and personal insights into the Civil War.
Recfrom	Jean Takacs Burda