Plot 35: John Finneran

John Finneran, also known as John Burke and Henry Atwood, was born in 1837 in Ireland. Unable to read or write, he found work as laborer after arriving in the United States.

Mr. Finneran enlisted in the United States military on June 15, 1861, at age 23. He served as a private in Company B of the 7th Infantry, and fought on the side of the Union. He enlisted in Massachusetts as a spinner living in Fall River. He deserted on September 5, 1862, but was arrested on June 26, 1863. He received a draft on June 30, 1863, and rendezvoused at Boston Harbor. He was mustered out on June 27, 1864.

He was incarcerated in the Massachusetts State Prison in 1860. He remained there for 11 and a half years until his death from syphillis on May 18, 1882, aged 44.