I had another artifact I dug up many years ago in Lenoir City. It was a pewter canteen spout, pictured above. Apparently, the owner of the canteen felt it important enough to carve his name on it. Around the spout is carved, J A Nary. That's all Ms. Brewster needed. Here's what she found.

James Nary (also spelled Neary and Narey) of the 3rd Massachusetts Infantry, Company C. was born in Urlingford, Kilkenny, Ireland in about 1819 to William Nary and Judith/Julia Fitzpatrick Nary.

He married Anna Burns, also of Ireland and they had children Julia (1866), William "Willie" (1868) George (1871),Thomas (1872), Lizzie (1876) and John (1979.)

Note: I believe his age is listed wrong on his military records. He would have been older and maybe lied about his age because he could make some money as a soldier. His birth year has been listed as 1818, 1821, and 1834 depending on which record you look at. Not the least bit unusual for a record taker to guess somebody's age or birth year. 

In the 1880 census James and family are living in Stockbridge, Berkshire, Massachusetts where James is a laborer and Anna works for the papermill. 

James died on June 1, 1896 of chronic bronchitis and asthma and is buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Stockbridge, Berkshire County, Massachusetts. His last name is spelled Narey on the headstone. 

There is a book called The Third Massachusetts Regiment Volunteer Militia in the War of the Rebellion 1861 to 1863 published in 1906 by Rev. John G. Gammons that has short bios of the men that served in the regiment. Unfortunately, all it says about James Nary is "Nary, James, 28, Fall River. Dead." But the other longer bios in the book are really interesting and very personal. 

Side Note: James enlisted in Fall River, Massachusetts, which is where Lizzie Borden lived. "Lizzie Borden took an ax..."

Thanks again Kate.