Richard R. Shimp, Company H, 10th New Jersey 

Richard R. Shimp, an ancestor of Brother Paul Richard Shimp, was born to William and Ann Shimp on 13 October 1841 in Pittsgrove, Salem County, NJ. His father died when he was just a year old, and Richard went to live with his father's cousin Joseph Shimp, a wealthy farmer.

Richard joined the army and was mustered in as a Private in Company H, 10th New Jersey Volunteer Infantry on 8 November 1861.

He re-enlisted on January 3, 1864, received a promotion to Corporal on January 12, 1865, and was honorably mustered out on July 1, 1865. Beginning in 1863, he saw much action and was at Appomattox Court House for Lee's surrender and the end of the War.  In 1868, Richard joined Company G of the 1st US Cavalry and took part in the Indian Wars in Arizona. After returning home in 1873, he moved to Cape May, New Jersey and married Rebecca Huston in 1875.  He  began working for the rail road, for whom he would work for the remainder of his life. Richard and Rebecca had 5 children: Abner Huston Shimp, Morton Mills Shimp, Claude Plant Shimp, Paul Burleigh Shimp, and Florence L. Shimp.

They moved to Salem County in the early 1890s.  On August 2, 1890, he filed for a United States Army Veterans Pension.  Rebecca later filed for a United States Army Widow’s Pension on October 3, 1903.

Richard died September 30, 1903, aged 61, after a 2-year battle with pulmonary tuberculosis.  He is buried in the East View Cemetery in Salem, NJ.

Richard’s portrait is displayed on the “Wall of Honor” at Appomattox Courthouse.