Revel Bevans alias Ravell Bibbins, Company H

Sometimes a soldier used an alias to protect himself once he had escaped to freedom but in this case the soldier was known by two names before he enlisted. When a veteran (or survivor) applied for a pension benefit, he was obliged to provide proof of identity and an explanation for having two names on record.

 

Invalid – 1,203,025 / 970,386

Notarized Statement, John Majors, 4 June 1898
62 years old, resident of Chincoteague, Virginia “Revel Bevans can neither read nor write and his name was in the army given as Revel Bibbins, as he is often to this day by many ignorant people. I have known him intimately for many years, most of my life. I was in the same Reg. Co. H during the war.”

 

Notarized Statement, Charles Sturgis, 4 June 1898
57 years old, post-office address Pungoteague, Virginia “I have known Revel Bevans all my life I was with him in the army of the rebellion in the same Co. and Reg. I know that Revel Bevans cannot read or write and he is often called Revel Bibbins and he and many colored people do not know the difference between Bevans and Bibbins.

 

Questionnaire, Revel Bevans, 2 August 1898
[Married?] widower
[When, where, by whom] Have had two wives, both before the war 1861 to 1865
[Record] “I suppose there is a record of first marriage in Co. Courts Clerk’s Office. Some 67 years ago my last marriage was made lawfull [sic] by act of Congress.”
[Previous marriage] first wife Mary Beckett; second wife Nancy Sample
[Living children?] Peter Bevans was born 1846; Mary Jane Bevans was born 1864; Samuel Bevans was born about 1852 or 1853

 

Questionnaire, Revel Bevans, 2 August 1898
“[Residence] near Pungoteague, Va., P.O. Pungoteague, Va
[Residence after discharge] I have lived about the same neighborhood since my discharge
[Nearest post-office] Pungoteague, Va. & Painter, Va.
[Post-discharge occupation] Laborer
[Other names] My name is Revel Bevans often called Bibbins
[Military service] I am unable to read or write and do not know, only as above stated, Bevans or Bibbins”

 

Letter from Mary Bevans to Mr. Winfield Scott, 7 June 1928
“Dear Sir,
“In answer to the letter I received from you today, I am writing you this letter giving you the important fact in the case of my grandfather Revel Bevans, whose certificate no. is 970386.
“I am his lawful grandchild, and he lived with me 6 years before he was killed. I supported him in every way and after his death. I have all of the expenses of his burial as well as the expenses of his sickness.
“My purpose of writing to you is that I want to make a claim for these expenses.
Hoping that I shall hear from you soon.
“I am very respectfully,
Mary Bevans
802 George St.
Baltimore, Md.”

 

Application for Reimbursement, Mary Bevans, 13 September 1928
51 years old, 802 George St., Baltimore Co., Maryland … reimbursement from the accrued pension for expenses paid (or obligations incurred) in the last sickness and burial of Revel Bevans …  who died September 29, 1902 at Accomac Co., Va. and was buried by Accomac Co., Va.”

 

Reimbursement, Mary Bevans, 1 July 1929

Amounts Claimed
Physicians’ bills	$ 110.00
Medicine	25.00
Nursing and care	112.00
Undertaker’s bill	367.00

The claim was “rejected on the ground that claimant is manifestly unable to furnish evidence necessary to complete claim.”

 

Letter from Mary Bevans to Commissioner of Pensions, on/about 26 June 1929
“My dear Sir:
“The doctor Mr. Fred Kellam who attended Revel Bevans has long been deceased. The undertaker Mr. Jimmie Hisler has also been long deceased. Both were formerly of Accomac County Virginia the home of Mr. Bevans, therefore I am unable to furnish the statement from doctor or undertaker who attended Mr. Bevans. I am only able to furnish my personal statement of the nursing, care and support of Mr. Bevans.
“Yours truly,
701 Edmondson Ave.
Baltimore, Md.”