Zachariah Johnson, Company K

Zachariah Johnson, a freeborn oysterman, was 18 years old when he enlisted at Fortress Monroe on 13 December 1863. His pension application folder included the usual forms — questionnaires, affidavits, depositions — and also copies of his marriage license and his death certificate.

Invalid — 1,197,289 / 979,597
Widow — 1,132,228 / 866, 374, Susan Johnson

Marriage License [copy], Zackari [sic] Johnson & Susan Elliott,
12 February 1872
[Time / Place ] 15 February 1872, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Ages ] 23 and 21, respectively
[Condition] Both were single
[Place of birth / Residence] Husband and wife were born in Norfolk Co., Va. and resided in Norfolk Co., Va.
[Husband’s parents] Robert & Patsey Johnson
[Wife’s parents]  Robert & Mary Elliott
[Husband’s occupation] Oysterman
[Officiant] Reuben Jones

 

Deposition, Zachariah Johnson, 13 March 1889 
55 years old, oysterman, West Norfolk, Norfolk County, Va. … “I was born and reared and have always lived where I now live, on Western Branch, not Bend, Norfolk Co., Va. … I must have been between 18 and 21 when I enlisted … Wm. Thomas Pitt was our Orderly Sergeant who died in Norfolk Co., Va.. … Edward R. Pitt, was a Sergeant and was also a Sergeant during the last part of our service.  Edward R. Pitt lives at Bowers Hill, Norfolk Co, Va., and Stephen Riddick lives in Berkley, Va.”

 

Deposition, Squire Bright, 13 March 1889 
59 years old, 313 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va … “I knew Zachariah Johnson who served as a Corporal in said company, from the time we joined the company near Fort Monroe, Va. in Dec 1863 until we were discharged from service and I have known and associated with him ever since our discharge from service.  Until a few years ago we were neighbors on Western Branch, Va about 3 miles from where I now live.  We followed oystering when I lived near him and I saw him almost daily …”

 

Deposition, Nelson Elliott, 13 March 1889 
56 years old, cor Pine & County St, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “We tented and slept together.  He and I followed oystering prior to our enlistment.  Since his return home after his discharge from the army we have been as socials and neighbors.  I have known him well and intimately from my earliest recollection & from his early childhood.”

 

Deposition, Zachariah Johnson, 19 August 1902
“I lost my original discharge … a boatman before enlistment … I was born free and am the son of Robert Johnson … Wm Thomas Pitt was Ord. Sgt.  His brother Edward Pitt was QM Sgt.  Wm. Granby was a duty Sgt so was Alfred Jones … Nelson Elliott and Sgt. Pitt were my bunk and mess mates … We were in fights at Bermuda Hundred, White House, around Petersburg, Chichihominie [sic].  To my recollection we lost no men on the battlefield. I was on detached duty at Brazos Texas as orderly to carry dispatches … I was sick in service and used to go to the Dr. for medicine but never went in hospital.

 

Questionnaire, Zachariah Johnson, 17 April 1915 
[living with … ] my wife …
[names, birth dates of all children] Margret Johnson, 48 years old, born Sept 8, 1867 … Octavia Johnson, 44 years old, born May 21, 1871

 

Death Certificate, Zachariah Johnson, 15 June 1918
Died 9 June 1918, Western Branch, Norfolk Co., Va.
Married
[Birth date / age] unknown; about 70 years old
[Occupation] Laborer, public works
[Birthplace] Virginia
[Parents’ names] Not known
[Informant] Vanderbilt Johnson, Western Branch, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Death date] 9 June 1918
[Cause of death] Chronic nephritis
[Burial place / Burial date] Churchland, Va.; 12 June 1918
[Undertaker / Address] John T. Fisher, Portsmouth, Va.

 

Letter [handwritten] from Susan Johnson to Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, 27 June 1918
“Dear Sirs,
I write to you to let you know that Zachariah Johnson my husband died on the 9th of June 1918.
Yours,
Susan Johnson
My address is Box 65, West Norfolk, Va.*
Send here.

*Susan Johnson wrote the following address at the top of the letter: “Hale St., 2521, Lindenwood, Norfolk, Va.”

 

General Affidavit, Mary Eastwood & Salina Deans, 19 February 1919 
[Eastwood] 60 years old, 1015 Sumler Ave., Mt. Hermon, Portsmouth, Va. … and [Deans], 74 years old, 110 Wool Ave., Mt. Hermon, Portsmouth, Va. … “they have been intimately acquainted with the claimant Susan Johnson, from her childhood, also knew her husband Zachariah Johnson, before he went into the civil war, before he was well grown, and long before he and the claimant were married.”