Sandy Jenkins alias Sandy Beard, Company E

This application is a gold mine. The soldier recites the names of about 40 men he served with (including their aliases) and the names of eight or ten officers.  He describes troop movements, his personal exploits, and casualties. He self-corrects. He gives great detail about mustering out and seeking bounty payment. He and his tentmates “left New Orleans together” and settled in Cape Charles, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Phoebus, and places nearby. He recalls births of his children.

Invalid — 1,404,501 / 1,171,794
Widow — 1,227,507 / 965,914, Ida A. Jenkins

Marriage License [copy], Elizabeth City County, Sandy Jenkins & Ida Sully, 27 February 1901
He was 52, widowed; she was 43, widowed; married above date @ Phoebus; mailing address, Phoebus, Va. (for both); husband born to Isham and Julia Jenkins in Hertford, N.C.,  wife born to Silvia Walker and George Walker in Richmond, Va.; husband’s occupation, sexton; officiated by William Thornton, Minister of Zion Baptist Church.

Questionnaire, Sandy Jenkins, 11 October 1912
[birthplace] Hertford Co., NC
[place of enlistment] Newbern [sic], NC
[residence before enlistment] Newbern [sic], NC
[occupation] born slave, farmer
[former owner?] 1st owner, Berry Jenkins; 2d owner, Wm. Durden, he was the last owner.
[discharged?] New Orleans, La.
[residence since discharge] Hertford Co., NC, 10 or 12 years and in Elizabeth City Co., Va. ever since
[present occupation] sexton, Zion Baptist Church
[height / complexion] 5’ 4”, black
[previous military service] none
[known by any other name other than that given in your pension application] was once nicknamed Sandy Beard
[what name are you now known] Sandy Jenkins alias Sandy Beard

Questionnaire, Sandy Jenkins, 14 October 1912
[married] Yes. Ida Jenkins.  [I] think [her] maiden name was Ida Walker. She was widow of Lewis Sully.
[when, where, by whom] about 10 years ago.  Rev. Wm. Thornton in Phoebus, Va.
[record] Court record in Hampton, Ca.
[previously married] Yes. Earnest Barnes, about 1870. Died about 1900.
[living children] James Jenkins about 37 years; Rowena Brown about 33 years; Isaac Jenkins about 31 years; Austin Jenkins about 26 years

Questionnaire, Sandy Jenkins, 14 October 1912
[address] post-office Box 65, Phoebus, Va.
[birthplace] Hertford Co, N.C.
[enlistment] Newbern [sic], N.C.
[residence before enlistment] Hertford Co., N.C.
[occupation] born slave, farmer
[former owners] 1st owner was Berry Jenkins; 2d owner Wm. Durden, he was the last owner
[discharged] New Orleans, La.
[since discharge] Hertford Co, N.C. 10 or 12 years and in Elizabeth City Co, Va. ever since
[occupation] Sexton, Zion Baptist Church
[aliases] Was once nicknamed Sandy Beard

Deposition, Benjamin Jenkins, 13 March 1913
About 78 years old; no occupation; post-office address, Natl Soldiers Home, Va. … “I am well acquainted with the man now present (claimant). I have known him since he was a little boy. We both lived in Hertford Co., N.C. between Winston and Murphysboro [sic]. He belonged to Berry Jenkins and I belonged to his son, Tommy Jenkins, and we lived three miles apart. Sometime before the war I went to Perquimans Co. N.C. and when I next saw him he was in the army in same company I was in. He was called Sandy Beard and was a Pvt. When I first knew him he was called Sandy Jenkins after his owner.

“I asked him why he was called Sandy Beard while we were in the army. I don’t remember what he said and I don’t know why he changed his name. We both enlisted about the same time and we were discharged at the same time.

“I never met him from discharge till about 5 years ago when I met him here in Phoebus….”

“I knew his mother. Her name was Julia Jenkins. I also knew his father but don’t remember his name.”

Deposition, Noah Ballard, 15 March 1913
“I am in my 74th year, not able to work, P.O. address 1037 Columbia St., Portsmouth, Va. ….
“I served as Sgt in Co. E 1st USC Cav. under Capt. Chas. Emmerson from Dec 12/63 to Dec 4/66.
“I remember Sandy Beard who was a Pvt in my Company very well. I first knew him in the army, and he served about as long as I did.
“I did not see him from the time we were mustered out till last fall when he and Benj. Jenkins came to this home together. I talked with him quite a while and then I became satisfied that he was the man who served in my company as Sandy Beard. I don’t know that he was ever known by any other name.
“I, Ben Jenkins, and he Sandy Beard, went before Lawyer Reid and I and Ben made affidavit that he was the Sandy Beard who served in Co. E, 1st USC Cav. I don’t know anything about the name Sandy Jenkins and I never saw him from discharge till he came to this house last fall.”

Deposition, Redmond Parker, 22 March 1913
about 72 years old; teamster; post-office address, 32 N & W Ave., Suffolk, Va…. “Q: Do you recall your tentmates?
A: I had several. Willis Harris, Richard Osbrook, Sandy Jenkins, that’s all. I ain’t seen Harris since we left New Orleans. Osbrook lived at Cape Charles about 10 years and Sandy Jenkins lived near Ft. Monroe, Phoebus. I saw him there last year. I knew Sandy from a boy up. We were raised in Hertford Co., N.C.  Played together Sundays. He belonged to Berry Jenkins.

Q: What was his name in the army?
A: Sandy Jenkins to the best of my knowledge, that is his correct name.

Q: Do you recall the name Sandy Beard in the company?
A:  Yes, sir.

Q: Was that claimant’s name in company?
A” I don’t know sir. I called him Sandy Jenkins. … I have seen him a number of times since discharge. Have been to his home at Phoebus. I worked in the Navy Yard for 18 years. I am sure that he is the right man.”

Deposition, Sandy Jenkins alias Sandy Beard, 13 March 1913
About 67 years old; sexton and laborer; residence, Phoebus, Va. … “[I] was discharge [sic] in 1866, in March, I believe at New Orleans. Capt. Emmerson stopped at New Orleans and I stopped there with him a short time. Most of the company were paid off at City Point, Va.

“I do not know the date of my birth but I was about 18 years old when I enlisted. My father was named Isom Cooper after the owner. My mother was Julia Jenkins. She and I belonged to Berry Jenkins. My true and correct name is Sandy Jenkins. After Berry Jenkins died I fell to his daughter who was the wife of Wm. Durden in Hertford, Co. I was with him about 6 years then went off with the 17th Mass Inf who made a raid through Hertford Co in 1863. I waited on the colonel about 3 months. His name was Fallows I think. They camped at Newbern and I enlisted there for the 1st Cav and the next night I came to Ft. Monroe, where the company and regiment was ‘made up.’ My first and only Captain was Chas. Emmerson, 1st Lt Lewis Whiteman, had 2 or 3 Second Lieuts, forget their names.

“1st Sgt Benj. Burrell, Sgt Geo. Saddler, Sgt. Robt. Hall, Sgt. Alex Parham, Sgt. Noah Ballard, Sgt. Benj. Jenkins, QM Sgt. Granville Joyner, Corpl Henry Hill, Stephen White, Fred Spencer, Benj. Jones, Pvts. Redmond Parker (my bunkmate), Willis Harris, Thos. Griffin, Alexander Brummer, Sandy Slate, Wm. Small, Joe Birdsong, Alfred Cooper, Adam Cobb, Jake Pierce, Ben Fly. There were more but I just don’t remember all their names. There was Amos Goodman — not Goodman — Amos Simmons, I mean.

“Ransom Sutton, Ballard and Benj. Jenkins have testified for me. Redman Parker worked in the Portsmouth navy yard when last heard from. We were playboys together. I don’t know where any other comrades are, except Peter Adams. But he was in some other Co., Co C I think. He is in the Home (List of comrades read –Exr) I remember all those names. There were in my company except James Mason alias Carter Parham.

“The colonel was “Jeff Girard” (Jeptha Garrard); Maj. Sykes (Seip); Adjt. Page. He was our 2d Lt. at one time. I don’t remember doctors name however forgotten them. I remember Capt. Collins of the Regt.

Q:  What battles were you in?­
A:  At Chicahominy [sic] swamp in skirmishes on the picket line in front. Our company was on detached service at Fort Powhatan, near 12 months guarding the telegraph wire through the county, and we had several skirmishes patrolling the telegraph wire. One place was called Cabin Point. Wm. Small and Sandy Slate were killed at Cabin Point and two more got killed at some other place. Chas. Windley and Thos. Roach were killed at Chicaohominy [sic] Swamp. Ransom Sutton got his eye shot out. After Richmond fell we went to Brazos, Texas in 1865. We got there about July and staid [sic] there till near muster out. I was never in a hospital.”

Q: Why did you enlist as Sandy Beard?
A:  When I enlisted I gave my name as Sandy Berry, after my old master’s given name but they put it down Sandy Beard by mistake.
“I have no picture of myself. I am 5 ft. 4 inches, brown complexion, black eyes and hair, no marks or scars.
“I cannot prove my age. I don’t know anybody who knows my exact age. I was about 18 years old when I enlisted that is the age I gave. Don’t know what they put down. My complexion is not black, not real black.  It is dark brown color.  I swear positively that I am the same man who served as a Pvt in Co. E., 1st USC Cav. as Sandy Beard. I forget what Brigade we belonged to. The 2d USC Cav served with us. We turned our horses in when we went to Texas, served dismounted there.
“I sent my discharge to Washington, at least I gave it to Mr. Brown in Norfolk, Va. to get bounty, a few years after the war and never got it back. I got $100 bounty after the war. I forget who my witnesses were in my bounty claim. I don’t know but I am pretty certain that Henry Judkins and John Bannister or Zannister were in my company.

Q: Why did you not apply for pension before?
A: I don’t know. I did not have my discharge and just did not do it. I did have brothers and sisters. Don’t know what become of them: Wm, Albert, Jake and Anthony Jenkins. Some of them are dead I know. They lived in Hertford Co. “

Deposition, Peter Adams, 20 March 1913
“I am 71 years of age, occupation was farmer, P.O. address Natl Solders Home, Va. … I served as Pvt in Co C, 1st US C Cav. … I know Sandy Jenkins who lives in Phoebus, Va. well. He was a soldier in my Regiment in Capt. Emmerson’s co … He served under some other name but I cannot think of it now.… I first knew Sandy Jenkins in the Army. I have lived in Phoebus ever since the war and he has lived near me there for 30 years or more.
“I know that he was not getting a pension and I told [him] several times that he could get a pension under the law of 1907.”

Questionnaire, Sandy Jenkins, 22 March 1915
[birth] about Dec 1845, Hertford, N.C.
[enlistment] Newbern, N.C.
[married] Miss Ernest Barnes
[when, where, by whom] in 1869, Hertford N.C. by a white minister named Sevage
[record] Don’t know. This was my first marriage.
[previously married] I married a second wife Feb 23, 1901 at Zion Baptist Church, Phoebus, Va. Her name was Mrs. Ida Sully, a widow, by Rev. William Thornton
[record] County Court House, Elizabeth City Co., Va.
[present wife’s former husband] Former husband was Lewis Sully. I don’t know when they married. Don’t know date of his death. Had no military and naval service. She only had two husbands. Lewis Sully and me.
[living with wife] We are still living together at Phoebus, Va.
[all your children] James Jenkins about October 1870; Branch Jenkins (now dead) about September 1872; Isom Jenkins born late in 1873; Rowena Jenkins born in 1874; Austin Jenkins born in 1879. The above notes are from memory which may not be accurate but the best I can do.”

Death Certificate [copy], Sandy Jenkins, 8 December 1924
[date / place of death] as above; Phoebus, Elizabeth City County, Va.
[address] Fulton St.
[sex / race / status] male / colored / married
[wife] Ida Jenkins
[birthdate] “don’t know”
[age] 75 years
[occupation] sexton, Zion Baptist Church
[birthplace] North Carolina
[parents’ names and birthplaces] don’t know
[informant] Ida Jenkins, Phoebus, Va.
[cause of death] chronic nephritis
[place / date of burial] National Soldiers Home, 12 December 1924
[undertaker] W.T. Smith & Sons, Hampton, Va.

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Ida S. Jenkins, 3 [?] January 1925
65 years old, born September 5, 1859 at Richmond … soldier died December 8, 1924 at 44 Fulton St., Phoebus, Virginia …  she was married to said soldier February 27, 1901 under the name of Ida Sully at Phoebus, Virginia by Rev. William Thornton … Claimant was married to Lewis Sully, Lewis Sully died October 17, 1898; 44 Fulton St., Phoebus, Va. (only marriage of claimant). Soldier married once previously to Earnest Barnes Jenkins, who died Oct. 3, 1899.”

Sworn Statement, James Payne & James H. Payne, 6 March 1925
79 years old and 39 years old, respectively; both reside 47 Fulton Street, Phoebus, Virginia … “That they have known Ida S. Jenkins and Sandy Jenkins, deceased, for 35 years and 30 years respectively. They know that the said Ida S. Jenkins and Sandy Jenkins lived together as husband and wife and occupied a residence at 44 Fulton Street, Phoebus, Va., from the time of their marriage, about the year 1901, up to and until the time of the decease of the said Sandy Jenkins in December, 1924. And further, that the said Ida S. Jenkins and Sandy Jenkins were never divorced and lived together as husband and wife unto the date of the soldier’s death.”

Sworn Statement, James Payne, 5 September 1925
80 years old, residence No. 47 Fulton Street, Phoebus, Virginia … “That he has been a resident of the Town of Phoebus, Virginia for the past 60 years; that he has lived on Fulton Street, in said Town of Phoebus, for practically the whole of this period. That he knows well Ida S. Jenkins, widow of Sandy Jenkins, and has known her for the past forty years and that she at the present time is occupying a residence across the street from him.

“He states further that he knew well Lewis Sully, deceased, and that the said Lewis Sully died in the residence now occupied by Ida S. Jenkins, which is immediately across the street from your affiant. That you affiant was a friend of the said Lewis Sully and he visited the house upon his deceased and viewed the corpse. That to the best of the recollection of your affiant the said Lewis Sully died on October 17, 1898. That his remains were shipped to the City of Richmond, Virginia for burial.

“Your affiant further states that he knew Ernest Barnes Jenkins, the first wife of Sandy Jenkins, and that she died sometime before the marriage of Sandy Jenkins and Ida Sully (the widow of Lewis Sully). Your affiant further states that he was at the funeral of the said Ernest Barnes Jenkins and that she was buried in Thornton Cemetery, just outside the Town of Phoebus, Virginia.”

Sworn Statement, Louisa Payne, 5 September 1925
“That she is a resident of 47 Fulton Street, which is directly across the street from 44 Fulton Street, that she knew well Lewis Sully, Sandy Jenkins and Ernest Barnes Jenkins, all deceased, and Ida S. Jenkins. That she has known them for the past thirty-five years.

“That she knows Lewis Sully is now deceased; that he died in the residence he occupied at 44 Fulton Street, which was right across the street from where your affiant lived at the time of his death; that the said Lewis Sully died about October 17, 1898 and that the remains were carried to Richmond, Virginia for burial and that she accompanied the remains to Richmond, Virginia.

“Your affiant further states that she knew well Ernest Barnes Jenkins, first wife of Sandy Jenkins, and knows that she died more than twenty-five years ago. Your affiant is aware of these facts because she lived in the neighborhood of the said Ernest Barnes Jenkins at the time of the deceased of the said Ernest Barnes Jenkins.”