Virginius Jones, Company K

Virginius Jones settled in Lynn, Massachusetts after the war. During his service, Jones suffered a rupture when he was thrown on the pommel of his saddle. He also accidentally shot my great-great-uncle William Thomas Pitt, Company K, 1st US Colored Cavalry. Jones described the incident in his pension application.

Invalid — 1,054,692 / 989,792

Statement, James A. Woodley, 20 September 1897
54 years old; post-office address, 35 Charles St., Lynn, Essex County, Mass….”I have known the claimant, Virginius Jones, for the past twenty-two years, and have found him to be a man of very good character, straightforward, sober, and of very good habits. I have lived right side of him for about seventeen years and I know that any disability he may have is not due to vicious habits. … I took care of him when he was sick. He has been confined to his bed at various times, and often works when he really is not able.”

Questionnaire, (Form 3-403), Virginius Jones, 3 June 1898
residence, rear of #40 Charles St., Lynn, Massachusetts
[actual residence, post-office box] 20 Charles St., Lynn, Mass; Lynn, Mass.
[residence after discharge] “When dischd [sic] went to Petersburg, Va., about 1 week, then went to Hampton, Va., 2 yrs; Boston, Mass., Cambridge St. cor Mass St. about 10 years then moved to Lynn, Mass. At various places and [illegible- since then
[nearest post-offices] “in the respective cities
[occupation since discharge] jobbing work
[other names] no
[military service] no

Questionnaire, (Form 3-173), Virginius Jones, 3 June 1898
residence, rear of #40 Charles St., Lynn, Massachusetts
[actual residence, post-office box
[married] no; widower
[when, where, by whom married] [blank]
[record of marriage] [blank]
[previously married] “No, wife’s name was Hannah Suldon or [Hannah Selden], Oct 1886 about, died”
[living children] none under 16 years of age

Statement, Virginius Jones, 27 March 1899 
51 years old; residence, Lynn, Essex Co., Mass….”I write with a great deal of difficulty and for that reason sometimes, especially if the light is poor, or I am feeling especially unwell, sign by mark. I was ruptured in Virginia, [at Norf] Fortress Munroe (Camp Hamilton) 1863 or 1864 caused by being thrown on the pommel of the saddle while jumping bars on horseback. I cannot give evidence of those who were present as I did not know what it was until afterwards it became very troublesome. I cannot furnish evidence of those who knew me before the injury. I was a slave when I went into the army at 16 years of age, and have no idea where the people who knew me then are if living….I was treated some by Dr. Stone and his affidavit has been furnished. I have bought patent medicine. I could not afford to employ a physician. I do any light work I can get to do. I work for a little while and then have to stop hence I am able to earn but very little.”
“Virginius Jones
20 Charles Street
Lynn, Mass.”

General Affidavit, Thomas Peasy [or Peary?], 27 March 1899
57 years old; residence 411 Western Ave., Lynn, Mass,  “That I have known Virginius Jones, the claimant intimately and seen him sometimes three or four times a day, for the past fifteen years. I would consider that he is and has been on account of the disability

General Affidavit, Thomas Nickerson, 27 March 1899
76 years old; residence, 14 Sutton St., Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts “That I have known Virginius Jones, the claimant intimately and seen him frequently during the past 14 years. I consider that he was from Feb 22, 1897 to June 8, 1898 and has been since on account of hernia of left side to general debility totally disabled for the performance of manual labor. He does some light work but appears to become easily exhausted. I am positive that none of his disabilities are in any way due to vicious habits as he is and has been ever since I have known him a man of good habits sober peaceable. His appearance and my acquaintance with him makes me full positive that he has been all his life a sober, peaceable & industrious man. From my intimate acquaintance with him and my opportunities for observation I am confident that I should know it if the facts were otherwise than as above stated.”

Declaration for Increase of Pension, Virginius Jones, 17 October 1906
“56 years old; resident of Lynn, County of Essex, State of Mass. … declares he is a pensioner of the United States, enrolled at the Boston Pension Agency … That he is now totally disabled from earning a support by manual labor by reason of rheumatism, heart trouble, rupture, affection of head and general debility and paralysis.
“That he was born on the 25 of Dec 1849 at Virginia….
“His post-office address is 16 West St., Lynn, Mass….
“Also personally appeared Caroline A. Norwood, residing at Lynn, Mass., and E.B. Tolman, residing at Lynn, Mass….”

Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 16 September 2019), memorial page for Virginius Jones (unknown–7 Dec 1907), Find A Grave Memorial no. 76983219, citing Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn, Essex County, Massachusetts, USA; Maintained by john gibney (contributor 46859312).