The pensioned widow died in 1940! She was born near Deep Creek, Norfolk County, Virginia where she and her parents were known by first and last names during their enslavement. Though she fixed her daughter’s birth about the time of President Garfield’s assassination — Garfield was shot on July 2, 1881 and died September 19, 1881 — other testimony contradicted her statement. Witnesses supporting her application included a prominent Portsmouth resident.
Invalid — 1,108,504 / 976,761
Widow — 624,667 / 774,384, Mary Riddick
XC 2,670,082
Marriage License, Richard Reddick and Mary Taylor, 1 October 1872
Issued in City of Portsmouth … color (both white). Husband, 26 years old; wife, 21 years old. Both single. Husband born in North Carolina; wife born in Portsmouth, Va. Both resided in Portsmouth, Va. Husband’s parents, Harvey & Martha Riddick; wife’s parents. Jefferey & Sarah A. Taylor. Husband’s occupation, laborer. Officiant was Rev. J.W. Godwin.
[Note: The race was incorrectly reported as “white” — Leslie]
General Affidavit, Frank Powell & Alexander Cherry, 25 April 1895
[Gordon] 52 years old; residence Norfolk County, Virginia;
[Cherry] 49 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Va.
“They are well acquainted with Riddick and have known him for 21 years or more and do believe that the disabilities under which he suffers viz rheumatism and varicose veins. … This knowledge is derived from our acquaintance and from being near neighbors to claimant. We did not use and was not aided by any printed statement or recital papers by any other person than one W.H. Baines to whom we gave our oral statement at Portsmouth, Va. on this the 25th day of April 1895.”
General Affidavit, Richard Riddick, 2 May 1895
49 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Virginia; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
“I hereby certify that I cannot write my name and alway sign by X mark.
“The statement contained in the above affidavit was written in my presence from my oral statement made to one W.H. Baines at Portsmouth, Va. on this 2d day of May 1895 and that in making the same I was not aided or prompted by any written or printed statement or recital prepared or dictated by any other person.”
Certificate of Death, Richard Riddick, 10 July 1895
“colored … male …
[age] 49 years old
[born] North Carolina
[residence or place of death] Griffin Street 718, Portsmouth, Va.
[date of death] July 10, 1895
[names of parents] uncertified
[by whom reported] hospital
[burial] Mt. Calvary Cemetery
[signature] F.S. Hope, Health Officer
“State of Virginia, City of Portsmouth, to wit:
On this 6th day of December 1895, personally appeared before me, a notary public within and for the City and State aforesaid, duly authorized to administer oaths, F.S. Hope, Health Officer for the City aforesaid, and made oath that the within is a true transcript from the records of the Health Office of said city; and I certify that the said F.S. Hope is the Health Officer of said city, and as such the custodian of the records of the Health Office of said City.
“Given under my hand and official seal the 6th day of December 1895.
“Wm. M. Reid, Notary Public”
General Affidavit, Sophia Morse & Mary L. Jones, 30 December 1895
[Morse] 63 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 624 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Jones] 35 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Blunt St., Portsmouth, Va.
“That they were both personally well-acquainted with the claimant Mary Riddick and her husband Richard Riddick, now deceased; that they have known the said Mary Riddick since she was a small child, and intimately to the present; that she was never married previous to her marriage to said Richard Riddick and that she has not married since his death.
“That they have known said Richard Riddick — affiant Sophia Morse since he was a small boy and affiant Mary L. Jones since before his marriage and known of him long before. They both say that he had not been married previous to this marriage to claimant and could not have been without their knowledge.
“Witnesses
I.C. Norcom
T. R. Colding”
General Affidavit, Armesa Miller & Julia Carney, 30 December 1895
[Miller] 39 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 711 County St., Portsmouth, Va.
[Carney] 37 years old, residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 1314 Effingham St., Portsmouth, Va.
“That they known Sarah the daughter of Mary Riddick and her husband Richard Riddick, now deceased; That said Sarah was born on July 13, 1883 on County St., Portsmouth, Va.; That they were not personally present at the birth of said child but were near neighbors of the claimant at the time and saw the said Sarah soon after her birth; They state the fact of date from their recollection as they kept no record.”
“Witnesses
I.C. Norcom
T. R. Colding”
General Affidavit, James Holland & Sophia Morse, 2 January 1896
[Holland] 52 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 818 Effingham St., Portsmouth, Va.
[Morse] 63 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 624 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va.
“That the claimant Mary Riddick was married to Richard Reddick on October 1st 1872 by Rev. John W. Godwin at his residence at the S.E. Corner of Effingham & South St in the City of Portsmouth, Va.
“The affiants were personally present and were eyewitnesses to the marriage of the above named, being personally acquainted with both parties.”
General Affidavit, Virginia Butt, 29 January 1896
47 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Va.; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
“That I am the Commissioner of the Revenue for the City of Portsmouth, and as such the custodian of the books of assessment for said City, and that the name of Mary Riddick does not appear on the said books as the owner of real or personal property.”
Claimant’s Affidavit, Mary Riddick, 29 January 1896
44 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 718 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va.
“That I cannot furnish the testimony of the midwife Agnes Figg who attended me upon the birth of my child Sarah as said Agnes Figg is dead; that the only other person who was actually present at time of said birth was my mother Sarah Ann Taylor is also dead; that I had no attending physician.”
General Affidavit, Elsie Henderson & Armesa Miller, 18 February 1896
[Henderson] 40 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 1003 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, Va.
[Miller] about 40 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 711 County St., Portsmouth, Va.
“That they have been personally well acquainted with the claimant for many years in fact since she was a girl, was also well acquainted with her husband Richard Riddick; that the child Sarah for whom she claims is well known to them and is still living; that said Mary Riddick and her said husband were never divorced and could not have been without the knowledge of the witnesses hereto; that the above facts are stated from intimate personal acquaintance as neighbors and friends of the claimant for many years.”
Claimant’s Affidavit, Mary Riddick, 18 February 1896
residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 718 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va. … “I own no property of any kind, real or personal except a very few of the simplest household articles; and have no income from any source whatever and no means of support except the labor of my own hands. There is nobody who is legally bound to support me.”
Claimant’s Affidavit, Mary Riddick, 2 March 1896
post-office address, 718 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va. …. “That I have no private record of the birth of my child Sarah for whom I claim pension and I do not know of any record anywhere.”
General Affidavit, Beverly West & Joshua Brickhouse, 7 May 1896
[West] 63 years old; residence, Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, 9 Hampton Court, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Brickhouse] 59 years old, residence, Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, 9 Regis Lane, Norfolk, Va.
“That they were comrades of the said Richard Riddick in Co F 1st USC Cav and became acquainted with him at the time of their enlistments in or about Dec 1863 … [They observed Riddick suffered from rheumatism soon after they arrived in Texas and that he walked with a limp throughout their service until the time they were discharged.] … (The affiant Beverly West was 1st Sergeant in said company from his enlistment to his discharge and knows that said Richard Riddick was frequently unfit for duty for the reason above stated) … ”
General Affidavit, Sarah Newsome & Armesa Miller, 20 November 1897
[Newsome] 52 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Va.; post-office address, 127 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va.
[Miller] 48 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Va.; post-office address, 711 County St., Portsmouth, Va.
“That they are personally and intimately acquainted with Mary Riddick the widow of Richard Riddick having known her for at least thirty years as friends and neighbors.
“That at no time since December 2, 1895 has claimant owned any property real or personal except a few household things. That she has no means of support and no income whatever except what she can earn with her own hand.”
Claimant’s Affidavit, Mary Reddick, 16 February 1898
“That she cannot read or write and therefore cannot say how her name should be spelled but according to the name of her husband as written in his discharge, it should be “Reddick.” If the name has been spelled differently in any of her papers those who have written them are responsible.”
Deposition, Mary Riddick, 11 January 1899
about 48 years old; occupation, laundress; residence and post-office address, 718 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va.
“Q. Where were you born and reared?
A. I was born and reared near Deep Creek, Norfolk Co., Va. I was born the slave of Reuben Culpeper (dead). My parents were Jeffrey and Sarah A. Taylor, both dead, my name before I married Richard Reddick was Mary Taylor …
“Q. Where was your husband born and reared?
A. He was born and reared in North Carolina but I do not know just whereabouts. His sister Julia Carney can tell you about him, as can his brother George Reddick of Portsmouth, Va. … I had known my husband something more than four years prior to our marriage. He had not been discharged from the army a great while when I met him. I was living in Portsmouth, Va. with my parents when I first met my husband and up to the time of our marriage October 1, 1872. We were married by license in Portsmouth, Va. by Rev. J.W. Godwin (dead). There is a record of our marriage in the Clerk’s Office of the City of Portsmouth.
“Q. When and where did your husband die?
A. He died at No. 718 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va. July 10, 1895 of lockjaw.
Q. How many children did you have by said husband?
A. I had six head by him viz. Thomas, Wm. Henry (dead), Richard, Ada Frances, Alonzo and Sarah. All of whom were 16 years of age when my husband died except Sarah who was born on County St., Portsmouth between Effingham and Green sts. The house was not numbered at the time she was born. She was born July 13, 1882 Agnes Figge (now dead) attended me professionally at said birth. My brother Richard Harris and his wife lived in the house with me when said child was born and Mrs. Susan Judkins who lived next door to me for 14 years and had child born to her near the time my said child was born. I think Mrs. Dunford, a white lady, who lived across the street from me can give the date of said birth.
Q. What was the condition of your husband’s health during the three years and a half before he died?
A. He was real poorly for five or six years before he died. … Dr. [illegible] came to see him but he could give him no relief. James Henderson, Buck Elliott, & Henry Clay were my husband’s most intimate associates as were also Henry Smith. These men can tell you as much or more about my husband than anyone.”
Deposition, Armesa Miller, 11 January 1899
48 years old; post-office address, 711 County St., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. “I have known the claimant Mary Reddick since in 1865. I became acquainted with her in Portsmouth, Va. and she was living with her mother and father. She was not grown when I first knew her and I have known her and been associated with her intimately ever since. I first knew her as Miss Mary Taylor and so knew her until she married Richard Reddick on whose account she is claiming pension. … I visited the claimant in the afternoon of the morning on which her child Sarah was born but I cannot give the date of said birth from my own knowledge and recollection. If I have been made to state in an affidavit that child was born July 13th 1883 it is a mistake (see affidavit dated Dec 30th 1895) for I don’t remember when said child was born. Oh, yes sir, said child is still living and is still with the claimant. She is now said to be sixteen years old.”
Deposition, Wm. H. Elliott, 12 January 1899
50 years old; post-office address, 1201 Effingham st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “I have lived in the same block with the claimant Mary Riddick during the past six years and I have known before the past 32 years. I also knew her late husband Richard Reddick from the time he came out of the army until he died. I have lived in the same neighborhood with them since in 1866 … I saw the said Richard Reddick every day and often two or three times a day, during the last four years of his life. He lived within 25 yards of me.
“Q. How about his habits?
A. He was sober and industrious as far as he was able to work. He had no bad habits.”
Deposition, James Henderson, 12 January 1899
55 years old; post-office address, 912 Columbus st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va…. I have known the claimant Mary Reddick since in 1865 to the present. When I first knew the claimant she was known and called Miss Mary Taylor. She was living with her mother when I first knew her and she continued to live with her mother until she married Richard Reddick whom I knew from the time he came out of the army until he died.”
“Q. What were your means of knowing that he suffered as you have stated?
A. I lived in the same neighborhood with him during said years and visited him frequently and I saw him almost every day.”
Deposition, Elijah Reddick, 12 January 1899
48 years old; post-office address, 1314 Effingham St., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “I am a brother of the late Richard Reddick … my said brother were born the slaves of Willis D. Reddick near Belvidere, Perquimans Co., N.C. and when we left our master we came here to Norfolk, Va. and stayed here until my said brother enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1863 or 1864, and when he came out of the army we went to living together again and continued to live together until he married the claimant … ”
Deposition, Julia Carney, 12 January 1899
50 years old; post-office address, 1314 Effingham st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. …”I am a sister of the late Richard Reddick … my said brother and I always lived together from my earliest recollection until he married the claimant in 1872 except during his service in the Union army during the war of the rebellion so that I know that he had not been married … I made my house with them from the time they married until I married in 1884 and after I married I lived right near them and I still live within a block and a half of the claimant.
“Q. Do you know the date of birth of said claimant’s child Sarah?
A. I was present when said child was born but I have forgotten the date. I can’t say how old she is. I have no child born near where said child was born.”
Deposition, Sophia Morse, 12 January 1899
66 years old; post-office address, 624 Griffin st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “I have known and have associated with the claimant Mary Reddick from her early childhood. Her parents were Jeffrey & Sarah Taylor. They were owned prior to the rebellion to a Mr. Culpepper who lived near Deep Creek, Va. I knew the family well as I belonged in the same neighborhood.”
Deposition, Elsie Henderson, 12 January 1899
43 years old; post-office address, 912 Columbia st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “I have known and have associated with the claimant Mary Reddick all my life. We were reared together. I was not a slave but I lived in the neighborhood where the claimant was owned prior to the late civil war and when said war commenced we all came to Portsmouth, Va. and have lived together in the same neighborhood ever since …”
Deposition, Henry Smith, 12 January 1899
48 years old; post-office address, 711 County st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “I know the claimant Mary Reddick and I have known her for the past twenty-five years. I have also known her late husband Richard Reddick. I became acquainted with him soon after he came out of the army and was intimate with him up to the time of his death. He and I drove dray together for several years. He followed dray driving as long as he was able to do the work. Oh, yes, I knew him well during the last four years of his life … ”
Deposition, Susannah Judkins, 13 January 1899
48 years old; post-office address, 714 County st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “I have known the claimant Mary Reddick for 25 or more years. She lived next door to me for 17 years and was living here when his youngest child Sarah was born.
“Q. Can you give the date of birth of said child?
A. Yes, sir, that child was born July 13, 1881.
Q. How do you fix that date?
A. I remember the date, besides I gave birth to a son, William Edward on the 15th day of the next September after the July in which the claimant’s child Sarah was born and I have a record of the birth of said child. … There is another way by which the date of birth of claimant’s child Sarah may be determined and that is that she was born 8 days before President Garfield was shot and my said son was born a few days after Mr. Garfield died. I am positive that clt’s child Sarah was born July 13, 1881.”
“State of Virginia, City of Portsmouth, to wit:
“I, C.T. Phillips, Clerk of the Court of Hustings for the City aforesaid in the State of Virginia, do hereby certify that it appears from the record of said Court that Sarah Riddick, colored, child of Richard Reddick and Mary Reddick, was born in Portsmouth, Va. on the July 13th 1881.
“Given under my hand and seal of said Court, this 13th day of Jany A.D. 1899.
“C.T. Phillips, Clerk
“By E. Thompson, D.C.”
Deposition, Mary Riddick, 13 January 1899
48 years old; post-office address, 718 Griffin st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “I have no record of her birth, but it is my impression that my daughter was 16 years of age her last birthday. I know I am not mistaken in the month and day of the month in which she was born but I may be mistaken in the year. I now recall a circumstance that will serve to fix the year in which my said child was born and that is the fact and date when J.A. Garfield, late President of the United States was shot said child was born in the same month in which he was shot (July 1881)”
Deposition, Mary Riddick, 5 November 1901
about 48 years old; occupation, housekeeping; post-office address, 1448 High st., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. … “I was born in Norfolk Co., Va. and was owned by Reuben Culpepper. My father was Jeffrey Harris. My grandmother’s name was Taylor & that was my maiden name. I was married right here in Norfolk, Va. I was married about 1871 or 1872. We were married by Rev. Godwin. Neither of us had been previously married. We were both young when we got married. I have never remarried since death of my husband. He died on Griffin st. between Green & Effingham. I lived there about 4 years after that time. I then moved here where I have been since. Only my children have lived with me since my husband’s death. No one else has ever lived with me. All I know about my husband being in the army is just what he told me. I never knew this till after he left the army. Said he served a good part of his time in Texas. Wills of Wash, DC was my Atty. He charged me nothing but the govt took out ten dollars for him. Mr. Reed executes my vouchers — always requires me to show my cert.”
“Witness: Sarah A. Riddick”
“I have had seven children in all but only one was young enough to get pension for. My oldest boy is 28 years of age. Five of my children are now alive — four of then live with me.
“Q. Why did you take the name Taylor before you were married instead of the name of your mother?
A. Because mother said she wanted me to be married under my grandmother’s name, said she did not wish me to have father’s name. Yes, mother and father lived together till he died but he died near after Richmond fell. My mother was first a Taylor but the Taylors married into the Culpepper family and mother fell to them and they then gave her the name of Culpepper but she wanted me to be called Taylor. I never married or lived with a man named Taylor before my marriage to Mr. Reddick.
Application for Reimbursement, Ada Griffin, 4 October 1940
60 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; “… [applies for re-imbursement for] the last sickness and burial of Mary Riddick who died September 26th, 1940 at Portsmouth, Va. and was buried at Deep Creek, Norfolk Co., Va…
1 – [name of the deceased] Mary Riddick
2 – [status] widow of Richard Riddick
3 – [blank]
4 – [children under 16] no
5 – [children living?] [blank]
6 – [sick or death benefits paid out] no
7 – [insurance] no
8 – 12 [blank]
13 – [executor or administrator] no
14 – [property] no
15 – 17 [blank]
18 – [unendorsed pension check] no
19 – [relation to deceased] daughter
20 – [married] widow
21 – [cause of pensioner’s death] asthma
22 – [date illness began] June 1940
23 – [date decedent required daily care] “September 12, 1940
24 – [name/address of physician] Dr. J.T. Canady, 2837 Glasgow St., Portsmouth, Va.
25 – [person who nursed the decedent] Ada Griffin
26 – [pensioner’s last residence] Deep Creek, Norfolk Co., Va.
27 – [payments due] no
28 – [application to Veterans Administration for payment] no
“Also appeared Joseph Riddick and William E. Judkins …
[Riddick] 98 Foote St., New Haven, Connecticut
[Judkins] 714 County St., Portsmouth, Va.”
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 