A female doctor in Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina testified that she attended the birth’s of the couple’s children. The widow filed for benefit payments on behalf of a minor child, a daughter. Several other children later filed a claim on their own behalf.
Widow — 459,723 / 323,990, Davy Ann Sawyer
Minor — 602,048 / 418,318
General Affidavit, J.J. Gregory, 18 July 1891
43 years; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., North Carolina … “I was present when Ransome Gregory and David Ann Jones was married Sept 19, 1867 by Rev. Mr. Hilliard in the Episcopal Church — also —
“I was present when Ransom Gregory died Feby 11, 1885, helped to dress him & bury him — also.
“I know that she has not remarried since the death of her husband Ransome Gregory & that she has no means of support other than her daily labor.”
General Affidavit, E.W. Whidbee, 18 July 1891
38 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C. … “When Ransom Gregory died Feby 11, 1885, I helped to dress him & bury him & further I know that his widow David Ann Gregory has not remarried since his death.”
General Affidavit, Hardy Mixon, 18 July 1891
50 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C. … “I was present at the marriage of Ransom Gregory and David Ann Jones, Sept. 19, 1867 at the Episcopal Church in Edenton by Rev. Mr. Hilliard & further —
I know that his widow David Ann Gregory has not remarried since the death of her husband Ransom Gregory”
Record Proof of Marriages, Births and Deaths, Mary Felton, 18 July 1891
residence, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C. … she is a female doctor [and stated] “I was present when the following children were born:
| Thos. E. Gregory was born April 27, 1869 |
| John H. Gregory was born Oct 19, 1871 |
| Robert E. Gregory was born Mch 20, 1874 |
| Florence A. Gregory was born Apr 17, 1876 |
| Surlena F. Gregory was born Feby 17, 1879 |
The above dates are taken from the family Bible where the records of births & deaths are kept. I waited on & attended to this applicant during the time she was sick.”
Record Proof of Marriages, Births and Deaths, Florence Cressey, 18 July 1891
residence, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C. … “I was present when the following named children were born
| Thos. E. Gregory was born April 27, 1869 |
| J.H. Gregory was born Oct 19, 1871 |
| Robert E. Gregory was born Mch 20, 1874 |
| Florence A. Gregory was born Apr 17, 1876 |
| Surlina F. Gregory was born Feby 17, 1879 |
| Sonia Gregory was born Aug 8, 1881 |
| Sarah F. Gregory was born Apr 8, 1883 |
| Ransom A. Gregory was born July 5, 1885 |
General Affidavit, J.J. Gregory & Hardy Nixon, 22 August 1891
[Gregory] 43 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.;
[Nixon] 50 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.;
“We both knew Ransom Gregory deceased husband of the applicant & Mrs. D.A. Gregory his widow (now applicant) before they were ever married to testify that neither was ever married before — lived in same town with them — J.J. Gregory was at the marriage — don’t live far from her now & know that she has to work daily for a living.”
General Affidavit, Martha Skinner & Caroline Wood, 22 August 1891
[Skinner] 40 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.:
[Wood] 33 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.;
“We are well acquainted with Mrs. D.A. Gregory nearly all our lives — live about 200 yards from her & her children. Robert & Sarah F. are living. Sulina, Sonnie, Florance & Ransom are dead.
“We both know that she has no means of support only her daily labor.”
Letter of Guardianship, Davy Ann Sawyer, 10 September 1894
“North Carolina, Chowan County … Sarah F. Gregory is a minor orphan without guardian and Davy Ann Sawyer having applied for the guardianship … ”
Declaration for Children Under Sixteen Years of Age, Davy Ann Sawyer, 17 September 1894
41 years old; “That she is the legal guardian of Sarah Frances Gregory legitimate child of Ransom Gregory … ”
General Affidavit, Florence Creecy & Fannie Bond, 13 November 1894
[Creecy] 42 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.;
[Bond] 38 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.;
“… well and personally acquainted with Ransom Gregory for 20 years before the time of his death Feby 1st 1885, that she has known Davy Ann whom he married & whom he left a widow, for 20 years. That she remembers well when Ransome Gregory was married to Davy Ann & has known both of them to live together up to the time of Ransom’s death. That said Davy Ann (who has since married Jno. Sawyer) is the only one with whom Ransom Gregory has ever lived as his wife & she has never borne any children to anyone except to Ransom Gregory. That on the body of Davy Ann Gregory Ransom begot four children of whom Sarah F. Gregory is the only one under sixteen years, she being now 11 years old. That said Sarah F. Gregory is now living being kept sustained by her mother…”
General Affidavit, John Hathaway, 5 November 1895
54 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.
“That he knew Ransom Gregory well intimately before the war 1861-1865 from the time we were boys together having played together many times in their boyhood days & saw him from that time up to the time of the war as often as several times each week during the whole time …”
General Affidavit, Florence Creecy & Maria Price, 6 November 1895
[Creecy] 43 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.;
[Price] 24 years old; residence and post-office address, Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C.;
“That they each know Davy Ann Sawyer the mother of Sarah F. Gregory intimately, That she was the lawful wife of Ransom Gregory who died leaving her a widow & said Sarah F. Gregory his only child under 16 years of age.
“That on said May 31st 1874 said Davy Ann Gregory was remarried to John Sawyer in Edenton, N.C. by Elder Hawkins & while they at the same time & place witnessed the said marriage being eyewitnesses thereto.
“That said mother is now living as the wife of Jno. Sawyer …”
Declaration for Children Under Sixteen Years of Age, 25 February 1896
“… John H. & Robt. E. Gregory, aged 24 & 21 years, respectively … [Ransom Gregory] left a widow surviving him who remarried on May 31st 1894; That the names and dates of birth of all the surviving children of the soldier under sixteen years of age at time of soldier’s death
| Thomas E. Gregory, born April 27th, 1869 |
| John H. Gregory, born October 19th, 1871 |
| Robt. E. Gregory, born March 20th, 1874 |
| Florence A. Gregory, born Apr 12th, 1876 |
| Serlener F. Gregory, born July 17th, 1879 |
| Sonia Gregory, born Aug 8th, 1881 |
| Sarah F. Gregory, born April 8th, 1883 |
| Ransom A. Gregory, born July 8th, 1885 |
“That the father was married under the name Ransom Gregory to Davy Ann Gregory (née Jones)
“Also personally appeared H.P. Edney, residing at Edenton, N.C. and Wm. Wilder, residing at Edenton, N.C. … their acquaintance with them for 20 years and 20 years, respectively …”
Declaration for Pension or for Increase of Pension of Children Under Sixteen Years of Age, Thos. E. Gregory, John H. Gregory and Robert E. Gregory, 30 December 1898
“… resident of Edenton, Chowan Co., N.C. aged 29, 27, 24 years, respectively … that they are the the legitimate children of Ransom Gregory … that the mother was married under the name Davy Ann Jones …
“Also personally appeared William Wilder & Hannibal Badham residing at Edenton, N.C. … “
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 