Born on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, this soldier lived in North Carolina for a time after the war but settled in Virginia. His brother Samuel C. Jubilee, served in Company K, 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. The attorney representing their interests engaged in questionable practices.
727,803 / 484,292, Virginia Jubilee
General Affidavit, John Herring and John Nottingham, 9 August 1889
[Herring] 65 years old;
[Nottingham] 50 years old; citizen of the Town of Norfolk, County of Norfolk, State of Virginia
“[clt] treated in Texas by Dr. Grey and Manley … [they served] in army with soldier, know when he was shot, and was in same co with him at times, have known him ever since having lived close to him in same city & county … Oscar Jubilee is well known in this city and bears a good name in this city…”
General Affidavit, John Simmons and John Whitehurst, 28 August 1889
[Simmons] 75 years old
[Whitehurst] 65 years old; citizen of the Town of Norfolk, County of Norfolk, State of Virginia
“That they have known Oscar Jubilee for many years back, that he returned to this place in 1866 from army … Oscar Jubilee is known to be an inoffensive and good quiet citizen commanding the respect of the community at large… [see and converse] with him frequently.”
Deposition, Oscar Jubilee, 1 June 1893
about 54 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 30 Lee St., Barboursville, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.,
“Q. Who has possession of your certificate at this time?
A. Mr. John T. Dezendorf of Norfolk, Va. … He told me to bring it to him … [Dezendorf has had it] going on two years.”
[Did you owe him money?] No
[Have you asked for it back?] No
[Have you borrowed from him in last two years?] Yes, sir. From fifty cents to a dollar at a time until the quarterly payment was due for which he charge [sic] me 20 cents on the dollar.
“Q. How long have you lived in Dezendorf’s home?
A. Going on eight months. … When my pension check comes I touch the pen and sign it, the check over to him.”
“Q. Who was your attorney for the prosecution of your claim?
A. I went to W.R. Drury‘s office on Bank Street this city … There was always a crowd of colored people whenever I was in his office.
Q. Do you know Samuel Jubilee and Henry Bush?
A. I know Samuel Jubilee; he is my own brother. I don’t know Henry Bush.
Q. Do you know B.A. Richardson, Jr., a notary public?
A. No, sir, I do not….My brother Samuel Jubilee died two years ago. I made an application for his pension to reimburse me for money spent to bury him but I never received anything. When my claim was allowed I paid Drury fifty dollars. He said twenty-five dollars was for Belva A. Lockwood and twenty-five dollars for himself.
Q. Who were witnesses for you in your claim for
A. Peter Rickman, Richard Grant and Richard Webb all members of my company were witnesses for me …”
Deposition, John Simmons, 8 June 1893
about 70 years old; no occupation; residence and post-office address, 11 Chapel Street Road, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Va.
[How long have you known Oscar Jubilee?] About fifteen years … I moved to Norfolk from Bayside in Princess Anne Co., Va. about fifteen years ago and became acquainted with Oscar Jubilee soon after coming here.”
Deposition, John Whitehurst, 8 June 1893
69 years old; residence and post-office address, 209 Goff St. (Barboursville), Norfolk, Va.
“Q. How long have you known this claimant?
A. I moved to Norfolk from Norfolk County in 1871. and did not get acquainted with said Jubilee for about fifteen years after that.
Q. How do you fix the date?
A. My first wife died and was buried the day Cleveland took his seat as President the first time. and then I had just become slightly acquainted with him (Jubilee).
Q. So then you have known him but about eight years.
A. Yes, sir, that is all.”
Deposition, Richard Webb, 9 June 1893
57 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 209 Bank Street, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
“I am well acquainted with Oscar Jubilee. I served in the same company and regiment with him….”
Deposition, Peter Rickman, 9 June 1893
about 45 years old; occupation, working around market; residence and post-office residence, 16 Lincoln Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
“I am acquainted with Oscar Jubilee. We both served in the same organization …”
Deposition, Oscar Jubilee, 24 January 1894
about 54 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 30 Lee Street, Barboursville, Norfolk, Va.
“I was pensioned for gun shot wound on left side of my head and disease of eyes. I got that wound, I don’t remember the day of the month but I think it was in Sept 1864. We had been out on a scout and coming back the rebels fired into us. We were riding in columns by fours and the man on my right was killed and the man on my left got a ball in his sabre scabbard and I got a ball in my head. but it hit me in the head, it was a glancing shot.
Q. Who was with you at the time you got that wound?
A. Peter Rickman who I understand is here in Norfolk is the only one I know of. Some of them are dead and others are scattered. Dr. Gray tied up my head at the time but I don’t know anything about where he is. I get night blind. I can’t do no stooping down work. I can’t work on the truck farms around here….Before I enlisted I lived up in Northampton County close to Eastville. I served my term under Bill Moore, old Perry Moore‘s son. Since I came home I have lived here in Norfolk. Thomas Boykin, Levin Steward, and William Purnell have known me ever since. … [Steward and I] were boys together … [Purnell] was in the same company as me …
Q. Who was your witness in the old law claim?
A. Tom Johnson and Charles Jones, I think.”
Deposition, William Purnell, 24 January 1894
about 47 or 48 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 23 Jackson St. Barboursville, Norfolk, Va.
“I have been well acquainted with claimant ever since he was discharged … I have lived close to him ever since our discharge and seen him on average of once or twice a week ever since.”
Deposition, Levin Steward, 24 January 1894
55 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, Chapel Street Extended, Barboursville, Norfolk, Va.
“I am acquainted with clt and have been since we were boys. I was in the same regiment with him but I was in Co I 1st US Cav
“[When claimant was wounded] I was at Fort Powhatan at the time and he was at Harrison’s Landing in Va. The news came that Jubilee was wounded in the head. … I have lived close to him every since we came home and have seen him probably on an average of twice a week any how during that time.”
Deposition, Thomas Boykin, 24 January 1894
69 years old; occupation, laborer; address and post-office address, 25 Lee St., Barboursville, Norfolk, Va.
“I was a teamster in the 37th Colored Infantry. I got acquainted with claimant about the time he enlisted…. When I was at Bermuda Hundred I heard that Jubilee got hit in the head at Harrison’s Landing by a ball.”
Deposition, Richard Webb, 23 February 1894
57 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 209 Bank St., Norfolk, Va.
“I served as Sgt in Co I, 1st US C Cav from Dec 1863 to Feb 1866. I am acquainted with Oscar Jubilee … [Once in Brazos] he wore a handkerchief over his eyes for a good time …”
Deposition, William Reed, 23 February 1894
52 years old; occupation, laborer, but cannot work right now; post-office address, 56 Willoughby St., Norfolk, Va.
“He and I served together in Co I 1st U S C Cav … I do remember that I heard that James Linnear, now dead, had a ball strike his sabre scabbard. I saw the scabbard that had been struck. There was no member of our company killed at that time. This was at Wilson’s Landing but sometime in 1864.
“I wish to state that my memory is not good.”
Deposition, Charles Jones, 26 February 1894
about 50 years old; occupation, cook; post-office address, 243 Queen St., Norfolk, Va.
“I am acquainted with the claimant Oscar Jubilee. He served in the same company with me, enlisted after I did.
“I do however remember that the scabbard of one of our men was struck by a ball. This was in Charles City Co., Va. in 1864. His name was James Linnard, now dead. Nelson Young a member of our company was killed at the same time.
“I have seen claimant about once or twice a year since discharge but don’t know anything about his physical condition.”
Deposition, Albert McCoy, 27 February 1894
53 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va.
“I remember the claimant … he was a member of the same co and regt. Did not know him before the war …. A good many of the boys had eye trouble while we were in Texas.”
Deposition, Peter Rickman, 27 February 1894
45 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 429 Church St., Norfolk, Va.
“I saw the claimant 4 or 5 times after discharge and have seen him since at different times.”
Deposition, Henry Stone, 7 March 1894
54 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, National Soldiers Home, Va.
“I remember Oscar Jubilee as a member of my company.”
Deposition, Henry Smith, 11 May 1894
50 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, Land of Promise, Princess Anne Co., Va.
“I remember Oscar Jubilee, a member of the same co and regt, have not seen him since discharge.
Deposition, Oscar Jubilee, 16 May 1894
54 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 29 Wise St., Norfolk, Va.
“Q. Who were your tentmates at the time you claim to have received the alleged wound?
Preston Parker, Joshua Roan, and Wiley Knight. These three and myself were in a tent together at said time. Parker and Roan died in the service. I do not know what became of Knight, have not seen him since discharge, do not know where he came from. He had a son in the same company named Madison Knight. I remember Charles Holmes. … I do not know whether Wiley Knight is living or dead …. I do not know where John Parker is. I was not intimate with him in the service, did not know him before enlistment and have not seen him since discharge.”
Questionnaire (Form 3-173), Oscar Jubilee, 1 October 1897
[wife] Virginia Jubilee; Virginia Greene
[when, where, by whom] August 1879; Norfolk, Va.; Rev. Edward Pinner
[record] Clerk’s Office, Norfolk, Va.
[previous marriage] “Yes, Millie Jubilee. Caught her in bed with another man 21 years ago in Norfolk Co., Va. , has not lived with her since. She has been married twice since then.”
[living children] One by 1st wife; four by last wife. 1st wife child is John Henry. By second wife William Jubilee born Feby 5th 1880, Andrew Jubilee born 5 August 1886, Nellie Harrison Jubilee born 31 March 1889, Wesley Virgin Jubilee born 21 December 1891.”
General Affidavit, Caroline Todd and Bettie Nimmo, 18 September 1900
[Todd] 34? years old; residence, Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, 65 Pine St., Norfolk, Va.
[Nimmo] 39 years old; residence, Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, 63 Pine St., Norfolk, Va.
“that they have known the claimant well for 10 and 30 years respectively; that they have been living in the same neighborhood with him for three years and 9 months, respectively … they are neighbors, affiant Todd living in the upstairs portion of the same house and affiant Nimmo living just next door …”
Deposition, Oscar Jubilee, 2 January 1901
61 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, 65 Pine St., Norfolk, Va.
“I was born in Accomack Co., Va. and was owned by Perry Moore. I never knew my father but I heard he was Oscar Roberts.
“The way I came to be called Jubilee was as follows: My owners were Quakers and they left a will freeing me when I was twenty one years of age and the rule was to call colored people who were freed in that way Jubilee and that is the way the name was given me. My neighbors call me William Lee for short. My correct name is Oscar Jubilee.”
“I was never in a battle but was in a skirmish at Chickihominie [sic] Swamp and around Richmond. Lewis Baxter was killed in a skirmish near Wilsons Landing. No men were wounded. A ball shot a cap off my head and glanced the skin but I never went to the hospital. Dr. Gray put a patch on it. …
“Gray was 2d Lt. He was the son of Dr. Gray our Reg’t Surgeon.”
Thomas was our First Ord. Sgt. but was killed accidentally at Harrison’s Landing.
James Nichols was the man who succeeded Thomas as Ord. Sgt.
Dick Webb was 1st duty Sgt.
Reed was 2d Sgt.
Chas. Jones was 3rd Sgt.
I do not recollect name for 4th Sgt.”
“William Parnell of Pine St., this city was a friend of mine in service. So was John Williams of the Ocean View R.R. and Daniel Williams. Frank Smith and Alex Peyton also knew me well in service but they are dead. So is David Grant … I gave my discharge to Mr. Brown about twenty-five years ago when he was trying to get my bounty and he lost it….”
“Soldier has several scars on his face and nose caused by a woman throwing lye on him … I was working on Old Man Tom Ballentyne‘s Farm when I first had eye trouble bad after the army.
“Richard Webb, Dick Reed, Dick Grant, William Kammeyer, and Chas. Jones were my witnesses … I have only been married once — no, twice. First married Milly Bell in Curratuc [sic] Co. We were married by Rev. Spratt Sampson in Mowyayork [sic] . Millie was never married before she married me. We lived together as man and wife for twelve years when she ran away and left me. The last I heard of her she was in Elizabeth City, NC. We have never been divorced.
“I next married Jennie Green. She was never married till I married her We have been married twenty-four years. We were married right here in this town. Millie got married after she left me but I do not recollect name of man that she married. I think she married a man in Curratuc [sic] County, North Carolina.”
General Affidavit, William Purnell and Caroline Todd, 14 October 1901
[Purnell] 57? years old; residence, Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, 66 Pine St., Norfolk, Va.
[Todd] 38? years old; residence, Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, 72 Pine St., Norfolk, Va.
“That they have been well and intimately acquainted with claimant for over 25 years; that they both now live in the same neighborhood with the claimant — on the same street, and only a few yards distant; that affiant Todd has been living on Pine St. for a number of years; that affiant Purnell has lived there only a short while but was accustomed to see claimant very often before he moved there …”
Declaration for Pension, Oscar Jubilee, 27 February 1907
66 years old; resident of National Home, County of Elizabeth City, State of Virginia … he was born March 1840
“Also personally appeared, William T. Oliver, residing in Nat Sol Home, Va. and Henry Custis, residing in Nat Sol Home, Va. … their acquaintance with him of 2 years, and 40 years, respectively …
Declaration for Pension, Oscar Jubilee, 14 March 1909
70 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; enrolled at Accomack Co., Va. … (near 20th) May 1864 … occupation was farmer & oysterman … he was born March (about 15th), 1839 at Accomack Co., Va.
“That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Currituck Co., NC, 3 years; Camden Co., NC, 7 years; in Norfolk, Va. remaining years … Inmate of SB Natl Home for DVS Va. — on furlough … post-office address, 98 Henry St., Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.”
“Also, personally appeared, Isaac Riddick, residing in Norfolk, Va. and John A. Johnson, residing in Norfolk, Va. … their acquaintance with him of 46 years and 25 years, respectively…”
Death Certificate, Oscar Jubilee, 13 April 1912
[residence] 98 Henry St., Norfolk, Va.
[personal] male; colored; married
[age] 73 years old;
[occupation] laborer
[birthplace] Virginia
[parents’ names/parents’ birthplaces] don’t know
[informant] Millie Lee, 98 Henry St., Norfolk, Va.;
[illness] April 5, 1912 – April 13, 1912
[cause of death] acute indigestion/contributory, shock;
[physician] N.A. McCurdy, MD, 733 Church St., Norfolk, Va.
[burial] Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk, Va. 15 April 1912
[undertaker] D.M. Jones & Co., 197 Wide St., Norfolk, Va.
Application for Reimbursement, Virginia Jubilee, 20 June 1912
53 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
[married] twice — Milly Jubilee and Virginia Jubilee
[wife survived him] yes
[wife still living] yes
[all wives’ names] 1st wife Milly died November 1901 at Moyock, North Carolina
[child under 16] no
[life, accident, or health insurance] no
[money, real estate, personal property] no
[relationship] Virginia Jubilee, wife
[residence during last sickness] “98 Henry St., Norfolk, Va., on furlough from Soldiers’ Home, Hampton, Va.”
Also personally appeared, William Jubilee and Lulu Jubilee, both of 98 Henry St., Norfolk, Va.
General Affidavit, Virginia Jubilee, 23 October 1912
residence, Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, 98 Henry Street, Norfolk, Va.
“I only learned that soldier had a wife living at the time of my marriage to him since soldier’s death. I got this information from soldier’s daughter by Milly who lives in North Carolina.”
Witness: William Jubilee
Witness: Lulu Jubilee
[…] application by mistake but I kept it because his story’s so interesting and his brother Oscar Jubilee served in Company I, 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. Oscar’s sketch is scheduled for First Monday, […]
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