The solder enlisted under his enslaver’s surname but established himself with his father’s surname upon discharge. The veteran and his wife had ties to Virginia and North Carolina, respectively. Two sons are identified in this pension application. Further research is required to determine if there were other children.
Widow — 661,354 / 471,063, Mary Bright
Marriage License, Reuben Bright and Mary Williams, 9 January 1874
The marriage took place 12 January 1874 in Norfolk County, Virginia. They were 24 years old, single and residents of Norfolk County, Virginia. The groom who worked at farming was born to Mark and Nancy Bright in Norfolk County, Virginia. The bride was born to Mark and Patsey Williams in Currituck County, North Carolina. N.L. Overton conducted the ceremony “at 2 P.M. in Reub. Brite‘s House.”
General Affidavit, Able Northern and Abram Lamb, 29 June 1895
[Northern] 45 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
[Lamb] 48 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
“They have been acquainted with Reuben Wilson ever since discharged up to the present time …”
General Affidavit, V.C. Bidgood, M.D, 16 July 1895
38 years old; residence, Centerville, Norfolk County, Virginia; post-office address, Fentress, Norfolk County, Virginia
“I have known Reuben Wilson for about five (5) years …”
Note: The doctor provides great detail about his patient’s conditions and illnesses — Leslie
General Affidavit, A.L. Wilson and Aaron Ferebee, 14 September 1897
[Wilson] 33 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
[Ferebee] 52 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
“They both state they were present at the time and place of Reuben Bright or Wilson death and was at his burying and know he died on the 4th day of July 1897. These facts is [sic] personal knowledge by visiting him in the time of his sickness until he died.”
General Affidavit, James M. Spratley and Otelia Wilson, 14 September 1897
[Spratley] 44 years old; residence and post-office address, Fentress, Norfolk County, Virginia
[Wilson] 34 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
“That they both state they were present and heard the matrimony administered to Reuben Bright or Wilson and Mary Williams by Rev. N.L. Overton on January 12th, 1874 in Norfolk County, Virginia … [Reuben Bright] died on the 4th day of July 1897.”
General Affidavit, Boston T. Parsons and J.W. Sivells, 15 September 1897
[Parsons] 36 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
[Sivells] 46 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
“They both state they were present at the marriage of Mary Bright or Wilson to the soldier Reuben Bright or Wilson and know they was married on the 12th day of January 1874 by N.L. Overton …”
General Affidavit, Abar Sivills and Susan Ferebee, 15 December 1897
[Sivills] 27 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
[Ferebee] 26 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk County, Virginia
“They both state they were present at the birth of Mary Bright or Wilson son Victor Bright when he were born and know he was born on the day of Nov. 1889 and that he is now living with his mother and he is the only child living under sixteen years of age … these facts above stated is [sic] from personal knowledge by living near neighbors and sees each other daily”
Claimant’s Affidavit, Mary Bright or Wilson, 8 June 1898
46 years old; post-office address, Hickory, Virginia
“When [her husband] enlisted he belonged to his master George A. Wilson … and when he was discharged and came home he then changed his name to Bright after his father Mark Bright and he then married me under that name.”
General Affidavit, Charlie Griffin and John Godfrey, 17 August 1898
[Griffin] 50 years old; residence and post-office address, Indian Creek, Norfolk County, Virginia
[Godfrey] 68 years old; residence and post-office address, Indian Creek, Norfolk County, Virginia
“They know the soldier went by the name of Reuben Wilson in the United States Services until discharged and then he changed his name to Reuben Bright and married under that name after his father …”
Application for Re-imbursement, William Bright, 7 June 1909
“Pension was last paid [to Mary Bright] Mar 4, 1909 …
“[Your relationship to the deceased pensioner?] son
[Are you married?] no
[When did the pensioner’s last sickness begin?] about a month before death
[Name and post-office address of that person’s physician] Dr. Nicholas G. Wilson, South Norfolk, Va.
[The last illness] Nephritis
[Who boarded the pensioner during this period?] “Lived with claimant and his brother Victor Bright“
[Who nursed the pensioner?] “Members of the house”
[Pensioner’s residence during last illness] Campostella, near South Norfolk
[Did pensioner pay rent?] No
[When did pensioner die?] June 2, 1909
[Where was pensioner buried?] Colored cemetery, Berkley Ward, Norfolk Co., Va.
Dr. Nicholas G. Wilson — unpaid physcian’s bill – $4.00
Wilson Fitts — unpaid undertaker’s bill – $87.00
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 
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