Charles Deford, Company B*

*The pension application filed by this soldier’s widow includes an extraordinary amount of detail about life from slavery to freedom. Today’s post includes research notes for documents dated 1883-1889. Next week’s post will include research notes for documents dated 1901-1932.

Testimony was presented by a half-sibling and a cousin, neighbors, friends, and former tentmates. Men and women identified their parents, spoke about their experiences as freedom seekers, and gave information about the families of former enslavers. They identified officiants and attendees at marriages and funerals. There are conflicting eyewitness accounts of a gruesome accident at Fort Monroe and the medical treatment that followed. People described the comings-and-goings of soldiers (and their spouses) between Fort Monroe and their homes and declared their presence at “the birth of said children” and at “the death of said soldier.” Witnesses offered specific information about farms, dwellings, and geography.

Widow — 280,317 / 257,637, Silvie Ann Deford

Sworn Statement, Mary E. Page and Emma Pool, 7 February 1883
[Page] 45 years old; 413 Church Street, Norfolk, Virginia
[Pool] 47 years old; residence, 58 Wilaby Street, Norfolk, Virginia
“That they knew Silvia Ann Deford … they were all raised in Princess Anne County in the state of Virginia very near neighbors to the said Charles Deford and his wife Silva Ann … the said Silva Ann Miller was married to Charles Deford on or about the month of Jany 1855 as near as they can remember by the consent of they [sic] former owners … [after the war he returned to his wife in Norfolk] on or about the month of January 1866 and died on the 2d day of February 1866 … [their children were] Florence Deford born April 15th 1863 and still living and Ann Deford born February 12, 1865 still living, that said children were born in the City of Norfolk … present at the birth of said children …”

General Affidavit, Isaac Kellum, 20 June 1888
63 years old; residence, 65 Queen St., Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
“I knew [Deford] before the War of 1861 … enlisted the same day, same time in the month of December 1863 … [Deford] was badly mash [sic] by his horse …”

Claimant’s Affidavit, James Langley, 25 June 1888
52 years old; residence, Huntersville, Norfolk County, Virginia; post-office address, Norfolk
“that he was 2 Duty Sergt of Co B and was acquainted with Charles Deford … and also well acquainted with claimant, widow of said soldier … Deford was very badly injured at Camp Hampton, Va. on or about the month of March 1864 near as he can remember by his horse, throwing him wile [sic] on a charge and the arrears company pass over him … when the regiment went to Texas June 1865 Charles Deford went also but became so bad of from the injuries … he was sent to New Orleans, La. hospital … never saw Charles anymore after he was sent from Brazos Santiago, Texas to New Orleans Hospital until he came home to Norfolk about March 1866 and he saw Charles Deford in Norfolk with his wife suffering from his old injuries, and he died, and he died of the mash he sustained … him & the said claimant reside near neighbors …”
[Note: Langley’s testimony was recorded on a ‘Claimant’s Affidavit’ as opposed to a ‘General Affidavit.’ Might have been a shortage of forms or careless error. – Leslie]

Deposition, Mary E. Page, 4 December 1888
48 years old; post-office address, 90 Calvert St., Norfolk, Va.
“I was slightly acquainted with [Deford] and his wife Silvia before the war… My owners and theirs were living between 12 & 13 miles apart in Norfolk Co., Va. … I was living in Norfolk, Va. when [Deford] came out of the army. We both lived on Brewer St. near each other.… If my affidavit says I was present at the birth of [their] children this is not correct as I was not present.”

Deposition, Lewis Dawley, 4 December 1888
52 years old; occupation, truckman; post-office address, 379 Church St., Norfolk, Va.
“Several were hurt by their horses while on drill. [Deford] may have been one of those but I do not now remember. Henry Simmons & Willis Flanagan I remember were hurt there by their horses while drilling. Both of these men are dead.”

Deposition, Silvie Ann Deford, 4 December 1888
51 years old; post-office address, 31 Mosely St., Norfolk, Va.
“Charles Deford and I were married as slaves long before the war in Decr or Jany. I think, yes, I know it was on Christmas Day and if you count up it will be some 10 or 11 years before he went in the army. He belonged to Jack Deford & I belonged to Thomas Gresham also of Norfolk Co., Va., Blackwater Post Office.”

Deposition, Isaac Kellum, 5 December 1888
62 years old; post-office address, 65 Queen St., Norfolk, Va.
“[H]is horse threw him while we were drilling, jumping the pole. He was badly injured, taken to the camp and put in his quarters … he was sent to hospital at Brazos Texas. From there he was sent to Hospital at New Orleans, La. I never saw him until March 1866 when I saw him here in Norfolk … He never was able to work after he got out of the army.”

Deposition, James Langley, 5 December 1888
52 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, Huntersville, Norfolk County, Va.
“I was 1st & 2d Duty Sergeant for same co & Regt…. I visited the [Brazos] Hospital to see him … [Deford was thrown from his horse] while we were drilling near Mill Creek, Elizabeth City Co., Va…. I did not exactly see the horse throw him but I saw them taking him up.”

Deposition, Ellen Burford, 5 December 1888
50 years old; post-office address, 83 Union St., Norfolk Co., Va.
“I knew [Silvie Deford] during the war in Norfolk Co., Va. I lived some five miles from her at that time. I knew her husband Charles Deford before I did her.… I did not see Charles Deford when he left for the army but I did see him Feby 1st 1866. I remember that date because my mother died on the 2nd of Feby the next year & that was the day in 1866 Charles Deford died. …”

Deposition, Emma Pool, 5 December 1888
45 years old; post-office address, 81 Liberty Norfolk, Va.
“[I met Silva Deford] several years before the war in Norfolk Co., Va. She belonged to Thomas Gresham. I belonged to Wm. Hardy, both in Norfolk Co., Va., both are dead…. [Charles & Silva] were not married by a minister, but jumped over a broomstick as slaves did then with the consent of their owners … I was right there with the mother Silva Ann Deford when these children came into the world. Her mother Jane Miller was also there but she is dead. I was 18 or 19 years old when the first child Florence was born. … My master’s place adjoined their master’s & my house where I lived was only a quarter of a mile from them. …. When [Deford] came out of the army his wife was living on Brewer St., Norfolk, Va. and I lived around the corner on Bank St., Norfolk, Va. … I do not know the undertaker. He was buried on Mr. Jack Deford’s place.”

Deposition, Humphrey McCoy, 22 December 1888
39 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 326 Church St., Norfolk, Va.
“I saw the horse throw him. I saw him fall. … blood ran out of his mouth from the jar he got falling on the ground … He was put in regimental hospital under Dr. Gray…. We were still at Hampton, Va. when he got so he could do duty & done duty until at the cowpens near Hampton, Va. … He was thrown again, it was on a Sunday evening at General Butler’s review. This time his horse ran away & threw Deford in a puddle of water & the horse fell about the same time & the co all ran over to the horse & Deford as they both lay on the ground. The men jumped our horses over them. I saw Deford on the ground & he was one set of 4s away from me on the right, so I did not have to jump over them…. I saw him next a week or so after I reached Norfolk, Va. last March 1866 & I talked with him. He was in bad health, skin & bone.”
[Note: What does “4s away from me” mean? – Leslie]

Deposition, Enos Dennis, 22 December 1888
45 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, cor Carrolll & Green sts., Portsmouth, Va.
“I came to Norfolk in March 1866 & then it was I saw him. I then went to North Carolina & afterwards I heard he was dead …”

Deposition, Ferebee Cuffee, 26 December 1888
48 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, 39 Market Square, Norfolk, Va.
“I was a member of Co B, 1st U.S.C. Cavlry … I tented with him at Hampton, Va. when he & I first went in the army…. His horse was a hard one to manage.… My home after the war was in Norfolk, Va. I don’t know what caused his death. I know nothing about his family. I have seen his wife during the war … but I know nothing of her since the war.”

Deposition, Silvie Ann Deford, 31 December 1888
57 years old; post-office address, 31 Mosely St., Norfolk, Va.
“I cannot say who the undertaker was & we had not minister at my husband’s funeral. … Mr. Jack Deford is dead, long ago, & I don’t know where any of his family are. The sons went in the rebel army & may have been killed. The Deford farm is near Great Bridge, Va. I can’t give you the names of a living soul that was at Charles Deford’s funeral. His parents are dead & my people who were there are dead.”

Widow’s Claim for Pension, Silva Anne Deford, 9 February 1889
residence and post-office address, 90 Calvary St., Norfolk County, Virginia
“appoints Belva A. Lockwood & Co. as her lawful attorney … Also personally appeared Mary Eliza Page and Emma Pool”

Deposition, Israel Armstrong, 25 May 1889
57 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 49. St. Paul St., Norfolk, Va.
“[Deford] was thrown from his horse… He was right in front of me & I saw the horse throw him. We charged right by him.… When we got to the stable & dismounted, he walked lame & complained of his thigh being hurt. Next morning he went to sick call for the pain in his thigh, right thigh I think … “

Deposition, Silvie Ann Deford, 25 May 1889
52 years old; post-office address, 24 Mosley St., Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
“[When he got thrown from his horse] I was there on a visit at the time and was looking at them when the horse threw him. He got up but had hard work to walk and was not able to get up on his horse. His side hurt him and he was lame…. It was not exactly at the fort but near a creek. I was in the habit of going to see him every two weeks after he enlisted & the day he got hurt I got there in the morning. He got hurt the afternoon of the same day. I went Saturday morning and intended to return that same day but when his horse threw him I staid [sic] with him until Monday evening …”
“I have two children. Their father was Charles Deford. Florence is now in her 25th year. She was 24 years old March last year. Annie is now 23 years old, 10th March, I don’t know exactly the year she was born but think it was in 1865”
“My husband did not get hurt the year he enlisted but it was the next spring. … Florence was a few months old when her father Charles Deford enlisted. Annie was born while her father was a soldier in Texas. …
“My mother Jane Miller was with me when these children were born. She is dead. No person but mother was in the room. Emma Pool was in the house when they were born but not in my room. She was a young girl then & lived very near me & would look after things for me.

Deposition, Isaac Kellum, 1 June 1889
63 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 65 Queen St., Norfolk, Va.
“[Deford] was treated by our surgeon Dr. Manley. I did not see him get thrown as I was not on drill. I was the company cook and I used to carry his meals to him … it was an inside hurt he got …
“We left Fort Monroe, Va. & went to the front near Petersburg, Va. Then we went to City Point, Va. Then to Newport News, Va. where we did garrison duty & guarding prisoners. Different members of the company were detailed at different posts of guard duty about Norfolk, Va. Some were detailed at the Jail in Norfolk, Va. & some at the Headquarters & some at the Customs House. From Norfolk we went to Guinea Station, Va. then to City Point & then to Texas…. We were in Norfolk some 9 or 10 months & we were there when Richmond fell. …”

Deposition, Humphrey McCoy, 1 June 1889
39 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 326 Church St., Norfolk, Va.
“Our company was detailed to all kinds of duty in Norfolk, Va. The men were guarding the Jail and Public Buildings. Different squads had different kinds of duty to do. …”
“Charles Deford’s wife Silvie Ann Deford, lived on Brewer St. when we were on duty in Norfolk, Va. and I know he was at her house and staid [sic] there whenever he could, night & day. He often got permission to stay at her house when he was off-duty. … She used to come to our camp in Fort Monroe in 1864 when we were there & I often ran into her when we were on duty there but I know nothing of her since the war.”

Deposition, Mary E. Page, 4 June 1889
49 years old; 90 Calvert St., Norfolk, Va.
“I came to Norfolk Va. the first year the war began & Mr. Green enrolled my name as contraband to get a ration in Sept … I went to live on Brewer St. right away, lived half a square from Silvie Ann Deford …. The youngest child Anna was born while her father was in service … “

Deposition, Caroline Jones, 13 June 1889
55 years old; post-office address, 419 Church St., Norfolk, Va.;
“During the war I lived three doors from [Silvie Deford] at Brewer St., Norfolk, Va. I used to sell pies at Fort Monroe, Va. & went down every day for that purpose. … I remember seeing Charles Deford, Silva Ann Deford’s husband, at her house on Brewer St. frequently with his uniform on … I remember a daughter Anna was born while the war was going on … I moved from Brewer St to the Barraud farm before Charles Deford came out of the army & I never saw him after the war. Silvie, I see very seldom.”

Deposition, Elizabeth Wilson, 13 June 1889
43 years old; occupation, cook; c/o Hon. George Borden, Norfolk, Va.
“[When Silvie and Charles Deford lived on Brewer St] I lived 4 doors down from them … I left Brewer St soon after Richmond fell … Silvie Ann had her mother living with her when Anna was born; her mother is dead….”