Henry Charity, Company E

Four brothers from Southampton County, Virginia — all freeborn — enlisted in cavalry units: Henry Charity, Company E, 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry; Joshua Charity, Company A, 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry; Thomas Charity, Company E, 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry; and Friday Charity alias Friday Whipple, Company I, 2nd U.S. Colored Cavalry.

Henry suffered injuries while lifting cargo in Brazos Santiago, Texas. His application for invalid benefits was supported by several influential white citizens. Years later, Henry’s widow Anna had a family member who served in World War I.

Invalid – 513,572 / 834,799
Widow – 1,644,933 / —–, Anne F. Charity

For Affidavit of Officer or Comrade, Henry Williams, 18 March 1893
52 years old; residence, Newsoms, Southampton Co., Va.; post-office address, Newsoms, Va.
“While stationed at or near Brazos Santiago on the Gulf Coast of Texas the said Henry Charity was required to handle heavy rrd [sic] iron and ties, heavy casks of molasses & large cases of meat etc … acquainted with the claimant, having known him for at least 40 years …”

For Affidavit of Officer or Comrade, Jacob Sugars, 18 March 1893
59 years old; residence, Newsoms, Southampton Co., Va.; post-office address, Newsoms, Va.
“While stationed at or near Brazos Santiago on the Gulf Coast of Texas the said Henry Charity was required to handle heavy rrd [sic] iron and ties, heavy casks of molasses & large cases of meat etc … acquainted with the claimant, having known him for at least 30 years …”

Neighbor’s Affidavit, Thomas H. Artis and Jno. H. Powell, 28 April 1893
[Artis] 27 years old; residence, Southampton Co., Va.; post-office address, Boykins, Va.
[Powell] 37 years old; residence, Adair, Southampton Co., Va.; post-office address, Newsoms, Va.
“well and personally acquainted with Henry Charity for 27 years and 28 years, respectively, that they live in the same neighborhood, that they live 1 and 3 miles respectively from him, that they see him every week & often every day … That they have worked for him & with him on farms each year since his discharge … “
[Note: There’s detailed description about his inability to work, the yearslong period of disability, his inability to work measured by 1/4 day of work, 1/2 day of work, etc — Leslie]

Questionnaire (Form 3-402), Henry Charity, 4 June 1898
[married] maiden name, Frances Artis
[when, where, by home] married about 30 years; Southampton Co., Va.; “By the Virginia Legislature during the late war”
[record] “by act of the legislature”
[previously married] no
[living children] “Two living, Mary M. and Annie Charity — Mary will be 23 years old on the 26th next August. Annie will be 25 years on the 15th next November.”
[Note: When he said ‘by the Virginia Legislature during the late war’ did he mean that his marriage was documented in a co-habitation record because he was freeborn but his wife was enslaved? — Leslie]

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, Henry Charity, 25 February 1899
45 years old; residence, Southampton Co., Va.; post-office address, Boykins, Southampton Co., Va.
“[his commander was] Capt. Charles Anderson … [the soldier] was never carried to hospital as there was none, but treated in camp…”

Letter from Henry Charity to Pension Bureau, Washington, DC, 19 September 1914
“I listed [sic] in the war at the age of twenty years and that was in 1864 so that makes me 70 years old now so am I not entitled to an increase in my pension? Will you kindly advise me at your very earliest convenience if you please.”
[Note: The letter’s written on stationery from ” North Carolina Home Insurance Co., Raleigh, North Carolina, Boykins, Virginia. Beaton’s identified in the letterhead as “Norman S. Beaton, Agent, Insurance & Real Estate, Boykins, Va.” — Leslie]

Declaration for Pension, Henry Charity, 31 October 1914
“born January 17th, 1844 at three miles north of Courtland (formerly known as Jerusalem) Southampton County, Virginia …”

Questionnaire (Form 3-380), Henry Charity, 14 March 1915
[date and place of birth] January 1845 – Southampton County, Va.
[post office at enlistment] Courtland, Va.
[wife’s full name and maiden name] Annie Francis
[when, where, and by whom married] 1913, Southampton Co., Rev. Dr. Riddick (col)
[record] in clerk’s office, Southampton County, Va.
[previous wife] Frances Artis, 1867, Southampton County; died 1911, Southampton County
[wife’s previous husband] Washington Francis; 1878; died 1904
[living children]

Eliza Sugars	1874	living
George Henry Charity	[blank]	dead
Louanna Charity	[blank]	dead
Mary Charity	[blank]	dead

Letter from N.S. Beaton to Bureau of Pensions, Washington, DC, 9 November 1915
“The widow who is the second wife of the above party wishes to know if she is entitled to his pension … Henry Charity died some several months ago.”
[Note: Letterhead is from “Town of Boykins, Virginia, County of Southampton, Office of the Mayor, Norman S. Beaton” — Leslie]

Declaration of a Widow for Accrued Pension, Annie Charity, 13 December 1915
65 years old; residence, Southampton County, Va.; post-office address, Boykins, Southampton Co., Va.
“That she is the widow of Henry Charity … he died on 22nd June 1915 … That she was married under the name of Annie Francis … at Southampton County on the 16th day of April 1912 by Rev. Dr. Riddick … [she had been previously married to] Wm. Francis … Henry Charity was married before to Frances Artis …
“Also personally appeared Annie Charity, residing at Southampton County, and Wm. Frances and B.F. Britt, residing at Southampton County … their acquaintance with her of 38 years and 13 years, respectively …”

Letter from N.S. Beaton to Bureau of Pensions, Washington, DC, 29 January 1916
“Your letter of January 21st, has been received by Annie Charity and I am writing to ask you if you can furnish the blank forms for making these statements to you in reference to this matter. If so I would appreciate it if you would send them either to her or to me.
“While I would like to be beneficial in helping this party out in this case but it will take a great deal of my time and if you can furnish these blanks it will facilitate very much the quickness of getting them off hand.
“Thanking you in advance for giving this your early attention.
“I am,
“Yours very truly,
“N.S. Beaton
“ex mayor”
[Note: The letter’s written on stationery from “The Times Publishing Company, Publisher of The Times, Boykins, Southampton Co., Virginia” — Leslie]

Affidavits of Two Persons Who Have Known Them From Marriageable Age, 1 April 1916
“This is to certify that we have know Henry Charity and Annie Charity from childhood …. we also certify that we are 59 and 72 years of age, respectively.
“Sam Foreman . . .
“Merritt Sykes“

Affidavit Showing Date of Death of Soldier’s Former Wife and Soldier’s Wife’s Former Husband, 10 June 1916
“This is to certify that on the 6th day of May 1903 did sell a coffin for the burial of Washington Francis the husband of Annie Francis now Annie Charity and the widow of Henry Charity. Given under my hand this 10th day of June 1916 …. Ollie Gray“

“This is to certify that on the 20 day of March 1912 did sell coffin for the burial of Francis Charity the wife of the soldier in question Henry Charity. Given under my hand this 10th day of June 1916 … Ollie Gray”
[Note: Two sworn statements were recorded in this document — Leslie]

Affidavit of WIdow, Annie Francis, 18 March 1918
“This is to certify that my former husband was named George Washington Francis, and he was or did not serve in the war in any department.
“This also certified that I am 65 years of age.
“N.S. Beaton,
“Notary Public”

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Anna Francis Charity, 13 October 1928
81 years old
“born Dec. 1, 1847 at Southampton County, Va. That she is the widow of Henry Charity, who enlisted near beginning, at Southampton County … discharged at close of war … died June 1915, near Boykins, Southampton County, Va. … she was married to said soldier Henry Charity, April 1909 under the name of Anna Francis, at Southampton County, Va. by Dr. Riddick … [she had been previously] Anna Harris married G.W. Francis. G.W. Harries died 1903. Henry Charity was married to Frances Artis. Francis Artis Charity died 1907 … Arthur J. Harris, Co. B, 548 Eng. He is still in government hospital”
[Note: The document is signed and dated 23 February 1929 — Leslie]

Letter from Congressman Roy S. Fitzgerald to Hon. Earl D. Church, Commisioner of Pensions, Washington, DC, 8 June 1929
“Der General:
“I am enclosing declaration for widow’s pension of Mrs. Anna Francis Charity, Boykins, Virginia, widow of Henry Charity late of Co. _____, Inf ____.
“I shall appreciate it if you will see that early action is taken on this claim.
“Very respectfully yours,
“Roy S. Fitzgerald”
[Note: The letter’s written on stationery from “Congress of the United States, House of Representatives, Washington, DC.” Congressman Fitzgerald’s represented the Third District of Ohio — Leslie]

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Annie Charity, 6 September 1929
82 years old ; address, 114 E. First Ave., Franklin, Virginia
“born December 25th, 1847, at Boykins, Southampton County, Virginia … [her husband Henry Charity] died June, 1915, at Boykins, Southampton County, Virginia … [she married said soldier in] 1913 under the name of (Mrs.) Annie Francis, at Boykins, Southampton Co., Va. by Rev. J.D. Riddick … [her former husband] Geo. W. Francis died at Boykins, Southampton Co., Va., June 23, 1903. Former wife of Henry Charity died at Boykins, Southampton Co., Va. — name Francis Charity … Soldier left no children under 16 years of age … [a member of Annie’s family] Arthur Francis [served in] World War … “