Miles Ashburn, Company K

Born in Nansemond County, Virginia died in the post hospital at Brazos Santiago, Texas in August 1865. At the time of his death, he owed $14.00 to a sutler named Paul Jones.* Witnesses for the widow provided contradictory testimony about her private life but her application was approved. Names of the couple’s enslavers were noted in the record.

Widow — 116,291 / 115,769, Lavinia Ashburn

Sworn Statement, Lavinia Ashburn, 24 December 1865
25 years old; post-office address, Portsmouth, Virginia
“She was married to [Miles Ashburn] in the year 1860 and that there is no record of her said marriage … there are now living two children the fruit of said marriage viz. Jane Ashburn, aged 3 years and 5 months and Mary Charity Ashburn aged 2 months … She hereby authorizes Samuel V. Niles of Washington City, DC to prosecute her case”

“The Family Record was exhibited before me of which the following is a true copy viz.
“Jane Ashburn was born on the 10th of June in the year of 1862, Daughter of Lavinia and Miles Ashburn”
“Mary Charity Ashburn was born on the 14th of September in the year of 1865, Daughter of Lavinia and Miles Ashburn.”

“Also personally came Clara A. Sparrow and Matilda Tynes residents of said city … they were also well acquainted with Miles Ashburn and knew him before he entered the service of the U. States”

“A.S. Dixon, Notary Public”

Sworn Statement, Isaac Pierce and Willis Council, 1 October 1866
“they lived in the same neighborhood with [Miles Ashburn] and have known him for more than ten years past … they are well acquainted with his widow”
“and at the same time personally came Lavinia Ashburn”

Widow’s Application for Pension, Livinia Ashburn, 14 February 1867
“her maiden name was Livinia Luke … she was married to said Miles Ashburn … 1861 in Nansemond County … by an authorized minister … there are now no children living the fruit of said marriage”
“Also personally appeared …Mrs. Jane E. McCoy and Clara Ann Sparrow residents of Norfolk County”

Sworn Statement, Jane E. McCoy, 14 February 1867
“she well knew Miles Ashburn … that [the couple] lived on her premises and that she knew them as man and wife … Ashburn left two children at the time of his death and that they have since died”

Widow’s Declaration for Pension or Increase of Pension, Lavinia Ashburn, 16 August 1867
60 years old; residence, 1008 Effingham street, Portsmouth, Va.; post-office address, 1008 Effingham street, Portsmouth, Va.
“Jane Ashburn born April 1862, Charity Ashburn born Jany 1865”
“Also personally appeared Jacob Ashburn, residing in Bowers Hill, Va. and Nathan Ashburn, residing at Bowers Hill, Va. … witnesses: Nathan Ashburn, Jeff. Davis“

Sworn Statement, Lavinia Ashburn, 8 February 1868
“She is unable to furnish any record of her marriage as the law of Virginia did not require the [illegal] of license for the marriage of col’d persons … personally came Richard Freeman and Albert Jones … declare that they were personally and intimately acquainted with the above named Miles Ashburn that they were in the same company with him … and that he died in the service in at the hospital at Brazos Santiago Texas and that he died in August 1865″

Declaration for Pension of Children Under Sixteen Years of Age, Lavinia Ashburn, 17 March 1891
47 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, c/o Room No. 1, 114 Main Street, Norfolk, Va.
“is the legal guardian of Jane and of Charity Ashburn … Jane Ashburn … born Jany 6, 1862 … Charity Ashburn … born Jany 15, 1865 … the father was married under the name Miles Ashburn to Lavinia Luke … declarant hereby appoints … N.E. Knoeler, No. 10 Grace Place. Washington, DC. … her attorney.”
“Also personally appeared Albert Jones residing at No. 5 on Clifford street, in Portsmouth, Va. and Charles Williams residing at No. 17, in Pearl street, in Portsmouth, Va.”

Deposition, Lavinia Ashburn, 20 August 1901
address, 814 Bart St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I am not acquainted with my age. I had two children with the northern troops came through Suffolk, Va. so I must be somewhere near 60 years old. Housekeeping is my occupation.. … My husband was born in 5 miles of me and I was born 5 miles beyond Suffolk, Va. He was born in Nansemond Co., Va. and was a slave owned by Elisha Ashburn. I do not recall name of my husband’s father. My husband took his name from his owner. He never went under any other name.”
“We were married some ten months before the ‘Yankees’ came to Suffolk. We only had a slave marriage — simply got consent of our owners and went to living together, never had a ceremony of any kind. My owner was Isaac Luke. My husband lived as I said 5 miles from me but he came Wednesday and Saturday night of each week to see me. I was married once before I married my husband but he left me and took up with another woman. His name was Charles Driver. I had two children by him. Miles Ashburn was never married before he married me.
“My husband Miles Ashburn enlisted in Norfolk, Va. Oh, yes, I saw him after he joined the army. He came to see me some 2 or 3 times. He would come home on furlough whenever he could get off. I saw him the night before they all started for Texas. The whole Regt went. They took a steamer. The steamer came up about where the present ferry wharf is now. After that I never saw him again. I finally received word that he died in ten days after he got to Texas.”

“At time of death of my husband, I lived on Queen St. near Catholic church. Lived there only about one year when I moved to Getty’s Station 3 miles out of this town. Lived there with my brother Miles Williams. Lived there one year and a half and then came back to Portsmouth. I then lived on Chestnut St. on line of County and City. Lived there a year and then moved on Green and South St. Lived there 7 years. Lived there 7 years. Was known [illegible] Charles Pierson (white), Fatry Pierson, and Mr. Ed. Johnson and since that time I have lived principally on this st. The only person who has ever lived in house with me since the war was my brother and he only lived there a short time.
“I have had seven children are dead but one, viz. George Driver.
“I had two children by Driver and three by Miles Ashburn. When I told you a few minutes ago that I had six or seven children I must have been mistaken for I can only count five. My last child was born in four weeks after its father died.
“I have cooked for four different men viz.
“Eli Rix now of Boston, Mass.
“Wm. Smith, no, I think it was Jesse Smith. He lives beyond this city — cannot give exact address.
“William Erbett, King Street and James Gerr of Richmond.
“Charles Eason used to visit me at times but he is dead. He was a roomer for Mrs. Deasondorf. He at times staid [sic] at my house at nights. His wife who is now dead used to [illegible] to look after him. I was then living at corner Green and South. He also used to come and stay at my house when I was at 1008 Effingham st. Charles Eason and I were in the house alone. Chas. Eason‘s wife lived about a mile or two out of town — she lost her mind and was sent to the asylum. Chas. Eason died about 3 years ago.”
[Note: The streets mentioned in her testimony are in a Portsmouth neighborhood called Lincolnsville.

Deposition, Lavinia Ashburn, 21 August 1901
“I do not know correct age, but I was grown and had two children when the war commenced.
“I have had two children since the death of my husband. Charles Eason was father of both said children. One of said children was a girl and was named Martha — the other was a boy and named Charles. These children were born on Green st., near South and I rented the house from Mr. Wilson. I do not recollect the age of Martha but Charles would be twenty-three years old if alive. These children died when they were small. They were about three or four years of age when they died.
“[Charles Eason] commenced his visits to me during the last of the war after my husband had been killed or died in Texas and continued his visits up to about a short time before his death. He died some two or three years ago”

“I used to be known under the name of Lavinia Driver. That was the name of my first husband. His name was Charles Driver and we were married in slavery time but he ran off and left me. He died year before last. … I have one son by Charles Driver. He is alive and over 40 years of age.”

Deposition, Lavinia Reed, 27 August 1901
“unable to give my age but I had children when war commenced”; occupation, housekeeping; residence, 908 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I have known Lavinia Ashburn some 12 or 15 years. After we got acquainted we were next door neighbors till some 3 or 4 years ago
“She never married anyone while I knew her but a man named Charles Eason used to stay a heap with her. … Lavinia did not bear a good name and drank hard at times and people talked about her and Charles Eason. I told her it was wrong myself but she did not appear to like it so I let her alone. … Lovinia rented two rooms — in lower room she cooked and slept in upper room. As I recalled in the upper room there was a bed and a lounge.”

Deposition, Anthony Reed, 28 August 1901
“I do not know my age but am over 70”; residence, 908 Griffin St., Portsmouth, Va.; “I am a laborer but cannot work much of the time.”
“I have known Lavinia Ashburn for many years. She never married Charles Eason for he had a living wife.”

General Affidavit, Mary Reed and Martha Wright, 16 January 1904
[Reed] 65 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Columbus st., near Green, Portsmouth, Va.
[Wright] 55 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 704 London st., Portsmouth, Va.
“They have been well acquainted with the claimant … ever since before the war of 1861, that ever since the war they have lived in Portsmouth or the adjoining part of Norfolk Co. and during that time the claimant has lived in Portsmouth; that during that time they have visited her frequently and known her intimately … that for the last 7 years they have all been living near each other in Portsmouth and claimant lives with her son and his children, that she is a member of Zion’s Church in good standing and could not be so if she had been guilty of open and notorious adulterous cohabitation.”

“Also appeared Lucy Ann Johnson, age 47, a resident of Portsmouth, Va., address, Columbus St., between Green and Effingham, Portsmouth, Va. … she has known claimant all her life that she was born and raised in Portsmouth where claimant has always lived since she could remember her. … she has lived near her and visited her frequently day and night.”

*Details about Miles Ashburn’s military service, illness, hospitalization, and death are reported in his Compiled Military Service Record.