The couple had a “slave marriage” in Portsmouth in September 1864. The soldier died at Brazos Santiago, Texas in August 1865. His comrades-in-arms attended his burial.
Widow — 129,839 / 115,387, Sally Singleton
Widow’s Claim for Pensions, Sallie Lawson, 10 July 1886
25 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia; post-office address, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
“Her maiden name was Sallie Herbert and that she was married to Lawson Singleton on or about the 15 September, 1864, at Portsmouth in the County of Norfolk and State of Virginia by mutual consent and that she knows of no record evidence of said marriage except the consent of parties married under slave laws … she hereby appoints Mssrs. Wolf & Hart, Washington, DC as her lawful attorney … all the children of my deceased husband who where [sic] under sixteen years of age at the time of his death, Mary Clare Singleton born 15 Oct 1865, the p.o. address, Portsmouth, Va.”
“Also personally appeared before me, Dick Williams and Samuel Williams residents of Portsmouth … were present at the death of her husband & know the child Mary C. Singleton aforesaid as her child.”
Letter from Assistant Adjutant General to Commissioner of Pensioners, Washington, DC, 21 July 1866
“On the muster roll of Co. H of that Regiment, for the months of July and Augst 1865, he is reported died at Brazos Santiago, Texas, Augst 29th 1865”
[Note: “On the muster roll of Co. H”? Other records indicate he served in Company D — Leslie]
Letter from Brevet Major and Assistant Surgeon, USA J.J. Woodward to Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, DC, 25 October 1866
“Reported to this Office by Surgeon B.S. Manly as having died Aug 30th, 1865 at Brazos Santiago, Texas”
Sworn Statement, Sally Singleton, 5 July 1867
“That she was married to the said Lawson Singleton, at Portsmouth, Virginia in October 1864, without a license so the services of a minister of the gospel, but by mutual consent and subsequent cohabitation … she had of the said Lawson Singleton, one child, Mary Clarissa Singleton born on 1st Feby 1865, which said child is now alive and living with the said affiant.”
“At the same time personally appeared Samuel Marshall, Andrew Joiner, Hannah Marshall, and Emma Williams … that they are well acquainted with Lawson Singleton … and have known her for ten years. That they were also well-acquainted with Lawson Singleton … and knew him for the same period of time … were married at Portsmouth, Virginia in the month of October 1864 … that the affiants Samuel Marshall and Andrew Joiner, were present at their marriage.”
Sworn Statement, Sally Singleton, 29 July 1867
residence, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
“Declares that she is the widow of Lawson Singleton … Also personally appeared William Hawkins and Solomon Jones, residents of Norfolk County”
Sworn Statement, Samuel Marshall and Ackwell Jones, 15 February 1868
“Samuel Marshall and Ackwell Jones … Samuel Marshall … was well acquainted with Lawson Singleton [who died in latter part of August 1865] … and after his death, followed his body to the grave, and assisted in its burial. And affiant further alleges he knew the said Lawson SIngleton before he entered the service of the U. States … and affiant believes the said Lawson Singleton died of disease contracted whilst in said service and whilst in the line of his duty”
“Ackwell Jones … was well acquainted with Lawson Singleton — and the affiant further alleges that in the month of August 1865 … Lawson Singleton died … the deponent visited the tent of the now deceased, during his sickness, viewed the body after death, and witnessed its burial … the deponent believes the said Lawson Singleton died of disease contracted whilst in said service and whilst in the line of his duty”
Letter from Sally Singleton to William W. Dudley, Commissioner of Pensions, 1 October 1881
“Dear Sir,
Please inform me the case of my child being dropped from the Pension Rolls, my daughter was Born, on the Last day of January 1866, and my daughter Mary case been droped [sic] know [sic] 9 months”
“Please Sir, address me
No. 276 1/2 Queen Street
Norfolk, Virginia”
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 
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