Eliah Freeman, Company K**

Following witnesses over time is as important as following claimants over time. It’s an aspect of “reasonably exhaustive research.” For example, if a witness’s surname changed because of marriage, not only might an existing problem be solved, another (even useful) line of inquiry might open. Today’s post includes research notes from documents dated July 14, 1892 to October 4, 1900. Last week’s post included research notes from documents dated May 5, 1889 to June 27, 1892.

Widow — 404,544 / —–, Sarah Wiggins

Record Evidence, Maria Ballard, 14 July 1892
Residence and post-office address, Bowers Hill, Norfolk Co., Va.
“That Elijah Freeman husband of Sarah Wiggins formerly Sarah Freeman died December 15th 1882 at Gettys Station in the County of Norfolk from scurvy. I as undertaker prepared the body for burial and superintended the burial of Elijah Freeman on the 16th day of December 1882.”

Origin of Disability, Squire Bright and Albert Jones, 29 August 1892
[Bright] 52 years old; residence and post-office address, Portsmouth, Virginia
[Jones] 49 years old; residence and post-office address, Portsmouth, Virginia
“[Claimant] was attacked with scurvy which first affected said soldier in the legs and afterward attacked his body, and he was attended for that complaint by Dr. Manley the Regimental Physician … the affiant Albert Jones heard Dr. Manly say that the disease of which soldier was afflicted was scurvy”

Record Evidence, J. Maurice Armistead, Pastor of Zion Baptist Church, Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Va., 15 October 1892
Residence and post-office address, 306 Effingham St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I celebrated the marriage of Miles Wiggins and Sarah Freeman at Olive Branch Baptist Church in Norfolk County, on the 26th day of September 1888 (1888) of which last named church I was at the time mentioned and am now the Pastor.”

Origin of Disability, Thomas Reddick, 14 January 1893
Residence and post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
“That I was well acquainted with Elijah Freeman (deceased) called Eli Freeman in the service and after discharge. … At Brazos Texas in 1865 and 1866 he took a bad cold and cough … and troubled him through the remainder of service. He also had the scurvy in the Army
“I knew him after his discharge and up to his death”

Affidavit, Squire Bright and Thomas Reddick, 14 January 1893
[Bright] 52 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
[Reddick] 53 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
“That they were member of Co K, 1st Regiment U.S.C. Cavalry and were well acquainted with Elijah Freeman .. [Eliah Freeman] was honorably discharged … was the husband of Sarah Freeman since intermarried with Miles Wiggins … according to the best of their recollection said Elijah Freeman was known in said service as ‘Eli Freeman.'”

Claimant’s Affidavit, Sarah Wiggins, 7 February 1893
Residence and post-office address, 1311 Chestnut, Portsmouth, Va.
“That she cannot furnish her husband’s discharge certificate for the reason that it was placed by the soldier in the hands of a pension agent who absconded the parts several years ago and went to parts to the affiant unknown.
“That as near as she can recall the said Eli Freeman called also Elijah Freeman was enlisted about January 1864 … Capt. S.J. Whiteman; First Lieut. Charles Hart; 1st Sergeant Thomas Pitt; Col of Regiment Jeffrey Gerard“

Affidavit, Rosetta Bright and Mary J. Riddick, 21 March 1893
[Bright] 48 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 313 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, Va.
[Riddick] 56 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Va.; post-office address, cor King & Armstrong Sts, Portsmouth, Va.
“That Annie and John are the only children Sarah and Elijah Freeman … [they were living] and under the age of 16 years at the time of the death of said Elijah Freeman and they the said Annie and John are still living.
“That James the child heretofore mentioned died before his father and should not be claimed for.”

Affidavit, Squire Bright and Thos. Reddick, 11 May 1899
[Bright] 59 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
[Reddick] 62 years old; residence, King St., Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
“That we were well and intimately acquainted with Elijah Freeman”

Affidavit, Sarah Wiggins, 4 October 1900
Residence and post-office address, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address 624 Glasgow St., Portsmouth, Va.
“That she is now weak and unable to earn a living. That she has been in an enfeebled condition for three years. That she has to be taken care of by her friends. That she has no property real or personal and no income from any source. That she has no one lawfully bound to support herself. That was it not for her friends she would have to be taken care of by this state. That she is in destitute circumstances. That she has no physician in attendance.”

Affidavit, James Hoffler, 4 October 1900
Residence and post-office address, Portsmouth, Va. resides in Norfolk County
“That he is well acquainted with Sarah Wiggins … that he has been acquainted with her for 15 years — That claimant has lived in affiant’s community for 15 years”