George Cass, F&S*

After serving as a Private in the 3rd New York Cavalry, this soldier became a Captain in the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. When he returned to rural New York after the Civil War, he resumed his mercantile business. Today’s post includes research notes from documents dated 1875 to 1876. Next week’s post will include research notes from documents from 1877 to 1908.

Widow — 219,713 / 177,567, Isabella Cass Rothan

Sworn Statement, Edward Cowles, 18 January 1875
Physician and Supt of the Boston Hospital
“released [Cass from hospital] October twenty third 1873”

Sworn Statement, L.A. Cliff, M.D., 25 January 1875
Physician; residence, 395 Shawmut Ave., Boston, Mass. … he attended George L. Cass from the sixteenth till the twenty second day of August 1874 at which time [Cass] died”

Sworn Statement, L.A. Griffin, M.D. and B.S. Lewis, House Physician of the Boston City Hospital, 25 January 1875
“on the 23rd day of August 1874, they made a post-mortem examination of the body of George L. Cass and found that his death was caused by [a large tumor which enclosed a sizeable aneurysm].”

Sworn Statement, John R. Boyce, 14 [month not given] 1875
residence, Howe’s Cave [Schoharie County, NY] … he formerly resided and did a mercantile business in the town of Maryland, Otsego County in this State. That he was acquainted with the late George L. Cass … and that prior to his enlistment in the army Sept 7th 1863. He had been in his employ as a clerk for several years”

Sworn Statement, Gilman Page, Jr., 17 February 1875
residence, Dorchester Ave near Mt. Vernon St, 16th Ward, in the City of Boston, Mass. … he was a member of the First Regiment, USC Cavalry and held the position of 1st Lieut & Adjutant in said Regiment, that he was personally acquainted with George L. Cass who was Captain of Company (K) in said Regiment “

Sworn Statement, Harvey W. Brown, 1 February 1875
“resident of the town of Maryland [Otsego Co., NY] for period of 30 years … he was Major of the 1 US Colored Cavalry and was acquainted (and has been) with George L. Cass … for a long number of years prior to his death and that he served with him … that when said Cass left the service and came home to the town of Maryland”

Sworn Statement, Albert Martin, Minister of the Gospel, 16 February 1875
“Be it known that on the 10th day of November 1867 at the Town of Westford in the County of Otsego, State of New York, I united in marriage George L. Cass and Isabella Snyder according to the [illegible] & ceremony of the Baptist Church … Rev. Albert Martin of Harpursville, Broome County, NY”

Widow’s Pension, Isabella Cass Bothan, 11 March 1875
residence, Hudson County, New York; post-office address, 320 First Street, Jersey City, NJ … Attorney Frederick H. Snyder, 320 First St., Jersey City, NJ … brother to client & waives fee … Cause of death, Anneurism [sic], Place of death, Boston, Mass. … Claimant states that the fatal disease existed while soldier was at home on furlough while a sergt in 3rd NY Cav”

Sworn Statement, Julian Ferry, 13 June 1875
“He has known the late George L. Cass from his boyhood …that he served with George Cass as an enlisted man in the 3rd NY Cav up to the time said Cass was commissioned & transferred to the 1st Reg USC Cav”

Sworn Statement, Frederick H. Snyder, 5 August 1875
34 years old; residence, Jersey City, NJ
“That he is a brother of Isabella Cass … attorney for said Isabella Cass … he was intimately acquainted with George L. Cass from his early boyhood until his death … about six months after the said Cass returned from the service he resumed his mercantile business at Schenevus in which business he remained about one & a half years where he gave up his business at Schenevus & removed to Corry, State of Pennsylvania where he resumed his mercantile business. Said Cass remained in Corry about two years when he removed to the City of Boston, State of Mass where he continued to reside until his death August 22nd 1874”
“Said Cass while at Corry was attended by one Doctor Palmer … stayed at the house of said Cass & and was most of his time in his Company”

Widow’s Pension, Isabella Cass Bothan, 11 March 1875
residence, Hudson County, New York; post-office address, 320 First Street, Jersey City, NJ … Attorney Frederick H. Snyder, 320 First St., Jersey City, NJ … brother to client & waives fee … Cause of death, Anneurism, Place of death, Boston, Mass. … Claimant states that the fatal disease existed while soldier was at home on furlough while a sergt in 3rd NY Cav”

Sworn Statement, Harvey W. Brown, 7 November 1876
“that heresides in the town of Maryland County of Otsego and State of New York and has from infancy except while in the army of the Rebellion and serving as Sheriff of Otsego County … Case came in to his Company served as Sargent for about 1 1/2 years … deponent and George Cass were commissioned in the First United States Colored Cavalry”