George Cass, F&S**

After serving as a Private in the 3rd New York Cavalry, the 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 from 1877 to 1908. Last week’s post included research notes from documents dated 1875 to 1876.

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

Sworn Statement, Julian Ferry, 1 March 1877
“He entered the 3rd Regt of the NY Cavalry in the year 1861 … and personally acquainted with George L. Cass both before said Cass joined said Reg’t which was in the year 1862 & to the time he left the same & subsequently joined the 1st US Colored Cavalry”

Sworn Statement, Harvey W. Brown, 1 March 1877
residence, Schenevus, Otsego County, NY
“That he was a member of the 3rd NY Cavalry from the time said Regt was formed & organized about August 1861 to December 1863 … was acquainted with George L. Cass also a member of Co D of said Reg’t from & before the time he enlisted & joined said Reg’t to the time he left same about December 1863 that he saw said Cass daily”

Sworn Statement, John A. Spencer, [no date] ………
“of the town of Maryland, Otsego County, State of New York … he was a soldier in Company D 3rd New York Cavalry and joined said Company about the month of September 1862 … personally acquainted with George L. Cass who enlisted as a soldier in said Company at the same time as this deponent … [Spencer] was a nurse in the Regiment Hospital of the 3rd New York Cavalry at Newbern, NC from September 1862 to October 1863”

Department of the Interior, Pension Bureau, 27 March 1877
“Name and Service of Soldier – George L. Cass, was an enlisted man of Co D, 3rd Reg’t New York Cav from Aug 2, 1862 until Dec 9, 1863, when he was promoted to 1st Lieut in 1st Reg’t US Colored Cav. He was discharged in the service Feby 4, 1866”
“Death of Soldier – Died Aug 22, 1874 in City Hospital, Boston, Mass, of Avenue of the [illegible], which was supposed to have existed for eight years or more.”
[Note: The Pension Bureau used this form to request a full medical history of George L. Cass — Leslie]

Sworn Statement, Lewellen Cypress, 8 May 1877 ………
“of the town of Maryland [Otsego County, New York], he was personally acquainted with and well knew the late George L. Cass formerly of the town of Maryland and that deponent enlisted with said Cass … said Cass was sick a short time in the Regimental Hospital of the 3rd New York Cavalry of a fever”

Sworn Statement, L.R. Boyce, M.D., 17 May 1877
physician; residence, Albany, New York
“Personally acquainted with George Cass and knew him at Schenevus, Otsego County, NY where he resided before he entered the army and when deponent was a practicing physician [and he was a surgeon in the Navy] … he entered the 3rd Cavalry at Newbern, NC sometime during the fall of 1862, that he was with said Cass frequently until the first of December of that year departed next saw him in Plymouth, NC during the latter part of the summer of 1863 and was with him often until late in the fall … saw said Cass about the middle of March 1864 at Hampton near Fortress Monroe and was often in his company and one occasion staying with said Cass in his tent overnight … next saw said Cass at Maryland, Otsego County, NY in the spring of the year 1866”

Sworn Statement, Isabella Cass Bothan, 19 November 1908
65 years old; residence Oneonta, Otsego County, New York; post-office address, 6 Ford Avenue, Oneonta, NY
“That she was formerly pensioned as the widow of George L. Cass who was 1st Lieut. of Co B 1 Regt US Cold Cavalry … she was remarried to Alexander F. Bothan October 22d, 1878 [her pension was terminated] because of her remarriage to as remarried to Alexander F. Bothan, October 27th 1878, who was drowned at Nunda, Livingston Co, New York in the Genesee River, April 18th 1879 and was buried at Southbridge, Mass., April 22nd, 1879 … her pension commenced August 22d, 1874, and terminated because of her said marriage to Alexander F. Bothan … that she is without other means of support than her daily labor, and an actual net income not exceeding $250.00 a year.
“That she hereby appoints Chas. S. Firman, of 43 Spruce St., Oneonta, NY, her lawful attorney
“Also, peronally appeared Delos B. Manchester residing at Oneonta, NY and Rufus C. Miller residing at Oneonta, NY … their acquainance with her of 6 years and 30 years, respectively”

Sworn Statement, Frederick C. Bothan, 24 November 1908
60 years old; 27 Milford Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts
“That he is a brother of Alexander F. Bothan … that he knew [Isabella Cass Bothan] ever since 1875. Tht he was present at the funeral of said Alexander F. Bothan”

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”