This freeborn carpenter was born in Boston and settled in New Orleans after the war but the place of his enlistment is unclear. The couple had no children.
Invalid — 1,100,526 / 82?, 331
Widow — 907,018 / 675,708, Louisa Lind
Affidavit, Peter Perry, 4 April 1892
72 years old; residence, Lyon & Coliseum St, 13th Ward, New Orleans
“I have been working with claimant as carpenter since 1866 off and on … [Lind] fell from the roof of a house where we were at work … he is not able to perform severe manual labor. Disabilities not due to bad or vicious habits and of a permanent character.”
Affidavit, Edward King, 4 April 1892
79 years old; residence, 200 Berlin St., New Orleans
“I have known claimant since 1866 and have known him well during the intervening time”
Affidavit, Tilton Turner and Randall Carter, 15 May 1895
[Turner] 66 years old; residence, Peters Ave
[Carter] 59 years old; residence, Peters near Arcadia, NO
“We were neighbors of this man James Lind who is well known to us. He is a carpenter by trade. He does not do any ordinary manual labor. We have known him for 6 and 25 years. During the last 6 years he has not been able to do the work of any ordinary workman…. We would not under any circumstances employ this man as a laborer at the usual wages. His general habits and character are excellent.”
Office of Board of Health, Recorder of Births, Marriages and Deaths, 15 December 1898
“W. Beltz, an undertaker, native of this City residing at No. 7808 Maple St., who hereby declares, that James Lind (colored), a native of Boston, Mass., aged 60 years, departed this life yesterday, (7 Oct 1908) at No. 2100 Peters Ave., in this city.
Cause of death, endocarditis
Certificate of Dr. J.Y. Hunter
Deceased was married, a carpenter & 40 years in city
“I do certify, the foregoing to be a true and faithful copy from the original recorded in Book marked No. 144 Folio 1187.”
Questionnaire (Form 3-173), James Lind, 29 November 1898
[wife’s name] Louisa Lind … Louisa Nelson
[where, when, by whom] January 16, 1868; New Orleans, Louisiana; Rev. Emperor Williams
[record of marriage] “the regular marriage certificate”
[previously married] no
[living children] “never had any children”
Questionnaire (Form 3-493), James Lind, 29 November 1898
[present residence, post-office address] 2100 Peters Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana
[residence from Feb 1, 1866 to present residence] “I lived at first at Magazine & Erats St., NOLA; second, Elenor & Camp; 3rd cor Peters Ave & Liberty St., No. 2100
[post-office nearest residences] New Orleans, La
[occupation since February 4, 1866] “I was when able to work, a carpenter”
[known by any other name] no
[different name in military service] no
Affidavit, James Lind and Louisa Lind, 26 January 1899
“I desire to make and file declaration so that in the event of my death prior to that of Louisa Nelson she may not have difficulty to prove the legality of her marriage. … I am the identical ‘James Lend‘ who is mentioned in the original marriage certificate in my possession signed by Rev. E. Williams, and that my true name is James Lind … I am the identical ‘Loisa Nelson‘ sanctioned in the original marriage certificate in our possession and that my true name is Louisa Nelson … [married] according to the rites of the Methodist Episcopal Church [by] Rev. E. Williams, pastor Jefferson and Carrolton ME Churches, Ada F. Sparks, Sarah V. Phelps, G.W. Scott, witnesses”
[Note — A handwritten note on the document states ‘The above is a true copy of the original marriage certificate this day exhibited to me’ — Leslie]
Affidavit, Louisa Lind, 20 November 1908
[birthplace] Mississippi
[residence when you became acquainted with the soldier] New Orleans, Louisiana
[length of acquaintance before marriage] one year
[[where, when, and by whom married] New Orleans
[previous marriage] no
[marriage since soldier’s death] no
[children born to you and soldier] no
[enslaved, previous enslavers] “Yes — William Robney — at date of marriage I was free – my only name before marriage was Louisa Nelson”
[soldier’s birhplace] Massachusetts
[soldier’s residence at your acquaintance] New Orleans
[soldier’s place of enlistent] “supposed to enlist in Massachusetts”
[date soldier enlisted] abpit 1862
[residence before enlistment] Massachusetts
[soldier’s age at enlistment, occupation, skin color] “about 30 … carpenter … greefe [sic]”
[his only wife] yes
[soldier enslaved?] no
General Affidavit, Nathan Hunter, 30 November 1908
66 years old; residence, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana; post-office address, 1900 [illegible]
“I have known Louise Lind since her childhood, she was never married before she married James Lind on the 16th day of January 1868
“I have also known James Lind … since he was a young man of marriageable age, he was never married before he married Louise Lind befoe he married Louise Nelson … I have been a friend of both the above before and after marriage”
General Affidavit, J.W. Pierce, 30 November 1908
62 years old; residence, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana; post-office address, 7508 Oak [illegible], New Orleans, La. 1900 [illegible]
“I have known Louise Lind nee Louise Nelson since her childhood … I have also known James Lind … since he was a young man of marriageable age … I have knowledge in the above testimony from being a half-brother of Louise Lind and a friend of James Lind before his marriage and a constant visitor at their home.”
Letter from B.F. Harper, Auditor, Treasury Department, Washington, DC to Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, DC, 9 February 1909
“James Lind … (P.O. address c/o Peter Small, Custom House, New Orleans, La) states … that he was born free; that he volunteered in November 1864 … that he is identified by L.H. Stone, and E. Sullivan, (neither residences nor P.O. address given)
“James Lind alleges … that his age is 39 years … He is identified by Eugene Sullivan, and John W. Pierce of the County of Orleans, La.”
“His post office address is 236 Peters Ave., New Orleans, La.; that his age is 54 years … He is identified by L.R.. Lowe, and W.R. Matzler, of the County of Orleans, La.
“The soldier signed by mark such rolls as have been examined.
“A tracing of his signture to the last named application is inclosed herewith.”
Handwritten Letter from J.W. Pierce, 4730 S. Liberty St., New Orleans, La., to Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, DC, 3 March 1923
“I am the only legal heir of Mrs. Louisa Lind, widow of James Lind who died January 7, 1923 in Oakland, California. I received her remains and buried them with her husband in this city. My son Thomas D. Pierce of Los Angeles, California, has forwarded to your office the particulars of her death and funeral, and also returned to you the last pension check.”
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 
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