The war was nearly over when this soldier married another Norfolkian. They were still married more than 30 years later during which time he had become quite feeble and “dependent for support upon the charity of people not legally bound for his support.” Two witnesses, friends since childhood, served in the same regiment as the claimant whose application based on poor health was granted.
Invalid — 753,229 / 967,097
Widow — 696,625 / 478,747, Celia Grimes
Marriage License, Moses Grimes and Celia Langley, 7 April 1865
Took place in Norfolk, Virginia; Husband was 32 years old, wife was 29 years old; both were single; husband and wife born in Norfolk; husband resided “U.S. Army” and wife resided Norfolk; husband’s parents were Hardy & Eliza Grimes, wife’s parents were Toby & Jane Langley; husband’s occupation, soldier, 1st U.S. Col’d Cavy.
“Minister’s Return of Marriage, I certify, that on the 16th day of April 1865 at his residence on Cumberland Street. I united in marriage the above-named and described parties, under authority of the annexed license. Lewis Tucker, Pastor of the First Baptist Church, Norfolk, Va.”
General Affidavit, Moses Grimes, 11 March 1895
62 years old; post-office address, 82 Smith Street, Norfolk, Va.
“I was with the cavalry on their march from Old Point, Va. and Yorktown, Va. when experienced the effects of above rupture and it was caused to the best of my belief by strains received in the drilling or jumping ditches during the march”
General Affidavit, Andrew Armstrong, 26 June 1896
43 years old; post-office address, 99 St. Paul’s St., Norfolk, Va.
“That he is well acquainted with the claimant … having known him for about four (4) years. Claimant has for the last past four months been confined to his house from sickness. Claimant who appears to be quite an old man is at present feeble … dependent for support upon the charity of people not legally bound for his support”
General Affidavit, John C. Fentress, 26 June 1896
70 years old; post-office address, 271 Queen St., Norfolk, Va.
“That he is well acquainted with the claimant … has known him for at least fifteen (15) years. Claimant has during the period stated been a customer at his grocery store”
General Affidavit, George Jones and Richard Brooks, 21 June 1897
[Jones] 57 [?] years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Va.; post-office address, General Delivery, Norfolk, Va.
[Brooks] 53 years old; residence, 176 Scott, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
“he is now in a perfectly helpless condition entirely dependent on the labor of his said wife and friends for support and has no income besides.
“This knowledge is derived from having known said Moses Grimes for many years in fact since the close of war to present time”
General Affidavit, George Jones and Richard Brooks, 21 June 1897
“That they have visited said Moses Grimes at his house 174 St. Paul’s Street and have seen his condition and consider his condition critical … his mind is much troubled knowing his helpless condition. He is almost entirely dependent of the help given him by neighbors and the public not legally bound to support him which if denied he would die of want or become the inmate of poorhouse.”
Questionnaire (Form 3-173), Moses Grimes, 23 September 1897
[married] “I am. Married under slave law. Celia Grimes. Maiden Celia Langley“
[where, when, by whom] 1854 married by [illegible] 1863 March, Rev. Mr. Tucker, Norfolk, Va.
[record] Clerk’s office, Norfolk, Va. contains record of marriage
[previous marriage] “never married before and present wife is the only one”
[living children] “Yes, thirteen, three of whom is living in Norfolk, Va. could not give the dates of birth. All are over 16 years except Annie Grimes who is the youngest. October 16th 1882 is the date of her birth. All the rest is away and over 21 years old”
Health Department, City of Norfolk, Va. A Transcript From the Record of Deaths in the City of Norfolk, Moses Grimes, 11 April 1899
[name of deceased / date of death / age] Moses Grimes / April 11, 1899 / 67 years old
[color, sex, social condition, occupation / birthplace / length of residence in City of Norfolk] colored, male, married, laborer / Norfolk, Virginia / 67 years old
[cause of death / place of death / duration of last illness] influenza / 147 St. Paul’s St., Norfolk, Va. / three weeks
[place of burial / medical attendant / undertaker] West Point / P.L. Barber, MD / Jas. N. Jones
Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Celia Gimes, 19 April 1899
66 years old; residence, Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, 147 St. Paul’s St., Norfolk, Va.
“[married] 1850 or 1851 by consent of owners at Norfolk County, after by license, April 16, 1865”
“Also personally appeared Lucy Reddick, residing at 23 Nicholson St., and Emma Sheppard, residing at 18 Fourth St. … an acquaintance with her of 40 years and 25 years, respectively”
General Affidavit, Andrew Nimmer and Cyrus Young, 26 April 1899
[Nimmer] 62 years old; residence, Norfolk, Virginia; post-office address, Goff Street
[Young] 69? years old; residence, Norfolk, Virginia; post-office address, 200 Queen Street
“that they both knew Moses Grimes when they were all boys together … that they also knew the claimant before she married Moses Grimes”
Deposition, Celia Grimes, 16 October 1901
about 60 or 70 years old; residence and post-office address, 379 Bank Street, Norfolk, Va.
“I was acquainted with him all his lifetime … He died April 11, 1899 of cancer … before he died Drs. Barber and Corrigan attended him. … He was taken to Saint Vincents Hospital and had his leg amputated. It was his right leg. He died on St. Paul St.
“I was married to soldier during his army service and got married to him under the name of Celia Langley at Newtown near Norfolk, Va. by Rev. Tucker, a Baptist preacher. I can’t give you the year of my marriage … Since soldier’s death I have resided at or near corner of Scott and St. Paul’s St and at this place …. Moses Grimes was born in Norfolk, Va., is 30 years of age”
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 
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