Charles Ouvert, Company L*

This application is straightforward enough until the officer’s widow reveals family secrets and unconventional living arrangements. Events described in this lengthy pension file include residences in Florida, New Jersey, and New York; the Spanish-American War and World War I; and foreign nationals.

Today’s post includes research notes from documents dated June 1892-April 1924. Future posts will include research notes from documents dated 1925-1926 and research notes from documents dated 1927.

Invalid — 465,488 / 834,526
Widow — 1,231,070 / —–, Caledonia Ouvert

Claimant’s Affidavit, Charles Overt, 29 June 1892
residence, Pablo Beach, Duvall County, Florida
“Injury to left leg breaking same; also injury to left wrist … about four years ago he broke his left leg and sustained an injury to wrist by falling from scaffold while painting in city of NY”

Marriage License, Charles Overt and Caledonia Walker, 18 October 1893
Groom, 41 years old; bride, 21 years old. Married 10 October 1893 by Joseph A. Brown, Rector

Application for Invalid Pension, Charles Overt, 7 March 1907
62 years old; residence, Asbury Park, Monmouth County, NJ; post-office address, 918 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park, NJ, Monmouth Co., NJ
“enrolled at Kingston, NY … on the 14 day of March, 1865, as a Corporal in Co L, 1st US Colored Cavalry Vols… honorably discharged … 4 February 1866 … that he was born 14 day of Feby one thousand eight hundred and 45”
“Also personally appeared Roderick S. Cottene, residing at Asbury Park, NJ and Samuel G. Kelley, residing at Asbury Park, NJ … [acquainted with claimant] 25 years and 26 years respectively”

Letter from Charles Overt to Commissioner of Pensions, 5 September 1918
“I cannot produce any birth certificates nor any family record … I was born in the Town of Saugerties in the in the [sic] County of Ulster, New York State.
That I lived there with my parents who are dead years ago, and that I lived there with my parents during the years from 1850 to 1860, inclusive. I was always told that I was born in 1846, but what day or month I am not able to positively state.”
“The name of my father was Peter Overt
Mother’s Name was Mary Overt
Sisters were Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary, and Julia Overt
Brother [sic] Name Giles Overt“

Letter from [illegible] Rogers, Director, Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce to Commissioner of Pensions, 5 October 1918
“I have below data secured from the Census records of 1850 and 1860

Town of Saugerties, Ulster Co., NY, enumerated Aug 23, 1850
Name Age Place of birth
Peter Overt 43 NY
Mary ” 43 “
Chas E ” 6 “
Giles ” 4 “
Julia ” 1 “

Town of Saugerties, Ulster Co., NY, enumerated June 18, 1860
Name Age Place of birth
Peter S. Overt 52 NY
Mary ” 52 “
Charles ” 15 “
“

Declaration for Pension, Charles Overt, 12 April 1924
78 years old; residence, 1218 Washington Ave., Asbury Park, Monmouth Co., NJ
“enrolled at Ulster Co., New York … 14 March 1865 as a Corporal … occupation was farmer … that he was born 1846 … since leaving the service he has resided at 1218 Washington Ave., Asbury Park, NJ and his occupation has been carpenter”

Sworn Statement, Charles Overt, 19 April 1924
“Confined at his residence, 1218 Washington Ave. and who solemnly swears that he has been confined to his bed since Feby 27th, 1924 and that Dr. O.R. Holters of 513 Second Ave., Asbury Park, NJ has been attending him since that time.”

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