The soldier and his family were well established in Norfolk County (Portsmouth, Churchland, Western Branch) and the surrounding area (Hampton, Williamsburg, James City County). In addition to their own statements, support of the pension applications from siblings, in-laws, neighbors, and veterans provided rich details about the community. Earlier posts included research notes from documents dated 1875 to 1901 and research notes from documents dated 12 May 1902 through 17 May 1902. This week’s post includes research notes from documents dated 23 May 1902 through 29 May 1902.
Invalid – 794,363 / 1,045,114
Widow – 624,326 / 536,183, Lilly J. Powell
Deposition, Zachariah Johnson, 23 May 1902
about 60 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, W Norfolk, Va.
“I am well acquainted with the claimant, her name is Lucy Powell, that is what she is always called. She is the widow of Fred. Powell.”
“He lived near me for some years before his death. He was sent away from here, or went away from here, and died at the Soldiers Home, so I understand, not as I know.”
“I don’t know his age or where he was born.”
“He left some small children by Lucy. She don’t live more than about a quarter of a mile from me. … As far as I have seen, she has lived a proper life since Powell’s death.”
“I knew her before she married Powell, knew her first husband, but forgot his name. He is said to be dead. I heard of her marriage to Powell but did not see them married.”
“He might have drank but was sober whenever I saw him. I don’t know if he had a wife or not before he had Lucy.”
Deposition, Mary E. Elliott, 23 May 1902
38 years old; wife of Jas. Elliott; post-office address, W. Norfolk, Va.
“I was well acquainted with Fred Powell about 16 years prior to his death…. He died at the Soldiers Home, was very sick, nearly helpless, when taken there.”
“I know the age of one of her children. Leana, she was born the same nght my little boy (John Wesley Elliott). He was 15 years old last December. I cannot tell you the date but he was born just 3 days befoe Christmas Day…. I have a record of the birth of my child but cannot find it now.”
“Bessie Powell is the next older child, she is about 20 years old, I was married 19 years ago, and she was then a baby in your arms.”
Deposition, Sandy Danes, 23 May 1902
59 years old; occupation, carpenter and light work; post-office address, West Norfolk, Va.
“I was well acquainted with Fred Powell … He lived near me about 16 years up to the time he went to the Soldiers Home, last saw him two days before he went, was at his house..”
“I have known claimant from a child. When she was married to Geo Johnson her first husband. I was his first waiter.”
Deposition, Lucy J. Powers, 24 May 1902
“Yes, my first husband was a soldier; I do not know in what Co or Regt he served: I had his discharge certificate from the army. I tried to get a pension as his widow before I was married to Fred. Powers. Never got it. My attorney was a man in Hampton named Bickford, who is dead. I gave him the discharge he said he was going to send it to Washington I have never seen it since. … [George Johnson] was born in Nansemond Co., Va.”
Deposition, Andrew Powell, 27 May 1902
53 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, Hampton, Va.
“I am well acquainted with the claimant Lucy Powell. I used to go and see my brother Frederick Powell who was her husband. They lived in Norfolk Co. on the Western Branch.
“My said brother was married twice only. His first wife, Pattie Powell died at Williamsburg, Va. Don’t know the date but she died before he married Lucy … I was not present at the time she died, was working away, cutting wood. I am certain she died as I got home a few days after she was buried … I used to go and see him while he was sick at the Soldiers Home before he died there. I am sure that he was a soldier as I used to go and see him while he was a soldier, camped at Ft. Magruder near Williamsburg. … He could not write”
“He was born near Jamestown, was not born in Gloucester Co. … He left small children by Lucy, don’t know their ages …. His father was Wisdom Powell and mother was Betsey Powell.”
Deposition, Lewis Waller, 27 May 1902
47 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, Hampton, Va.
“I became acquainted with Lucy Powell in 1874. I was present and saw her married at Churchland, Va. to my cousin Fred Powers. Powers was his correct name but he was more often called Powell. …. His first wife was Pattie (Webb). She died at Williamsburg, Va. in 1872 in March. I was present when she died. She died next door to me. …. I don’t know the dates of birth of any of Powers’ children by claimant except the oldest boy.
“I never knew Bessie, Lena, Anna Mary and Frederick, his youngest children. They were all born after I left the Western Branch.
“Fred came to see me several times and told me about his children.
“I last saw him just before he went to the Soldiers Home. He died at the Soldiers Home and is buried there, so I have been told.”
“I remember when he came home in 1866. He had on his soldier’s clothes then.”
Deposition, Hester Waller, 27 May 1902
about 44 years old; wife of Lewis Waller; post-office address, Hampton, Va.
“I am well acquainted with Lucy Powell … I saw them married near Churchland, Va. and they lived in the same house with me on the Western Branch.
“Fred Powell and my husband were first cousins. I first knew Fred Powell in Williamsburg, Va. … I don’t know the dates of birth of any of her children. I never saw Bessie, Lena, Anna Mary and Frederick Powell…. He himself told us about them when he came to see us.”
“I am sometimes called Easter … I was living next door to [Pattie] when she died.”
“I was not living with her when these children were born and don’t know the dates of their births.”
Deposition, John Pitt, 29 May 1902
about 62 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, West Norfolk, Va.
“I am well acquainted with the claimant Lucy J. Powell, have known her some 40 or 50 years …. Her first husband was Johnson. After his death, she married Fred Powell. … He was never called Powers so far as I know. I lived near him for a number of years up to the time he went to the Soldiers Home … He appeared to be a good man, had no vicious habits that I know of … she was the only wife I knew him to have.”
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