Jane Hopper sought a widow’s pension, claiming her husband died on 15 June 1871 from consumption and lung disease contracted during his service. Witnesses confirmed the 1859 marriage (enslavers’ consent) and the children Indianna (1868) and Robert (1870). Affidavits also attested to Jane’s good character.
A very important note: This pension application contained documents from the Pension Bureau indicating that W.R. Drury, who had processed numerous claims for members of the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry, was indicted for fraud.
Widow — 427,170 / —– , Jane Hopper
Widow’s Claim for Pension, Jane Hopper, 16 April 1890
45 years old; post-office address, c/o WR Drury, 15 Bank St, Norfolk, Va.
“Daniel Hopper was a corporal … she further declares that Daniel Hopper, her husband died at Portsmouth … on or about thw 15th June, 1871 of consumption and lung disease … all the children of her deceased husband who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death Indianna Hopper born 1868 also Robert Hopper born 1870″
“Also personally appeared, Anson Farrier [sp?] and IJ Riles residents of Norfolk, Virginia”
General Affidavit, Owen Hopper and John Guy, 24 June 1890
[Hopper] 50 years old; residence, 69 Janes St
[Guy[ 61 years old; 40 Liberty Street
“That they were well acquainted with Daniel Hopper … said soldier while at Chickahominy Swamp on or about the Spring of 1864 line or duty contracted deep cold”
Widow’s Declaration for Pension, Jane Hopper, 13 November 1890
40 years old; residence, Newton St., Norfolk, Va; post-office address, c/ WR Drury, 16 Bank St, Norfolk, Va.
“under the name of Jane Warden … 1859 by master’s consent at Bear Quarter, Norfolk Co, Va. … previously married no … her said husband died at Portsmouth, Va. on the 15th day of June 1870… the following are the names and dates of birth of all of said legitimate children yet surviving, viz.
“Indianna Hopper of soldier by claimant born 15th day of June 1868
“Robert Hopper of soldier by claimant born by claimant born June 1st 1870
“Also personally appeared, Owen Hopper residing at 69 James St, Norfolk, Va. and John Guy, 40 Liberty St., Norfolk, Va.”
General Affidavit, Willis Creekmore and Mary Ann Wilson, 13 November 1890
[Creekmore] 59 years old; residence, Barboursville
[Wilson] 48 years old; residence, Queen St
“That they knew Daniel and Jane Hopper, that Jane belonged to Jerome Creekmur and Daniel to Israel Forman, that they were married by master’s consent in 1859, at what is known as Bear Quarter at the farm Jerome Creekmur … Their knowledge is derived from having lived on the same farm and was present at their marriage and knew them from that time to the present.”
General Affidavit, Zachariah T. Hutchings and George Coleman, 29 July 1891
[Hutchings] 45 years; of Portsmouth, Virginia
[Coleman] 51 years old; of Portsmouth, Virginia
“That they know both Daniel Hopper and Jane Hopper his wife aforesaid from time of Daniel’s return from Army in 1866 … that she had two children born of said cohabitation while still living in Portsmouth, Virginia by name of Indianna Hopper and Robert Hopper, the firstborn on or about September 1868. The latter on or about June 1st 1870. That Daniel Hopper died in Norfolk Co in suburbs of Portsmouth … died on the 15th of June 1870 a short time after the birth of last child, that he was well known in Portsmouth and vicinity”
General Affidavit, Jane Hopper, 17 September 1891
“She is unable to give the testimony of Com[rades] Officers or Regimental surgeons as she is unable to get an answer from them, that she cannot give the testimony of the physician who attended him in his last illness who was Dr Gus Billisoly in Portsmouth, Va. as he refused to look it up without paymnet of money which she has not to give him, that she is entirely dependent on his friends, neighbors and her husband’s comrades to prove her claims, that her husband’s dying outside the city limits there was no official record of his death and having been married under slave laws none was given to same it being only required to have consent of master … she is well known in this community.”
General Affidavit, Zachariah Hopper and George Coleman, 17 September 1891
[Hopper] 45 years old; Norfolk, Va.
[Coleman] 51 years old; Portsmouth, Va.
“That [claimant] is a woman of good character and bears a good reputation and is still his widow residing in Portsmouth … and has none other income than except that derived from her own manual labor … Their knowledge is derived from long and continued acquaintance still reside very close to widow and have had every opportunity to see and know of how they speak.”
Deposition, Jane Hopper, 19 Occtober 1892
47 years old; occupation, housekeeper; residence and post-office address, 20 National Lane, Norfolk, Va
“My said husband died twenty-two years ago last June … [my attorney was] WR Drury of no. 16 Bank St, Norfolk, Va. … WR Drury has done my writing for me. John Guy & Owen Hopper signed affidavits for use in my claim (old law) … I have never appeared before BA Richardson Jr to sign and execute an application under the new law.”
Deposition, Owen Hopper, 19 October 1892
52 years old; occupation, oysterman; residence and post-office address, 69 James Street, Norfolk, Va
“I have known the clt Jane Hopper for the past 40 odd years. I also knew her late husband Daniel Hopper all his life until he died. He and I were members of Co G 1st USCC”
Deposition, John Guy, 19 October 1892
62 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office adddress, No. 42 Liberty St, Norfolk, Va
“I have known the clt Jane Hopper for the last 40 years and I served in the same Company with her late husband Daniel Hopper during the late war.”
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