It appears the soldier’s marriage was recorded by the Provost Marshall — worth a look in that Record Group for details!
Widow — 553, 770 / —–, Amanda Turner
Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Amandia Turner, 18 June 1892 49 years old; residence, Waverly, Sussex County, Virginia; post-office address, Waverly, Sussex County, Virginia “That she was married under the name Amandia Dillard … on the 10 day of February 1867 by Provost Marshall, Waverly, Va. … That names and dates of birth of all the children now living under over sixteen years of age of the soldier are as follows: Mollie Turner, born July 10, 1868 Cattie Turner, born August 25, 1870 Eddie Turner, born March 6, 1872 Bettie Turner, born September 22, 1874 Ernest Turner, born June 12, 1876″ ‘Note: The word “under” on the form was struck through; the word “over” was inserted in cursive. The children’s birthdates are written in the same format for readability.
This soldier and his wife seemed to have led an ordinary life when he returned to Norfolk after he was discharged from his military service. Sadly, two of their three children died in infancy. The couple maintained close relationships with neighbors — some of whom they share a dwelling with. Like many families, they struggled to afford medical treatment.
Widow – 482,241 / 292,214, Matilda Turner
Sworn Statement, John Lislo and Thomas Baker, 27 February 1891 [Lislo] 53 years old; residence, 20 Salter St, Norfolk, Va [Baker] 55 years old; 60 York St., Norfolk, Va. “That they lived near neighbors to them for twenty-seven years and they were present at their marriage as waiters and have lived near neighbors to the said Matilda Turner… from the death of said William Turner to the present time.”
Sworn Statement, John Brickhouse and James Brooks, 28 February 1891 “William Turner had three children by Matilda Cross, his wife … The names of all the children and their deaths and births … Richard R. Turner was born on the 15th day of June 1868 and now resides at No 150 Cumberland St, City of Norfolk, State of Virginia, and Martha and Mary was born on the first day of June 1870. They were twins. Martha died on the first day of June 1870 and Mary died on the 14th day of September 1871. The last two was twins.”
Widow’s Declaration for Pension, Matilda Turner, 10 July 1893 residence, 150 Cumberland St., Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, Norfolk, Va. “That she was married under the name of Matilda Cross to said William Turner on the 22 day of April A.D. 1867, by Geo. Watkins, at Norfolk, Va. … no children under 16 at soldier’s death …. Also personally appeared William Galt, aged 65 years, residing at 87 Brewer St., City of Norfolk, Va. and James Williams aged 33 years old residing at 162 Queen St., City of Norfolk, Va.”
Claimant’s Affidavit, Matilda Turner, 21 March 1894 44 years old; residence, 60 [illegible] Street, Norfolk County, Va. “My husband William Turner dec’d was attended by Dr. T.B. Ward of the City of Norfolk from soon after he came out of the U.S. Services to within a few days of before his (Dr. Ward) death of the consumption of the lungs … [Ward] died in the City of Norfolk about the last of April 1885… the only physician who attended him from his discharge from the service to his death. After Dr. Ward died he was not able to employ another physician but used such medicine as he could obtain from the drug store by the advice of his friends and neighbors such as cod liver oil, tonics, etc.”
General Affidavit, Peter Fuller, 28 April 1894 51 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co, Va.; post-office address, 1 Brown St, Norfolk, Va. “We both came home to Norfolk together. I lived in Norfolk and within one hundred yards of William Turner … and during this time I saw him almost daily and frequently saw him several times a day and at the expiration of the said four years, I lived from that time four blocks from him to the day of his death the 10th day of October 1884. I was present at his death … He was unable to perform any kind of labor except opening a few oysters occasionally, about three gallons per day … she is without other means of support than by her daily labor, that she does not own any real estate or personal property nor have no income of any description whatever save the small amount pension … allowed her by the government”
General Affidavit, James Brooks, 28 April 1894 53 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va; post-office address, 38 Bottimore St., Norfolk, Va. “I was a Corporal … I was well acquainted with William Turner … we came home to Norfolk together. I lived within three blocks of William Turner in Norfolk for the first five years and see him daily, and after the first 5 years afoesaid we lived in the same house together.”
When this soldier was discharged he was a physical wreck. He died less than a year after the war ended. He and his wife had no children.
Widow — 195,787 / 367,198, Martha Ann Shields
Sworn Statement, Jupiter White and Jas E. Fuller, 10 January 1872 “Personally acquainted with Addington Shields … [when Shields’ boat returned to Norfolk] he was too weak to walk to his home No. 26 Fenchurch St about half a mile from the wharf … prior to his death he was so ill as to be confined to his bed for several weeks prior to his death. … seen Shields three times a week from the muster out of the regiment to his death having attended his funeral and White having seen him conveyed in a carriage from the boat to his residence visited it often from his return home until his death having been near neighbor and having waited on him attending him nights while sick and being present at his funeral.”
Sworn Statement, Dr. James W. Leigh, MD, 10 February 1872 “a physician of good standing and Health Officer of the City of Norfolk, Va … attended Addington Shields … for two and one half months prior to his death: that he died on June 1st 1866, Norfolk, Va.”
Sworn Statement, James E. Fuller and Nancy Jones, 22 March 1871 “Jones for twenty years and Fuller for fifteen years they were personally acquainted with Martha Ann Shields and about the year 1855 she and Addington Shields commenced to live together as man and wife … having been present and seen the marriage between Addington Shields and Martha Ann Houston in the year 1855 at the residence of Nathan Nash who hired me of my master Geo. Drummond: that the marriage ceremony was performed by Rev. James Wesley, a colored minister of the gospel … [Fuller saw] Shields when he was a corpse and attended his funeral … [James was] present at his funeral … Rev. James Moseley died in the year 1869″
Sworn Statement, James E. Fuller, 22 March 1871 “intimately acquainted with said Shields having seen ill and incapable to perform his duties of drawing forage for his co”
Sworn Statement, Martha Houston, 22 March 1871 “married said Addington Shields … married by consent of George Drummond my master & consent of his master Lishia Gary “Also personally appeared … James E. Fuller and Kitty Stone“
Sworn Statement, Isaac Kellum, 22 March 1871 63 years old; residence, Norfolk, Nofolk Co, Va.; post-office address, 6 Wolf St, Norfolk, Va. “That he is well and personally acquainted with Martha Talbot having known her since the year 1858 … before entering the service said Addington Shields was a strong and sound and healthy man.”
Sworn Statement, James E. Fuller and Isaac Jones, 17 November 1872 “For fifteen years they have personally known Martha Ann Shields … Addington Shields died about the first day of June 1866 leaving no minor children never having any … intimate acquaintance with claimant and deceased. Fuller having been commissary Sergt of the same regiment with Shields and having visited and waited on deceased during his last illness and both having attended his funeral and living near neighbors to claimant since the death of her husband.”
Sworn Statement, Martha Ann Shields, 17 November 1871 residence, 6 Wolf St, Norfolk, Virginia post-office address, PO Box 458, Norfolk, Va.
Marriage License, James Talbot and Martha A. Shields, 26 February 1879 Marriage took place in Norfolk, Virginia on 26 February 1879 at 12pm. Husband’s 35 years old and single; wife’s 35 years old and widowed. Husband’s born in Portsmouth, Virginia and worked as a laborer; wife born in Norfolk, Virginia. Both resided in Norfolk. Husband’s parents were Willis and Mary Talbot; wife’s parents were John and Patience Hill. The officiant was Richard Spiller.
Sworn Statement, Lewis Dawley, 25 May 1891 “well and intimately acquainted with Addington Shields”
Sworn Statement, London Hurdle, 25 May 1891 “well acquainted with Addington Shields”
Sworn Statement, Isiah Wright and Mary Green, 12 April 1892 [Wright] 61 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co, Va; post-office address, Norfolk, Va. [Green] 40 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co, Va; post-office address, Norfolk, Va. “We were both personally and well acquainted with Martha Houston who married Addington Shields in the year 1852 … on the 27th of July 1879 remarried James Tolbot“
Sworn Statement, Matilda Jones and Catie King, 8 December 1893 [Jones] 55 years old; residence, 15 Newton St, Norfolk, Va. [King] 55 years old; residence, 125 Queen St, Norfolk, Va. “We have for forty years been well and intimately acquainted acquainted [with the couple] who were the slaves of Geo. Drummond and Captain Geary … [the couple] were married to each other in the spring of 1852, about March, of that year, that they were married under slave law of Virginia by consent of owners and the ceremony consisting of a supper which both of us attended and witnessed the marriage by a local preacher named James Mosley on Cumberland Street in the City of Norfolk the house now standing in the same place and we pass it and often … after said marriage the yellow fever broke out and it was then that their family doctor died which was just three years after the marriage.”
General Affidavit, Cisero Hill, 18 January 1890 56 years; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co, Va; post-office address, 83 Newton St, Va. “well and personally acquainted with Martha Talbot … he knows her from having seen her in the camp at Hampton, Va. with the said soldier and acknowledged by him as his wife”
The couple married with the consent of their enslavers who lived in Gates County, North Carolina. Their four daughters were born enslaved.
Widow’s Claim for Pension, Ann Nelson, 12 February 1869 31 years old; residence, near Suffolk, Nansemond Co., Va.; post-office address, Suffolk, Nansemond Co., Va. “her maiden name was Ann Pierson … married to said Moses Nelson on or about Winter [illegible] … in the County of Gates, and State of NC by mutual consent of Master Anthony Pierson to Moses Nelson with consent of his master Moses Nelson all of Gates County, NC “She further declares that said Moses Nelson, her husband died in the service of the United States as aforesaid at Chickahominy in the state of Va. … March 1865, of injuries incurred in the service and in the line of duty … all the children of my deceased husband who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death “Martha born March 1858. Maria born April 1860. Jane born May 1862. Frances born May 1864.” “Also personally appeared … William Parker and Hannah Watkins, residents of Nansemond County, and State of Virginia”
Not all veterans (or survivors) applied for pensions. However, many of them were witnesses and provided personal information about themselves in the process. Sometimes that information isn’t available elsewhere.
Invalid– 652,403 / 552,192
General Affidavit, Andrew Nimmo, 25 January 1893 57 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Virginia; post-office address, 387 Church St., Norfolk, Va “That in the Spring of 1865 while charging on in line of duty at New Kent, Va. the claimant’s horse fell on him which affected the said Isaac Mosely’s head and eyes … he has to stop work and lie down … he is at least 2/3 disabled. That I was present when his horse fell on him”
General Affidavit, Lewis Dawley. 26 January 1893 57 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Virginia; post-office address, Church St., Norfolk, Va. “That in the Spring of 1865 while skirmishing at New Kent, Va. the above named comrade’s horse stumbled and fell upon him … he can hardly do any manual labor” [Note: Signed “Louis Dawley” — Leslie]
General Affidavit, Gideon Christian, MD, 3 February 1893 residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va “I did not know this man until some eight or ten years after the war when I attended him for an attack of rheumatism associated with malaria twice.”
General Affidavit, Isaac Kellum and Gilbert Wright, 27 Februrary 1893 [Kellum] 66 years old; residence; Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va. [Wright] 55 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va. “Affiants have known Isaac Mosely the past six or seven years”
Deposition, Mark Sanford, 10 May 1893 about 51 years old; “occupation, boss of hands picking berrys, no regular occupation”; residence, 26 Owen St, Norfolk, Va
Deposition, Isaac Mosely, 13 May 1893 48 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, 33 Wise St., Norfolk, Va. “Q. What witnesses did you have? A. Isaac Kellam and Gilbert Wright”
Deposition, John Whitehurst, 15 May 1893 69 yeas old; occupation, driver; residence, 208 Goff St., Norfolk, Va.
Affidavit for General Purposes, Andrew Nimmo, 16 August 1893 56 years old; residence, 411 Church St., Norfolk, Va. “Claimant and I have been neighbors and see one another as often a three times a week”
Affidavit for General Purposes, John Lynnier, 16 August 1893 42 years old “That on or about March 1866 I met Isaac Mosely claimant who had then just returned from the army of the US … we are intimate neighbors”
Affidavit for General Purposes, Joseph White, 5 September 1893 46 years old; residence, 40 National St., Norfolk, Va. “That I have known claimant five years before the late War of Rebellion and we lived together and frequently worked together up to 1890”
Affidavit for General Purposes, D.E. Ferebee, 6 September 1893 “I have been acquainted with claimant about thirty years and was in the same company and regiment also have seen him his discharge at least once a week. Often [sic] and on for about thirteen years”
General Affidavit, Dempsey E. Ferebee and Martin Corprew, 16 December 1893 [Ferebee] 60 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfol Co., Va; post-office address, 15 Kent St., Norfolk, Va [Corprew] 58 years old, residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va; post-office address, 90 Calvary St., Norfolk, Va. “That they are both well acquainted with the claimant … and knew him well in the service … inflamed eyes from exposure and smoke and explosion of shells and powder … They have seen claimant at least once or twice a year during each and every year from 1866 to the present time. For the first thirteen years or thereabout from 1866 they saw claimant at least once a week”
Deposition, Isaac Mosely, 14 April 1894 49 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 30 Wise St., Norfolk, Va.
Deposition, Dempsey E. Ferebee, 16 April 1894 60 years old; occupation, minister of the gospel; residence and post-office address, 22 Lincoln St., Norfolk, Va. “I have known the claimant Isaac Mosely since 1864. He and I were members of Co B, 1 USCC, during the late war”
Sworn Statement, Martin Corprew, 6 June 1894 “I enlisted with Isaac Mosely … we serve [sic] together during the war and were discharged at the same time … battle in front of Petersburg, Va about the fall of 1864 … I have lived near Isaac Mosely ever since our discharge in Norfolk, Va. and have seen him about once a week during that time”
General Affidavit, L. B. Montague, MD, 14 October 1895 57 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va. “Isaac Mosley came to me for examination on this 11th day Oct 1895”
Sworn Statement, Dempsey E. Ferebee, 27 June 1898 60 years old; occupation, minister of the gospel; post-office address, 15 Kent St., Norfolk, Va. “I served in Co B, 1st USC Cav … I am well acquainted with the clmt … and have known continuously since except from 1875 to 1891 when I was away from Norfolk, I saw him occasionally even during said time … [injured by] explosion of a shell near Petersburg on the turnpike, this was sometime before Richmond fell in 1865”
Questionnaire (Form 3-402), Isaac Mosely, 15 March 1898 [married] Louisa Mosely — Louisa Whitehurst [where, when, by whom] “about 4 yrs ago — Norfolk, Va. — Rev. Brickhouse“ [record] “marriage register = Norfolk City Clerk’s Office” [previously married] Margaret (Eyre) Mosely — Died Mar 15, 1882 [living children] three by first wife, all over 20; none living by 2d wife
Letter from Isaac Mosely, Norfolk, Va. to H.C. Evans, Commisioner of Pensions, 23 March, 1898 “I was married to my present wife February 23, 1891. I married her under the name of Louisa Cuffy. In my reply to circular I gave her name as Louise Whitehurst. That was her maiden name, but she was a widow when I married her, the name of her former husband being Cuffy.”
Questionnaire (Form 3-173), Isaac Mosely, 22 June 1898 [married] Louisa Mosely — Louisa Cuffey [where, when, by whom] “six years ago last fall – Norfolk, Va. — Elder John Brickhouse“ [record] “marriage register – clerk’s office – Norfolk City” [previously married] Margaret Mosely died Mch 5, 1882, Norfolk, Va [living children] Isaac Mosely, 34 years old; Ann Mosely, 26 years; Edward Mosely, 22 years old
Deposition, Isaac Mosely, 9 January 1902 56 years old [60 was pencilled in above this item]; “inmate of the S.S. home though till a year ago I lived at 10 O’Keefe St., and my eyesight is so bad that I have no occupation” “I was born in Norfolk County, Va., and was a slave; was owned by John Griddle. My father was Charles Mosely … prior to enlistment was a farmer.”
“For fifteen years my eyesight has been so poor that I could do very little work. I now do no work. I have lived in Norfolk ever since I came from the army. Have worked principally on truck farms. “When in the army I served in Va., until Richmond fell and then we went to Texas. We went to Texas by boat. We went on the McClelland. “I have been married twice; my first wife was Margaret Ayers; she died 19 years ago in this town. My second wife was Louisa Whitehurst. We have been married 13 years. We were married in this city. We were married by Rev. Brickhouse. “Q. How long have your eyes been bothering you? A. Ever since 1864. I got powder in them in front of Petersburg. A shell bursted in front of me and filled my eyes full of sand and powder and my eyes aint been no count since. I was never treated for my eyes in service. “Isaac Kellum, Humphrey McCoy, Darling [sic] were my witnesses. “I was a witness for Kellum and McCoy.”
Death Certificate, Isaac Mosely, 3 March 1911 [place of death] 27 Hampton St., 9th Ward, Norfolk, Virginia [length of reisdence in Norfolk] 65 years old [sex / color / condition] male / colored / single [birth date] [blank] [age] 65 years old [occupation] [blank] [birthplace] Virginia [father’s name and birthplace] Charles Mosely, Virginia [mother’s name and birthplace] not known, Virginia [informant] Isaac Mosely, Jr., 26 Hunter St., Norfolk, Va. [death date] March 3, 1911 [cause of death / contributory] apoplexy / cerebral / senility [signed] Dr. Lyman Page [?], MD, 765 Church St [burial, date] Calvary, March 1911 [undertaker, address] Jones & Co., 197 Wise St.
Application for Re-imbursement, Annie Spratley, 1911 [member of society paying sick or death benefits] no [executor or administrator] no [money, real estate, or personal property] [unendorsed pension check] no [relationship to pensioner] daughter [married] yes [cause of death] apoplexy [date last sickness began’ February 28, 1911 [name and post-office address of physician attending the pensioner during last sickness] A. Lyman Paey, 765 Church St., Norfolk, Va [person who nursed pensioner] Annie Spratley [pensioner’s address during last sickness] 27 Hunter St., Norfolk, Va. [death date] March 3, 1911 [burial] Calvary Cemetery, Norfolk, Va.
Name
Nature of Expense
State Whether Paid or Unpaid
Amount
A. Lyman Paey
Physician
Paid
3.00
Medicine
Nursing and caare
D.W. Jones & Co
Undertaker
Unpaid
90.50
Livery
Cemetery
Other expenses:
Annie Spratley
Board, lodging & nursing & laundry for 1 month
Annie Spratley
Annie Spratley
Unpaid
24.00
TOTAL
$117.50
(Soldier was blind for thirteen years). Post-office address, 27 Hunter St., Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
“The pensioner, Isaac Mosely, was decrepit, old, and blind and evidently needed everything that was done for him.” A. Lyman Paey, MD
While researching the lives of my great-great-grandfather Edward R. Pitt and his brother William Thomas Pitt of Norfolk County, Virginia, I found fascinating (and sometimes disturbing) details about the civilian and military experiences of those who served in the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry.
The regiment included free men, freedom seekers and white officers from the United States and abroad. It was organized at Camp Hamilton, Virginia in 1863, attached to Fortress Monroe, Virginia in 1864, and mustered out at Brazos Santiago, Texas in 1866.
1st U.S. Colored Cavalry 