Jacob C. Moseley, Company D

This is curious: The soldier enlisted in this regiment in Norfolk, Virginia but was discharged in New York City. One document in the pension application states that he enlisted in Company K; other documents in the application show he was assigned to Company D. Additional research is require to resolve these questions.

Minor — 529,384 / —-, Amy Mosely

Declaration for Children Under Sixteen Years of Age, Amy Blanche Moseley, 29 September 1891
13 years old; post-office address, 14 1/2 W. Leigh St, Richmond, Henrico Co, Virginia
“She is the legitimate child of Jacob C. Moseley … who enlisted … at Norfolk, Va. … about 15th day of December 1863 in Co K … honorably discharged Feb 1, 1866 in NY City he died June 21, 1889. That he left no widow surviving him. His wife died Sept 1, 1881. That the names and dates of birth of all the surviving children of the soldier under sixteen years of age are as follows Amy Blanche Mosely, February 9, 1878 … That the father was married under the name of Jacob C. Moseley, Jan 23, 1873 to Mary A. Dotson
“Also personally appeared Geo M. Thompson residing at Richmond and Lucy B. Turner residing at Richmond … their acquainatance with the claimant six years and ten years, respectively”

Sworn Statement, Walter Christian, Clerk of the Hustings Court, Richmond, Virginia, 20 September 1902
“I, Walter Christian … do hereby certify that it appears from the records thereof that on the 25 day of January 1873, a License was issued from the Clerk’s Office of the said Court for the intermarriage of Jacob Moseley and Mary Dodson (colored) and that on the 25 day of January 1873, the said parties were united in holy bonds of matrimony, in the City of Richmond Va. by the Rev. R. Wells.”

General Affidavit, Amy B. Burke, 12 April 1911
post-office address, Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
“During his (my father’s) lifetime he often told me that he served in the USCV Cav and I was also so informed by Henry McCray who served in the same regiment or troop with my father.”
[Note: The word “General” is struck through and the word “Claimant’s written above it. — Leslie]

Questionnaire (Form 3-442), Names and Post-Office Addresses of Officers and Comrades of Co. D, 1 Reg’t, USC Cav, 15 October 1913

Name	Rank	Present Post-Office Address
Acwell Jones		7231 Blount St, Portsmouth, Va.
John Keeling alias		Harrellsville,
” Keenan		Hertford Co., NC
John E. Newman		1337 S. 4th St., Paducah, Ky
Miles Smith		RD # 1, Hickory, Va
Clement Walker		Cochran, Brunswick Co, Va.
Alfred Wiggins		Opelousas, St. Landry Co, La
Sam’l Whitehurst alias		Lynnhaven
” Whites		Princess Anne Co., Va.
Isham Wright		2 1/2 Pollard’s Court, Norfolk, Va.

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Robert Carter alias Watson Cooper, Company D

This widow’s application did not hold up under close review by the Pension Bureau’s Special Examiner. Rejections were issued when a Special Examiner determined that there was insufficient evidence of identity or relationship.

Widow — 680,095 / —–

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Zilpha Carter, 4 June 1898
48 years old; residence, Windsor Township, Bertie County, North Carolina; post-office address, c/o Lewis Roulhac, Windsor, Bertie County, North Carolina
“died near Windsor, in the State of North Carolina, on or about the 14 day of Aug 1886. That she was married under the name of Zilpha Bond to said Robert Carter on the 9 day of September, 1871, by George W. Downing, at Windsor, NC”

“Also personally appeared Champ Pugh, residing at Windsor, County of Bertie, State of North Carolina, and Lewis Lathem, residing at Windsor, County of Bertie, State of North Carolina.”
[Note: “Lewis Lathem” appeared on the signature line as “Willis Lathem” who signed with his mark — Leslie]

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Lawson Singleton, Company D

The couple had a “slave marriage” in Portsmouth in September 1864. The soldier died at Brazos Santiago, Texas in August 1865. His comrades-in-arms attended his burial.

Widow — 129,839 / 115,387, Sally Singleton

Widow’s Claim for Pensions, Sallie Lawson, 10 July 1886
25 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia; post-office address, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
“Her maiden name was Sallie Herbert and that she was married to Lawson Singleton on or about the 15 September, 1864, at Portsmouth in the County of Norfolk and State of Virginia by mutual consent and that she knows of no record evidence of said marriage except the consent of parties married under slave laws … she hereby appoints Mssrs. Wolf & Hart, Washington, DC as her lawful attorney … all the children of my deceased husband who where [sic] under sixteen years of age at the time of his death, Mary Clare Singleton born 15 Oct 1865, the p.o. address, Portsmouth, Va.”
“Also personally appeared before me, Dick Williams and Samuel Williams residents of Portsmouth … were present at the death of her husband & know the child Mary C. Singleton aforesaid as her child.”

Letter from Assistant Adjutant General to Commissioner of Pensioners, Washington, DC, 21 July 1866
“On the muster roll of Co. H of that Regiment, for the months of July and Augst 1865, he is reported died at Brazos Santiago, Texas, Augst 29th 1865”
[Note: “On the muster roll of Co. H”? Other records indicate he served in Company D — Leslie]

Letter from Brevet Major and Assistant Surgeon, USA J.J. Woodward to Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, DC, 25 October 1866
“Reported to this Office by Surgeon B.S. Manly as having died Aug 30th, 1865 at Brazos Santiago, Texas”

Sworn Statement, Sally Singleton, 5 July 1867
“That she was married to the said Lawson Singleton, at Portsmouth, Virginia in October 1864, without a license so the services of a minister of the gospel, but by mutual consent and subsequent cohabitation … she had of the said Lawson Singleton, one child, Mary Clarissa Singleton born on 1st Feby 1865, which said child is now alive and living with the said affiant.”
“At the same time personally appeared Samuel Marshall, Andrew Joiner, Hannah Marshall, and Emma Williams … that they are well acquainted with Lawson Singleton … and have known her for ten years. That they were also well-acquainted with Lawson Singleton … and knew him for the same period of time … were married at Portsmouth, Virginia in the month of October 1864 … that the affiants Samuel Marshall and Andrew Joiner, were present at their marriage.”

Sworn Statement, Sally Singleton, 29 July 1867
residence, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia
“Declares that she is the widow of Lawson Singleton … Also personally appeared William Hawkins and Solomon Jones, residents of Norfolk County”

Sworn Statement, Samuel Marshall and Ackwell Jones, 15 February 1868
“Samuel Marshall and Ackwell Jones … Samuel Marshall … was well acquainted with Lawson Singleton [who died in latter part of August 1865] … and after his death, followed his body to the grave, and assisted in its burial. And affiant further alleges he knew the said Lawson SIngleton before he entered the service of the U. States … and affiant believes the said Lawson Singleton died of disease contracted whilst in said service and whilst in the line of his duty”

“Ackwell Jones … was well acquainted with Lawson Singleton — and the affiant further alleges that in the month of August 1865 … Lawson Singleton died … the deponent visited the tent of the now deceased, during his sickness, viewed the body after death, and witnessed its burial … the deponent believes the said Lawson Singleton died of disease contracted whilst in said service and whilst in the line of his duty”

Letter from Sally Singleton to William W. Dudley, Commissioner of Pensions, 1 October 1881
“Dear Sir,
Please inform me the case of my child being dropped from the Pension Rolls, my daughter was Born, on the Last day of January 1866, and my daughter Mary case been droped [sic] know [sic] 9 months”
“Please Sir, address me
No. 276 1/2 Queen Street
Norfolk, Virginia”

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Isham Wright, Company D

Several acquaintances of more than 30 years testified that though the soldier had once been robust and healthy he was suffering with a number of ailments because of his military service. The medical details aren’t in these research notes. Instead the focus is on births, deaths, marriages, and residences and a brief reference to combat experience.

Invalid — 749,089 / 593,356

General Affidavit for Any Purpose, George H. Hanes, 3 June 1892
44 years old; residence, Virginia Beach, Va.
“He has been 35 years personally acquainted with Isham Wright … that they was rased [sic] together, and Claimant was older than himself …”

General Affidavit for Any Purpose, Peter Wright, 3 June 1892
44 years old; residence, Virginia Beach, Va.;
“He has been 35 years personally acquainted with Isham Wright”

General Affidavit, Henry Weldon and Julia Jackson, 24 October 1892
[Weldon] 72 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Norfolk, Va.
[Jackson] 65 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 14 Log St.
“that each of them are well & personally acquainted with Isham Wright … each of them has been knowing the said soldier at least 30 years”

Deposition, Isham Wright, 8 January 1902
55 or 56 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, 461 Cumberland St., Norfolk, Va.
“I was born in Norfolk County, Va., near Great Bridge; was a slave and was owned by David Wright. My father was Ishmael Butt.”
“The first part of my service was in Va., but the last part was in Texas. We were in Texas was some ten months. We went on a boat from Va. to Texas. We stopped for a little while at Key West, Fla. We took boat at Fortress Monroe and landed at Brazos Santiago. Part of us went to Corpus Christi, but I remained right at Brazos.

“I was in only one regular battle; Chicihominie [sic] and we had a skirmish at Wilsons Landing and at Weldon RR. We had no man killed or wounded out of my company but some were taken sick and died. Anderson Twine and Dean Rogers died of sickness while they were members of my company. Both of them died at Portsmouth and before we went to Texas. We lost no man in Texas. We had no battles in Texas. The war was over before we went there.
“Girrard was my first Colonel. He was Col., but was succeeded in Texas by Major Seipe. Garrard resigned before we went to Texas. Wamer was our Major. I do not recollect who was Lt. Col. Bowins was my Captain or was acting as Captain. Lt. Mack was shot by the Sutler at Bermuda Hundred and the Sutler was in turn killed by the soldiers. Stone was our regular captain.
“William Ward was our Ord. Sgt., but he was succeeded by Dempsey Elliott.
“William Hoffman, Weldon, Jones were Sgts.
“Tom Frost, James Olders were Corporals.
“Ben. Anderson, Jacob Moseley, Frank Wilson and Albert Foreman were friends of mine in service.”

“I was never in a regular hospital in service but in Texas I was treated by our Reg’t Dr. for my eyes. I do not recollect name of the doctor.”

Sworn Statement, Mary T. Wright, 28 March 1902
“the widow of Isham Wright, who died at Campostella, Norfolk, Va., on the 22nd day of February, 1916; that she and the said Wright had not been living together as man and wife for about three years and that she cannot establish her right to accrued pension due to said Wright and that she accordingly waives all claim to such accrued pension and requests that the same be paid to the undertaker who buried said Wright.”

Questionnaire (Form XX -XXXX) , Isham Wright, 27 March 1915
[date and place of birth] Feb 4th 1842, Norfolk Co., Va.
[wife’s name] Luvenia Powell Wright
[date] “I was married, Jan. 35 years, married by Rev. William Jarvous
[previous marriage] “I was previously married. Luvenia Wright, 35 years ago; death Norfolk County, 25 years old; I am married 10 years ago to Mary Saldon.”
[names/births of all children] Vandella Wright died, 7 years of age, Norfolk Co.; Isham Wright, Jr. died 12 years of age, Norfolk, Va.

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James Randall, Company D

A twenty-two year old undertaker. A built over cemetery. Witnesses from distant regiments. A sketchy attorney. “A man of sober temperament and good moral character.” A woman known as “Clotilda” and “Matilda” who “became accustomed to being known by either name.” Lives lived in Princess Anne County, Norfolk and Norfolk County, Virginia.

Invalid — 853,460 / 643,580
Widow — 1,075,249 / 818,917, Clotilda Randall

Marriage License [copy], James Randolph and Matilda Cuffee, 9 November 1891
Both born in Princess Anne County, Virginia. Both resided in Norfolk County, Virginia. The husband’s parents were Frank and Vina Randolph. The bride’s parents were Jesse and Clotilda Snowden. The license was issued November 5, 1891; the wedding took place on November 9, 1891. The officiant was Minster W.A. Butt.

General Affidavit, Emmerson Cuffee, 19 May 1893
about 69 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va.
“I have known [James Randolph] ever since the war. He was in the same regiment I was in but not the same company…. I was one of his identifying witnesses and Henry Sivils was the other. Henry Sivils wrote his name and I made my mark…..All three of us, Randall, Sivils any myself put our hands on a book and W.R. Drury administered the oath to us. There were no other white men present. “

General Affidavit, Henry Sivils, 20 May 1893
52 years old; occupation, gardener; post-office address, Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va.
“I have known [James Randolph] since he was a boy….W.R. Drury was his attorney. I went with him to witness …. I signed my name on his declaration … I was sworn by W.R. Drury.”

General Affidavit, Henry Boone & Lewis Warden, 8 November 1897
[Boone] 49 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Berkley, Va.
[Warden] 56 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Berkley, Va.
“That they are personally and intimately acquainted with the claimant and have been thus acquainted with him for 20 or 15 years, respectively, That they have known him personally much longer than 15 or 20 years respectively. That affiants have been near neighbors of said James Randall in Norfolk County, Va. for 15 or 20 years respectively … he is a man of sober temperament and of good moral character.”

Deposition, James Randall, 14 May 1902
occupation, farming
“I was born in Princess Anne Co., Va. … was born in 1842 a slave to James Bright of Princess Anne Co. My father’s name was Frank Randall and he was a slave to [illegible] Randall. My mother’s name was Vina Randall and she was a slave to my master. My full and correct name is James Randall.”
“I was honorably discharged in 1866 in March the fore part. Was mustered out at New Orleans, La. and Brazos Santiago, Texas and finally discharged and paid off at Point of Rocks, Va.
“Immediately after discharge I came back to this vicinity in Norfolk Co. and have resided here since.
“I lost my original discharge certificate as I had gave it to a man named Brown to get Bounty for me.”
“(Pensioner is now 6 ft tall … black eyes, hair and complexion. Has a bad scar from a cut across first three fingers of left hand done he states when a child three or four years old.)”

“I was detailed as one of ten men from Williamsburg, Va. to go to Grove Wharf to stand guard and was on such duty 15 or 20 days. This was in 1864 during the summer.
“Our Colonel was Jeffrey Gerard.
Lt. Colonel … didn’t have one.
Major ” Brown and Seipp also
Captain ” Bowen
1st Lt. ” Mack
2d Lt. ” Moss
Orderly Sgt. Ward
I tented with Geo. Floyd and John Keeling.
“I was in the engagement at Chickahominy but can’t give date. Monroe Tripp was killed out of the regiment there. Can’t give company.”
“My witnesses were Henry Boon and Primus Banks.
“I was last examined by a Bd of U.S. [Examining] Surgeons last October at Soldier’s Home, Va.
“I had lawyer Reed of Portsmouth, Va. ….M.V. Tierney, Wash, DC, was my regular attorney.”

“My pension voucher and certificate are in my possession and I never have pledged either for a debt, loan or liability. Have been married twice. My first wife Emma Jane Fuller died in 1888 at Norfolk Co., Va. beyond Berkley. Then I married Clotilda Cuffee at Norfolk Co., Va. 10 years ago last Nov 9, I think. She had been previously married to Lawson Cuffee who died in 1871 at Portsmouth, Va. I have no child under 16 years of age”

Declaration for Pension, James Randall, 20 May 1912
68 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Berkley Station, Norfolk, Va.
“born August 18th, 1843 at Princess Anne County, Va.

Death Certificate, James Randall, 14 July 1913
He died of malarial fever — Leslie

Sworn Statement, Matilda Randolph, 5 August 1913
“Also personally appeared Miles Freeman, residing at Providence, Va. and Samuel McCoy, residing in Norfolk, Va…. affiant Freeman is a son of claimant and affiant McCoy has known said parties intimately for about 25 years.

General Affidavit, Matilda Randolph, 2 May 1914
over 60 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, R.F.D. 2 Box 123, Norfolk, Va.
“I was never married but twice. First to Lawson Cuffee who died at Portsmouth, Va. in September about 40 years ago or more, as my son by Lawson Cuffee was born about three months after his father died, and this son is nearly 41 years old….I remained single after Lawson Cuffee’s death until my marriage to James W. Randolph and I lived with him until his death … James W. Randolph was buried in a private burial ground near Providence, Norfolk Co., Va.
“That James W. Randolph was once married prior to his marriage to me… That I am unable to furnish death certificates of death [sic] of ) Emma Randolph, soldier’s first wife) or Lawson Cuffee, my first husband) as no county records were kept here when they died.”

General Affidavit, William H. Fuller, 2 May 1914
about 60 years old; residence, Princess Anne Co., Va.; post-office address, Rt. w Bonney’s Store, Princess Anne Co., Va.
“That I knew Matilda Randolph before she was married, her maiden name was Snowden. That she was never married but twice. First to Lawson Cuffee who died in suburbs of Portsmouth, Va. about 40 years ago I saw his body after death but did not attend his funeral, but knew about his burial in Portsmouth where it is now built over. That Matilda Randolph was next married to James W. Randolph … She is a woman of good moral character That James W. Randolph was was never married but twice, first to my sister Emma Fuller Randolph who died three weeks before Christmas 35 years ago at Norfolk Co., Va. on the ‘Sharpe Farm,’ and was buried in Drury Branch Church burial ground in Princess Anne Co., Va. I attended her funeral and burial. James W. Randolph was next married to Matilda Cuffee.”

General Affidavit, James W. Fuller, 2 May 1914
55 years old; residence, Princess Anne Co., Va.; post-office address, RFD 4, Box 59, Norfolk, Va.
“James Randolph’s first wife Emma Fuller was my sister”

General Affidavit, Willis Goodman, 4 May 1914
22 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, RFD 4, c/o J.T. Forelard, Norfolk, Va.
“That I was the undertaker [associated as a part owner of the firm of H. Norfleet and W. Goodman] who buried James W. Randolph in July 1913. I can’t remember exact day of the month. I had his body embalmed and I accompanied his body to grove near Providence, Norfolk Co., Va. where I buried him. The above undertaking firm was located at West Murden near Norfolk & in Norfolk Co., Va. Said firm partnership was dissolved in September 1913 since which time I am doing undertaking business at same place under firm name of [W. Goodman and C. Perkins, Undertakers]. That I had personally known James W. Randolph for about 12 years.

General Affidavit, James Cuffee, 7 July 1914
70 years old; residence, Providence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Berkeley Sta. Norfolk, Va.
“[We] were play children together … I served in Co. L 5th Massachusetts Cavalry, and as 1st U.S. Col. Cav. and 5th Mass. Cavy were brigaded together in Texas I saw this soldier often. In fact, our tents ran backs together … I have lived near neighbor to this soldier ever since the Civil War, and I helped shroud him when he died last summer.”

General Affidavit, Primus Banks, 8 July 1914
87 years old; residence, near Providence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Berkeley Sta. Norfolk, Va.
“Since the Civil War we have never lived over one mile apart … I attended his burial about one year ago and viewed his body after death.”.

General Affidavit, Clotilda Randolph, 1 September 1914
about 60 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, R.F.D. 2, Box 123, Norfolk, Va.
“That my correct name is Clotilda but I have been known as “Clotilda” or “Matilda” for years. I don’t know just why unless because of so many colored people being unable to read and write and names sound similar, and I became accustomed to being known by either name.”

General Affidavit, Sarah J. Baines & James Cuffey, 9 January 1915
[Bains] 60 years old; residence, Providence, RFD c/o Joe Bains, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Cuffey] 71 years old; residence, Providence, Berkley PO, Va. Norfolk Co., Va.
“That we were both well acquainted with the soldier James W. Randolph from childhood”

General Affidavit, Clotilda Fuller, 11 January 1915
about 59 years old; residence Princess Anne Co., Va.; post-office address, Rt. 4, Box 59, Berkley, Norfolk, Va.
“That Clotilda Randolph and I were children & grew up together. “

General Affidavit, Clotilda Randolph, 15 March 1915
about 60 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Rte. 2, Box 123, Norfolk, Va.
“My first husband Lawson Cuffee never served in the military or naval service of the United States.”

General Affidavit, Matilda Randolph, 23 June 1915
about 60 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, R.R. 2. Box 123, Norfolk, Va.
“My husband James W. Randall died July 14, 1913. That if I stated otherwise at any time in my claim it was a mistake and not intentional.
“That to best of my knowledge my husband’s correct name was James W. Randolph. His name as James Randall in above service was no doubt a clerical mistake in pronunciation and spelling. This is the only way I can account for differences in names.
“I never knew soldier until after the war.”

General Affidavit, Jane T. Bain & Georgia Tatem, 26 October 1916
[Bain] about 59 years old; residence, Munden Town, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, RFD 3, Box 14
[Tatem] 41 years old; residence West Munden Town, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, RFD 2, Box 10
“That they have been well and personally acquainted with Clothilda Randall … for 30 years and 31 years, respectively, and that they knew James Randall, the soldier above named for 50 years and 25 years, respectively”

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