Nathaniel Sanderson alias Natt Sanders, Company G

Nathaniel Sanderson was born into slavery in Northampton County, Virginia. After his military discharge, he settled in St. Mary’s County, Maryland, then later Baltimore. He married Sandra Gordon on St. George Island, St. Mary’s County, Maryland in 1893. Witnesses, including neighbors and army comrades, confirmed his inability to work.
Note: When I couldn’t make out the street address I Googled both variants and concluded the correct address in Baltimore is “2156 McEldroy Street” — Leslie

Invalid — 1.283,742 / 1,113.889
C– 2,496,599

Questionnaire (Form3-389), Nathaniel Sanderson, 13 May 1902
“[wife] Sandra Sanderson born Gordon
[when, where, by whom] “Jany 5, 1893 … St George Island, Md … Rev. Barnes“
[marriage record] “License to marry … minister (white) denomination”
[previously married] no
[living children] no

Questionnaire (Form 3-474), Nathaniel Sanderson, 13 May 1902
[when/where born] “Can’t give exact date birth about 1844 … Northampton Co, Va”
[enlistmen][ Norfolk
[residence before enlistment] Northampton Co., Va
[occupation] famr hand
[slave/slaveowner] yes, slave, A Samuel Sanderson
[discharged] City Point, Va
[residence since discharge] St George Island, Saint Mary’s County, Maryland
[occupation] none …. not able
[height / color/ permanent marks] 5′ 6″ / dark / none
[served under another name] no
[known by another name] no
[residence / post-office address] 916 N Duncan Alley, Baltimore, MD
[NOTE: The address “Jenkins Alley” is struck through with a pencil and “Duncan Alley” is written below.

Sworn Statement, Nathaniel Sanderson, 17 February 1903
59 years old; 916 N Duncan st, Norfolk, Va
“I generally go by name Nat Sanders … I have been trying to find some of my old comrades”

Sworn Statement, George Woodlawn, 4 November 1904 [date stamped by Pension Bureau]
66 years old; residence, 2156 McEldroy St, Baltimore, MD
“I am a near and intimate neighbor of Nathaniel Sanderson & for last four years I have seen him every day, or nearly every day … [applicant] has not able to perform any labor whatsoever since April 4, 1902”

Sworn Statement, William Lilly, 4 November 1904
52 years old; residence, 2200 McEldlry street, Baltimore, MD
“I am an intimate acquaintance of Nathaniel Sanderson … We lived in same house for the last four years. I have seen him every day.
“Also personally appeared

Sworn Statement, Wilson Brickhouse, 25 July 1905
60 years old; residence, 421 Princess Anne Ave
“I served in Company G … with the claimant … I am not quite positive as to the name he served under, but I used to call him Nat Sanders were in the army together … he was the only man of such a name in our company.”

Sworn Statement, Philip Bagnall, 25 July 1905
69 years old; residence, 36 North st; post-office adddress
“I served … with the claimant … I used to call him Nat Sanders when we were in the army together”

Sworn Statement, Nathaniel Sanderson
“can produce no church, bible, or other public record of my birth. From what my parents told me I believe I am now 70 years old — no one is now living who knew me in childhood.”

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Daniel Hopper, Company G

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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Theodore Whiting, Company G

Although the genealogical information in this pension file is skimpy, there a number of individuals — in specific places — are named. Pursuing their relationship to the claimant could lead to additional information about the soldier and his family.

110,810,910 / 791,921

Declaration for Invalid Pension, Theordore Whiting, 28 December 1891
post-office address, 58 Fleet Place, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
“Also personally appeared, Gloucester McLenny, residing at 103 Fleet Place, Brooklyn, NY, and Fredick Boyan residing at 332 Hudson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY”

Quesitonnaire (Form 3-402), Theodore Whiting, 7 May 1898
[married] Emma Whiting before marriage Emma Richards
[when, where, by whom] Jan 28th 1884 by Rev. B. Christopheson, Falmouth, England
[record] “our marriage b[illegible]
[previously married] “This is my first and only wife”
[living children] “We have no children of our own. We have a little adopted boy, 6 years old, name Edward”

Declaration for Pension, Theodore Whiting, 22 November 1907
63 years old; residence, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY; post-office address, 33 Cumberland St, Brooklyn, Kings Co, NY
” … occupation was cook; that he was born July 8, 1845, at Norfolk, Va.”
“That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Norfolk, Va. 5 years; 24 Joy Street, Boston, Mass, 8 yrs.; Norfolk, Va. 3 yrs. I lived since 1890 in Brooklyn at various places.”

“Also personally appeared Geo. G. Allan, residing in 41 W 133rd St, No. 3, and Rodger Howard, residing in 92 Madison St, Brooklyn, New York … their acquaintance with him of 10 years and 8 years, respectively”

Declaration for Pension, Theodore Whiting, 17 May 1912
67 years old; residence, Brooklyn, King County, New York; post-office address, 336 DeKalb Ave, King County, NY
“enrolled at Norfolk, Va … on the 30 day of Nov 1863 … honorably discharged at City Point, Va, on the 4 day of February 1866 … occupation was cook; that he was born July 8, 1845.”
“That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: England, 6 years. Florida. New Orleans, La. Brooklyn for 22 years.”

Questionnaire (Form 3-389), Theodore Whiting, 2 April 1915 [date-stamped by Pension Office]
[date, place of birth] Norfolk, Va, July 8, 1845
[post office at enlistment] Taulbert St, Norfolk, Va., no number
[wife’s full name] Emma Whiting was Emma Richards
[when, where, by whom] Jan 28, 1884, Falmouth, England in the County of Cornwall, in the Parish Church by the Rector”
[record] “[illegible] recorded them and my wife has her marriage certificate”
[previously married] “We were never married before. Both spinsters”
[living together] “Yes. We never were parted and never wanted to be.”
[children] “No children”

Deposition, Annetta F. Richardson, 28 September 1921
59 years old; occupation, laundress; residence, 1868 Dean Street. Brooklyn, NY
“Theodore Whiting, a soldier in the civil war, died at this address, on June 24, 1921, and left no relatives surviving him. He left no widow or children. And no claim for reimbursement has been filed. I attended his funeral and viewed his dead body. … So far as I know he left no money.”

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Archer Keelan, Company G

This veteran was enslaved when he enlisted. When the war ended, he lived in Mississippit.

Invalid — 738,847 / 762,048

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, Archey Kealand, 13 November 1889
“in the line of his duty at Petersburg in the State of Va. on or about the 30th day of June or July 1864 he was thrown to the ground and stunned by explosion of shell very nearby him. His injuries were pronounced serious at the time and by reason thereof he was excused from duty for a week. That as result of said concussion he now suffers with pains all through his body.
“That he was treated by Dr. Emanuel, R.S. but never went to hospital … That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the County of Holmes in the State of Mississippi, and his occupation has been that of farmer. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being enrolled a slave.”
“Also personally appeared John A. Durden, residing at Lexington, Mississippi and A.C. Campbell residing at Lexington, Mississippi.”

Declaration for Invalid Pension, Archey Keland, 15 July 1890
50 years old; residence, Bee Lake, Holmes County, Mississippi
“a wound received by an explosion a shell at the battle of Petersburg, Va.”

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Peter Keeling, Company G

The soldier spoke of his “late owner” when asked about his age. It was the men he served with who vouched for his pension application. Other supporters had worked with him after the war.

Invalid – 471,537 / 503,721

Sworn Statement, Peter Keeling, 21 September 1883
“I was in Hospital near Pointer Rocks [sic] and after being there some 15 or 20 days I was transferred to the Hospital at Fortress Monroe … Dr. Manlley [sic] & Dr. Gray were the Drs in my Regt”

Affidavit, Peter Keeling, 28 May 1888
43 years old
“[Keeling’s] first sgt is dead, William Teemer. He died in this city, the first day of April 1888 … [Keeling’s] Captain is here in Norfolk and he has called on him to get his evidence … Dr. Manley died at Portsmouth, NY about 7 yeas ago and Dr. William H. Gray died at Jackson Hospital, La. in June 1873″

Deposition, Mark Sanford, 12 May 1893
51 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 26 Avon St., Norfolk, Va.

Deposition, James Cornick, 25 May 1893
49 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 139 Broad (or Wide) St., Norfolk, Va.
“[Keeling and Cornick] were boys together”

Deposition, Owen Hopper, 12 June 1893
52 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 69 James St., Norfolk, Va.
“‘[Keeling complained about his health on several occasions.] “Once when we were working in the swamp about 15 years ago, once 5 or 6 years ago, then about the time he put in a claim about two years ago.”

Deposition, Cary Ives, 12 June 1893
about 39 years old; occupation, longshoreman; residence, Walker Avenue near Seventh St., Berkley, Va.
post-office address, Berkley, Va.
“I have known Peter Keeling since soon after the war. I think I have known him 15 or 16 years personally. We have worked together at times, off and on.”

Deposition, Lewis T. Fuller, 14 June 1893
56 years old; occupation, laborer; residence and post-office address, 295 Bute St., Norfolk, Va.
“I have seen [Keeling] but once in ten years.”

Deposition, John T. Wilson, 15 June 1893
49 years old; occupation, collector; residence and post-office address, 98 Clay Ave., Norfolk, Va.
“I do not know Peter Keeling, Edward Parsons, Lewis T. Fuller, or Henry Boush. I distinctly and emphatically say that the signature of my name as attesting witness to papers purporting to have been executed by them is a forgery, and a poor forgery.”

Deposition, Peter Keeling, 16 June 1893
about 48 years old; residence and post-office address, Hickory, Norfolk Co., Virginia
“enlisted as Peter Keelan … W.R. Drury made out my application … I do not now remember who my witnesses were. I know I had two … I know Jasper Cornick, Thomas Fuller, Edward Parsons, Henry Darly and James Cornick. I don’t know Mark Sanford …. I don’t know Ben Richardson except by sight”

Declaration for Pension, Peter Keeling, 18 April 1897
“63 years old … resident of Hickory, county of Norfolk, State of Va … his occupation was farmer; that he was born in the year 1843 at London Bridge, Princess Anne Co., Va. … Also personally appeared J.J. Riddick, residing in Hickory, Va. and Boston J. Harpper, residing in Hickory, Va. … their accquaintance with him of 15 years and 10 or 15 years, respectively”

Sworn Statement, Peter Keeling, 8 February 1908
“cannot give date of my birth as there is no record of my birth or baptismal record. Before the war there was no such record kept. My late owner might of [sic] had a record of my birth but he is dead & there is no way for me to get it. To the best of my knowledge I was about 13 or 14 years old at the time of the big snow in the years of 1856 & 1857 as I was a cart boy at that time.”

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