Charlie Williams, Company K

This soldier enlisted in Buffalo, New York but settled in Louisiana after the war. He stated that before his enlistment he was a “plantation laborer.”

Invalid — 998,025 / —–

Declaration for Pension, Charlie Williams, 20 September 1890
52 years old; residence, Bunkie, Avoyelles, Louisiana
“Also personally appeared Peter Hubbard residing at [illegible] and George Smith, residing at Evergreen … acquaintance with him for about 20 years and about 20 years, respectively”

Claimant’s Affidavit, Charlie Williams, 25 July 1892
55 years old; post-office address, Bunkie, La
“I have not served in the military or naval service ince 1866 Dec 25th”

General Affidavit, Charlies Williams, 9 August 1894
59 years old
“I cannot hold my head down to work. I am deaf in my left ear. And lossed [sic] my middle finger on left hand caused by [illegible] bite.”

Letter from Mrs Dicie Williams, Bunkie, Louisiana to Pension Bureau, Washington, DC, 6 December 1894
“[Charles Williams] enlisted in Buffalo, NY and discharged in Texas rec’d his discharge papers & Bounty in New Orleans, La. and can prove that he is sufficiently disabled according to law to recieve [sic] a pension has been examined by the US Special Examiner of Natchez, Miss.”

Declaration of Pension, Charlie Williams, 20 May 1898
68 years old; residence, Bunkie, Avoyelles, Louisiana
“That prior to his enlistment as above he was of good, sound physique, being when enrolled a plantation laborer; that since his discharge as above he has resided in the state of Louisiana, his occupation being that of a farmer”
“Also personally appeared, Ernest Pitts, residing in Cottonport, La. and Allen Roth residing at Cottonport, La … their acquaintance with him for 12 and 15 years, respectively”

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Frederick Powell alias Frederick Powers, Company K***

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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Frederick Powell alias Frederick Powers, Company K**

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. Last week’s post included research notes from documents dated 1875 to 1901. This week’s post includes research notes from documents dated 12 May 1902 through 17 May 1902. Next week’s post will include 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, Willis Darden, 14 May 1902
58 years old; occupation, dealer in oysters, etc; post-office address, West Side Swimming Point Bridge, Portsmouth, Va.
“I became acquainted with the claimant 1867 or 1868, near Churchland, Va., she was at that time Lucy Johnson, the wife of George Johnson. …. I saw his body after death, and was the administrator of his estate … he has been dead 30 years … was my first cousin”

Deposition, Dawson Gordney, 14 May 1902
60 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 40 Cook St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I did not know him before he enlisted …. He had lost a part of his thumb … He made his home over the Western Branch, about Churchland. I never saw him at his home but he told me he lived over there. … I heard that he died soon after I last saw him…. Don’t know where he was born or his age. Don’t know that he had lost part of his thumb. I heard that he had a wife don’t know who she was or her name … I never knew him by the name of Powell.
“I don’t know where he lived in 1866. I saw him here in Portsmouth in 1866, and some time after that he told me that he lived on the Western Branch but when he moved out there I don’t know.”

Deposition, Nelson Elliott, 14 May 1902
about 60 years old; occupation, cobbler; post-office address, 520 Glasgow St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I don’t think that I knew him before enlistment. I have seen him twice since discharge, both times in Norfolk. … I never knew him by the name of Frederick Powell. I don’t know where he lived at any time after the war. I don’t know that he ever had a wife, don’t know anything about his family …. I saw him only twice after he was mustered out … never lived near him … I did hear that he lived about Churchland or Western Branch … his eyes were either greyish or black, don’t know his age or where born.”

Deposition, Dennis Brown, 16 May 1902
60 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 927 [or 929?] Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I became acquainted with Fred Powell about 15 or 16 years ago. We both then lived on Tom Evers farm on Western Branch, close together. … I lived near Powell from the time I first knew him until he was taken to the Soldiers Home. We went there with him. … His son helped me to take him there.”
“I lived near claimant until about 2 years ago when I moved to Portsmouth.”
“He was not a drinking man …. Lena Anna Mary is one child. Her name is Annie May but she is sometimes called Lena…. I first met him about 22 years not 16 years ago.”
“He was not a drinking man.”

Deposition, Isaac Buxton, 17 May 1902
65 years old; occupation, waterman; post-office address, 1342 London St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I have known the claimant Lucy Powell from a girl. I knew her father Billy Baines. We were both raised near Churchland. Lucy’s first husband was my brother George Johnson. He died about three years after he married claimant. … I was sent for soon after he died and attended to his burial.”

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Frederick Powell alias Frederick Powers, Company K*

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. This post includes research notes from documents dated 1875 to 1901. Next week’s post will include research notes from documents dated 12 May 1902 through 17 May 1902. The following post will include 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

Marriage Certificate [copy], Frederick Powell and Lucy Jane Johnson, 15 May 1875
Marriage took place in Norfolk County, Virginia on 16 May 1875. Groom was 39 years old; bride was 25 years old. Both were widowed. Groom was born in James City County, Virginia; bride was born in Norfolk County, Virginia. His parents were Ivins and Betsey Powell; her parents were William and Lucy Bains. He worked as a laborer. The officiant was Reuben Jones.

General Affidavit, Frederick Powell, 26 September 1891
46 years old; residence, Norfolk Co, Va; post-office address, West Norfolk, Virginia
“place of birth, James City County, Va.; occupation when enlisted, farming (slave). His company was company K … Capt. Whiteman, 1st Lieutenant North, 2nd Lieutenant Hart, 1st Sergeant Thom Pitt, some of his comrades, Zachariah Johnson, Albert Jones, Squire Bright, and Ned Pitt.”

General Affidavit, Lamb Byrd and Sandy Jackson, 30 May 1892
[Byrd] 34 years old; address, 2 Smith St.,
[Jackson] 53 years old; 30 Cumberland St.,
“Their knowledge is obtained from long acquaintance … that he is now in their presence and they have every opportunity to to see and know his condition and that he is in their opinion a helpless cripple.”

General Affidavit, Frederick Powers, 15 October 1892
47 years old; residence, West Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia; post-office address, West Norfolk, Virginia
“the person who made out his application may have signed his name Fred Powell as he is generally called so by people who do not pronounce his name correctly, that he has always been named Fred Powers but his friends and comrades called him Powell. He does not know for what reason except that it is esasier to say Powell than Powers”

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, Dawson Gordney, 4 December 1894
post-office address, Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia
“Went by and was called Fred Powell by his comrades. He said his name is Fred Powers … I have known him ever since the war. I am not educated and I cannot spell but we boys always called his name Powell”

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, John Pitt, 4 December 1894
“I knew Fred Powers at the time of his enlistment and have known him ever since his discharge and now live in the same neighborhood with him …. I have always heard him called Fred Power”

General Affidavit, Frederick Powell alias Powers, 29 December 1894
52 years old;
“That he is unable to furnish any medical testimony … for the reason that Dr. Kimball of Churchland, Va. refuses to testify in his case, that Dr. Kimball treated him for said disabilities but says he has no record and cannot testify from memory”

General Affidavit, Easter Waller, 12 February 1898
35 years old; post-office address, Hampton, Elizabeth City County, Va.
“I have been acquainted with [the claimant] twenty years. We lived together.”

Sworn Statement, Lucy J. Powers, 5 November 1898
“presented to me her Family Bible with the following names of her children therein as follows: Freddie Powers age. Born July 4, 1892; Annie May age. Born December 21th 1891; Leanner Powers age. Bessie Powers age. Born April 22th 1883.

General Affidavit, Willis Darden and Isaac Buxton, 11 March 1901
[Darden] 57 years old; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
[Buxton] [illegible] post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
“George Johnson the first husband of the claimant Lucy J. Powers, died sometime during the months of January 1871 in Western Branch District, on Grimes Farm, near Churchland, in Norfolk Co., Va.”
“[Affiants] are relatives of the said George Johnson — affiant Darden being a cousin and affiant Buxton a brother of the said George Johnson, and saw his body after death”

General Affidavit, Mary E. Elliott, 13 March 1901
33 years old; post-office address, West Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
“That Leana, the daughter of the claimant … and her husband … (now
deceased) was born on the night of of the 23 of December 1886.
“That she fixed this date by the fact that her son, John Wesley, now dead,
was born on the same night, as Mrs. Powers’ daughter Leana was, and her family
record made the day after said son was born shows the date to be Dec 23, 1886.
Affiant and claimant were near neighbors at that time.”

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John Moore, Company K

Comrades-in-arms completed affidavits favorable to the widow’s application for pension benefits as did guests at the widow’s second marriage. There’s a conflict in the in the reported birthdates of three children that needs to be resolved.

Widow — 291,041 / 265,332, Mary J. Pearson

Declaration for Widow’s Pension and Increase, Mary J. Pierce, 26 July 1888
residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
“her maiden name was Mary J. Folks, and that she married said John Moore on or about the 25 day of December AD 1961 at Portsmouth, in the County of Norfolk, and State of Virginia, by George Allen.
“She further declares that said John Moore, her husband died from disability incurred while in the service of the United States, as aforesaid at Portsmouth, in the state of Va., on or about the 2d day of April AD 1869 of disease of lungs.
“She also declares that she has remained a widow from the death of said John Moore to Aug 12th 1876 when she married one John Pierce, and that she has the following-named children of her deceased husband who were under sixteen years of age, at date of soldier’s death, who are now living, the dates of whose births are, as given below, to wit;
“Elnora Moore, born July 25, 1868
“Joanna  “   ” Sept 4, 1869″

Affidavit for General Purpose, George Allen, 21 August 1888
76 years old; residence, Norfolk Co, Va.; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va
“I George Allen married Mary Jane Folks and John Moore in 1861 by reading the matrimony as it was not law to grant slaves license. There is no public record of the marriage can be given. This is the best of my knowledge
“[illegible] Gospel Baptist Minister did remarry the said Mary J. Moor to one John Pearce. The public record shows on about the 15 day of September 1875. She was remarried”

Affidavit for Neighbors’ and General Purpose, Scott Riddick and Fanny Allen, 12 October 1888
[Riddick] 44 years old; residence, Norfolk County, Virginia
[Allen] 30 years old; residence, Norfolk County, Virginia

Affidavit for Neighbors’ and General Purpose, Fanny Allen and William Cutler, 18 December 1888
[Allen] 40 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Cutler] 55 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.
“Ellanora was born July the 25 1867. We remember that the 37 Reg was discharged that year in Raleigh, NC … She is now aliving [sic] and John Amos was born September the 7 1868 which is now dead April the 3 1888″

Affidavit for Neighbors and Geneal Purpose, Scott Riddick and Sarah Goodman, 18 December 1888
[Riddick] 45 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-offfice address, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Goodman] 45 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co, Va.
“We are personally acquainted with the claimant Mary J. Pierce and her husband … from the time he came out of the army I saw him every week. … She was remarried to John Pierce September 15 1875. She married at my house. The record of the court shows that she was married there.”

Claimant’s Testimony, Mary J. Pierce, 18 January 1889
post-office address, King Street extended, Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia
“I remarried on the 15 day of September 1875 … I cannot say I know what was the cause of his death and what he died with the doctor ought to know”

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, Thomas Riddick, 12 February 1889
residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Virginia
“I saw him from time to time after his disicharge … until his death”

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, Albert Jones, 14 February 1889
residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Virginia
“I saw him almost daily from the time of his discharge to his death”

For Officer’s or Comrades’ Testimony, Stephen Riddick 25 February 1889
residence, Berkley, Norfolk Co., Virginia
“he was treated in Texas by Doctor Manley. The doctor is now dead. He died at Patron [sp?] NY”

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, Richard Colden, 28 February 1889
residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Virginia
“at the time of his enlistment [Moore] was a sound and healthy man”

General Affidavit, William Cutler, 21 June 1889
45 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia
“[John Moore and I] lived together after his discharge from the army, until on about the first of 1868 then we moved apart and just before his death we moved in one house again and remained until his death in the winter of 1868. I had him with me oystering and he was not able to work enough to pay $5 house rent a month”

General Affidavit, Mary Jane Pierce, 21 June 1889
40 years old; residence, Norfolk County, Virginia
“The doctor that treated my husband is Doctor Billsoly“

General Affidavit, Scott Riddick, 9 July 1889
46 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co, Va.
“[John Moore] lived with William Cutler when he first come home he and wife. I visited them from time to time until his death. He was not able to support his wife & child [or] pay his house rent … He and Cutler moved apart. I do not remember when they moved together again but I know they lived together when he died in 1868”

General Affidavit, Sofie Walker, 19 July 1889
35 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co, Virginia
“I lived with Mary J. Pierce … when Eleanora and Johanna was born and Elenora was born July the 25 1867 and Johanna was born September 7, 1868. Johanna died. The doctor woman that was with her is now dead. I was present with her in both of her births. This I know of my own knowledge.”

Claimant’s Testimony, Mary Jane Pierce, 19 July 1889
post-office address, Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Virginia
“Elenora was born July the 25 1867 and Johanna was born September 7, 1868 and Johanna died April 3, 1888. The doctor woman that was with me is dead but the white lady I work for remembers their ages”

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