James N. North, 1st Lieutenant

This soldier, born in Nova Scotia, enlisted as a Private in a Massachusetts infantry unit and was discharged as a First Lieutenant from the cavalry. He became President of a beverage corporation founded in 1891. That company exists today.

Invalid — 1,397,744 / 1,166,101
C-2, 463,729

Sworn Statement by Thomas J. Morton, Jr., Notary Public, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, 16 June 1911
“I personally examined the record of births, marriages and deaths in the family bible of Richard and Rebecca N. North, married August sixth, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, and there found recorded the birth of James N. North on September tenth, eighteen hundred and forty-one.”

Declaration for Pension, James N. North, 23 June 1911
69 years old; residence Brookline, Norfolk, Massachusetts; post-office address, 1012 Beacon St., Brookline, Norfolk, Mass
“enrolled at Boston … discharged at Fort Monroe, on the 17 day of June 1863 … residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Boston and suburbs”
“Also personally appeared Thomas J. Morton Jr., residing in Boston and Frank J. Hall, residing in Quincy … their acquaintance with him of 16 years and 20 yeara, respectivly”

Questionnaire, James North, 10 July 1911
[married?] Fanny Rebecca North; Fanny Rebecca Howe
[when, where, by whom] Oct 16, 1873 at Medford by Rev. Henry Clay Delong
[record] “town records of Medford, Mass”
[previously married] “no other marriage”
[children living? names and dates of birth] Elizabeth Rebecca Dunham, Nov 12, 1874; Marion Howe James, Mar 15, 1876; Norman Howe North, Sept 16, 1886

Questionnaire, James North, 10 July 1911
[date of birth] Sept 10, 1841
[place of birth] Winsor or Wilmot, NS
[date of enlistment] Dec 15, 1861
[place of enlistment] Boston, Mass.
[address before enlistment] Chelsea, Mass.
[post-office address at enlistment] Chelsea, Mass.
[occupation at enlistment] clerk
[discharge date] Oct 10, 1865 or Oct 7, 1865
[place of discharge] Richmond, Va.
[residence since discharge] Chelsea, Somerville, Quincy Somerville, Medford, Boston, Brookline, Allen, Mass
[present occupation] President, American Soda Fountain Co.
[physical description] 5 feet 4 1/2 inches tall, 144 pounds, blue eyes, gray hair, light complexion, “left eye imperfect – large mole near left armpit”

Declaration for Pension, James N. North, 15 March 1912
70 years old; residence, 1012 Beacon St., Brookline, Norfolk County, Massachusetts; post-office address, 282 Congress St., Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts
“enrolled at Boston, Mass. under the name of John Norman North, on the 15 day of December, 1861 as a Private, in Co., B, First Reg Mass [illegible] Infantry … was honorably discharged at Richmond, Va., on the 7 day of October, 1865. That he also served meanwhile from Sept 25, 1863 to Dec 30, 1863as 2d Lieut 35 USC Inft from Dec 1863to Feb 15, 1865 as Lieut 1 USC Cavalry from Feb 15, 1865 to Oct 7, 1865 as Lieut [illegible] 24 Reg Mass Vol Inft … that his occupation was clerk; that he was born September 10, 1841 at Wilmot (or Windsor), N.S.
“That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Chelsea, Somerville, Quincy, Somerville, Medford, Boston and Brookline”
“Also personally appeared Frank J. Hall, residing at Quincy, Mass. and John T. Skinner, residing in Boston, Mass. … acquaintance with him of 21 years and 25 years, respectively”

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Andrew Anderson, F&S

The widow, a lifelong resident of Norfolk, Virginia, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to live with her son. The soldier’s will was never admitted to probate and there was confusion about the widow’s name before marriage but his application based on invalid status and her application based on widow status were approved.

Invalid — 815,831 / 740,173
Widow — 770,259 / 542,553

General Affidavit, Henry Small and William Tenant, 4 January 1891
[Small] 48 years old; residence, 95 Liberty Street, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Tenant] 45 years old; residence, 97 Liberty Street, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
“That they know Andrew W. Anderson aforesaid and have frequently visited him and attend to him; that he is now very sick and confined to his bed and room … he will die in want of proper medical assistance and proper attention, he is an object of charity and entirely dependent on his wife who is quite delicate and unable to do any manual labor, his friends are obliged to attend him in his helplessness.”

Deposition, Andrew W. Anderson, 8 May 1893
49 years old; residence, 95 Liberty St., Norfolk, Va.,

Deposition, Lazarus Taite, 8 May 1893
63 or 64 years old; oocupation, day laborer
“I have known Andrew W. Anderson 29 or 30 years … Wm. Anderson and me served in the same company and I urged him to make the application … my name on that declaration is a forgery”

Deposition, William Bright, 10 May 1893
49 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, 76 Nickerson Street, Norfolk, Virginia

Deposition, B.A. Richardson, 11 May 1893
28 years old; occupation, traveling salesman; residence and post-office address, 50 Roanoke Ave., Norfolk, Va.
“At that date I was a notary public and had a seal … my brother C.A. Richardson informed me that W.R. Drury in my absence took my seal away with him.”
“I signed some declarations in black for my uncle W.R. Drury, Pension Attorney”

Deposition, Andrew W. Anderson, 16 January 1901
57 [?] years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 133 Liberty Street, Norfolk, Va.
“I was born near Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va. I was freeborn. My father’s name was Jadarest [?] Anderson. my mother’s name was Barbara Ann Anderson. I have no sisters living. I have one brother. Izaiah Anderson, Hampton Home, Va. who served in the Navy. Don’t know on what ship.
“I was a farmer at enlistment”
“Garrard was my first Col[onel]. Seip was my last Col[onel]. W.H. Cabiness was my Capt.; Vandervoort was my 1st Lt.; Smith was 2nd Lt; William Teemer, ord. sgt.; Harper was 2nd Sgt.; John Robinson Sgt.; Philip Bagnall was my tentmate. I was in the Battle of Drury’s Bluff in 1864, at Church Hill near Richmond in 1864. Some were killed at both places, but none of my co.
“I was wounded in my head at Church Hill in 1864 and had my left arm broken while in camp while engaged in wrestling [?] at Scott’s Creek, near Portsmouth, Va., in Jan 1865.”
“I have resided in Norfolk, Va. since discharge … have been treaeted for a gallstone by Dr. Thompson and Dr. Walker, Norfolk, Va. … William Bright and Lazarus Tate were my witnesses in my pension claim.”
“Bertha W. Anderson is the name of my lawful wife. We were married Jan [illegible], 1869, at Berkley, Va. by Rev. Peter Sherpherd. … I have no children under 16.”

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Bertha Anderson, 3 September 1902
58 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va; post-office address, 54 Livingston St., Cleveland, Ohio
“Also personally appeared, Anna Davis, residing at 461 Cumberland [?] St … and Martha C. Walker, residing at 377 Cumberland [?] … their acquaintance with her of 40 years and 30 years, respectively”

General Affidavit, Bertha Anderson, 15 September 1902
69 years old; residence, Cleveland, Ohio; post-office address, 54 Livingston St., Cleveland, Ohio
“[married] at Providence Church, Norfolk Co., Va. … her name at the time of such marriage was Bertha Wilson … when claimant was between three and four years old her mother married a second time to one Wilson Moore and claimant was sometimes called Bertha Moore through the confusion of her step-father’s name … [Andrew Anderson] owned a small lot of land, unimproved, in Norfolk County, near Providence Church, which is supposed to be worth about $30; that said lot was left to the claimant by the will of the soldier, which has never been admitted to probate; that with the exception of the said lot neither she nor her husband owned any property except a few articles of household furniture which have been sold for about $10 or $15 ; that she has no income from any source and owns no interest in any stocks or bonds… that she has been a resident of Norfolk, Va., all her life, but is now going to Cleveland, Ohio to live with her son, and therefore gives her address in Cleveland, Ohio.”

General Affidavit, Rev. Peter Shepperd, 16 October 1902
87 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 325 8th St, NE, Washington, DC
“He is a regularly ordained minister of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, continuously since the year of 1864, and states that that he married the claimant Bertha Anderson, to her husband the soldier, Andrew W. Anderson, in this case, at Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va., on the 7th day of January 1869, he acting in the capacity of the officiating minister … he, the affiant, failed to make a return of the marriage of this claimant to the soldier.”

General Affidavit, Bertha Anderson, 16 June 1904
60 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia; post-office box, 56 Johnson Ave, Norfolk, Va.
“Her pension is paid by the agency at Columbus, Ohio, where she formerly lived; that she has been living in Norfolk, Va. about eight months and expects to live here the rest of her life.
“She therefore respectfully requests that she be paid by the agency in Washington, DC instead of Columbus, Ohio.”

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George Cass, F&S**

After serving as a Private in the 3rd New York Cavalry, the soldier became a Captain in the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. When he returned to rural New York after the Civil War, he resumed his mercantile business. Today’s post includes research notes from documents from 1877 to 1908. Last week’s post included research notes from documents dated 1875 to 1876.

Widow — 219,713 / 177,567, Isabella Cass Rothan

Sworn Statement, Julian Ferry, 1 March 1877
“He entered the 3rd Regt of the NY Cavalry in the year 1861 … and personally acquainted with George L. Cass both before said Cass joined said Reg’t which was in the year 1862 & to the time he left the same & subsequently joined the 1st US Colored Cavalry”

Sworn Statement, Harvey W. Brown, 1 March 1877
residence, Schenevus, Otsego County, NY
“That he was a member of the 3rd NY Cavalry from the time said Regt was formed & organized about August 1861 to December 1863 … was acquainted with George L. Cass also a member of Co D of said Reg’t from & before the time he enlisted & joined said Reg’t to the time he left same about December 1863 that he saw said Cass daily”

Sworn Statement, John A. Spencer, [no date] ………
“of the town of Maryland, Otsego County, State of New York … he was a soldier in Company D 3rd New York Cavalry and joined said Company about the month of September 1862 … personally acquainted with George L. Cass who enlisted as a soldier in said Company at the same time as this deponent … [Spencer] was a nurse in the Regiment Hospital of the 3rd New York Cavalry at Newbern, NC from September 1862 to October 1863”

Department of the Interior, Pension Bureau, 27 March 1877
“Name and Service of Soldier – George L. Cass, was an enlisted man of Co D, 3rd Reg’t New York Cav from Aug 2, 1862 until Dec 9, 1863, when he was promoted to 1st Lieut in 1st Reg’t US Colored Cav. He was discharged in the service Feby 4, 1866”
“Death of Soldier – Died Aug 22, 1874 in City Hospital, Boston, Mass, of Avenue of the [illegible], which was supposed to have existed for eight years or more.”
[Note: The Pension Bureau used this form to request a full medical history of George L. Cass — Leslie]

Sworn Statement, Lewellen Cypress, 8 May 1877 ………
“of the town of Maryland [Otsego County, New York], he was personally acquainted with and well knew the late George L. Cass formerly of the town of Maryland and that deponent enlisted with said Cass … said Cass was sick a short time in the Regimental Hospital of the 3rd New York Cavalry of a fever”

Sworn Statement, L.R. Boyce, M.D., 17 May 1877
physician; residence, Albany, New York
“Personally acquainted with George Cass and knew him at Schenevus, Otsego County, NY where he resided before he entered the army and when deponent was a practicing physician [and he was a surgeon in the Navy] … he entered the 3rd Cavalry at Newbern, NC sometime during the fall of 1862, that he was with said Cass frequently until the first of December of that year departed next saw him in Plymouth, NC during the latter part of the summer of 1863 and was with him often until late in the fall … saw said Cass about the middle of March 1864 at Hampton near Fortress Monroe and was often in his company and one occasion staying with said Cass in his tent overnight … next saw said Cass at Maryland, Otsego County, NY in the spring of the year 1866”

Sworn Statement, Isabella Cass Bothan, 19 November 1908
65 years old; residence Oneonta, Otsego County, New York; post-office address, 6 Ford Avenue, Oneonta, NY
“That she was formerly pensioned as the widow of George L. Cass who was 1st Lieut. of Co B 1 Regt US Cold Cavalry … she was remarried to Alexander F. Bothan October 22d, 1878 [her pension was terminated] because of her remarriage to as remarried to Alexander F. Bothan, October 27th 1878, who was drowned at Nunda, Livingston Co, New York in the Genesee River, April 18th 1879 and was buried at Southbridge, Mass., April 22nd, 1879 … her pension commenced August 22d, 1874, and terminated because of her said marriage to Alexander F. Bothan … that she is without other means of support than her daily labor, and an actual net income not exceeding $250.00 a year.
“That she hereby appoints Chas. S. Firman, of 43 Spruce St., Oneonta, NY, her lawful attorney
“Also, peronally appeared Delos B. Manchester residing at Oneonta, NY and Rufus C. Miller residing at Oneonta, NY … their acquainance with her of 6 years and 30 years, respectively”

Sworn Statement, Frederick C. Bothan, 24 November 1908
60 years old; 27 Milford Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts
“That he is a brother of Alexander F. Bothan … that he knew [Isabella Cass Bothan] ever since 1875. Tht he was present at the funeral of said Alexander F. Bothan”

Widow’s Pension, Isabella Cass Bothan, 11 March 1875
residence, Hudson County, New York; post-office address, 320 First Street, Jersey City, NJ … Attorney “Frederick H. Snyder, 320 First St., Jersey City, NJ … brother to client & waives fee … Cause of death, Anneurism, Place of death, Boston, Mass. … Claimant states that the fatal disease existed while soldier was at home on furlough while a sergt in 3rd NY Cav”

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George Cass, F&S*

After serving as a Private in the 3rd New York Cavalry, this soldier became a Captain in the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. When he returned to rural New York after the Civil War, he resumed his mercantile business. Today’s post includes research notes from documents dated 1875 to 1876. Next week’s post will include research notes from documents from 1877 to 1908.

Widow — 219,713 / 177,567, Isabella Cass Rothan

Sworn Statement, Edward Cowles, 18 January 1875
Physician and Supt of the Boston Hospital
“released [Cass from hospital] October twenty third 1873”

Sworn Statement, L.A. Cliff, M.D., 25 January 1875
Physician; residence, 395 Shawmut Ave., Boston, Mass. … he attended George L. Cass from the sixteenth till the twenty second day of August 1874 at which time [Cass] died”

Sworn Statement, L.A. Griffin, M.D. and B.S. Lewis, House Physician of the Boston City Hospital, 25 January 1875
“on the 23rd day of August 1874, they made a post-mortem examination of the body of George L. Cass and found that his death was caused by [a large tumor which enclosed a sizeable aneurysm].”

Sworn Statement, John R. Boyce, 14 [month not given] 1875
residence, Howe’s Cave [Schoharie County, NY] … he formerly resided and did a mercantile business in the town of Maryland, Otsego County in this State. That he was acquainted with the late George L. Cass … and that prior to his enlistment in the army Sept 7th 1863. He had been in his employ as a clerk for several years”

Sworn Statement, Gilman Page, Jr., 17 February 1875
residence, Dorchester Ave near Mt. Vernon St, 16th Ward, in the City of Boston, Mass. … he was a member of the First Regiment, USC Cavalry and held the position of 1st Lieut & Adjutant in said Regiment, that he was personally acquainted with George L. Cass who was Captain of Company (K) in said Regiment “

Sworn Statement, Harvey W. Brown, 1 February 1875
“resident of the town of Maryland [Otsego Co., NY] for period of 30 years … he was Major of the 1 US Colored Cavalry and was acquainted (and has been) with George L. Cass … for a long number of years prior to his death and that he served with him … that when said Cass left the service and came home to the town of Maryland”

Sworn Statement, Albert Martin, Minister of the Gospel, 16 February 1875
“Be it known that on the 10th day of November 1867 at the Town of Westford in the County of Otsego, State of New York, I united in marriage George L. Cass and Isabella Snyder according to the [illegible] & ceremony of the Baptist Church … Rev. Albert Martin of Harpursville, Broome County, NY”

Widow’s Pension, Isabella Cass Bothan, 11 March 1875
residence, Hudson County, New York; post-office address, 320 First Street, Jersey City, NJ … Attorney Frederick H. Snyder, 320 First St., Jersey City, NJ … brother to client & waives fee … Cause of death, Anneurism [sic], Place of death, Boston, Mass. … Claimant states that the fatal disease existed while soldier was at home on furlough while a sergt in 3rd NY Cav”

Sworn Statement, Julian Ferry, 13 June 1875
“He has known the late George L. Cass from his boyhood …that he served with George Cass as an enlisted man in the 3rd NY Cav up to the time said Cass was commissioned & transferred to the 1st Reg USC Cav”

Sworn Statement, Frederick H. Snyder, 5 August 1875
34 years old; residence, Jersey City, NJ
“That he is a brother of Isabella Cass … attorney for said Isabella Cass … he was intimately acquainted with George L. Cass from his early boyhood until his death … about six months after the said Cass returned from the service he resumed his mercantile business at Schenevus in which business he remained about one & a half years where he gave up his business at Schenevus & removed to Corry, State of Pennsylvania where he resumed his mercantile business. Said Cass remained in Corry about two years when he removed to the City of Boston, State of Mass where he continued to reside until his death August 22nd 1874”
“Said Cass while at Corry was attended by one Doctor Palmer … stayed at the house of said Cass & and was most of his time in his Company”

Widow’s Pension, Isabella Cass Bothan, 11 March 1875
residence, Hudson County, New York; post-office address, 320 First Street, Jersey City, NJ … Attorney Frederick H. Snyder, 320 First St., Jersey City, NJ … brother to client & waives fee … Cause of death, Anneurism, Place of death, Boston, Mass. … Claimant states that the fatal disease existed while soldier was at home on furlough while a sergt in 3rd NY Cav”

Sworn Statement, Harvey W. Brown, 7 November 1876
“that heresides in the town of Maryland County of Otsego and State of New York and has from infancy except while in the army of the Rebellion and serving as Sheriff of Otsego County … Case came in to his Company served as Sargent for about 1 1/2 years … deponent and George Cass were commissioned in the First United States Colored Cavalry”

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Charles Henry Coburn, Regimental Commander

White officers typically served as enlisted men or junior officers in Northern regiments before becoming commanding officers in African American regiments. This officer’s earlier service was as Regimental Quartermaster with the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry . After the war ended he married a woman from Norfolk, Virginia and returned to his hometown  Lowell, Massachusetts.

 

Inavlid — 1,313,825 / 1,105,836
Widow — 921,814 / 692,335, Mary Coburn 

 

Certificate of Marriage, Charles H. Coburn and Mary Victoria McClean, 20 June 1866
Coburn was born in Lowell, Massachusetts; McClean was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Officiated by Reverend J.S.B. Hodges on June 20, 1866 in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Witnesses were: “Mother & sisters of bride, James Parker etc. 
Recorded in the Parish Register of Grace Church, Newark, NJ, Page 464, 465 of Vol. i.”

 

Questionnaire, Charles H. Coburn, 18 March 1905
[wife]  Mary Victoria Coburn; Mary Victoria McClean
[where, when, by whom] June 20, 1866 at Scotch Plains, NJ by John S.B. Hodges, DD, Newark, NJ
[record] at Scotch Plains, NJ
[previous marriage] no
[living children] Three — Victoria McLean Coburn, May 7, 1869; Frederic William Coburn, January 30, 1873; Helen Coburn, June 5, 1877

 

Questionnaire (3-447],  Charles H. Coburn, 24 March 1905
[birthdate] March 12, 1839
[birthplace] Lowell, Massachusetts
[date enlisted] August 20, 1862
[place enlisted] Lowell, Mass.
[residence before enlistment] Lowell, Mass
[post-office box before enlistment] Lowell, Mass
[occupation at enlistement] merchant
[when discharged] June 5, 1863
[where discharged] Lowell
[residence after discharge] Lowell, Massachusetts
[present occupation] merchant
[physicial description] 5 feeet, 6 3/4 inches; weight, 150 pounds; blue eyes; brown hair; light complexion; no scars

 

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Mary V. Coburn, 10 June 1909
“she is the widow of Charles H. Coburn, who was enrolled, on or about 16 day of September, 1862 as a 1st Lieut. Regt. Com, in 1st RRegt. U.S. Colored  Vol Cavalry , and honorably discharged June 3rd, 1863, having served ninety days or moe duirng the late civil war …
“Also personally appeared Hellen C. Stevens, residing in 187 Nesmith S., Lowell, Massachusetts, and Ethel M. Morse,  residing in 187 Nesmith St., Lowell, Massachusetts [acquainted with her] 32 years and 2 years, respectively …”

 

General Affidavit, Frederic McClean, 19 July 1909
36 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
“[the couple] was married but once …”

 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Record of Death, Charles H. Coburn, 29 October 1909 [date stamped by Pension Office]
[death date] June 3, 1909
[age] 70 years, 2 months, 19 days
[death place] 187 Nesmith Street, Lowell, Massachusetts
[occupations] Vice President & Treasurer, C.B. Coburn, Co.
[birthplace] Lowell, Mass
[parents’ names] Charles B. Coburn; Elizabeth West
[parents’ birthplaces] Chelmsford, Massachusetts; Salem, Massachusetts
[cause of death] arterio sclerosis 

 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Certificate of Record of Death, 11 June 1909
[Note] The information recorded here is also  in the “Record of Death.” However, this document states that this individual was buried in Lowell Cemetery, Lowell, Massachusetts and the previous document.

 

General Affidavit, Lizzie McClean, 19 July 1909
60 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
“depose and say that the claimant was never married but once and then to soldier, also that the soldier was never married but once and then to the claimant Mary V. Courn nee McLean….”

 

General Affidavit, Walter Coburn and Agness C. Bartlett, 20 August 1909
[Coburn] 64 years; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
[Bartlett] 47 years; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, 313 Nesmith St., Lowell, Massachusetts
“I Walter Coburn depose and say that I am the brother of the soldier, relative to the claimant and the soldier living together from the date of their marriage to about 1890 will say that they always lived together from the date of their marriage up to the date of his death and very happily. …
“I Agness C. Bartlett depose and say relative to the claimant and soldier living together from the date of their marriage to about 1890 … up to the date of the soldier’s death and very happily …”

 

General Affidavit, Mary H.C. Rogers and Elizabeth Coburn, 20 August 1909
[Rogers] 69 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
[Coburn] 59 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
“[the couple] well known to us before their marriage and we know that neither was married befoe and that the widow has not married since.”

 

General Affidavit, George H. Heath, 30 September 1909
35 years old; residence, Lowell, Massachusetts; post-office address, 79 Branch Ave., Lowell, Mass
“That is a clerical error on my part that June third was the correct date of  his death and it was my mistake and I hereby make oath to that effect.”

 

General Affidavit, Mary V. Coburn, 26 October 1909
72 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, 745 Hillside Ave., Plainfield, NJ 
“[Coburn] He died on the morning of June 3, 1909, at 6 o’clock a.m. which is correct. The undertaker was particularly told the day and time of day that the soldier died”

 

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