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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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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Granville Hunt, Co UNA

This is a skimpy file but since research doesn’t begin and end with a pension application, additional research is a matter of course.

Widow — 328, 349 / —–, Julia A. Hunt

Sworn Statement, Julia A. Hunt, [no date available]
“The plantation records are not available are not available in proof of my marriage to said Graville Hunt, and that I have failed to find the whereabouts of my former owners, and cannot say whether they are dead or alive.,,, I was married to Granville Hunt when I was of the age of about thirteen years …

General Affidavit, Absalom Steele, 12 November 1887
67 years old; residence, [blank], Marion County, Illinois
“That he was well acquainted with Geo W Hunt during the late Rebellion and that he was a loyal man”
“

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Nathaniel Moseley alias Nathan Mosby, Company I

The soldier moved to Providence, Rhode Island once his military service ended. Not long after enlistment, his horse kicked him during a drill and the young man sustained a crippling injury. Born into slavery in Norfolk County, Virginia, he later married twice and had nine children. The spelling variants for his surname are numerous!

Invalid — 1,156,081 / 1,136,643

Claimant’s Affidavit, Nathan Moseby, 28 February 1898
“In 1864 while a corporal … I was kicked by a horse and was then laid up for four months. Since that time.I have not been able to work … only a small part of the time on account of the injury received to my right knee. Last September and October was unable to do an hours work.”

Questionnaire (Form 3-173), Nathaniel Mosby, 15 June 1899
“I was married but once. My wife died Aug 20-92 … I had nine children but three is dead. The living ones:
“Alleen Mosby born in Norfolk Sept 1st, 1871
Rosella ” ” ” Sept 17-1873
Edward ” ” ” Feb 22nd 1875
Russell ” ” ” March 14th 1877
Mattie born in Prov, RI Oct 6th 1880
Walter Mosby born in Prov RI Jan 23rd 1883″

Questionnaire (Form 3-493), Nathan Mosby, 15 June 1899
[residence,nearest post office] 5 Gilman Street, South Prov; Prov Post OFfice, cor Weyhasset and Custom-house streets. There is only one post office here.”
[residence after discharge] “The first place I lvied in Providence was No 16 Cole St. The next was No 8 Cowell St. Then I moved in No 5 Gilman Jan 7-1866 been here ever since.”
[nearest post office] Prov Postoffice, cor Weyhasset and Custmerhosue [sic] sts
[occupation] farming since Norfolk

General Affidavit, Pembroke Powell, 20 December 1900
83 South Main st, Providence, RI
“”I have known [Moseley] for 15 years … during all my acquaintance with him he has been a sober industrious man of good moral character and habits”

General Affidavit, Willard H. Hall, 22 December 1900
53 years old; address, [illegible], East Providence, RI
“I have known Nathan Mosby since 1881 and since that time we have been associated together almost daily, having worked with him more or less, and have seen him almost daily when he has been able to be about or at work … he has always been a man of good moral habits and he bears a good character”

General Affidavit, Hercules B .Judge, 9 February 1901
52 years old; 157 Olive St., Providence, RI
“I have been personally well acquainted … since 1881 when he first came to Providence from Virginia … he is a man of good moral character and habits”

Questionnaire (Form 3-474), Nathan Mosby, 6 August 1902
[born] Norfolk County, Virginia
[enlisted] Norfolk, Va.
[before enlistment] Norfolk, Va.
[occupation] farmer
[enslaved] “yes … owner .. Philip Biddle“
[discharged] City Point, Va
[since discharge] “Sewaells [sic] Point, Va until 1881. In Providence, RI from 1881 until present time”
[present occupation] longshoreman
[height / complexion / scars] 5′ 5″ / dark / “scars on one knee from a kick by horse while in service”
[different name while in service] no
[known by any other name] “My name is Nathaniel instead of Nathan & Moseley instead of Mosby. Mistake by Captain when enlisted.”
[known by] Nathaniel Moseley
[residence and post-office] 42 Horne St, Providence, RI
Note: The date stamp indicates the Pension Bureau received this document on 6 August 1902 — Leslie

Sworn Statement, Nathan Mosby, 6 August 1902
“When I enlisted there was a mistake in writing my name.
“It should have been Nathaniel Moseley instead of Nathan Mosby.
“The Captain made the mistake in writing my name, when I enlisted.
“I have always used my correct name which is Nathaniel Moseley.”
Note: The date stamp indicates the Pension Bureau received this document on 6 August 1902 — Leslie

Sworn Statement, Nathan Mosby, 3 May 1905
residence, 42 Homer Street, Providence, RI
“I was born in Norfolk, Va., a slave … my mistress to whom I belonged (my master being in the Confederate army) told me I was twenty-one years old the July before. My brothers and sisters are all dead and I have no relatives or friends living who know anything about me or any family Bible.”
“Witnesses:
James W Carrington, 12 Perkins Street, Prov[idence], RI
Henry Jones, 42 Homer Street, Prov[idence], RI”

Declaration of Pension, Nathaniel Moseley, 25 February 1907
post-office address, 42 Homer St., Providence, RI
“enrolled under the name of Nathan Mosby on the 18th day of December 1863 … honorably discharged at City Point, Va on the 28th day of February 1866 … was born Sewell’s Point, Va, 15 July, 1842 … several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Providence allways [sic] since I was discharged”
“Also personally appeared Jonathan N Pierce, residing in 42 Homer St Providence RI and William H Rickman residing 90 Stewart St, Providence RI … their aquaintance with him of 15 years and 2 years, respectively”

Application for Reimbursement, Allen P. Burch, 13 January 1919
47 years old; residence, Providence, Rhode Island; post-office address, 42 Homer St, Providence, RI
1 [deceased] – Nathaniel Moseley
2 [type of pension] – [blank]
3a [married] – yes
3b [# and to whom] – “twice Susan McWilliams and Sarah Ellen Luckson[?]”
3c [status] – divorced
3d [still living] yes
3e [full name] Susan M Moseley died Aug 20, 1892; Sarah Ellen Moseley – divorced – 1900
3f [was he divorced] yes
3g [divorced wife living] yes
4 [living children under 16] no
5 [living children] no
6 [insurance] yes
7 [ name of company] Metropolitan Life Insurance Co
8 [beneficiary] Allen P Burch (daughter)
9 [rlationship] daughter
10 [did pensioner pay premium?] no
11 [premium paid] ” .65 cents weekly by Allen P. Burch and received $157.50″
12 [was pensioner member of society? no
13 {executor or administrator] no
14 [money, real estate, pension] no
15 [describe property] [blank]
16 [value of real estate] [blank]
17 [disposal of property] [blank]
18 [unindorsed [sic] pension check] no
19 [relationship to deceased] daughter
20 [married] yes
21 [cause of death] heart trouble
22 [last sickness began] November 29, 1918
23 [illness required ongoing attendance] November 29
24 [name and address of attending physician] J.J. Robinson, MD, 247 CranstonSt., Providence, RI
25 [names of individual nurses] “His daughter Mrs. Burch“
26 [pensioner’s last address] 42 Homer St, Providece, RI
27 [place of death] 42 Homer St, Providence, RI
28 [date of death] December 3, 1918
29 [burial] North Burial Ground, Providence, RI
30 [payment to attending person] no
31 [expenses]
32 [complete list of expenses?] yes

Questionnaire (Form 3-389), Nathaniel Moseley, 22 March 1922
[date/place of birth] July 15, 1842, Norfolk, Va
[service organization] Co I, First US Colored Calvry [sic]
[post office at enlistment] City of Norfolk, Va
[wife’s full name and maiden name] Susan Mildred Williams [illegible]
[when, where, by whom] Feb 18, 1869, Norfolk, Va., Rev Richard Parker
[official record] M.E. Church, Norfolk, Va
[previously married] Ellen Laurence Tuxon [sp?] … divorced, Providence, RI … married Aug 31, 1899, Providence, RI
[wife’s previous husband, if applies] Robert Tuxon [sp?] … divorced, Washington, DC
[living wife but separated] separation
[names/dates birth of all children]
Julia Augustie Moseley, March 18, 1870
Alleen Moseley, September 1, 1871
Eliza Ella Moseley, September 17, 1873
William QE Moseley, Feb 22, 1875
James Henry Moseley, Feb 8, 1879
Martha Jane Moseley, Oct 6, 1880
John Walter Moseley, Jan 23, 1883
Earl Nathaniel Moseley, Feb 28, 1891

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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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