Jacob Bayless, Company A

Basic items in this veteran’s application are inconsistent with facts pertaining to the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. Perhaps the most glaring discrepancy between the soldier’s 1862 enlistment date and issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation which authorized the participation of African American men in the Union Army. Was this a faulty memory? Did he serve in the 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry or another battle unit? In which regiments did Dobson and Underwood command troops? Did the regiment engage in combat at Saltville?

It’s vital to seek information from other sources such as the National Park Service Soldiers and Sailors Database which has basic information an individual’s service and regimental history. Another source abbreviated as the CMSR could be used to confirm or refute the applican’ts claims. The researcher can access these records on microfilm or Internet Archive or with a fee-based database.

— Compiled military service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served with the United States Colored Troops [microform]: 1st through 5th United States Colored Cavalry, 5th Massachusetts Cavalry (Colored), 6th United States Colored Cavalry (1997). Reel 0001 – 1st United States Colored Cavalry: Ackess, Alexander – Bom, John H. at https://archive.org/details/compiledmili0001akesunit/page/n5 ). There isn’t a match for Jacob Bayliss in this regiment.

Invalid – 970,262 / —–
Widow — 228,889 / —–, Martha J. Bayless

Declaration for Invalid Pension, Jacob Bayless, 18 July 1890
47 years old; residence, Jonesboro, Washington County, Tennessee; post-office address, Jonesboro, Washington, Tennessee
enrolled 14 February 1862 in Co. A, 1st U.S. C. Cav. commanded by Col. Dobson and the Company by Captain Underwood. I was always a Private … served at least 90 days and was furloughed after being wounded at saltworks in Va from hospital at Petersburg, Va. and recovered from wound until after regiment was mustered out, expected to get discharge now unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of gun shot wound of right leg, on the inner side of the leg halfway between the ankle & knee, and rheumatism and kidney disease, also frostbite feet”
“Also personally appeared A.M. Stuart residing at Jonesboro, Tenn. and R.M. May residing at Jonesboro, Tenn…. their acquaintance with him for 10 years and 10 years, respectively”

General Affidavit, Jacob Bayless, 20 August 1891
51 years old; residence Jonesboro, Washington, Tennessee
“I was wounded in right leg at Saltville on or about Dec 1864 while in action. I got my feet frostbitten about the same time that I incurred the gunshot of right leg. All done while on [illegible] raid.”

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Martha J. Bayless, 22 February 1896
46 years old; residence, Jonesboro, Washington, Tennessee; post-office address, Jonesboro, Washington, Tennessee
“[the soldier] died November 12, 1895 … she was married under the name of Martha J. Hughs to said Jacob Bayless on the 12 day of Oct A.D. 1871, by H.B. Hancock [?], M.D. at Brown’s [?] Creek, Tenn. … names and dates of birth of all children of the soldier, now living, and under sixteen years of age … Sarah Bayless, born Aug 24th, 1880″
“Also personally appeared Chas. S. Mason, residing at Jonesboro, Tenn., and J.R. Russell, residing at Jonesboro, Tenn. … an acquaintance with her of about three years and about three years, respectively”

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Robert Brown alias Isaiah Wright, Company L

A ‘recruiter’ encouraged his brother-in-law who lived in New Jersey to enlist under an alias in New York. A bridesmaid and groomsman from the couple’s 1857 wedding vouched for the widow’s application for pension benefits. Witnesses lived in Camden County, New Jersey and nearby Philadelphia, Pennsylvania located just across the Delaware River.

Invalid — 864, 877 / 616,988
Widow — 575,736 / 402,259, Sarah A. Brown

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Sarah A. Brown, 3 May 1893
residence and post-office address, 1026 So 10th St, Camden, Camden Co., NJ;
“She was married under the name of Sarah Jubilee to said Robert Brown on the 25 day of Nov 1857 by Rev. W.D. W. Schuman, at Camden, NJ … neither of them previously married
“Also personally appeared Sarah L. Gibson, residing at Camden, County of Camden, State of New Jersey, and Mary E. Wright, residing at Camden, County of Camden, State of New Jersey”
[Note: “Jubilee” is a very unusual surname. Oscar Jubilee served in Company I, 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry (posted December 7, 2020) and his brother Samuel C. Jubilee served in Company K, 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry (posted November 30, 2020). Samuel settled in New Jersey but more research is required to determine whether these men had a connection with the widow Sarah (Jubilee) Brown — Leslie]

Deposition, Sarah A. Wright, 15 September 1893
59 years old; post-office address, 1026 So. 10th, Camden, NJ
“I exhibited to you the Discharge he received, but you can see it has been mutilated, the name Robert Brown was erased and the name Isaiah Wright inserted. He must have done that himself.”
“I was married to [the soldier] in this house in 1857 … We had a small wedding party. Wm. Sample, Comfort Pool, Lizzie Mitchfield were present at the marriage and my sister Elizabeth Weeks saw the marriage. I have the original marriage certificate which I exhibit to you.”
“I did not know that he was going to enlist. I was sick and he left me in the morning to go to his work. He did not return that night and I was worried and I did not know for about one week where he was and then Isaac Silvey (dead) my husband’s brother-in-law who was a ‘recruiter’ came and told me that my husband had enlisted in New York. My husband sent me a letter from Harts Island and in that he mentioned that his name was Robert Brown and he instructed me to address him by that name … I have no letters that he sent me … He was a Sergeant. No one around here enlisted with him. I heard him speak of a comrade named Zach Green, and he has been here since the war. I don’t know where he lived but I think in Philad.
“No I do not know Edward Moore, a comrade who was with him when he applied for pension. Isaac Selvy advised him to take the alias Robert Brown so he told me. He got a bounty I think of $600. Selvy gave me $200 and the balance he put in the bank for my husband, but I never got any of the balance nor did my husband, Selvy got it.
“Because he served under an alias he did not join the GAR on that account. The State has erected a tombstone with his name Isaiah Wright … there was a space between [her husband’s] two front teeth … I earn my living by washing and cooking. I just returned from Cape May where I have been working all summer.
“He owned this house. I suppose it’s mine. It is worth probably $1500 but is mortgaged for $600.”

Deposition, Caroline Selvy, 3 July 1894
48 years old; residence, 1126 Ohio Street, Philadelphia, Pennysylvania;
“I am a widow. My maiden name was Caroline Wright. I am a sister of Isaiah Wright, late husband of the claimant, Sarah A. Wright. I had two other brothers, George and William. George went to sea about 20 years ago. During that time I have never heard from him. I do not know whether he is living or dead. William lives at Yorktown, Salem Co., NJ. He works on a farm at that place.
“My brother Isaiah Wright died April 6, 1893 at No. 1026 S. 10 St., Camden, NJ. I was at his funeral. … He was married to the claimant several years before the war. I was not at the marriage but I was present at the ‘reception.’
“While he was at the Army he wrote one letter to me in which he described his army life. I think the letter was dated ‘Hilton Head.’ I remember he signed his name just ‘R.’ His full name was Robert Isaiah Wright. I answered that letter and addressed him at Isaiah Wright.
“After I mailed the letter my husband Isaac Selvey asked me how I addressed him. I told him and he replied that the letter might not reach him because that was not his name, that he enlisted under the name of ‘Robert Brown’ and that he was known by that name in the regiment. The letter was returned to me.
“My husband Isaac Selvy was a ‘recruiting man’ and enlisted my brother at New York … I never heard my brother give any reason for taking an assumed name at his enlistment.”
“He wa a short stout man, black, has a small moustache. I don’t remember that he wore beard on his chin. No special marks. His teeth were very far apart, so far that it would look to some people that he had lost some of them … I have not seen Zach Green since last Fall. I saw him then on a wagon. I do not know if he is still in the city.”

Deposition, John Brinkley, 3 July 1894
52 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, Paschallville, Church ___, Philadelphia, Pa.
“I enlisted in New York in March 1865 in Co L 1 USC Cavy. … I knew two members of the company named Brown — Isaiah Brown and William Brown. Isaiah Brown was from Camden, NJ. I tented with these men and of course was well acquainted with them — with Isaiah especially … I never saw him since our discharge until about four years ago. I met him in Camden, NJ. I hailed him as ‘Brown.’ He then told me that ‘Brown’ was not his name … and that his true and correct name was ‘Wright’ … there was considerable distance between his teeth … I often noticed that he could spit clear through them without parting them.”

General Affidavit, Wm T. Sample and Comfort White, 13 May 1899
[Sample] 62 years old; residence, Camden, Camden Co., NJ; post-office address, 10 S. Chestnut St
[White] 62 years old; residence, Mt. Ephron, Camden Co., NJ; post-office address, Mt. Ephron, Camden Co., NJ
“We was well acquainted with Isiah Wright alias Robert Brown, and with Sarah his wife. We was perseant [sic] at there [sic] marriage at Camden Nov 25th 1857 by Wm. L.W. Schumann and we acted as bridesmade [sic] and groomsman.”

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Joseph Birdsong, Company E**

The soldier enlisted under the enslaver’s surname but upon discharge reclaimed his father’s last name. After more than 20 years and despite support from more than a dozen witnesses, the invalid and widow’s applications were denied. Last week’s post included research notes from documents dated 1870-1892. This week’s post includes research notes from documents dated 1893-1895.

Invalid — 239,130 / —–
Widow — 263,191 / —–, Rebecca Birdsong

General Affidavit, A.P. Branch and Henry Ruffin, 28 March 1893
[Branch] 36 years old; post-office address, Lumberton, Sussex Co., Va.
[Ruffin] 58 years old; post-office address, Lumberton, Sussex Co., Va.
“That they have been knowing Rebecca Birdsong about 25 years and she possess [sic] no property … they see her two & three times a month and know that she has no income and she has no means of support other than her daily labor and is seldom able to do that”

General Affidavit, Henry Ruffin, 15 April 1893
59 years old; post-office address, Sussex C.H., Sussex Co., Va.
“That he was personally acquainted with Turner the former husband of Becky Birdsong but to his certain knowledge Benj Turner died before she married the soldier Joseph Birdsong. He further states that Joseph Birdsong was never married before his marriage to Rebecca Turner“

General Affidavit, John Pearce, 15 April 1893
46 years old; post-office address, Sussex CH, Sussex County, Virginia
“That he was personally acquainted with Turner the former husband of Becky Birdsong”

General Affidavit, Willis Hall and Henry Ruffin, 29 October 1894
[Hall] 48 years old; residence Sussex C.H., Sussex, Virginia; post-office address, Sussex Co., Virginia
[Ruffin] 62 years old; residence Sussex C.H., Sussex, Virginia; post-office address, Sussex Co., Virginia
“They have been knowing Joseph Birdsong and Rebecca Birdsong every [sic] since their marriage”

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Rebecca Birdsong, 24 May 1895
35 years old; post-office address, Lumberton, Sussex Co., Virginia
“[Joseph Birdsong] died 1879. That she was married under the name Rebecca Turner to said Joseph Birdsong on the 25 day of April 1868 by Rev. Barr, at Sussex Co. … She was married before her marriage to Joseph Birdsong, dissolved by death”
“Also personally appeared Willis Hall, residing at Sussex C.H. and Henry Ruffin residing at Sussex C.H. [acquainted with her] 20 years and 25 years, respectively”

General Affidavit, Allen Barlow, 11 December 1895
48 years old
“I have known Rebecca Birdsong … for 25 years. I have been living within 3 miles of them from the time of their marriage to the death of the soldier … I am now living within 4 miles of Rebecca Birdsong”

General Affidavit, Jack Peters, 11 December 1895
31 years old; residence, Sussex CH, Sussex Co., Va.; post-office adddress, Sussex CH, Va.
“I have known Rebecca Birdsong … for 20 years. I have been living within 2 1/2 miles of them from the time of their marriage to the death of the soldier.”

General Affidavit, Willis Hall, 16 December 1895
“I was acquainted with Joseph Birdsong while in service at Brownsville and Brazos Texas. … He came from the same neighborhood that I did & he corresponded with me from home while I was still in Texas.”

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Joseph Birdsong, Company E*

The soldier enlisted under the enslaver’s surname but upon discharge reclaimed his father’s last name. After more than 20 years and despite support from more than a dozen witnesses, the invalid and widow’s applications were denied. This week’s post includes research notes from documents dated 1870 – 1892. Next week’s post will include research notes from documents dated 1893-1895.

Invalid — 239,130 / —–
Widow — 263,191 / —–, Rebecca Birdsong

Marriage License [copy], Joseph Reed and Rebecca Turner, 25 April 1870
[date and place of marriage] 25 April 1870, Sussex County, Virginia
[husband’s age and birthplace] 23 years old; Sussex Co., Virgin
[wife’s age and birthplace] 32 years old; Southampton Co., Virginia
[husband’s residence] Sussex County, Virginia
[wife’s residence] Sussex County, Virginia
[husband’s parents] unknown
[wife’s parent’s] unknown
[husband’s occupation] laborer
The wedding took place at “the house of Mr. R.F. Parker in Sussex.” The officiant was Rev. David Barr, minister in charge, Protestant Episcopal Church.

Questionnaire (Form 3-060), Joseph Birdsong, 4 December 1884
“While serving in Co E, 1 Reg’t U.S.C. Cavy, he was disabled by loss of left eye, by explosion of pistol in action at Chickahominy Va., about Aug 19 or 20, 1864, also incurred disease from which he died … [he was treated at] Regimental Hospital & Hospital at Williamsburg, Va. for some days after injury of eye”

Claimant’s Affidavit, Becky Birdsong, 16 January 1892
55 years old; residence, Lumberton, Sussex Co., Va.
“Joseph Birdsong and I were married in Sussex County 25th of April 1868 in the dwellinghouse of Robert Parker and further state that she lived formerly with one Ben Turner and he died long before the war of 1861. There is no record of his death by me or his former owner can be given because they are dead”

General Affidavit, Ralph H. Hall, 16 January 1892
40 years old; residence and post-office address, Sussex C.H., Virginia
“I have been a resident of Sussex Co. … for 30 years, and well acquainted with Becky Birdsong the widow of Joseph Birdsong knowing that they were lawfully married … and have been living in the neighborhood for 30 years … [Becky] has no means of support except that of her own labor … [Hall] was present at the death of Joseph Birdsong. He died the 6th day of Oct 1879. He being a member of the New Hope Baptist Church of Sussex Co. & I the church clerk. The book shows he died the day above mentioned.”

General Affidavit, Ben F. Hall, 16 January 1892
28 years old; residence and post-office addresses, Sussex County, Virginia
“I have been a resident of Sussex County, State of Virginia for 20 years and well acquainted with Becky Birdsong … and have been living in the neighborhood for 28 years “

General Affidavit, Becky Birdsong, 4 February 1892
55 years old; residence, Sussex Co., Va.; post-office address, Lumberton, Sussex Co., Va.
“I was married to Joe Birdsong the 25th day of April 1870 instead of the 25th [day of April] 1868 just as the certificate says. I married him under the name of Joe Reed and after we were married, he the said Joe Reed informed me that he had been a United States soldier and that he had served in Company C of the 1st Regiment United States Colored Troops Cavalry under the name of Joseph Birdsong … I have not been married to any but that of the soldier since the death of Ben Turner and the death of Ben Turner taken place before the war of 1861. I am unable to state the dte of death of Ben Turner and can’t find the date from his former owner because they are all dead.”

General Affidavit, Goodwin Blunt, 7 October 1892
63 years old; residence, Sussex, Sussex Co., Va.; post-office address, Lumberton, Sussex Co., Va.
“I have been well acquainted with Becky Turner and Ben Turner for 41 years … Ben Turner died in the County of Sussex in the State of Virginia on or about the [illegible] day of Apl in the year 1861 … And that the said Becky Turner after the death of Ben Turner married Joe Reed in the year of 1870 at the residence of Robert Parker in Sussex County, State of Virginia.”

General Affidavit, Henry Ruffin and Isham Rainey, 7 October 1892
“both residence of Sussex Co., Va.”
“That I have been knowing Joseph Birdsong before he entered the army of the US … he came home and married Rebecca Turner … under the name of Joseph Reed. He was 31 years of age when he was married … he was called Joseph Birdsong because he was belong to a man by name of Birdsong and he was enlisted under that name but when he came out of the army he took his father’s name which was Reed.”

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Leander Bacon, Company K**

The soldier’s amputation took place at a hospital in Portsmouth, Virginia. He moved to New York and worked in a livery stable. This week’s post includes research notes from documents dated 1898-1920. Last week’s post included research notes from documents dated 1891-1897.

Invalid — 468,225 / 970,374

Questionnaire (Form 3-175), Leander Bacon, 12 June 1898
1 – [married] Caroline Shafer, Dora Jackson
NOTE: The name “Caroline Shafer” is struck through — Leslie]
2 — [where, when, by home] Mt. Clair, NJ
NOTE: Confirm “Montclair, NJ”
3 — [record] “in Mt. Clair, NJ”
4 – [previous marriages] Caroline Shafer, now living; married by Rev. C.P. Mosley, NY
5 – [living children] Daisy Harriet, Sylvester Bacon, and Mary Bacon married at Bronxdale, NY, July 21, 88. Daisy Harriet is 13 years; Mary Mabel, 10 yrs old; Sylvester, 8 years old

General Affidavit, John James Fidler, 14 June 1898
35 years old; post-office address, 586 Eagle Ave, NY, NY
“That he has been well and personally acquainted with [the claimant] fifteen years … he is entirely dependent upon the labor [of] his wife”

General Affidavit, John Leahy, 15 June 1898
38 years old; post-office address, 646 E.149th St., NY, NY
“That he has been well and personally acquainted with [the claimant] for the past sixteen years”

General Affidavit, Charles Burkley, 18 June 1898
59 years old; post-office address, 2428 1st Ave, NY, NY
“Well and personally acquainted with [the claimant] for the past thirty-two years. That I was a member of the 1st U.S. Infantry … I was a wounded soldier there under the care of Dr. Blanch the Home Hospital … [Leander Bacon] expressed the fear that he would never leave the army alive. This was in the fall of 1864. I met him afterwards in New York”

Questionnaire (Form 3-493), Leander Bacon, 26 March 1900
1 – [address] 507 East 53rd St, New York
2 – [residence after discharge] “Always in the state of New York, except about 4 years in Mount Clair, NJ”
3 – [nearest post offfices to residences] – “In New York, 150th St & 3 Ave PO. In New Jersey, Mt. Clair, NJ”
4 – [occupation since discharge] “coaching & livery stables. Of late years odd jobbing”
5 – [known by any other name] no
6 – [military service under another name] no

Questionnaire (Form 3-389), Leander Bocon, 17 April 1915 [date stamped by Pension Board]
[birth place/birth date] August 10, 1844, Plattsville, NY
[post-office at enlistment] Albany, NY
[wife’s full name and maiden name] Dora Jackson; Dora Brown
[when, where, by whom married] – “a Methodist minister in Bronx City of New York, have forgotten his name”
[official or church record] no
[previously married] Caroline Haywood, dead about forty years
[previous wife married] “I do not know”
[living with wife] “died four years ago”
[names, birthdates of all children] Daisy Spencer, Mable Spencer, two brothers

Application for Reimbursement, Daisy Spencer, 6 March 1920
36 years old; residence, New York, NY; post-office address
[deceased’s name] Leander Bacon
[life, accident or health insurance[
[relationship to deceased]
[decedent’s pension capacity] invalid soldier shot in the leg
[married] yes
[times married] once Doris T. Bacon
[wife survive him] no
[still living] no
[names/deaths of all wives] died Nov 19, 1910; Doris Theresa Bacon
[divorced] no
[divorced wife living] [blank]
[if dead, name and death date]
[leave a child under 16 years old] no
[still living] [blank]
[sick or death benefits paid] no
[insurance (life, accident or health) in force at time of death] no

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