Robert Carter alias Watson Cooper, Company D

This widow’s application did not hold up under close review by the Pension Bureau’s Special Examiner. Rejections were issued when a Special Examiner determined that there was insufficient evidence of identity or relationship.

Widow — 680,095 / —–

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Zilpha Carter, 4 June 1898
48 years old; residence, Windsor Township, Bertie County, North Carolina; post-office address, c/o Lewis Roulhac, Windsor, Bertie County, North Carolina
“died near Windsor, in the State of North Carolina, on or about the 14 day of Aug 1886. That she was married under the name of Zilpha Bond to said Robert Carter on the 9 day of September, 1871, by George W. Downing, at Windsor, NC”

“Also personally appeared Champ Pugh, residing at Windsor, County of Bertie, State of North Carolina, and Lewis Lathem, residing at Windsor, County of Bertie, State of North Carolina.”
[Note: “Lewis Lathem” appeared on the signature line as “Willis Lathem” who signed with his mark — Leslie]

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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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James Crumpler, Company K

About two months after he enlisted, the soldier was taken ill. He survived and by 1890 was a farmer in Portsmouth, Virginia.

Invalid — 752,453 / —–

Claimant’s Affidavit, John Crumpler, 14 July 1890
60 years old; post-office address, 1000 King Street, Portsmouth, Va
“occupation is now farmer”

General Affidavit, Squier Bright, 3 March 1893
52 years old; post-office address, 313 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, Va.
[Note: Bright enlisted 15 December 1863; Crumpler enlisted “on about 14 Dec 1863” — Leslie]
“I also stat [sic] after a short inclen [sic] about 60 days Jas Crumpler was taken from the co for some sickness that I am unable to tell”

General Affidavit, Thomas Riddick, 3 March 1893
53 years old; post-office address, King St. Extended, Portsmouth, Va.
“enlisted 14 day Dec 1863 at Norfolk, Va. and sent to Hampton, Va. about the 17 Dec 1863
“Jas Crumpler went down the same day [as Thomas Riddick] and he enlisted on the 14 day Dec 1863 … Jas Crumpler was taken from the co for sickness as I know I did often go to the camp to see him”

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John H. Culpepper, Company K

The soldier and his younger sister were born to a freeborn woman in northeastern North Carolina. Their father enslaved by a Virginian was for many years too ill to work. The soldier who died in Corps d’Afrique Hospital, New Orleans, Louisiana had been his mother’s sole support.

Mother — 392,359 / 261,461, Fannie Culpepper

Declaration for an Original Pension of a Mother, Fannie Culpepper, 27 March 1889
72 years old;
“[John Culpepper] died while in service in hospital in New Orleans, La. … [claimant’s husband] Miles Culpepper, aged 75 years who died 9th of May 1888 … that there were surviving at date of said son’s death his brothers and sisters … Mary ”

Memo from J.C. Kelton, Adjutant General’s Office, War Department to Commissioner of Pensions, 11 June 1889
“Final Statement shows him: Died Sept. 12, 1865 at Corps d’Afrique Hospital, New Orleans, La. … born in Craven Co., NC. Age at enrollment, 20 years. Occupation, farmer. Eyes, hair, and complexion, black. Height, 5 feet 6 inches.
“Name John H. Culpepper not borne on rolls of Co. K, 1st US Col’d Cav’y.”

Proof of Dependence, John Cornish and Isaic Manning, 4 June 1889
[Cornish] 54 years old;
[Manning] 63 years old;
“[Each said] I have been for 30 years intimately acquainted with Fannie Culpepper … [her son] considered it his duty to aid and assist her … Miles Culpepper the father of said soldier died on the 9 day of May AD 1888 at Craven Co. in the State of North Carolina … These statements are made from personal knowledge, derived from long and intimate acquaintance with said claimant and family for the past 30 years”
“Witnesses: W.R. Drury and S. Cherry“

Proof of Dependence, David Nichols and John Cornick and James Normans, 11 June 1889
[Nichols] 65 years old; Currituck Co., NC
[Cornick] 60 years old; Norfolk, Va.
[Normans] 64 years old; Currituck Co., NC
“Miles Culpepper [was a] sober & temperate man”

General Affidavit, John Cornish, 27 June 1889
post-office address, Norfolk, Va.
“That he knew Miles Culpepper before the war … and that he knew his son John before he enlisted … [Miles and Fannie] had only 2 children, one was John, one was girl by name of Mary Anne now living in Norfolk aged 20 years having been born in 1869 in Pasquotank Co., NC, don’t know what day or month but I know it was in 1869 …. don’t know John’s age exactly but think he was about 20 or 21 when he enlisted, think he was born in 1842 or 1843”

Proof of Dependence, John Cornish, 11 July 1889
“I have been for 35 years intimately acquainted with Fannie Culpepper … [Miles Culpepper] unable to perform labor of any kind … setting and lying about a wreck of himself … prior to [the soldier’s] enlistment [the soldier] working for and maintaining the family paying rent and supplying food etc as far as his means would allow him to do for his mother, sister, and father until his death in 1865 … I’ve heard his mother say that he assisted & supported her and spoke of him as a good son and child”

General Affidavit, Fannie Culpepper, July 1889
73 years old; residence, 116 Nicholson st
“That she was married … on or about Feby 1838 in Pasquotank Co., NC, that she never had any owners or masters as she was freeborn. Her husband Miles was a slave and belonged to a Mr. Willoughby Wilson of Virginia. Her son John was born about 1840. That her husband for many years before the war was a cripple from rheumatism and unable to support himself … Her son John the soldier was her only support from time he was able to work until his death in service at New Orleans Hospital 1865. That since then she had one other child Mary born on January 14th 1869 in Pasquotank Co., NC. That after her birth she did not live with her husband Miles C. as he was unable to to support her and she being unable to support him he stayed with his friend who kindly looked after him and she lived with first one friend and then another to present time … She declares that all those who were present at marriage of herself & Miles now dead also at birth of children.”
“Witnesses: W.R. Drury and J.T. Wilson”

General Affidavit, Mark Morris and James Washington, 1 August 1889
[Morris] 53 years old;
[Washington] 49 years old;
“That they knew Fannie and Miles Culpepper for about 15 years before the war … Also knew Miles Culpepper … was an invalid from time of breaking out of war a cripple from rheumatic afflictions. She was not a slave and her son was her own and only support belonging to no master and worked for and supported his mother for several years before war and continued to contribute to her support until he was ordered away to Texas …. Miles Culpepper died in Portsmouth, Va. on the 9th day of May 1888 ... we lived close neighbors to and saw and conversed with often”
“Witnesses: W.R. Drury and S. Cherry”

General Affidavit, Fannie Culpepper, 1 October 1889
73 years old; residence, 125 Norfolk St., Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 125 Hawk St., Norfolk Co., Va., c/o W.R. Drury, 16 Bank St., Norfolk, Va.
“with the natural infirmities attending age, she is a great sufferer and totally dependent on the community for every comfort and the food necessary to her maintenance, as far as medical treatment is concerned she is unable to provide for as she is penniless … prepare for winter which is so rapidly approaching and enable her to keep out of the almshouse of which she stands in so much dread”
“Also personally appeared John Cornish, residing at No. 125 in Hawk street, in Norfolk, and Margaret Harrison …residing in Norfolk County”
“Witnesses: James Coleman and B. Griffin“

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