Allen Edwards, Company K

The young soldier and his wife married at First Baptist Church of Hampton in 1866. They had seven children. He described his interactions with the infamous Walter Plecker, M.D.

Invalid – 951,753 / 1,014,225
Widow – 15,851,128 / A-9-12-27, Julia A. Edwards

Marriage License [copy], Allen Edwards and Julia Ann Ash, 1 September 1866
License issued on 1 September 1866; couple married 2 September 1866 at Elizabeth City Co., Va.; Allen was 23 years old; Julia was 18 years old. Both were single. Both were born in Isle of Wight Co., Va.; both resided in Elizabeth City Co., Va. Allen worked as laborer. His parents were Jack and Susan Edwards. Julia’s parents were George Scott and Sarah Ash. The officiant was Young Jackson.

Claimant’s Affidavit, Allen Edwards, 9 January 1892
49 years old; residence, Hampton, Elizabeth City Co., Va.; post-office address, Hampton, Virginia
“My leg was broken at Hampton, Va. in March 1888 while working on the C & ORR tressel [sic], under contractor J.C. White. Was attended by Dr. Charles of Newport News, Va.”

General Affidavit, Allen Edwards, 28 April 1897
59 years old; post-office address, National Soldiers Home, Va.
“That I was in the habit of signing my own name prior to my impaired vision … my eyesight was impaired to such a degree that I deemed it practicable to sign by mark”

Questionnaire (Form 3-173), Allen Edwards, 23 December 1897
[living children] 7. all living. May Eliza, born Sept 24, 1870; Elizabeth, born Feb 13, 1873; Sarah Martha, born June 30, 1874; Aron, born Feb 18, 1878; Louvinana, born Jan 10, 1881; Ennis, born Dec 11, 1886; Delia A., born Oct 2, 1889″

General Affidavit, Allen Edwards, 8 January 1898
60 years old; residence, National Soldiers Home, Elizabeth City Co., Va.; post-office address, National Soldiers Home, Va
“That he was rejected three times by the Examining Boards at the National Soldiers Home and that he verily believes that said Medical Board is hostile to the colored veterans … Dr. Plecker, one of the Examining Board told him ‘he, the doctor could not give no man a pension or rate him in a pensionable degree, who reported for the first time, even if he the soldier-applicant was a disabled in a pensionable degree.’ The next time the Dr. said ‘I thought you were drawing a pension .’ He further states that he would like to be examined at Washington, DC.”
[Note: His witnesses were Thomas Ash and Robert Ash, likely related to his wife — Leslie]

General Affidavit, Stephen Riddick, 4 September 1900
about 73 years old; residence, Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va.
“That they were tentmates … that he has seen said Edwards from time to time since the War”

General Affidavit, Edmund G. Jones, 5 September 1900
58 years old; residence, Hampton, Elizabeth City Co., Va.
“I was in Company B of the same Regiment … At Camp Hampton said Edwards was thrown from a horse during a drill charge. Capt. J.L. Whiteman was in command that day”

Deposition, Allen Edwards, 16 August 1902
about 61 years old; occupation, farming;
“served as corporal … I was born in Nansemond Co., Va. about six or seven miles from Chuckatuck. Can’t give you the year of my birth. Was born a slave to Billy Green (dead). My father’s name was Jack Edwards and he was a slave to Dr. Ned Phillips of Suffolk, Va. My mother’s name was Silvie Ann Edwards and she was a slave to my master … My full and correct name is Allen Edwards and I have never been known under any other name.
“I was about 24 years of age when I enlisted … at Hampton, Va. and was sworn in at City Point, Va. … [mustered out] at Brazos Santiago, Texas. Immediately after I was discharged I came back to Newport News whence I enlisted and have resided in this vicinity ever since … mustache tinged with gray. Has a small scar to right of right eye (rt.) caused from a piece of wood striking me there while cutting wood soon after discharge … Our colonel was Garrard — Lt … forgot unless it was “Seipp” — Major was Brown and so was Seipp — Captain was Whiteman — 1st Lt was Hart — 2d Lt … forgot — Orderly Sgt Tom Pitt and he had a brother in our company named Ned Pitt.
[Note: Ned Pitt / Edward R. Pitt, my great-great-grandfather and his older brother Tom Pitt / William Thomas Pitt served in 1st U.S. Colored Cavalry. — Leslie]

“I tented with 2 duty Sgt Albert Jones (dead) and Jerry Wilkins. I was not in any battle but got in a skirmish up the Chickahominy River, Va. about six or seven months after my enlistment. We went up there with the 3 NY Cav.

“My witnesses were Jordan Christian and another man whose name I forget … Mr. John Palmer formerly of the Soldiers Home and then [illegible] wrote up for me but I didn’t pay either anything.”

“I have been married twice but my first wife ran away the first year I went in the army. Her name was Rachel Thomas. I don’t know whether she is a slave or dead or where she is. I was married to my present wife Julia Ann Starch at Newport News (Warwick Co.) then Elizabeth City Co., Va. and there is a record of same at Court House in latter county. We were married on 1st Sunday in Sept. in 1866 by Elder Jackson a Baptist preacher. I have two children under 16 (she had never been previously married).
“Inez born Dec 11, 1886 (boy)
Delia born Oct 2, 1889 (girl)
(Both are living here with me)
[Note: Delia Ann Edwards was a witness — Leslie]

Declaration for Pension, Allen Edwards, 27 March 1925
“79 years old … he was born Does not remember [the date] at Isle of Wight Co. Va”
[Note: He and his witnesses lived at “National Soldiers Home, Va.” – Leslie]

[married] yes, Julia Ann Ash Edwards
[when, where, by whom] 1866 Sep Newport News, Va. by Elder Jackson
[record] license
[previously married] no

Sworn Statement, Delia Lattimore, 9 November 1925
“She has known the claimant (Allen Edwards) over 30 years and that for more than one year last past has helped, aided and assisted him by rubbing him with liniment from his shoulders to his feet and in dressing and still continues to do so daily. He returned to his home from the National Home, Va. so as to receive aid, help and assistance without cost as he did not have enough money for his family and to pay those who helped him in the Home.”

Sworn Statement, Julia A. Edwards, 9 November 1925
“She is the wife of the claimant (Allen Edwards) and that for the last past several years has aided, helped and assisted him in bathing, dressing, applying liniment … particularly frequent since his return from the National Soldiers Home, Va. where he was about one year. He returned to his home as he was unable to to pay help that he received there and care for us at home.”

Letter written by W.E. Atkins, M.D., Hampton, Virginia [letterhead] “To Whom It May Concern,” 14 December 1925
“This is to certify that I have known Mr. Allen Edwards, 468 Holt Street, Hampton, Va. for nearly thirty years. He is apparently 75 years old.”

Sworn Statement, Allen Edwards, 23 January 1926
“That in the First Baptist Church, Newport News, Va. on the First Sunday in September 1866 I and Julia Ann Milton were wedded by Elder Jackson”

Death Certificate, Allen Edwards, 12 June 1927
[address] 468 Holt St., Hampton, Va.
[sex, color, status] “m … col … married”
[date of birth / age] “don’t know … About 58”
[occupation] laborer
[birthplace] Isle of Wight Co
[father’s name / birthplace] John Edwards / Isle of Wight Co.
[mother’s name / birthplace] [blank] / [blank]
[informant] Julia Edwards, Hampton, Va.
[date of death] June 12, 1927
[attended by physician] November 16, 1926 to June 12, 1927
[cause of death] carcinoma sigmoid, 10 years
[physician] Edw. M. Mickels, M.D., Phoebus, Va.
[burial] National Home Cemetery, June 15, 1927
[undertaker] W.T. Smith & Sons, Hampton, Va.

Sworn Statement, John B. Jones, 1 August 1927
76 years old
“That he has known Allen Edwards, and now his widow, Julia Edwards previous to 1890”

Sworn Statement, Solomon Brown, 11 August 1927
74 years old
“That he knew Allen Edwards (now deceased) and now his widow Julia Edwards, since 1890 as man and wife”

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William Elliott, Company F

Before enlistment, the soldier worked as an oysterman. His sight and hearing were seriously impaired during his service at Brazos Santiago, Texas. After he was mustered out, he lived in Nansemond County, Virginia and worked as a farmer. 

Invalid — 707,863 / 542,833 

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, William Elliott, 1 June 1889
“In the line of his duty at Turnpike near Richmond, in the state of Virginia on or about the spring day of May 1865, he was shot, the ball striking his breast plate causing him to be internally hurt from which he has suffered to present time and while at Brazos Texas became blind & deaf was attended to Camp Hospital by Dr. Grey, he still is very deaf and blind.”
“That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Camp Hospital at Brazos, Texas by Doctors Manly and Grey.
“That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in Nansemond Co. in the State of Virginia, and his occupation has been that of a farmer. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled an oysterman. That he is now 2/3 disabled form obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries …”
“Also personally appeared Raphael Wright, residing at Norfolk, Va. … Geo. Tarrall, residing at Nansemond Co….”

Declaration for Invalid Pension, William Elliott, 2 August 1890
53 years old; partially unable to earn a support by reason of shock received from shot while in the service of the US
Witnessed by Jacob Ashburn, Norfolk County, Va. & Edward R. Pitt, Bowers Hill, Norfolk County, Va.”
[NOTE: Ashburn and Pitt both signed their names — Leslie]

Claim for Increase, Joseph H. Hunter, Attorney, 25 April 1896
Witnessed by Wills Baker, Bowers Hill, Va. & Henry Francis, Bowers Hill

Questionnaire (Form 3-173), William Elliott, 20 November 1897
[married] No, my wife is dead
[when, where, and by whom] I was married according to the manner of colored people
[record?] none whatever
[previously married?] no
[living children] Yes. Three. James Elliot, 36 years old; William Elliott, 25 years old; Victoria Elliott, 22 years old

Questionnaire (Form 3-402), William Elliot, 24 March 1898
[married] no, widowed
[when where, and by whom] —
[record] —
[previously married?] —
[living children] Yes. Five children. James born Dec 1863; William, born June 1873; Victoria born April 1875; Lovey born June 1878; Annie born May 1884

Declaration for Increase of Pension , William Elliott, 4 July 1900
“Also personally appeared Joseph Ridgeway, residing at M[illegible?], Nansemond Co., Va. and Albert Howell, residing at M[illegible?], Nansemond Co., Va.
[Note: The word might be “Melvin” but I couldn’t find a match in the Gazetteer of Virginia by Henry Gannett. However, the Greater Chuckatuck Historical Foundation website includes the following entry by Robert Archer and Lynn Rose, “Milner’s Town was located on the western branch of the Nansemond River, about ten miles north of Suffolk.  An inspection station and tobacco warehouse were located there.  One branch of the Nansemond River and tributaries of the Nottoway and Blackwater River led to Milner’s Town.” — Leslie]

Deposition, William Elliott, 29 April 1901
69 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, Churchland, Norfolk Co., Va.
“I was freeborn and never had any other name.
“I was born at Churchland, Norfolk Co., Va. and have resided there all of my life. James Elliott was my father and Sallie Elliott was my mother. I had two brothers, Wright and James Elliott. They were not in the Army. I had two sisters, Lovy and Mary Elliott.”

“I don’t know how old I was when I enlisted, nor do I remember what age I gave Capt. Schwartz when I enlisted right down Main Street here in Norfolk. I do know however that I shall be 70 years age on June 4, next if I live….I was an oysterman when I enlisted. I have never been employed as a servant.

“Garrard was my Col.
Major Seip was Lt.
Capt. Brown was Major.
Charles Schwartz was my Capt.
Garrett and Stearne were Lts.
Beverly West was Ord. Sgt.
[illegible] Elliott and Albert Taylor were Sgts.
James Brooks and James Gardner were Corpls.
Isaac Dean and Thomas Cuffy tented with me.”

“I contracted scurvy in Texas …. Dr. Rain and Dr. Ashman have been my physicians since the war. Daniel Wright and Dempsey Elliott were witnesses for me. I testified for them – that they had not been in any other army since the war.

“I am single. My wife, Huldy, died five years ago. I have no children under 16 years of age. Hunter, of Washington, was my atty. Barnes, Clerk of County Court, Portsmouth did the writing. I paid 50 c for each affidavit.”

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George Elliott, Company A

The soldier’s left hand was severely damaged “by the bursting of a gun while shooting birds in Norfolk County, Virginia” — presumably he was hunting game.

 

Invalid — 1,009,563 / 750,860

 

Declaration for Invalid Pension, George Elliott, 7 April 1891
59 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 624 Glasgow St., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
“was left at home sick when the regiment left for Texas … also appeared Thomas Riddick residing at Norfolk Co., Va. and Joseph Jones residing at Portsmouth, Va. … 27 years old and 40 years old, respectively … ”

 

General Affidavit, George Elliott, 26 December 1891
58 years old; residence, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
“That I suffer loss of the left hand about 10 or twelve years ago since my discharge from the service of the United States. The same occurred from the bursting of a gun while shooting birds in Norfolk County, Virginia the exact date of which I cannot remember.”

 

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Simon Everett, Company I

The soldier was born in Murfreesboro, North Carolina. He had a family with Emma in Suffolk, Virginia and later a family with Grace in Philadelphia. The second family moved north to Providence, Rhode Island where the daughter became a kindergarten teacher. Several witnesses for the widow’s application were Virginians who migrated to northern cities. One of the witnesses testified that the soldier worked for Seaboard Air Line in Portsmouth.

Invalid — 993,623 / 706,875
Widow — 968,396 / 915,743, Grace Everett

General Affidavit, Simon Everett, 23 December 1907
71 years old; post-office address, 2055 Pemberton St., Philadelphia, Pa.
“He declares that he is unable to get a public or bible record of his birth. That he was born on farm of Jack Everett in Hertford Co., North Carolina as his mother told him on March 4, 1836, that he was born a slave, and knows there is no christening record in existence.”

General Affidavit, David Copeland & George H. Clark, 31 July 1911
[Copeland] 61 years old; post-office address, 1013 S. Bouvier St., Philadelphia, Pa.
[Clark], 51 years old; post-office address, 1825 Lombard St., Philadelphia, Pa.
“That they have known the above named soldier for 54 years and 34 years, respectively; and the above named claimant for the past 40 years and 30 years.”

Deposition, Grace Everett, 4 January 1912
54 years old; occupation “going out and washing, ironing, cleaning and anything that I can get to do”; post-office address, 90th Street and Laycock Ave., Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
“My maiden name was Grace Smith. I was born in Suffolk. My parents were Peter and Harriet Smith. Both are dead. I have no sister, and one brother is Mark Smith. I have not heard from him in 15 years and then he was in South Carolina somewhere.
“I lived in Suffolk, Va. until I was about twenty-two years old and then I came to Philadelphia, Pa. and lived here until three years ago when I went to Providence, R.I. and lived there until the death of my husband.
“I had been living here about five years when I was married to the soldier.
“I have been married once and once only. I was married to the soldier on September 20, 1883 in Philadelphia, Pa. by Rev. H. Whalen, a colored Baptist minister who was pastor of Zion Church, 13th and Melon Sts.
“I have the original marriage certificate which he gave me and I have had it ever since. It is a large certificate and I have it in a frame.
[The Special Examiner transcribed the certificate which included signatures of two witnesses: George H. A Co Clarke and Sarah L. Wright. — Leslie]

“Q. I see that the name of the man you were married to, as shown by this certificate, was named Simon Brownie. How was that?
A. My husband was a slave. His owner was Mr. Everett. He was called Simon Everett after his owners. His father’s name was Brownie. I forget the Christian name of his father. When I first met him he was called Simon Brownie. He had a younger brother here named John Brownie and when Simon came him here he took the name of Brownie. He has always been known as Simon Brownie here. I have always been known as Mrs. Brownie, ever since I was married to him.
“His brother, John, is dead. He has no brother living. None at all. He has one sister living, i.e. Henrietta Joyner. Joyner was the name of her first husband. He is not living with her and she is married to Daniel Crenshaw and lives at 7 Wheaton St., Providence, R.I.
“My husband enlisted under the name Simon Everett. He was born in Murfreesboro, N.C. I do not remember the name of his father. His mother was named Dinah Everett, she went by her owner’s name. I did not know him until I came to Philadelphia. I was born a slave also. My parents were both slaves. I had five children by the soldier, only one is living i.e. Matilda Brownie. She is not married and lives with me. I keep house. I have roomers. I have a little girl, seven years old, who stays with me. I live in a six room house, but have been unfortunate and have not been able to get any roomers. I have lived there since last June. We came home last June from Providence. We lived in the same house before we went to Providence. I do not own the house. We pay rent.

“. . .  I have a tintype of him taken before we were married. I will loan it to you. I want it returned to me when it has served its purpose….
“I had known the soldier about two years when we were married. We went to Providence, R.I., three years before he died and lived at the home of his sister. My daughter was there with him and took care of him and he died there. I went out to work. I worked in Providence. I always went home to his sister once a week and sometimes oftener. He was so sick all that time that he was not able to earn a five-cent piece.
“I was married to the soldier at the parsonage of Mr. Whalen on Poplar Street. George Clark and Sarah Louise Gibson (now living) were present at our marriage. I cannot name anyone else, now living, who were present at our wedding …. There is a record in the City Hall.”
“Q.  By whom can you prove that you were never married prior to your marriage to Simon Brownie?
“A.  Mary Medford and David Copeland knew me down south and have known me ever since I have been in Philadelphia and know that I was never previously married. ….
“Q.  [Was the solder married before marrying you?]
” A.  Yes, sir. I think the name of his first wife was Emma. I really do not remember the maiden name of his first wife. I do not know where they were married…. I do not known when he was married. They had one child. His name was Willie Everett. I saw him. He came on here to visit his father. He first came on here about eight years ago and then again six years ago. He was here twice. He died about a year and a half before his father died. His aunt, Henrietta, raised him in Providence….
“The soldier married Emma under the name of Simon Everett….
“At the time I was married to him, I did not know that he had a wife…. I did not hear that he had every been married until we had been married about five years and them some friend of his came on here to visit him and I overheard a conversation between them … [My husband] said that he had got a divorce. He said he got the divorce because his wife was not true to him. He never showed me the divorce papers and I did not ask me to allow me to see them. I can read but I do not write. ….
“I never heard that Emma tried to get a divorce from Simon Everett after he was married to me…. Emma is dead. I do not know when she died. … We lived in Philadelphia, Pa. until three years before his death and for the three years prior to his death we lived in Providence, R.I.
“David Copeland, Louise Gibson, Mary Medford, Francis Cole, 1012 S. 7th St. and Barbara Frisby, 1848 Woodstock St. have known me since I was married to the soldier. Adda Jones, 30 South Court, Mrs. Fannie Phillips, 72 Meeting Street, and the sister and nephew of the soldier, all of Providence, R.I. …
“When we were first married we lived at 1707 Olive St. for about five years and then moved to 1735 Beechwood St. and lived there for about four years and we were living there when we first applied for a pension.”
[Note: This deposition is signed with an “X” over ‘Grace Brownie.” — Leslie]

Deposition, Matilda Brownie, 4 January 1912
25 years old; “My occupation is teacher in the kindergarten”; residence, 10th and Laycock Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.
“I am the only living child of Simon and Grace Brownie. I have always lived with my parents. They have always lived together ever since I can remember… They always lived in Philadelphia except the last three years of his lifetime and they lived in Providence, R.I. My father died there on Oct. 19, 1910.
“I first heard that my father had been previously married when my half brother came on the visit us when I was seven or eight years old. I may have been older than that but I was not a young lady yet. I know that I was but a small girl and I heard Willie say that his mother was dead….
“The first time that I heard he was not divorced from his first wife was when I was at the office of Mr. Sickel and he told my mother and me. That was just this last summer and after the death of father….My half brother was called William Everett.”

Deposition, Frances Cole, 6 January 1912
49 years old; widow and keep house at 1012 S. 17th Street, Philadelphia, Pa.
“I was born and raised about three miles from Suffolk, Va. I left there when I was about 15 years of age and lived around Norfolk, Va. for four or five years and then came to this city and have lived here since 1877.
“Yes, I know Grace Brownie: I knew her when she was a child; she is a little older than I am. I have known her ever since I have lived here. She was not married when I first came to Philadelphia. She was here before I was.”

Deposition, Mary Medford, 6 January 1912
49 years old; “I am the wife of Alonzo Medford with whom I am not living”; residence, 202 S. Quince St., Philadelphia, Pa.
“I was born and raised in Suffolk, Va. and lived there until I was 13 years old and then came north to Camden, N.J. I was there a year or two and came over to Philadelphia, Pa. and have resided here since.

“I knew Grace Brownie in Suffolk, Va. Her maiden name was Grace Smith. She came to Philadelphia a few years after I did, as I remember it. It was about 1881 that I first saw her here. But I know that my sister sent her to look for me as my sister did not know where I was at….
“[The claimant] has one daughter living who is Maud.”

Deposition, Sarah L. Gibson, 6 January 1912
47 years old; “I am a widow and keep house at 86th and Lukens Ave., Philadelphia, Pa.”
“My maiden name was Sarah Louise Wright. I was born in Camden, N.J. and have lived in Camden and Philadelphia all my life.
“I knew Simon Brownie and his wife, Grace. I first met him a year or two before he was married to the claimant. They way I met him was that he came to the home of my mother to board on Cameo St. It was 627 Andress St then but it’s name has been changed to Cameo St.
“I do not know where he came from. I knew that he worked in a livery stable while he was boarding with us, for my father got him that job. He was a single man at that time. …
“He was married to Grace Smith in the house of my parents. I think I am mistaken about that: He was married in the home of the minister: I was her bridesmaid. I forget the name of the minister…. They were married some 27 or 28 years ago.

“I never knew his brother John. I never heard him say that he had a brother here…I have heard him speak of a sister in Providence, R.I. … The claimant is a splendid, nice, respectable woman.”

Deposition, David Copeland, 8 January 1912
59 years old; occupation, cleaning Pullman cars; post-office address, 1013 S. Bouvier St., Philadelphia, Pa.
“I first knew [Grace] in Suffolk, Va. … She came here when she was a young woman. I did not see her again until 1894 and then she was the wife of Simon Brownie. … I first met [Simon Everett] in Portsmouth, Va. He was working there in the Air Line House transferring freight. I worked in the same gang with him. .. He told me that his owner was Everett and his father was Brownie. … He told me he was raised in North Carolina. .. ”
“It was soon after the war that I met him in Portsmouth, Va. and I worked with him there about four years ago.

Deposition, Geo. H. Clark, 13 January 1912
47 years old; occupation, master of housework; address, 750 Dorrence St., Phila., Pennsylvania
“Yes, I know Grace Brownie. I knew her first, about a year or two before she was married to Simon Brownie, and I knew him too about the same time. We were all friends and associates at that time.
“I was the groomsman and Sarah Louisa Wright (now Gibson) was the bridesmaid. I witnessed the marriage ceremony.”

Questionnaire (Form 3-442), 13 June 1912

Name	Post-Office Address
Oscar Jubilee	98 Henry St., Norfolk, Va.
Wm. Purnell	59 Pine St.,Norfolk, Va.
Chas. Jones	12 Smith St, Norfolk, Va.
Peter Richardson	RFD #1, Norfolk, Va.
Wm. Reed	Soldiers’ Home
Ruffin Turner	415 E.R.R. Ave., Petersburg, Va.
Jacob Sugars	Felts, Southampton Co., Va.

Henry Smith

RFD #2, Hickory, Norfolk Co., Va

Deposition, Henrietta Joyner Cranshell, 8 March 1912
about 54 years old; post-office address, 7 Wheaton St., Providence, Rhode Island
“My first husband was J.M. Joyner. He got a bill from me and my present husband Daniel Cranshell. I had a brother Simon Everett who I think was born in Va. His first wife was Emma Everett and they were married in Portsmouth, Va. about a year after the war. They were married at mother’s home and I was at home and saw them married. I think they were married by the Baptist colored minister John Gordon. After their marriage they were together in in Portsmouth, Va. about ten years then they broke up housekeeping and came to Providence, R.I. After they had been here some two years I came to Providence, R. I. and they were living together here. They had two children from in Portsmouth, Va. Willie and Charlie. Charlie died before they came to Providence, R.I. and Willie came here with them and died here some three years ago. My brother Simon Everett and his first wife lived together her some two years then they had some falling out and he left her and went to Phila.”

Deposition, Hardy Everett, 8 March 1912
about 55 years; occupation, coachman; post-office address, 321 N. Main St., Providence, R.I.
“I had an uncle Simon Everett, my mother’s brother. I was born in North Carolina, Murfreesboro or near there. I went to Portsmouth, Va. and lived some eleven years. When  I went to Portsmouth, Va. my uncle Simon Everett just married Emma Riddick. After I had lived in Portsmouth, Va. for some eleven years I went to New London, Conn. and enlisted in the U.S. Navy where I served some ten years. I didn’t see Uncle Simon Everett during those ten years. I did not see him again until Providence, R.I. the last time with his wife Grace. I lived in same house with him on Wheaton St., with my aunt his sister up to the time of his death.”

Deposition, Amelia A. Jones, 7 June 1912
49 years old; wife of Rev. Chas. W. Jones; post-office address, Box 31, Suffolk, Va.
“I recognize the picture you have shown me as a picture of Simon Everett. I have a picture like it, have had it 35 or 40 years.
“Said Simon Everett was the husband of my sister Emma (Riddick). … My mother and father were named Ned and Sophia Riddick…. He deserted [Emma] some years before she died….Simon Everett was never known as Simon Brownie while I knew him.”

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Nixon Elliott, Company C

Shortly after the war ended, a woman was convicted of arson and sentenced to death. She served 16 years at the State Penitentiary at Richmond, Virginia before she received a gubernatorial pardon for good behavior. She married a Civil War veteran several years after her release.

 

Invalid — 470,210 / 509,663
Widow — 604,342 / —–, Martha Elliott

 

Disability Affidavit, Nixon Elliott, 28 September 1889
67 years old; residence, Kempsville, Princess Anne Co., Va.; post-office, Kempsville, Princess Anne Co., Va. … “farmer when I enlisted …  [since my discharge] I have resided in Norfolk Co. and Princess Anne Co. is the only change. …  [I contracted an injury] while moving a house at Getty Station, Norfolk Co., Va., March 1865. Frank Robinson was present and saw it … I never take medical treatment but wore trusal [sic] for eight months after discharge …”

 

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, Sandy Crag, 11 October 1889
residence, 247 Church St., Norfolk, Va. … “On or about April 1865 at Getty Station … I was present at the time of Nixson Elliott .
[Note: Document was date stamped by Pension Bureau — Leslie]

 

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, Cisero Hill, 11 October 1889
residence, 83 Newton St., Norfolk, Va.; post-office address, Kempsville, Princess Anne Co., Va. … “I was present at the time of Nixson Elliott became rupture on right side … I further state that his rupture contracted by moving a house and the same night … was treated by Manly the Surgeon Dr. … I further state that the claimant was discharged because he was not able to follow his regiment to Texas.”
[Note: Document was date stamped by Pension Bureau — Leslie]

 

Claimant’s Affidavit, Nixon Elliott, 4 December 1889
“I was discharged from the Hospital at Hampton, Va., 1865 … and I have never did any manual labor since I was discharged. But I do what I can for myself. But that is not much.
[Note: Document was date stamped by Pension Bureau — Leslie]

 

General Affidavit, Siserow Hill, 4 January 1890
50 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office, Kempsville, Princess Anne Co., Virginia …”I acknowledge that I no [sic] him and no [sic] something about his rupture on his right side, that he contracted in the U.S. Service near Getty Station, the county of Norfolk, the state of Virginia … I have been living as nabors [sic] ever since 1866  … Cicero [his mark] Hill …”

 

Claimant’s Affidavit, Nixon Elliott, 1 March 1890
67 years old; residence, Princess Anne Co., Virginia; post-office address, Kempsville, Virginia …. “I never had employed a doctor to attend me for my disease or these wounds because I was not able to. I alllways [sic] bought medicine from different advisors for my disease that I was discharged with from the hospital. I am suffering with that rupture of the right side …”

 

Marriage License (Virginia), Nixon Elliott & Martha Ford, 14 June 1892
69 years old and 40 years old, respectively; married 15 June 1892, Berkley, Va. Both had been widowed. The groom, a farmer, was born in Perquimans, NC to Pompey and Celia Robinson; he lived in Princess Anne Co., Va.  The bride was born in Norfolk Co., Va. to Jordan and Rena Miller; she lived in Princess Anne Co, Va.; the bride’s residence was not reported.  The couple was married at William Wilson’s house by J. Cuffey, Minister.”

 

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Martha Elliott, 7 August 1894
42 years old; residence, Kempsville, Princess Anne Co., Va.;   “… declares that she is the widow of Nixon Elliott, that the discharge of said Elliott has been lost and she is not informed where he enlisted or was discharged … [he] died August 13th 1893; That she was married under the name Martha Ford … on the 15th day of June 1892 by J. Cuffee, at Berkley, Va. … claimant’s former husband and deceased’s former wife being dead; That she has not remarried since the death of the said Nixon Elliott … Also personally appearing James Davis, residing at Kempsville, Va., and Preston Cooper, residing at Princess Anne C.H., Va. [acquainted with Martha Elliott] 5 years and 30 years, respectively … ”

 

Letter from George R. Gornto,168 Main St, Norfolk, Va. to Hon. Hoke Smith, Secretary of Interior, 12 October 1895
“On or about the year 1870, the said Martha Elliott was tried and convicted in the County Court of Norfolk County, State of Virginia, for Arson and her penalty was death.  Gov. Gilbert C. Walker then Governor commuted her sentence to life imprissonment [sic] in the State Penitentiary at Richmond, Va.  After serving 16 years, 4 months and 24 days, Governor Fitzhugh Lee then Governor, for good behavior pardoned her and set her at liberty.  When she was convicted she was the wife of one Jordan Ford.  After 10 years confinement in the Penitentiary, the said Jordan Ford married another woman by the advice of his lawyers thinking that he was lawfully without a wife.  After the said Martha Elliott was released from the Penitentiary about two years afterwards, she thinking and believing by advice of her Attorney, she marries one Nixon Elliott a soldier in the U.S. Army during the late War.  The same Nixon Elliott dies about two years after this marriage July 1894.  The petitioner Martha Elliott claims to be entitled to a Widows’s Pension from the soldier Nixon Elliott.

“It appears to me that under the said circumstances she is entitled to a Widow’s Pension.  The proceedings of the said trial can be furnished if desired.  The petitioner is prompted in making this appeal to your Honor by the advice of the Special Examiner of this Section.  Please give this petition your earliest attention so in the event you should decide against the petitioner she can apply for relief from Congress through her Senator Hon. John W. Daniel and Hon. D.G.Tyler – who has promised to have a Special Act passed for her relief.

“Trusting to receive a favorable response at an early date.”

 

Letter from Martha Elliott to Secretary of the Interior, 2 November 1894
“Dear Sir — If required I can produce the record of my trial from the Clerk of Norfolk County. I did not deem it proper to run myself to an additional expense in the matter so if you are not satisfied with the particulars just inform me and what evidence may be required will be cheerfully furnished. Yours etc, Martha Elliott”

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