Charles Ouvert, Company L***

This application is straightforward enough until the officer’s widow reveals family secrets and unconventional living arrangements. Events described in this lengthy pension file include residences in Florida, New Jersey, and New York; the Spanish-American War and World War I; and foreign nationals.

Today’s post includes research notes from documents dated 1927. Earlier posts included research notes from documents dated June 1892-April 1924 and research notes from documents dated 1925-1926.

Invalid — 465,488 / 834,526
Widow — 1,231,070 / —–, Caledonia Ouvert

Deposition, Caledonia Overt, 4 January 1927
“Q. Why are you known in New York as Caledonia Wheaton, and in Asbury Park as Caledonia Overt?
A. It became necessary for me to go to work while living in Asbury Park with the soldier and I started out as a dressmaker. I was recognized by the people who employed me as a white woman. One day at my place of employment someone asked me my name. I said Overt. Then that person said ‘Overt. I know some colored people here by that name. So to avoid all embarrassment after that I went by the name of Wheaton and then I came here to New York City to earn a living. I did not want it known that I was colored for I was afraid that it would make it more difficult for me to get the kind of work I could do and wanted to do.”

“I live alone … I teach piano playing and also rent one of my rooms. When I first came to New York I did dressmaking. Then I did draping and I have done all sorts of work. One time I was in an umbrella repair place and during the World War I was a ticket chopper [?] in the employ of the Interborough. I was first at the station at 155th Street and then at different stations along the line.
“John Mansfield [is my roomer] but he is in Brooklyn. He is a very young man … been here for the past 3 months. Before Mr. Mansfield came an Italian had the room. His name was Belsoni. I do not know what his first name is, and before Belsoni was here I had a young German whose name I do not remember. He was only here for 5 or 6 weeks. Before that I did not have anyone. …. Louis Dietz was a white man … [he was here for] something around eight years from January of last year … He is dead. He died here, right in this room, in January 1926. While Louis Dietz was here he was known as Louis Wheaton, He had a wife living but he did not live with here and to avoid all trouble when he came here he took the name of Wheaton … He died under that name and is buried in the Lutheran Cemetery in Brooklyn under that name …. I lived with him as his wife for about six years …. The soldier, did not, of course, know that Dietz and I were living together. I would go down to Asbury Park at different times during the year to see the soldier and my mother would stay a few days at a time. … I just had to make a living. [The soldier] was old and could not work and I had to do something so I came to New York where my chances were better. The soldier died in February 1925. At the time of his death I was living here with Dietz and was known as his wife but not as Mrs. Dietz. We were known as Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton. … I lived with Dietz as his wife until he died. … Dietz and I did not get married. How could we get married? He had a wife living and I had a husband living.”
“When I met Dietz he and his wife were living together in Asbury Park and they were neighbors of mine. …. I would not want it known any where that I lived with Dietz as his wife for it became known to Dietz’s son-in-law it would mean disgrace and perhaps considerable trouble for me. Dietz’s son-in-law and daughter live in Asbury Park and I do not want to have to tell you their names.”

Deposition, Caledonia Overt, 6 January 1927
“I told you my father was Frank Crawford. My father was a white man and his name was Francis Wheaton. He was a Justice of the Supreme Court of the state of Florida. I was born out of wedlock. Judge Wheaton was a Massachusetts man and he later moved to Florida and then he brought my mother and me down there. All this was when I was a little child. My mother and Judge Wheaton lived together in Jacksonville, Fla. and all told [sic], 5 children were born to my mother by Judge Wheaton. All are dead but me and my brother John and I have heard he is dead. The last I heard of him he lived in Peoria, Ills. My mother was married to a man named Hill before she met Judge Wheaton and Hill deserted my mother and she then went to live with Judge Wheaton. My mother for some reason carried the name of Walker and died under that name.”

Deposition, John A. Nelson, 6 January 1927
52 years old; post-office address, 325 West 15th Street, New York City
“I am a foreman in the employ of the Southern Pacific Railroad Company. I have known [the claimant] for about the past 6 years and I knew her husband the late Louis Wheaton …. I took my meals with Mr. and Mrs. Wheaton … since Mr. Wheaton died I have continued to take my meals here with the claimant”

Sworn Statement, Louis Schmerler, 27 April 1927
residence, Asbury Place, NJ
“has known Mrs. Caldeonia Overt … for sixteen years
[Note: The statement above is handwritten but the statement below is typed on the same paper — Leslie]
“O.R. Holters, MD, of full age … resides in the city of Asbury Park, NJ, and has known Mrs. Caldedonia Overt … for several years.”

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Charles Ouvert, Company L**

This application is straightforward enough until the officer’s widow reveals family secrets and unconventional living arrangements. Events described in this lengthy pension file include residences in Florida, New Jersey, and New York; the Spanish-American War and World War I; and foreign nationals.

Last week’s post included research notes from documents dated June 1892-April 1924. Today’s post includes research notes from documents dated 1925-1926. The final post includes research notes from documents dated 1927.

Invalid — 465,488 / 834,526
Widow — 1,231,070 / —–, Caledonia Ouvert

Death Certificate, Charles Overt, 26 February 1925
[place of death] 1218 Washington St., Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey
[name] Charles Overt
[residence] 1218 Washington St., Asbury Park, Monmouth County, New Jersey; 25-year resident in the city
[sex / color / status] male / white / married
[wife’s name] Calectonia Walker
[age] about 76
[occupation] retired
[birthplace] Cairo, NY
[parents’ names and birthplaces] unknown
[informant] Calectonia Overt, 1249 Washington St.
[death date] February 26, 1925
[attended deceased] Feb 1, 1925- Feb 26, 1925
[cause of death / contributory] ruptured aneurysm – abdominal / hemorrhage
[physician] O.R. Holters, MD, Asbury Park, NJ
[burial] Mt. Prospect Cemetery
[burial date] March 1, 1925
[undertaker] David B. Reidy, Asbury Park, NJ

Sworn Statement (Form 3-289a), Celedonia Overt, 5 October 1926
53 years old
“I have no middle name … 52 Eighth Avenue, New York City, is my temporary address. My permanent address is 1218 Washington Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey. My occupation is teaching music and doing dressmaking. I teach the piano. In New York City I lived with a Mrs. Clara Wheaton. I live there off and on during the year….. I did not serve in the World War in any capacity. My husband did not serve in the World War in any capacity and I did not have any relative serve in the World War in any capacity. My parents are dead. My father was Frank Crawford. My mother was Harriet Walker. I was born in Worcester, Mass., January 14, 1873. I have no brothers and I have no sisters. I had two brothers who died in Florida many years ago. My brothers are not survived by any widows or children. I may have some distant relatives somewhere in Florida but what their names are and where they live I do not know and I have never known. I was born in Worcester, Mass., and my parents moved to Jacksonville, Fla., and we lived there until I was about ten or twelve years of age and then we moved to Paltka, Florida, and left there when I was about sixteen years old and went back to Jacksonville. When I was about 19 years old the family moved to Pablo Beach, Florida, and we were living there when I married the soldier. At Pablo Beach there were no churches or justices of the peace so we were married in Jacksonville which is very near to Pablo Beach. The soldier’s parents must be dead. I never knew them and I have no knowledge whatever concerning them. I do not know the names of his parents. The soldier has no living relatives. He had brothers and sisters but they are all dead. I was present at the burial of two of his sisters who were the last of his family. They were both single when they died. The soldier had no cousins, nephews or nieces living. I do not know of a relative in the world he has living. The soldier was born in Cairo, New York, on February 13, 1845. So far as I know … he lived all of his young life at Cairo, NY, and in that vicinity. I met him at Pablo Beach, Fla., and I think he had been there for 5 or 6 years before I met him. The only persons I have ever heard of who knew my husband before I did is a man named Gibbs and a woman named Miss or Mrs. McBeam. They both lived in Asbury Park, NJ, but I cannot find Mr. Gibbs. … I do not know his first name. He was a very old man the last time that I saw him and that has been two years ago. I do not know where he lived there… He used to come to our house. Mrs. Grace Holliman of 1219 Washington Avenue, Asbury Park, knew him and perhaps she might know more about him than I know whether Mr. Gibbs is living or deas … Miss McBeam also lives on Washington Avenue, Asbury Park, New Jersey.”

“The soldier and I were married at Jacksonville, Florida, on October 19, 1893. We were married by the Rev. Jos. A. Brown, Rector of St. Philip’s Church, at a friend’s residence … I have never given birth to a child or children …. The soldier died at Asbury Park, NJ, on February 26, 1925…. Since the soldier has been dead I have divided my time between Asbury Park and New York City. I have lived only at Mrs. Wheaton’s where I am now in New York City, and in Asbury Park, I take a room at Grace Holliman’s at 1218 Washington Avenue, and then I also stop at Mrs. Schmerler, at 110 Euclid Avenue. Lock Harbor, New Jersey … I knew the soldier’s sisters.”

“At the close of the Spanish American War the soldier and I moved from Jacksonville, Florida, to Asbury Park, NJ, and we made Asbury Park our home until he died.”

Deposition, Richard Gibbs, 8 November 1926
about 71 years old; residence, 121 West 134th St., New York City
“I formerly lived at Asbury Park, New Jersey. My occupation has always been a hotel waiter. I have known this claimant … for about the past 30 years. When I first met the claimant she was in Asbury Park living with Charles Overt as his wife. …. I knew Overt since 1882. I then met him on Staten Island but lived in New York City. He was from Poughkeepsie, NY. He had two sisters there and they died there. He has no sisters living now and he has no relative living that I know of. … About five years after I met Overt he went down to Florida. He went down there with a hotel man named Dick and he was down there for some years and then he came up from Florida and settled in Asbury Park, and lived there until his death… The only wife he ever had was the woman whom he married in Florida. Her name was Walker before he married her. When the claimant came here to New York to live Overt lived with her mother, a Mrs. Walker until she died. Mrs. Walker died about 2 years before Overt died and after Mrs. Walker died then Overt got some man to come there and live with him and to look out for him. … I know his name but I can’t think of it now. …. I last saw the claimant at the funeral of Mr. Overt and have not seen her since.”

Deposition, Grace E. Holimon, 4 December 1926
43 years old; residence, 1218 Washington Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
“I am the wife of Isaac T. Holiman, a painter. I have known this claimant … for more than the past 24 years and I knew her husband the same length of time. When I met [them] they were living together here in Asbury Park … They lived in the same house with me for a while and then we bought the place and they moved just a few doors down the street. … She was employed in some chocolate factory in Philadelphia and she would come down here at different seasons, most at holidays.”

Deposition, Mary F. McBean, 4 December 1926
64 years old; residence, 1261 Washington Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
“I am the widow of Florence L. McBean. I first met Mr. Charles Overt … about 1884. He was then delivering coal in New York City in the neighborhood where I lived and he was known as the old bach….He was well along in years at that time. … I came here in 1888 and Overt was there when I left. I did not see him again until about 1894 or 1895, when he came in my restaurant at Asbury Park, New Jersey. ,,, Shortly after that he brought Mrs. Walker to my restaurant and he introduced her as his mother-in-law and in all that time I never saw his wife. I understood that his wife lived in New York City.”

Deposition, C. Virginia Baker, 4 December 1926
40 years old; residence 1233 Washington Avenue, Asbury Park, NJ
“I am the wife of Charles Henry Baker, a hodcarrier. I have known [this claimant] for the past seven years, but I knew her husband … longer than I knew the claimant. …. Mr. Overt was like a saint and he never said one word against the claimant.”

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Charles Ouvert, Company L*

This application is straightforward enough until the officer’s widow reveals family secrets and unconventional living arrangements. Events described in this lengthy pension file include residences in Florida, New Jersey, and New York; the Spanish-American War and World War I; and foreign nationals.

Today’s post includes research notes from documents dated June 1892-April 1924. Future posts will include research notes from documents dated 1925-1926 and research notes from documents dated 1927.

Invalid — 465,488 / 834,526
Widow — 1,231,070 / —–, Caledonia Ouvert

Claimant’s Affidavit, Charles Overt, 29 June 1892
residence, Pablo Beach, Duvall County, Florida
“Injury to left leg breaking same; also injury to left wrist … about four years ago he broke his left leg and sustained an injury to wrist by falling from scaffold while painting in city of NY”

Marriage License, Charles Overt and Caledonia Walker, 18 October 1893
Groom, 41 years old; bride, 21 years old. Married 10 October 1893 by Joseph A. Brown, Rector

Application for Invalid Pension, Charles Overt, 7 March 1907
62 years old; residence, Asbury Park, Monmouth County, NJ; post-office address, 918 Asbury Ave., Asbury Park, NJ, Monmouth Co., NJ
“enrolled at Kingston, NY … on the 14 day of March, 1865, as a Corporal in Co L, 1st US Colored Cavalry Vols… honorably discharged … 4 February 1866 … that he was born 14 day of Feby one thousand eight hundred and 45”
“Also personally appeared Roderick S. Cottene, residing at Asbury Park, NJ and Samuel G. Kelley, residing at Asbury Park, NJ … [acquainted with claimant] 25 years and 26 years respectively”

Letter from Charles Overt to Commissioner of Pensions, 5 September 1918
“I cannot produce any birth certificates nor any family record … I was born in the Town of Saugerties in the in the [sic] County of Ulster, New York State.
That I lived there with my parents who are dead years ago, and that I lived there with my parents during the years from 1850 to 1860, inclusive. I was always told that I was born in 1846, but what day or month I am not able to positively state.”
“The name of my father was Peter Overt
Mother’s Name was Mary Overt
Sisters were Elizabeth, Catherine, Mary, and Julia Overt
Brother [sic] Name Giles Overt“

Letter from [illegible] Rogers, Director, Bureau of the Census, Department of Commerce to Commissioner of Pensions, 5 October 1918
“I have below data secured from the Census records of 1850 and 1860

Town of Saugerties, Ulster Co., NY, enumerated Aug 23, 1850
Name Age Place of birth
Peter Overt 43 NY
Mary ” 43 “
Chas E ” 6 “
Giles ” 4 “
Julia ” 1 “

Town of Saugerties, Ulster Co., NY, enumerated June 18, 1860
Name Age Place of birth
Peter S. Overt 52 NY
Mary ” 52 “
Charles ” 15 “
“

Declaration for Pension, Charles Overt, 12 April 1924
78 years old; residence, 1218 Washington Ave., Asbury Park, Monmouth Co., NJ
“enrolled at Ulster Co., New York … 14 March 1865 as a Corporal … occupation was farmer … that he was born 1846 … since leaving the service he has resided at 1218 Washington Ave., Asbury Park, NJ and his occupation has been carpenter”

Sworn Statement, Charles Overt, 19 April 1924
“Confined at his residence, 1218 Washington Ave. and who solemnly swears that he has been confined to his bed since Feby 27th, 1924 and that Dr. O.R. Holters of 513 Second Ave., Asbury Park, NJ has been attending him since that time.”

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Robert Outten, Company L

This soldier was born in Accomack County, Virginia and grew up in Norfolk, Virginia. After the war he drove a buggy for a Congressman and lived in New York for a time. Robert Outten’s father James worked as a boatman for the Custom House and was well-known to many.  One of the witnesses described their duties as company buglers. Most witnesses lived in Hampton Roads; others were deposed in Arkansas, Mississippi, and New York. Mentioned but not deposed was a comrade who’d settled in Washington, DC.

Mother — 565, 334 / —-, Susan Outten

 

Deposition, Susan Outten, 16 August 1893
“66 years old; cook; residence, 23 Magazine Lane, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia … “Robert Outten (he claimant calls it ‘Ootten’) was the son of James Outten my husband. I cannot say when James Outten and I commenced to live together but it was over fifty years ago near Onancock, Accomack Co., Va. I belonged to Col. John (?) Finney and John  Outten belonged to John Wise. They both lived near to Nancock [sic], Va. James Outten, my husband has been dead about twelve years I think. He died here in Norfolk, Va. He and I always lived together as man and wife from the time we went together until the time he died. I had six children by James Outten: Robert, Henry, John, Ben, Howard, and another who died at the age of about six weeks. The other children lived to be grown but are all dead but Howard. He lives here in town. Ben has been dead longer than nine years but I don’t know how much longer. Henry died before Ben. I don’t know when he died but he was 17 years old when he died. John died in New York but I don’t know when he died. I don’t know when Robert died but it has been a long time, about seventeen years, I suppose. Robert, the soldier, died with me here in Norfolk, Va. in Magazine Lane.”

“Robert was never married and had no children. He worked at little jobs about town and drove a buggy for Dr. Verdi after the war. Dr. Verdi went north somewhere. This working for Dr. Verdi was before the war and while he was a boy. He did not work for anyone or at anything after the war because he was not able, he was sick.

“My husband worked about the wharves here on boats and at the custom-house. Robert died before my husband. My husband was working at the custom-house until his last illness. His death was caused by cold. His lungs were affected. I suppose my other boys as well as my husband died from cold.  No Robert did not do anything for my support since the war because he was sick. His father supported him since the war. While Robert was in the army he sent me ten dollars once.”

“My husband bought a house. I don’t know how much he gave for it. The house was burnt last October. Yes the house was paid for. I own a small house now — two rooms — and the lot on which it stands on Magazine Lane, Norfolk, Va. The two-room house cost me about $100. That house and lot is the only property I have had since the war except the other house built on the same lot.”

“I do not know how long we had lived in Norfolk when Robert went into the Army but he was living here when he went into the army. Robert was born on the Eastern Shore and worked on a farm…. During my husband’s lifetime he supported me. He worked and got wages and was a lame man. He broke his thigh before the war at a saw mill and that made him lame.”

 

Deposition, Peter Fuller, 17 August 1893
51 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, Brown St., No. 1, Norfolk, Va… “I have known Susan Outten for 25 or 30 years. I got acquainted with Susan Outten and her husband John Outten in 1857. I think his first name was John but I am not certain….I got acquainted with Robert Outten during the war. I served in Co. G 1 USC Cavalry from Jany 4 or 5 1865 to 1863 to Mch 1866. I met Robert Outten first at Getty Station, Va. There Outten got sick [Brazos Santiago] and was left somewhere and it was sometime before we got home after discharge….He used to go out with his father in the custom-house boat and he would get tired and have to be carried home. His father was captain of the custom-house boat here at Norfolk 12 or 15 years.”

“I don’t think Robert was ever able to contribute anything to his mother’s support after the war. I don’t think that after that time he ever earned his board but was an expense to his parents.”

“I don’t know how many children claimant had and I don’t think there was but two living when Robert died. One child must have been born since Robert died. …I was not present at Robert’s death or the death of his father. I think I was at the funeral of both of them….He served under the name of Robert Outten but I know I used to call him Robert Houton and most everyone did too….There is some things in those affidavits that I did not say: I was not a pallbearer and I never knew Robert from the age of 4 or 5 as there stated.”

 

Deposition, William T. Webb, 18 August 1893
41 years old; Deputy Collector, Customs House, Norfolk, Va…. “I was acquainted with James H. Outten for 13 or fourteen years prior to his death which occurred, as shown by the records of the Customs Collector office May 24, 1883. He worked under the Collector of Customs at this place as Master Boatman from sometime in 1870 to the date of his death. I have been connected with the Collectors Office twenty-one years and knew Jas. H. Outten all the time that he was at work for the office. His salary for the first few years was $40 per month then it was subsequently raised to $50 per month and that was the salary he was getting at the time of his death.”

“I knew Robert Outten first about 1872 up to the time of his death….When I first knew him he was a driver for Col. Platt who was a member of Congress from this district about 1869 to 1875. I do not know where Col. Platt is but somewhere out West…. I do know that [Susan Outten] was taking in washing the most of the time that her husband was working here at the Customs House.”

 

Deposition, Howard Outten, 18 August 1893
about 30 years old; laborer; residence, 23 Magazine Lane, Norfolk, Va. … “I am the son of James H. Outten and Susan Outten and the brother of Robert Outten who was in the late war but I don’t remember what company and regiment he was in. I was living at home with my mother and father when Robert died … I was a good big boy, big enough to knock around and do certain things such as open oysters and salt crabs but I was not engaged in any steady employment. I had two big brothers John and Ben, who were living at the time of Robert’s death. They were both older than I.

“Robert for driving for Col. Platt when he lived here at one time, then he went to New York and Robert went with him. I don’t know how long Robert had been gone but he came back from New York sick and he lingered along seven or eight months I suppose before he died … Dr. Tunstall attended him and also Dr. Grineer [sp?]. Dr. Grineer [sp?] is dead….Robert was a coachman and worked at that altogether after the war as far as I remember, but he went away to New York. I guess altogether Robert was away from here in New York about thirteen years. The last time he went away he was gone two years.”

“When my brother Robert died my father and mother owned a lot 35 by 110 feet in Magazine Lane, this city, on which they had a house. Last October the house was burnt but since that I have built a two-room house on the lot. My mother owns the lot during her life and then it goes to me.”

“Yes, my brothers Ben and John contributed to my mother support along about the time of Robert’s death. John died in New York and I don’t know the cause of his death. The doctors said Ben had pneumonia at the time of his death.

 

Deposition, John Guy, 28 August 1893
63 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, 42 Liberty St., Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va….”I served during the late war in Co G 1 USC Cavly from Jany 1864 to Feby 7, 1866….I saw a right smart of him [Outten] in service and he seemed to be in hospital a good deal, rheumatism or something. He was mighty bad off, I knew that….I saw Robert Outten at Bermuda Hundreds, City Point, and Chesterfield Co., Va….. I can’t tell what he worked at after the war but I heard tell that he worked around the market here and at other things that he could get to do. I thought he was consumpted [sic] as he always had a dreadful cough.”

 

Deposition, Jonathan Sampson, 31 August 1893
about 59 years old; occupation, huckster; residence, 21 Magazine Lane, Norfolk, Va. “I have been acquainted with Susan Outten(I call the name Hooten) nearly forty years. I knew her husband James Outten and her son Robert Outten. James Outten and his family and I lived in Magazine Lane a street not over 200 yards long at the close of the war and we live in the same street now and have ever since the war. …{Robert] died of what everyone, as well as myself, considered consumption. I think Robert has been dead about 18 years. He was a coachman for a while for Col. Platt. I do not know whether he went away from here after the war or not. I cannot recall now that I knew Robert from the other boys of the family prior to the war.”

 

Deposition, John Boush, 25 September 1893
about 51 years old; occupation, dockman; residence, 6 Hull Street, Norfolk, Va….”I have known Susan Outten for about 20 years or more. I knew her husband but I don’t remember his first name.
“I knew Robert Outten in the army. I was in Co G…I knew Robert Outten before he went into the army. I enlisted in 1863 and served something over two years….Robert Outten had a cough and was kind of sickley [sic] before he went into service. …. You misunderstood me. I did not know Robert before the war. I got acquainted with him before enlistment but during the war. I had simply seen him before enlistment but I had no acquaintance with him. I don’t know whether Robert had a cough before enlistment or not….I came back to Norfolk and staid [sic] here two or three years after the war and then I went out in the country on Tanners Creek and I staid [sic] there five or six years I think before I came back to Norfolk, Va. I don’t know what Robert Outten worked at after the war.”

 

Deposition, John Brickhouse, 10 May 1894
48 years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, P.O.  #7 Salter Street, Norfolk, Va. … “I enlisted at Eastville, Va. in Jan. I think of 1864 in Co. A of the 10th USC Vol Infantry and served as a private until mustered out in May 1866 at Galveston, Texas. We then came to City Point, Va. & were discharged. From discharge till this day I have lived here in Norfolk, Va.
“I never knew anyone by the name of Robert Outten or Robert Houton. I once knew a man who used to work in the employ of the Custom House here, as a boatman, named John Outten. I knew him tolerably well but was not acquainted with any of his family.”

 

Deposition, London Hurdle, 10 May 1894
63 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, Lamberts Point, Virginia …” No, sir, I do not remember any member of the 1 USC Vol Cav by name of Robert Outten or Hooten. I don’t remember what company I was a member of in service. I am positive I never knew Robert Outten before service, nor during service. I have never known anyone by the name since service. I never heard of James Outten nor of Susan Outten anyplace, not even in Norfolk where I have been living ever since my discharge in Mch 1866.”

 

Clerk’s Office of the Corporation Court of the City of Norfolk, Virginia, 10 May 1894
“…[It] appears from the Record of Deaths of the City of Norfolk, filed in my office, that Robert Outten departed this life on the 23rd day of May 1875, aged 26 years; That the cause of death was consumption; That the death was reported by Susan Outten and occurred at Magazine Lane…”

 

Deposition, Susan Outten, 11 May 1894
nearly 67 years old; occupation, cook; residence, 23 Magazine Lane, Norfolk, Va….”In my statement of last August, the person named as Jno. Sanford is Jonathan Sampson & lives next to my house. I know no one named John Sanford. Jonathan Sampson is the one I referred to in my former statement. …There was a comrade of [Robert’s] named James Brooks but where he can be found I cannot say. I don’t know whether he lives here or not. …Witnesses: Delia Sampson, Louisa Sampson.”

 

Deposition, James Brooks, 11 May 1894
53 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, 38 Bottimore St., Norfolk, Va. …”During the late war I served as a corporal in Co. “f” of the 1st USC Vol Cav…. Yes, I once knew a man by the name of Robert Outten. I first met him while I was in the army. He enlisted I think along about 1865. I don’t remember what company of our regiment he belonged to. I know he was in my regiment however as I knew him while we were both in service. He was about my color (mulatto) and about six feet in height. … He and I were discharged together and came to Norfolk, Va. right after discharge and I knew him from then till his death. I knew his father during the war. His name was James Outten and his mother’s name was Susan Outten. I met these parents in about Sept 1864 when we returned here to do garrison duty. I did not know till after the war that Robert Outten of my regiment was son of James & Susan Outten. After I was discharged & from then till Robert Outten died, I used to see Robert Outten with his father James Outten ‘many & many a time.’ His father was employed for ten or fourteen years in the custom house here till he died. … I have heard both John and Susan Outten both say he was their son. Moreover he ‘had that same big mouth just like Susan Outten has and anyone can tell by looking at him that he was our son.'”

 

Deposition, Dr. Alexander Tunstall, 14 May 1894
51 years old; occupation, physician; post-office address, Norfolk, Va. … “I once knew a man by the name of Robert Outten in a professional way only. My books show that I visited him on several occasions but I am unable to state what the nature of his sickness was. My books do not show the nature of such sickness nor the character of prescriptions. The books show my last visit as May 17/75. Further than this I do not remember the case in question. I remember merely that one of the boys in the Outten family in Magazine Lane, this city, had consumption, I think, but whether he died from such consumption, or whether his name was Robert Outten I cannot say.”

 

Deposition, John L. White, 17 May 1895
50 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, Red Fork, Desha Co., Arkansas … “I served during the late war as 1st Bugler, Co. L 1st USCCC. I well remember Robert Houten as a member of my company. He was the Second Bugler of my company…. I was mustered out of the service in the fall of 1865 and I left Houten with the company. It was down on the Rio Grande that we were camped when I left the company. I camped and slept with Hooten in service and up to the time I left there I have no recollection of any disease or disability with which he was affected. … Robert was not married. We were play boys together in Norfolk, Va. I think I knew his mother but I can’t call her name.”

 

Deposition, Daniel Keys, 3 September 1895
50 years old; residence and post-office address, 782 Main St., Buffalo, Erie Co., NY… “I am janitor of public school no. 17, City of Buffalo, NY. I have lived in Buffalo, NY over seven years. I enlisted in Co. L, 1st USC Cav, Feby 21, 1865 and was discharged Feby 4, 1866 at Brazos Santiago, Texas. I remember Robert Outten, he was bugler of our company. I knew him very well, he was sick at Brazos Santiago, Texas late in the fall of 1865. We were in barracks at that place and working to build the railroad from Brazos Santiago to Riogrand [sic] and often were prevented from returning to our camp because of the rise in the water. A great many of our Regt. died at this place and others were sick. I remember distinctly that Robert Outten our bugler was sick with diarrhea and a very bad cold. He could hardly speak for several days he was so hoarse, and coughed badly, our surgeon Dr. Gray, treated Robert and when we were discharged, he had not recovered from said cough. I stayed at City Point, Va. while Robert went down to Norfolk, Va. and I have not seen him since we were discharged. Our other bugler Archie Singleton and Archie bunked with Robert part of the time. I also bunked with Archie Singleton for a while. Robert Outten bunked also with Corpl Noah Carter, and Sgt Brown. I don’t know where they are as I have not seen or heard from them since our discharge. I assisted our Regtl Com Sgt while at Brazos Santiago, Texas. Our hospital steward was Henry Johnson. He lived on Meridian Hill, Washington, DC about one year ago. I think he will remember Robert Outten as he was quite young and a favorite in our company.”

 

Letter from A.B. Singleton to Mr. F.T. Maurice, Special Examiner, Bureau of Pensions, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 8 November 1895
“I knew [Robert Outten] very well. He acted as Bugler in my Company L. I don’t know anything about his disabilities but he was excused from duty several times at Brazos Santiago, Texas — But the cause I do not know.”

 

Deposition, A.B. Singleton, 21 January 1896
51 years old; occupation, cook; residence, Triumph Plantation and post-office address, Maxine, Miss….”I was a bugler… I served under the name of Arch Singletary from the early part to nearly the end of the year 1865.”
“I remember a man named Robert Outten who was Second Bugler in my Company. We bunked together during most of my service. I was not acquainted before the war with him and we have not met since I was mustered out. I don’t know the names of his parents or where he was from or any of his history prior to the time I met him in the army.
“At Brazos Santiago, Texas, I knew him to fail to go on duty several times but I don’t know what was the nature of his disability. He was never off duty for a long period at a time as we did not have much hard duty to do. The only duty the buglers did was to stay at headquarters to blow calls. There was twenty-two of us and each stood duty one day at a time. The other days we were off while there. We were not exposed to the weather at any time…During my service as bugler, buglers saw no hard service whatever. Bob was not a stout boy but rather delicate…. Bob was thin and might have had a bad cough or some disease of the lungs while in the service but if he did I know nothing of it. If he did I would have noticed it. …There were four of us slept in the same tent, Sgt Brown, Pvt Anton, Hooten, and myself, but I don’t remember that any of them were sickly. I knew Bob very well. We practiced together on our bugles every day and we were very intimate.”

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