Charlie Williams, Company K

This soldier enlisted in Buffalo, New York but settled in Louisiana after the war. He stated that before his enlistment he was a “plantation laborer.”

Invalid — 998,025 / —–

Declaration for Pension, Charlie Williams, 20 September 1890
52 years old; residence, Bunkie, Avoyelles, Louisiana
“Also personally appeared Peter Hubbard residing at [illegible] and George Smith, residing at Evergreen … acquaintance with him for about 20 years and about 20 years, respectively”

Claimant’s Affidavit, Charlie Williams, 25 July 1892
55 years old; post-office address, Bunkie, La
“I have not served in the military or naval service ince 1866 Dec 25th”

General Affidavit, Charlies Williams, 9 August 1894
59 years old
“I cannot hold my head down to work. I am deaf in my left ear. And lossed [sic] my middle finger on left hand caused by [illegible] bite.”

Letter from Mrs Dicie Williams, Bunkie, Louisiana to Pension Bureau, Washington, DC, 6 December 1894
“[Charles Williams] enlisted in Buffalo, NY and discharged in Texas rec’d his discharge papers & Bounty in New Orleans, La. and can prove that he is sufficiently disabled according to law to recieve [sic] a pension has been examined by the US Special Examiner of Natchez, Miss.”

Declaration of Pension, Charlie Williams, 20 May 1898
68 years old; residence, Bunkie, Avoyelles, Louisiana
“That prior to his enlistment as above he was of good, sound physique, being when enrolled a plantation laborer; that since his discharge as above he has resided in the state of Louisiana, his occupation being that of a farmer”
“Also personally appeared, Ernest Pitts, residing in Cottonport, La. and Allen Roth residing at Cottonport, La … their acquaintance with him for 12 and 15 years, respectively”

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Robert Winn, Company F

The soldier lost his right foot and was unable to do much manual labor. The injury helped distinguish his identity from a soldier with the same (or a similar) name. Another valuable identifier was the soldier’s year of death. Two items of interest: (1) the Pension Bureau was beginning to take a serious look at the attorney whose fraudulent practices abused veterans and their beneficiaries; (2) one of the deponents reported service at Fort Fisher, North Carolina or the Bluff near Richmond, Virginia.

Widow — 661,953 / —–, Polly Winn

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension, Robert Winn, 5 Augustt 1891
49 years old; residence, Petersburg, Virginia; post-office address, 15 Marl St, Petersburg, Virginia
“enrolled on the 15 day of June, 1864, Company F, 5th Regiment of Ohio, CI [Colored Infantry] Vol in the War of the Rebellion and served at least ninety days and was honorably discharged at Brazos Santiago, Texas on the 4th day of of Feb 1866, that he is disabled for earning his support by manual labor by reason of the lost [sic] of the right foot and [illegible] disease”
“Also personally appeared, Joshua Jones, residing at Prince George o, Va. and Elijah Taylor, residing at Prince George Co, Va.”

Deposition, R. Bagnall Jr, 3 August 1895
38 years old; occupation. student; residence and post-office address, 49 Lee St, Huntersville, Norfolk, Va
“formerly a NP ]Notary Public] in this city”

Deposition, Joshua Jones, 22 May 1895
about 50 years old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, Petersburg, Va
“I do not know any man named Robert Winn, have never known any man of that name … I never knew any man in my neighborhood who lost a right foot … I have never known any man named Winn in Petersburg, Va.”

Deposition, Elijah Taylor, 22 May 1895
about 62 yeas old; occupation, farmer; post-office address, Prince George County, Va.
“I knew a Robert Winn some years ago, he lived in Petersburg, Va.near there in Blandford …
“I have not seen him for 15 years … The Robt Winn that I knew near Petersburg had not lost his right foot while I knew him.”
“I also knew another Robt Winn who was a member of my Co and Regt. I have not seen him since he was wounded at Ft Fisher, NC or the Bluff near Richmond.”

Deposition, Frances L. Herbert, 25 May 1895
about 29 years old; occupation, househkeeper; post-office address, 225 Pink Alley, Petersburg, Va
“I was well acquainted with Robert Winn, he called my house, his home while he lived. He lived in the same house with me on Mars St, this city, in 1891, the number of the house was 26. People call the street Marl Street also. No he never lived No. 15 said street. … The said Robert WInn died in Dec 1892 in this city … his death took place about the last of Dec 1892. He was never married to my knowledge.”

Deposition, Robert Wheeler, 27 May 1895
about 58 years; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 211 Queen St, Norfolk, Va
“I do not know any man named Robert Winn … I cannot write my name and never could write it … I do not know any other Robert Wheeler, except my son whose name is Robt T Wheeler.”

Deposition, Robert T Wheeler, Jr, 27 May 1895
about 24 years old; occupation, book agent; post-office address, 214 Queen St, Norfolk, Va
“I do not know nor have I ever known any man named Robert Winn … I know of no other Robert Wheeler in or about Norfolk, Va or anywhere else, except my father, who cannot write his name.”

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Willis Warren, Company E

Those who supported this widow’s application for pension benefits had known the couple before their marriage and lived nearby the couple in northeastern North Carolina. The veterans had built a small home post-discharge but his widow’s financial situation was dire.

Widow — 652,547 / 550,126, Harriet Warren

General Affidavit, Edmond W. Whidbee, 31 July 1897
45 years old; post-office address, Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina
“Live about 3 or 400 years from Harriet Warren. Have known her since the war. Know when she and WIllis Warren were married — Jany 1882. …. I was present when he died & helped to put him in his coffin & was at his funeral — he died Mch 14, 1897 … have known Willis Warren since 1875 … [Harriet] owns & lives in a lot in Edenton 30 x 40 ft one story wood building with 2 rooms. She has no means of support other than her daily labor owning nothing but a little house furniture.”

General Affidavit, John W. Scott, 6 August 1897
45 years old; post-office address, Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina
“For several years I lived about 200 yards from the claimant and none of the time over 1/4 mile from her, see her every week, have known of them for 25 or 30 years … I remember when they were married …I helped put him in the coffin & bury him … he bought a piece of land 30 X 40 ft & built a single story house with two rooms & cook room attached”

General Affidavit, Harriet Warren, 20 August 1897
58 years old; post-office address, Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina
“My husband bought a piece of land on Gale Street, Edenton, North Carolina … on which he borrowed some money to pay for the building”

General Affidavit, Mozella White, 5 December 1899
45 years old; post-office address, Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina
“I was present when Willis Warren & Harriet Warren were married Jany 12, 1882.”

General Affidavit, Helen Blair, 5 December 1899
44 years old; post-office address, Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina
“Have known Harriet Warren since 1866. Was present when she was married to Willis Warren Jany 12, 1882”

Sworn Statement, W.D Pruden, 23 July 1900
“This is to certifiy that on Monday, February 19th, 1900 by virtue of a Deed of Trust executed to me by Willis Warren & wife, Harriet, on the 29th day of August, 1888, I sold the house and lot conveyed in the said Deed of Trust and the sum realized by me at said sale was One Hundred & Fifty Dollars ($150.00)”

Sworn Statement, L.D. Byrons, Register of Deeds, Chowan County, NC, 9 January 1903
“This is to certify … were married by Rev George W. Lee, Baptist Minister”

Sworn Statement, H.B. Simpson, 28 February 1903
65 years old; post-office address, Edenton, NC
“Have known Willis & Harriet Warren for 30 years, knew both of them before they were married, lived in 5 or miles of them, saw him once or twice a month”

Sworn Statement, Samuel Felton, 3 March 1903
60 years old; post-office address, Ednton, NC
“Have known WIllis Warren about 35 years. Knew him before he married Harriet Warren … I can’t state the time they were married but I remember the occasion … I used to visit their home frequently before & after marriage … I was at his home the night he died & was at his funeral which was in March 1896 … [Harriet] is blind in one eye & infirm & past laabor. She has no income”

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Major Warren, Company A

Born enslaved in Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina, the soldier suffered serious internal injuries when his horse fell on him during a drill. He was in pain until his death in 1926 at age 82. He was predeceased by his wife and several of his 11 children.

Invalid — 1,044,928 / 993,810

[Government Form] Major Warren, 21 September 1891
47 years old
“on or about the 15 day of July 1864, he was damaged inwardly by horse falling on him while drilling, was confined to bed for about a week before I went on duty again — since I came home I have been attended by physician at times for it — I suffer from pains in my back, kidneys & sides.
“That he was treated in hospitals as follows: The doctor of the regiment attended me in the Regiment Hospital … That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the county of Chowan in the state of NC, and that his occupation has been that of a farmer. That prior to his entry into the service … being when enrolled a farm laborer.”

Questionnaire (illegible), Major Warren, 20 September 1897
[married] Rebecca Warren - Rebecca Wright
[when, where, by whom] about Dec 25, 1868 in Chowan County by Joseph Pratt, Justice of the Peace
[record] “license record in Register of Deeds office Chowan Co”
[previously married] no
[living children] “I have 11 children (two dead, 9 living). My youngest Nicy, 4 years old, next one Lula, 7 yrs old – next one Eldora about 16 years old — I have their ages put down at home but is not convenient for me to get”

General Affidavit, Jackson Wright & Henderson Bond, 26 August 1899
[Wright] 50 years old; residence, near Edenton, NC, Chowan County, NC; post-office address, Edenton, NC
[Bond] 58 years old; residence, near Edenton, NC, Chowan County, NC; post-office address, Edenton, NC
“That they and each of them lives within one mile of Major Warren & have lived not over that distance from him since Sept 22, 1897 … They have been to his home & seen him unable to help himself even to a cup of water … that there is light work like weeding cotton that he might be able to do if he could see well enough to get out the grass & not cut up the plants”

Questionnaire (Form 3-493), Major Warren, 25 August 1898
[residence, post-office] near Edenton, NC; Edenton, NC
[residence after discharge] “Lived here in Chowan County, NC, near Edenton, NC ever since I was discharged from service”
[occupation since discharge] farm laborer
[known by a different name in service] “No. Some call me Major Nixon after my father, since the war”

Questionnaire, Major Warren, 2 June 1915 (date stamped by Pension Office)
[date and place of birth] “Blount Farm in Chowan County, NC belonging to Dr. Warren“
[post-office at enlistment] Fortress Monroe, Va
[wife] Rebeca [sic] Wright
[when, where, by whom] Providence Church, Edenton, NC. Joseph Z. Pratt, Justice of the Peace
[record] “Don’t know of any record. If there is it is in the Court House in Edenton, NC”
[previously married] [Neither of them was married before — Leslie]

Death Certificate, Major Warren, 4 April 1926
[place of death] Edenton, Chowan County, North Carolina
[full name] Major Warren
[residence] 126 W. Peterson
[sex / color / status] “male … colored … widower”
[age] 82 years, 9 months, 21 days
[occupation] retired soldier
[birthplace] Edenton, NC
[father’s name & place of birth] Ned Nixon, Edenton, NC
[mother’s name & place of birth] don’t know, Edenton, NC
[informant] “Daughter Ella Morning, 126 W Peterson St”
[date of death] 4 April 1926
[time and cause of death] 3pm, apoplexy
[place and date of burial, cremation, or removal Chowan County, NC, 5 April 1926
[undertaker] N. Ryder, Edenton, NC

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Theodore Whiting, Company G

Although the genealogical information in this pension file is skimpy, there a number of individuals — in specific places — are named. Pursuing their relationship to the claimant could lead to additional information about the soldier and his family.

110,810,910 / 791,921

Declaration for Invalid Pension, Theordore Whiting, 28 December 1891
post-office address, 58 Fleet Place, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York
“Also personally appeared, Gloucester McLenny, residing at 103 Fleet Place, Brooklyn, NY, and Fredick Boyan residing at 332 Hudson Avenue, Brooklyn, NY”

Quesitonnaire (Form 3-402), Theodore Whiting, 7 May 1898
[married] Emma Whiting before marriage Emma Richards
[when, where, by whom] Jan 28th 1884 by Rev. B. Christopheson, Falmouth, England
[record] “our marriage b[illegible]
[previously married] “This is my first and only wife”
[living children] “We have no children of our own. We have a little adopted boy, 6 years old, name Edward”

Declaration for Pension, Theodore Whiting, 22 November 1907
63 years old; residence, Brooklyn, Kings County, NY; post-office address, 33 Cumberland St, Brooklyn, Kings Co, NY
” … occupation was cook; that he was born July 8, 1845, at Norfolk, Va.”
“That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Norfolk, Va. 5 years; 24 Joy Street, Boston, Mass, 8 yrs.; Norfolk, Va. 3 yrs. I lived since 1890 in Brooklyn at various places.”

“Also personally appeared Geo. G. Allan, residing in 41 W 133rd St, No. 3, and Rodger Howard, residing in 92 Madison St, Brooklyn, New York … their acquaintance with him of 10 years and 8 years, respectively”

Declaration for Pension, Theodore Whiting, 17 May 1912
67 years old; residence, Brooklyn, King County, New York; post-office address, 336 DeKalb Ave, King County, NY
“enrolled at Norfolk, Va … on the 30 day of Nov 1863 … honorably discharged at City Point, Va, on the 4 day of February 1866 … occupation was cook; that he was born July 8, 1845.”
“That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: England, 6 years. Florida. New Orleans, La. Brooklyn for 22 years.”

Questionnaire (Form 3-389), Theodore Whiting, 2 April 1915 [date-stamped by Pension Office]
[date, place of birth] Norfolk, Va, July 8, 1845
[post office at enlistment] Taulbert St, Norfolk, Va., no number
[wife’s full name] Emma Whiting was Emma Richards
[when, where, by whom] Jan 28, 1884, Falmouth, England in the County of Cornwall, in the Parish Church by the Rector”
[record] “[illegible] recorded them and my wife has her marriage certificate”
[previously married] “We were never married before. Both spinsters”
[living together] “Yes. We never were parted and never wanted to be.”
[children] “No children”

Deposition, Annetta F. Richardson, 28 September 1921
59 years old; occupation, laundress; residence, 1868 Dean Street. Brooklyn, NY
“Theodore Whiting, a soldier in the civil war, died at this address, on June 24, 1921, and left no relatives surviving him. He left no widow or children. And no claim for reimbursement has been filed. I attended his funeral and viewed his dead body. … So far as I know he left no money.”

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