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Posts Tagged ‘freeborn’

The widow, a lifelong resident of Norfolk, Virginia, moved to Cleveland, Ohio, to live with her son. The soldier’s will was never admitted to probate and there was confusion about the widow’s name before marriage but his application based on invalid status and her application based on widow status were approved.

Invalid — 815,831 / 740,173
Widow — 770,259 / 542,553

General Affidavit, Henry Small and William Tenant, 4 January 1891
[Small] 48 years old; residence, 95 Liberty Street, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
[Tenant] 45 years old; residence, 97 Liberty Street, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
“That they know Andrew W. Anderson aforesaid and have frequently visited him and attend to him; that he is now very sick and confined to his bed and room … he will die in want of proper medical assistance and proper attention, he is an object of charity and entirely dependent on his wife who is quite delicate and unable to do any manual labor, his friends are obliged to attend him in his helplessness.”

Deposition, Andrew W. Anderson, 8 May 1893
49 years old; residence, 95 Liberty St., Norfolk, Va.,

Deposition, Lazarus Taite, 8 May 1893
63 or 64 years old; oocupation, day laborer
“I have known Andrew W. Anderson 29 or 30 years … Wm. Anderson and me served in the same company and I urged him to make the application … my name on that declaration is a forgery”

Deposition, William Bright, 10 May 1893
49 years old; occupation, laborer; residence, 76 Nickerson Street, Norfolk, Virginia

Deposition, B.A. Richardson, 11 May 1893
28 years old; occupation, traveling salesman; residence and post-office address, 50 Roanoke Ave., Norfolk, Va.
“At that date I was a notary public and had a seal … my brother C.A. Richardson informed me that W.R. Drury in my absence took my seal away with him.”
“I signed some declarations in black for my uncle W.R. Drury, Pension Attorney”

Deposition, Andrew W. Anderson, 16 January 1901
57 [?] years old; occupation, laborer; post-office address, 133 Liberty Street, Norfolk, Va.
“I was born near Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va. I was freeborn. My father’s name was Jadarest [?] Anderson. my mother’s name was Barbara Ann Anderson. I have no sisters living. I have one brother. Izaiah Anderson, Hampton Home, Va. who served in the Navy. Don’t know on what ship.
“I was a farmer at enlistment”
“Garrard was my first Col[onel]. Seip was my last Col[onel]. W.H. Cabiness was my Capt.; Vandervoort was my 1st Lt.; Smith was 2nd Lt; William Teemer, ord. sgt.; Harper was 2nd Sgt.; John Robinson Sgt.; Philip Bagnall was my tentmate. I was in the Battle of Drury’s Bluff in 1864, at Church Hill near Richmond in 1864. Some were killed at both places, but none of my co.
“I was wounded in my head at Church Hill in 1864 and had my left arm broken while in camp while engaged in wrestling [?] at Scott’s Creek, near Portsmouth, Va., in Jan 1865.”
“I have resided in Norfolk, Va. since discharge … have been treaeted for a gallstone by Dr. Thompson and Dr. Walker, Norfolk, Va. … William Bright and Lazarus Tate were my witnesses in my pension claim.”
Bertha W. Anderson is the name of my lawful wife. We were married Jan [illegible], 1869, at Berkley, Va. by Rev. Peter Sherpherd. … I have no children under 16.”

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Bertha Anderson, 3 September 1902
58 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va; post-office address, 54 Livingston St., Cleveland, Ohio
“Also personally appeared, Anna Davis, residing at 461 Cumberland [?] St … and Martha C. Walker, residing at 377 Cumberland [?] … their acquaintance with her of 40 years and 30 years, respectively”

General Affidavit, Bertha Anderson, 15 September 1902
69 years old; residence, Cleveland, Ohio; post-office address, 54 Livingston St., Cleveland, Ohio
“[married] at Providence Church, Norfolk Co., Va. … her name at the time of such marriage was Bertha Wilson … when claimant was between three and four years old her mother married a second time to one Wilson Moore and claimant was sometimes called Bertha Moore through the confusion of her step-father’s name … [Andrew Anderson] owned a small lot of land, unimproved, in Norfolk County, near Providence Church, which is supposed to be worth about $30; that said lot was left to the claimant by the will of the soldier, which has never been admitted to probate; that with the exception of the said lot neither she nor her husband owned any property except a few articles of household furniture which have been sold for about $10 or $15 ; that she has no income from any source and owns no interest in any stocks or bonds… that she has been a resident of Norfolk, Va., all her life, but is now going to Cleveland, Ohio to live with her son, and therefore gives her address in Cleveland, Ohio.”


General Affidavit, Rev. Peter Shepperd, 16 October 1902
87 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 325 8th St, NE, Washington, DC
“He is a regularly ordained minister of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, continuously since the year of 1864, and states that that he married the claimant Bertha Anderson, to her husband the soldier, Andrew W. Anderson, in this case, at Berkley, Norfolk Co., Va., on the 7th day of January 1869, he acting in the capacity of the officiating minister … he, the affiant, failed to make a return of the marriage of this claimant to the soldier.”

General Affidavit, Bertha Anderson, 16 June 1904
60 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk County, Virginia; post-office box, 56 Johnson Ave, Norfolk, Va.
“Her pension is paid by the agency at Columbus, Ohio, where she formerly lived; that she has been living in Norfolk, Va. about eight months and expects to live here the rest of her life.
“She therefore respectfully requests that she be paid by the agency in Washington, DC instead of Columbus, Ohio.”

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James Lind, Company K

This freeborn carpenter was born in Boston and settled in New Orleans after the war but the place of his enlistment is unclear. The couple had no children.

Invalid — 1,100,526 / 82?, 331
Widow — 907,018 / 675,708, Louisa Lind

Affidavit, Peter Perry, 4 April 1892
72 years old; residence, Lyon & Coliseum St, 13th Ward, New Orleans
“I have been working with claimant as carpenter since 1866 off and on … [Lind] fell from the roof of a house where we were at work … he is not able to perform severe manual labor. Disabilities not due to bad or vicious habits and of a permanent character.”

Affidavit, Edward King, 4 April 1892
79 years old; residence, 200 Berlin St., New Orleans
“I have known claimant since 1866 and have known him well during the intervening time”

Affidavit, Tilton Turner and Randall Carter, 15 May 1895
[Turner] 66 years old; residence, Peters Ave
[Carter] 59 years old; residence, Peters near Arcadia, NO
“We were neighbors of this man James Lind who is well known to us. He is a carpenter by trade. He does not do any ordinary manual labor. We have known him for 6 and 25 years. During the last 6 years he has not been able to do the work of any ordinary workman…. We would not under any circumstances employ this man as a laborer at the usual wages. His general habits and character are excellent.”

Office of Board of Health, Recorder of Births, Marriages and Deaths, 15 December 1898
W. Beltz, an undertaker, native of this City residing at No. 7808 Maple St., who hereby declares, that James Lind (colored), a native of Boston, Mass., aged 60 years, departed this life yesterday, (7 Oct 1908) at No. 2100 Peters Ave., in this city.
Cause of death, endocarditis
Certificate of Dr. J.Y. Hunter
Deceased was married, a carpenter & 40 years in city
“I do certify, the foregoing to be a true and faithful copy from the original recorded in Book marked No. 144 Folio 1187.”

Questionnaire (Form 3-173), James Lind, 29 November 1898
[wife’s name] Louisa Lind … Louisa Nelson
[where, when, by whom] January 16, 1868; New Orleans, Louisiana; Rev. Emperor Williams
[record of marriage] “the regular marriage certificate”
[previously married] no
[living children] “never had any children”

Questionnaire (Form 3-493), James Lind, 29 November 1898
[present residence, post-office address] 2100 Peters Ave., New Orleans, Louisiana
[residence from Feb 1, 1866 to present residence] “I lived at first at Magazine & Erats St., NOLA; second, Elenor & Camp; 3rd cor Peters Ave & Liberty St., No. 2100
[post-office nearest residences] New Orleans, La
[occupation since February 4, 1866] “I was when able to work, a carpenter”
[known by any other name] no
[different name in military service] no

Affidavit, James Lind and Louisa Lind, 26 January 1899
“I desire to make and file declaration so that in the event of my death prior to that of Louisa Nelson she may not have difficulty to prove the legality of her marriage. … I am the identical ‘James Lend‘ who is mentioned in the original marriage certificate in my possession signed by Rev. E. Williams, and that my true name is James Lind … I am the identical ‘Loisa Nelson‘ sanctioned in the original marriage certificate in our possession and that my true name is Louisa Nelson … [married] according to the rites of the Methodist Episcopal Church [by] Rev. E. Williams, pastor Jefferson and Carrolton ME Churches, Ada F. Sparks, Sarah V. Phelps, G.W. Scott, witnesses”
[Note — A handwritten note on the document states ‘The above is a true copy of the original marriage certificate this day exhibited to me’ — Leslie]

Affidavit, Louisa Lind, 20 November 1908
[birthplace] Mississippi
[residence when you became acquainted with the soldier] New Orleans, Louisiana
[length of acquaintance before marriage] one year
[[where, when, and by whom married] New Orleans
[previous marriage] no
[marriage since soldier’s death] no
[children born to you and soldier] no
[enslaved, previous enslavers] “Yes — William Robney — at date of marriage I was free – my only name before marriage was Louisa Nelson”
[soldier’s birhplace] Massachusetts
[soldier’s residence at your acquaintance] New Orleans
[soldier’s place of enlistent] “supposed to enlist in Massachusetts”
[date soldier enlisted] abpit 1862
[residence before enlistment] Massachusetts
[soldier’s age at enlistment, occupation, skin color] “about 30 … carpenter … greefe [sic]”
[his only wife] yes
[soldier enslaved?] no

General Affidavit, Nathan Hunter, 30 November 1908
66 years old; residence, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana; post-office address, 1900 [illegible]
“I have known Louise Lind since her childhood, she was never married before she married James Lind on the 16th day of January 1868
“I have also known James Lind … since he was a young man of marriageable age, he was never married before he married Louise Lind befoe he married Louise Nelson … I have been a friend of both the above before and after marriage”

General Affidavit, J.W. Pierce, 30 November 1908
62 years old; residence, New Orleans, Orleans, Louisiana; post-office address, 7508 Oak [illegible], New Orleans, La. 1900 [illegible]
“I have known Louise Lind nee Louise Nelson since her childhood … I have also known James Lind … since he was a young man of marriageable age … I have knowledge in the above testimony from being a half-brother of Louise Lind and a friend of James Lind before his marriage and a constant visitor at their home.”

Letter from B.F. Harper, Auditor, Treasury Department, Washington, DC to Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, DC, 9 February 1909
“James Lind … (P.O. address c/o Peter Small, Custom House, New Orleans, La) states … that he was born free; that he volunteered in November 1864 … that he is identified by L.H. Stone, and E. Sullivan, (neither residences nor P.O. address given)
“James Lind alleges … that his age is 39 years … He is identified by Eugene Sullivan, and John W. Pierce of the County of Orleans, La.”
“His post office address is 236 Peters Ave., New Orleans, La.; that his age is 54 years … He is identified by L.R.. Lowe, and W.R. Matzler, of the County of Orleans, La.
“The soldier signed by mark such rolls as have been examined.
“A tracing of his signture to the last named application is inclosed herewith.”

Handwritten Letter from J.W. Pierce, 4730 S. Liberty St., New Orleans, La., to Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, DC, 3 March 1923
“I am the only legal heir of Mrs. Louisa Lind, widow of James Lind who died January 7, 1923 in Oakland, California. I received her remains and buried them with her husband in this city. My son Thomas D. Pierce of Los Angeles, California, has forwarded to your office the particulars of her death and funeral, and also returned to you the last pension check.”



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The soldier enlisted in Company B and later transferred to Company K. A freeborn man, he died of smallpox months before war’s end leaving a widow with young children.

Invalid — 169, 526 / —–

Sworn Statement, Casandra Johnson, 25 December 1868
residence, Suffolk, Nansemond County, Virginia; post-office address, Suffolk, Virginia
30 years old
“her maiden name was Casandra Rodgers and that she was married to Felix Johnson on or above 24 Dec 1856 at [Nansemond County, Virginia] by mutual consent … married by consent of Master Alexander Rodgers to Felix Johnson a free man of color.
“She further declares that said Felix Johnson, her husband, died in the service of the United States as aforesaid at Old Point, in the State of Virginia, on or about the day of Fall, 1864 of smallpox. … the children of my deceased husband who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death Harriet Johnson born Sept 1857 — William Henry born Oct 1858″
“Also personally appeared before me William Parker and Ann Porter, residents of Suffolk, Nansemond County”

Sworn Statement, Wilson Brickhouse and John Travis, 20 March 1869
[Brickhouse] had been Private in Company G, 1st US Colored Cavalry
[Travis] had been Private in Company I, 1st US Colored Cavalry
“they were well acquainted with Felix Johnson – that the said Felix Johnson enlisted in Co B 1st U.S.C. Cavalry that he was afterwards transferred to Co K 1st USC Cavalry”

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The soldier was killed in action at Fort Pocahontas, Virginia. His wife re-married and her second husband was appointed guardian of the soldier’s son, his only surviving child.

Widow – 105,405 / 84,935, Nancy Young
Minor -158,406 / 116,387, Rufus Young

Oath of Allegiance, Nancy Young, 1 December 1865
“I, Nancy Young, do solemnly swear in the presence of God, that I will henceforth faithfully support, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of States thereunder, that I will in like manner abide by and faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existing Rebellion with reference to the emancipation of of slaves so help me God.”
“Nancy Young — a resident of Norfolk County … aged 28 years … doth on her oath … in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress appeared July 14, 1862, that she is the widow of Nelson Young who killed on picket duty on Wilson’s Landing on James River on or about … Sept 1864 … she was married … January 1864 by the Rev. William Knott a regular minister of the Gospel of the MP Church and has had five children … whose names and ages are as follows: Claudius, dead; Mary Anne age dead; Angenetta dead; Rufus aged five years; Elton dead … [Nelson Young] was a free person at the time of enlisting … and had been free … of his being freeborn … I hereby constitute and appoint Leopold C.P. Cowper of Portsmouth, Va. as my true and lawful attorney.”
“And personally appeared Southall Bass and Mary Bass residents of Portsmouth … they were personally acquainted with Nancy Young … they have known the said applicant and her said husband for 20 years”

Sworn Statement, Southall Bass and Alinzo Elliott, 31 December 1866
“they have known Nancy Young … for more than twenty years … they lived within five miles of [Nelson and Nancy Young] for twenty years … [Rufus Young] is now living with his mother in Norfolk County, Virginia … that said child is now is his 7th year being born in 1859 Nov … they have often been to to their house and seen the mother since said child was an infant.”

Sworn Statement, Nancy Ridgeway, 5 September 1867
“mother of Rufus Young, only surviving orphan child of Nelson Young … born on the 18th day of November 1860”
“Also personally came before me Mary Bass aged twenty seven years and Susan Elliott aged fourteen years, residents of Norfolk County, … they knew well the late Nelson Young and Nancy … that they lived within two miles of them … they saw the mother and child in its first infancy, that they often have seen the mother and said child within a few days after its birth

Sworn Statement, Thomas Ridgeway, 28 February 1868
residence, Norfolk County, Virginia
“that he is the legal guardian of Rufus Young his ward whose father Nelson Young now deceased … guardian of the minor child of Nelson Young who died at Wilson’s Landing, Va. being killed on picket on James River while on duty … Nancy Young [soldier’s widow] and mother of the child aforesaid, Rufus Young, again married being now the wife of the said Thomas Ridgeway … the parents of his ward Rufus Young were married at the home of Jesse Watts in the county of Norfolk, Virginia on or about … Jany 1855 by the Rev. William Knott, a minister of the M.E. Church and that I do constitute and appoint Leopold C. P. Corprew of Portsmouth, Virginia my attorney”
“Also personally appeared Alonzo Elliott and Josiah Elliott, residents of Norfolk County, State of Virginia … that they were personally and intimately …. Nancy Young widow of the said Nelson Young did on the 9th day of January 1867 intermarry with one Thomas Ridgway … now the legal guardian of said Rufus Young, that they were present and witnesseth the said marriage … [the couple] were married by the Rev. Jeremiah Thomas, a minister of the [illegible] Church in the County of Norfolk, State of Va. “
“Also personally appeared before me the Rev. William Knott, a minister of the [illegible] Church”

Court Decree, County Court of Norfolk County, Virginia, 3 March 1868
“The Court doth appoint Thomas Ridgeway, Guardian to Rufus Young orphan of Nelson Young dec’d: and thereupon the said Thomas Ridgeway, appeared in court and together with Wm. H. Elliott and Josiah Elliott his securities, who justified on oath as to their sufficiency, entered into and acknowledged a bond in the penalty of One Thousand Dollars with condition according to law, which bond is ordered to be recorded.”

Sworn Statement, Nancy Ridgeway, 22 April 1868
“Her child Rufus Young was never baptized, that the children of colored persons were never submitted to this rite as she knows or believes.”
“Also personally appeared Venus Bivins by calling a midwife, aged fifty-five and Elizabeth Elliott, aged thirty-five years, residents of Norfolk County, Virginia … that they both were present at the time of the birth of and delivery of the above named Nancy Ridgeway when she was Nancy Young and the legal wife of Nelson Young … in the 18 day of Nov 1860 of her child Rufus Young”

Memorandum by Thomas M. Vincent, Assistant Adjutant General, 23 March 1868
“He is reported ‘Killed in action when on a search near Fort Pocahontas, Va. Augt. 1864. On Muster Roll dated Feby 4/66. ‘xx Was killed while skirmishing Augt. 28/64, where not known.’ Original Statements on file in this Office signed by the Co., Capt. He is reported ‘Killed August 18, 1864”

Sworn Statement, Dempsey Nash, Court Clerk, 13 July 1868
“It appears from the record in my office that on the 5th day of January 1867 a license was issued according to law to solemnize the marriage of Thomas Ridgeway and Nancy Young, a widow, both colored, and it further appears from the said record and the return of J.R.V. Thomas, a minister of the Gospel that he did on the 10th day of January 1867 duly celebrates the wrights [sic] matrimony.”

Declaration of Guardian of Minor Children for Increase Pension Under Act of July 25, 1866, 9 December 1876
“Thomas Ridgeway, aged about 45 years … mother of the child has remarried and that the date of birth of said ward is as follows 17th Nov 1860 … the maiden name of his mother was Nancy Elliott.”
“Also personally appeared Southall Bass and Thomas Riddick, residents of Portsmouth”
[Note: The word “increase” was handwritten and inserted before the word “pension” — Leslie]

Sworn Statement, Thomas Ridgeway, 30 June 1888
“Thomas Ridgeway, guardian to Rufus Young, orphan of Nelson Young … says that his post-office address is Portsmouth, Virginia”
“Also personally appeared Venus Bivins and Elizabeth Elliott”

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This pension application is rich with detailed observations about individuals, their character, their occupations, their living arrangements and relationships: “third cousin to her said husband … underage and could not get a license in Virginia … a white man’s child … the minor has been shaving for more than three years … were not married and did not occupy the same room … now running on a schooner between Norfolk, Boston & New York … visited his family at different times while in service, and the family were then living in Portsmouth … made a bargain herself to buy the land … they are both gentlemen, don’t think either one of them would tell a lie.”

Widow — 158,200 / 123,131, Letitia Foulkes

Sworn Statement, Dr. H.P. Ritter, 28 October 1868
“He has examined Harriet Foulk, General Jackson Foulk & Alexander Foulk children of Samuel & Letitia Foulk and … Harriet was born during the month of December 1856 & that the said General Jackson was born on or about the month of November 1859 & that the said Alexander was probably born about the latter part of the month of February 1861″
“Also personally appeared Mary Ann Porter and Matilda Parker, residents of Gates Co., NC … they have been for more than 25 years personally acquainted with the claimant … they were present at the marriage of the parties at the home of the late Revd Wm. Cross a Justice of the Peace of the said Gates County, NC & that said marriage occurred on or about May 2/1855 … [Cross] died about the month of April 1865 at said Gates County, NC”

Exhibit A, Letitia Foulk, 25 July 1878
about 41 years old; residence, near Gilmerton Locks, Norfolk Co., Va.
“She was born and raised free, and lived in the neighborhood of Holy Neck Chapel, Nansemond Co., Virginia from birth until about two years after the commencement of the late war, that she was married on the last Thursday in May, and think it was in the year 1856, to Samuel Foulk a free coloured man who lived in the same neighborhood. Affiant maiden name was Letitia Foulke and she was third cousin to her said husband. They were married in Gates Co., NC by a Magistrate named William Cross, it was the nearest point in NC where they could find a Magistrate, it was not far from Gatesville, went to NC to get married because she was underage and could not get a license in Virginia. Affiant has learned that William Cross … died during the late War learned the fact by writing through her attorney when she first applied for a pension…. he died at Fortress Monroe of smallpox during the first year of his enlistment … Affiant was sent for by soldier before his death. She went to Old Point but found the soldier was dead on her arrival … The point in North Carolina at which she was married was about 12 miles from her residence at Holy Neck, Nansemond Co., Virginia. There was a large party with her to see the marriage, James Faulk and wife who live near Holy Neck waited on them at their marriage … Her attorney Thomas Baker proved the marriage by a letter from a member of Mr. Cross’s (the Magistrate) family, was not acquainted with any person who lived near Wm. Cross in Gates Co., NC thinks Dr. Elliott of Somerton was present at her marriage. Mary Ann Porter was not present at her marriage but was at the wedding after her return home. Mary Ann Porter died five or six years ago. Matilda Parker was not present at her marriage. Granville Joiner and Benjamin Fly nor either of them were present at her marriage. Affiant had two children by the soldier viz General Jackson who will be 21 years old the 25th day October 1878, and Alexander who will be 17 years old on the 27 of February 1879. When she put in her claim through Thomas Baker, she told him that she had three children, but that Harriet the oldest child was not the child of the soldier, he Baker told her it made no difference … and she did as he advised Harriet was a white man’s child, was not married to Harriet’s father … [affiant] lived in the same house with Armistead Moore for three or four years … has not lived with Moore for the past two years … She never had a child by Moore, never cohabited with him … said Moore is now running on a schooner between Norfolk, Boston & New York, don’t know the name of the schooner. She first lived in the same house with Moore at Coxes Point, can’t fix the date, has lived at her present place of residence four years next March, Cox’s Point is the same place lately rented by Robt Noel. Thomas Nickerson, was a near neighbor when she lived at Cox Point, Nickerson now lives near Gilmerton Locks, Armistead Moore does not visit her now. Miles Copeland, one of affiant’s neighbors has known her all her life, he is an intelligent coloured man, believe Armistead Moore is courting Copeland’s stepdaughter. Affiant’s oldest son works at Baxter & Collins Mill seven or eight miles above Great Bridge. Don’t know where Ben Fly is, thinks Granville Joiner lives at Lincolnville. Matilda Parker lives near Getty Station.”

Exhibit B, Alexander Faulk, 28 July 1878
16 years old; residence, near Gilmerton Locks, Norfolk Co., Va.
“He is the son of claimant … he will be seventeen years old on the last day of February 1879, that he never saw his father to his knowledge, he has always lived home with claimant … Claimant and Alexander Moore lived together four or five years, but they were not married and did not occupy the same room, claimant employed Moore as a farmer for her, Moore rented the Cox & point farm but claimant paid the rent”

Exhibit C, L.B. Kenney, 28 July 1878
40 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
“He a Pension Examining Surgeon … made an examination of Alexander Faulk … he gives it as his professional opinion that the said Alexander Faulk is twenty-one years of age, his general development indicates that age and he admits that he the minor has been shaving for more than three years.”

Exhibit D, General Jackson Faulk, 29 July 1878
21 years old; residence, Gilmerton Locks, Norfolk Co., Va.
“He is the oldest son of claimant, that he doesn’t remember his father, but recollects seeing a man near Wingates in Norfolk Co. with a uniform on and has always been taught that was his father, and that his name was Samuel Faulk, and that he died in the U.S. Service at Hampton, Va. Affiant has always lived with claimant … Armistead Moore lived with claimant for some five or six years, he did not live with her as husband and wife, but they farmed together and she did his washing and cooking, they did not occupy the same room … they rented first from Smoale & Co [?] of Philadelphia, and afterward from J.J. Bilosoly. When claimant lived at Cox Point, Armistead Moore was responsible for the rent. After moving to Bilosoly’s place claimant made a bargain herself to buy the place, so much each year until paid for … Moore lived with claimant for five or six years preceding last autumn, since which time he has been running on a schooner to New York and Boston, he has not been to claimant’s house since last Autumn, he lived with her as a boarder until that time… Moore is not a married man”

Exhibit E, Robert Noel, 31 July 1878
50 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
“owns and works a farm near Cox Point, has known [claimant] for about 10 years, about nine of which she has lived with Armistead Moore as his wife … about six years ago they moved from thence across a creek nearer to Gilmerton Locks, thinks they bought the property … often heard Moore speak of claimant as his wife… Moore shipped the production of the land they lived on in his own name…. about a year ago he went away with Captain Trammell [?] on a schooner which trades north. Is acquainted with her (claimant) sons”

Exhibit F, Martin J. Ballentine, 1 August 1878
72 years old; residence, Gilmerton Locks, Norfolk Co., Va.
“acquainted with claimant, she resides on a place adjoining his farm, she came to live there about three years ago with a colored man named Armistead Moore … [they lived there] until about a year ago, when Moore went off on the schooner Lydia Roper [sp?] Capt. Crasmer [sp?], thinks Moore went as steward … don’t know claimant’s children”

Exhibit G, J.J. Bilosoly, 9 August 1878
39 years old; residence, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
“has known her since Feb 17 1873 at which time he sold her a piece of land in Norfolk Co. She did not pay him for the land, but gave notes endorsed by Armistead Moore, and a deed of trust to secure him, the notes have never been paid. Claimant has lived on said land ever since, don’t know whether Armistead Moore has lived with her or not.”

Exhibit H, Miles Copeland, 9 August 1878
resides at Western Farm, Norfolk Co., Va.
“has known [claimant] since she was a child, she was a freeborn coloured woman, raised near Holy Neck, Nansemond Co., Virginia … claimant was married some years (three or four) before the late Rebellion to a free coloured man named Samuel Faulk, her maiden name was Letitia Faulk. She had one daughter before she married Samuel Faulk. She was not married to the Father of said Daughter. Affiant was not present at the marriage of claimant, he lived in same neighborhood at the time she was married. … it is not certain whether she was married in Nansemond Co. or in North Carolina, many people went from Virginia to North Carolina (which was only a few miles off ) to get married … knows that [Faulk] was a Cavalry soldier, has seen him in uniform, thinks he enlisted in Norfolk or Portsmouth or vicinity because he visited his family at different times while in service, and the family were then living in Portsmouth he (the soldier) died of smallpox … thinks his regiment was on the James River at the time.”

Exhibit I, Armistead Moore, 9 August 1878
residence, schooner Lydia H. Roper, Norfolk Co., Va.
“he has never been married to the claimant, did not live in cohabitation, lived with her as an employee for six or seven years, left her employment last Autumn, never lived with her as husband and wife, never occupied the same bed or same room with claimant … knows Robert Noel and M.J. Balentine, believes they are both gentlemen, don’t think either one of them would tell a lie. Miles Copeland is a respectable colored man, and is friendly to affiant, don’t believe he would tell a lie.”

Exhibit K, Henry Faulk, 10 August 1878
38 years old; residence, near Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Virginia
“He is a brother of Samuel Faulk … affiant was a soldier in same co. & Regiment. Affiant enlisted in 1863 or 1864 … Affiant was not at their marriage but know they were regularly married and lived together as husband and wife … Affiant has not regarded Armistead Moore and claimant as husband and wife … The deceased soldier and claimant were distant cousins, heard of their marriage shortly after it took place, and visited them in their domicile … don’t visit claimant because of living with Armistead Moore and not being married to him, or denying her marriage.”

Widow’s Claim for Arrears of Pension, Act Jan. 25, 1879, Letitia Falk, 28 September 1881
43 years old; residence, Norfolk, 3 miles from Portsmouth;
[also appeared] Irena Porter, residence, Norfolk, Va., No. 69 Newton St., and Milly Smith, residence, Norfolk, Va., No. 44 Fourth St…. long acquainted 30 years”

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