Isaac Reddick, Company I

A woodcutter before his enlistment, this man received a gunshot wound in his right hand during a nighttime picket duty. His application for invalid benefits was supported by members of his Company and those who convalesced with him in the National Soldier’s Home, Virginia. He was buried at Hampton National Cemetery which adjoins Hampton University founded in 1868 as Hampton Agricultural and Industrial School. His widow ‘s application was rejected on the basis of false claims.

Invalid – 342, 851 / 507,925
Widow – 305,101 / —– , Nancy Reddick

Declaration of Original Invalid Pension, Isaac Reddick, 23 January 1880
48 years old; residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.; post-office address, 22 Nicholson St., Norfolk, Virginia … commanded by Col. Jeptha Girard … he was wounded in right wrist by a minie ball — the ball entering on the outer margins of his right hand and passing upward across the inner side of the wrist diagonally and emerging on the inner side of the forearm — He was on the picket line when wounded … his occupation has been that of a woodcutter … when enrolled a woodcutter …”

Widow’s Claim for Pension, Nancy Reddick, 4 April 1883
41 years old; post-office address, Norfolk City, Virginia
“her maiden name was Nancy Tailor, said that she was married to said Isaac Reddick on or about the 1st day of August 1865 at Southampton C.H. in the county of Southampton, and State of Virginia, by Rev. Berrem ….
“She further declares that said husband died … in the State of Ga. … and she hereby appoints William Ward 276 1/2 Queen st., Norfolk, Va. as her lawful attorney …”
“Also personally appeared, James Dozier and Margaret Johnson, residents of Norfolk County, and State of Virginia so far as they are known to me

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, Richard Webb, 13 May 1886
residence, Norfolk, Norfolk Co., Va.
“late Sergeant of Company I, 1st Regiment of U.S. Col’d Cav. … June or July 1864, Wilson’s Landing, Charles City Co., State of Virginia — [Reddick] was wounded … while on picket duty during the night. [Webb] was in charge of a post on his left, saw soldier wounded, atttended to him, attended to and cared for him, and saw him when he was taken to the rear. That he has since his soldier’s discharge seen him at least three or four times, maybe oftener during each year…”

For Officer’s or Comrade’s Testimony, William Reed, 30 June 1886
“late Sergeant of Company I, 1st Regiment of U.S. Col’d Cav. … [Reddick] wounded while under the command of [Reed], who was Sergeant in charge of the detail …. and that [Reed] has seen him every few months since [Reddick’s] discharge in March 1866 …”

General Affidavit, Isaac Reddick, 5 June 1893
residence, National Soldier’s Home, Elizabeth City Co., Va.
“[He] is unable to furnish testimony of a Doctor Affidavit showing each and every disability… for the following reason. He had no doctor at the time when he made his application …”

Questionnaire (Form 3-402), Isaac Reddick, 15 April 1898
[married] widower, Nancy Ridley
[when, where, by whom] 1878, Southampton Co., Va., Dr. Brown
[record] Jerusalem C.H.
[previously married] no
[children living] no

General Affidavit, Oscar Jubilee and John Olds, 9 October 1899
[Jubilee] [no age reported on this document]
[Olds] 46 years old;
[Jubilee and Olds] “citizens of the Town of Norfolk, 111 Bank St., State of Virginia, that they knew applicant Isaic Riddick, that while at Wilson’s Landing the spring of 1864, while skirmishing with rebel gurillas [sic] he was shot in his right wrist from which he was disabled and sent to McClennan Hospital near Hampton, Va. and remained there about one year. Was sent Texas to join regiment 1865. And did join in Texas and served until discharged 1866. Soldier was never able to do heavy work and was kept on light duty until discharge…. disables him from doing manual labor and causes him to be idle 3/4 of his time. … [We] served in the same co and reg and knowing him ever since the war and living in same city with him as neighbors and seeing him very often. He now resides in this city on Liberty Street and is well known.”
[Note – Reddick’s address at this time was “Natl Soldiers Home, Elizabeth City Co., Va.” — Leslie]

Questionnaire Form (3-464), Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, 7 November 1899
“Isaac Redi also known as Redick and Reddick … born in Nansemond Co., Va; occupation, servant; Name of owner not of record.
“As Isaac Ready admitted to hospital steamer Wyoming Aug. 13, 1864; sent to G.H. Hampton, Aug. 14, 1864; as Isaac Reddick admitted to Gen. Hosp., Fort Monroe, Va., date not stated (no diagnosis), ret’d to duty, date not stated; as I. Reddick etc admitted to Conval Barracks, Fort Wood, Bedloe’s Island, N.Y. Harbor, Nov 15, 1865, (no diagnosis), disposition not stated.”
[Note — there’s a discrepancy in Isaac Reddick’s birthplace as reported here and on his Compiled Military Service Record (not shown) — Leslie]

Questionnaire (3-173), Isaac Reddick, unknown
[married] Nancy Reddick nee Riddle
[when, where, by whom] [blank]
[record] “about 20 years ago, by the Revd. Berum, called Doctor, Southampton County, Va.”
[previous marriage] “I was a single man, when I married my present wife, and so she was a single girl.”
[children living] “we had 5 children, and all grown up, supporting themself [sic]”
[Note: The form was dated “November 10, 1899” when it was sent to the soldier. The dates he completed the questionnaire and when the Pension Office received it are unknown — Leslie]

Questionnarie (3-493), Isaac Reddick, 14 November 1899 [date stamped received by Pension Office]
[address and residence] National Soldier’s Home, Va., as above
[residence after discharge] “I, after my discharge from the U.S. Army, came to my present place of residence.”
[nearest post-office] “always the National Soldier’s Home p.o. address”
[occupation] laborer
[other names] “Isaac Reddick is my name from birth, never altered.”
[in military or naval service under different name] “I have not been in the military or naval service, under no other name than as above.”

General Affidavit, Edward Haig and Alexander Lewis, 30 October 1900
[Haig] 56 years old; residence and post-office address, National Soldier’s Home, Elizabeth City Co., Va.;
[Lewis] 67 years old; residence and post-office address, National Soldier’s Home, Elizabeth City Co., Va.;
[Haig] “personally acquainted with [Reddick] who is a member of this National Soldier’s Home, Va. … since 1893 …
[Lewis] “also a member of this National Soldier’s Home, Va. for about 9 years, when I became acquainted with Isaac Reddick as a comrade in this Home …”

General Affidavit, William Reed and Isaac P. Patterson,13 May 1901
[Reed] 60 years old; residence and post-office address, National Soldier’s Home, Elizabeth City Co., Virginia
“do know [Reddick] over 35 years … and for 15 years I know him as an Invalid, totally unable to perform any manual labor whatever … totally deaf …
[Patterson] 64 years old; residence and post-office address, National Soldier’s Home, Elizabeth City Co., Virginia
“I’m a member of the National Soldier’s Home, Va. Southern Branch. I know Isaac Reddick personally and since I have made his acquaintance about 3 years ago I know him suffering [and Patterson lists a number of ailments — Leslie]

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Hampton National Cemetery

“In addition to interments made from the military hospitals at and near Fort Monroe, cemetery burial records in 1868 indicated that remains had been brought to the Hampton National Cemetery from the military posts of Fort Monroe; Big Bethel in Elizabeth City County (now the city of Hampton); Newport News in Warwick County; Jamestown in James City County; Craney Island, Deep Creek, Norfolk, Portsmouth and Blackwater in Norfolk County; Smithfield in Isle of Wight County; Suffolk in Nansemond County and Cherry Stone in Northampton County.” This text is from the  National Register of Historic Places – Final Nomination Form – Hampton National Cemetery – Hampton, Virginia – #114-01480, page 14.

“The great number of sick and wounded soldiers during the Civil War resulted in numerous military hospitals being set up near battle sites. A 1,800-bed military hospital was established at Fort Monroe, near Hampton. Although the Fort Monroe hospital was better staffed and organized than many Civil War hospitals, the mortality rate was high. Consequently, burials at Hampton National Cemetery included many soldiers who died at Fort Monroe and other military hospitals in the vicinity. Although burials began at the cemetery in 1862, it was not classified by the U.S. Government as a national cemetery until 1866. The legal transfer of 4.749 acres for the cemetery did not occur until 1868.”
National Cemetery Administration: Hampton National Cemetery

 

Was your person of interest buried in a national cemetery?
Try grave locator on the National Cemetery Administration website. This database includes all national cemeteries.

Was your person of interest buried at Hampton National Cemetery?
Find A Grave volunteers have photographed 95% of the gravestones at Hampton National Cemetery.

See also the website Lest We Forget: African American Military History by Historian, Author, and Veteran Bennie McCrae, Jr. for “United States Colored Civil War Veterans and A White Officer.” It’s a database of burials at Hampton National Cemetery.  Mr. McCrae is an Associate Member, Sargeant Elijah P. Marrs Camp #5, Department of Kentucky, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.  He edited and posted images of gravestones that were photographed, researched and submitted by John Hall, Graves Registration Officer, Colonel James Brady Camp #63, Department of Maryland, Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War. Enter “Hampton National Cemetery” in the search box on his website’s main page and you can access each segment within the database.

Interested in other burial grounds?
Scroll to the bottom of Mr. McCrae’s website and click on “Resting Places” for more sources.

 

Keep in mind, these are just some of the possibilities. Veterans were buried in local cemeteries, churchyards and family property. Those who died sick and destitute were buried in hospital and almshouse graveyards. I’ve come across one burial at sea. It’ll be posted soon.

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Anderson Toyan, Company D

The soldier was born in Norfolk, Virginia, enlisted in that city in December 1863, and died of cerebo-spinal meningitis in Portsmouth, Virginia on January 31, 1865. He was buried at Hampton National Cemetery.

— Compiled military service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served with the United States Colored Troops [microform]: 1st through 5th United States Colored Cavalry, 5th Massachusetts Cavalry (Colored), 6th United States Colored Cavalry (1997). Reel 0014 – 1st United States Colored Cavalry: Tines, Archer – Wheldon, Charles M. (online at  https://archive.org/details/compiledmili0014akesunit/mode/2up). Anderson Toyan’s CMSR can viewed at (n112 – n116).

 

Mother — 454,805 / 463,669, Lucinda Toyan

 

Declaration for Mother’s Pension, Lucinda Loyan, 18 July 1890
60 years old; residence, Perquimans Co., North Carolina; post-office address, Belvidere, Perquimans Co., N.C.
“He left neither widow, child nor children, but a dependent mother — Lucinda Loyan who received his bounty under Certificate 289,351 on August 5, 1873 at Fort Monroe, Va.”

 

Claimant’s Affidavit, Lucinda Loyan alias Twine, 17 April 1896
“The claimant states that her correct name is Lucinda Twine & that her son’s name should be Anderson Twine. She states that she cannot read or write herself. [When she received Certificate 289,351 and her son’s bounty at Fort Monroe] and when her application for pension was wrote, she did give that certificate to the man who wrote it …. said that the man who enrolled her son must have made a mistake and put his name Loyan instead of Twine for the name on the certificate was Lucinda Loyan so he made out her application for pension by that name”

 

General Affidavit, Josephus Riddick, 18 July 1896
post-office address, Nicanor, Perquimans Co., N.C.
“I was not in the same company but I was in the same Reg’t and in Co E.
“We were raised near together and I knew him well.”

 

General Affidavit, Benjamin Hurdle, 13 April 1897
54 years old; post-office address, Belvidere, Perquimans Co., NC
“I was acquainted with Anderson Twine …”

 

General Affidavit, Dempsey Elliott, 26 May 1897
post-office address, Suffolk, Nansemond Co., Va.
“I was a Sergnt. in Company D, 1st Reg USCC  and I knew Anderson Twine who was a member of said company and Reg. I knew that he was sick and died in Portsmouth, Va. in the winter time of 1864.”

 

General Affidavit, Lucinda Twine, 12 June 1897
“To the Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, DC — Sir, I beg to state that I, Lucinda Twine, the above named claimant has from this day changed my post-office address from Belvidere, Perquimans, North Carolina to Dewight, Perqs Co., N.C. hoping if there should be any mail matter sent to me at any time from the department that it may be sent to that office & oblige your humble servant.”
[The scribe wrote “Dewight” but it’s “Dwight, Perquimans County, North Carolina” — Leslie]

 

General Affidavit, Acwell Jones, 22 March 1897
post-office address, 723 Blunt Street, Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va.
“I was acquainted with Anderson Twine and was in the same Company and Regiment …. I waited upon him during the sickness that brought on his death. I was 3d duty sergeant at the time of his death … and saw his body after death and recognized it.”

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William Cheesman, Company C

The widowed veteran was almost twenty years older than his second wife. Both were born in York County, Virginia. He was buried at Hampton National Cemetery.

— Compiled military service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served with the United States Colored Troops [microform]: 1st through 5th United States Colored Cavalry, 5th Massachusetts Cavalry (Colored), 6th United States Colored Cavalry (1997). Reel 0003 – 1st United States Colored Cavalry: Casey, Thomas – Davenport, John J. (online at http://www.archive.org/details/compiledmili0003akesunit).  Cheesmans’s CMSR can be viewed at n287-n310.

 

Widow — 1,022,930 / 776,313, Elizabeth Cheesman

 

Marriage License, William Cheesman & Elizabeth Fitchett, 21 February 1884
Elizabeth City County, Virginia
ages, 45 years old and 27 years old, respectively; husband’s and wife’s condition, widowed and single; birthplace, York Co., Va.; residence, Elizabeth City Co., Va.; husband’s parents, Sambo Cheeseman & Phillis Cheeseman; wife’s parents, Joseph and Ann Fitchett; occupation, farmer

 

Questionnaire, William Cheesman, October 1897
[married] I am a married man, Elizabeth Fidget, maiden; now Elizabeth Cheesman
[when, where, by whom] about 1875 in York County, Va.; Rev. Nash, pastor of Bethel Church, York County, Va.
[marriage record] by licenses filed in Elizabeth City County
[previously married] blank
[living children] Noveller Cheesman, two years old; Esteller Cheesman, five years old; Albert Cheesman, eight years old; Howard Cheesman, fifteen years old; Edward Cheesman, twenty-one years old

 

Notarized Statement, Elizabeth White & Ella Carter, 18 April 1914
55 and 51 years old, respectively; both reside in Elizabeth City County, Va.; both post-office addresses, Hampton, Va.
“They were personally acquainted with Nancy Cheesman, deceased, wife of William Cheesman, deceased, and that they attended her funeral; that she was buried by undertaker Andrew Toliver, and was buried at the grave yard on Frazier’s Farm in the County of Elizabeth City, Virginia, that said William Cheesman was married once before he was married to Elizabeth Cheesman, the applicant, and that his former wife Nancy Cheesman, died before his marriage to the claimant, that the claimant lived together as husband and wife, from the time of their marriage until the death of the soldier, William Cheesman, and that the claimant has never re-married since the death of the soldier.”

 

Notarized Statement, Laura Brown, 18 May 1914
47 years old; residence, York County, Va.; post-office address, Box 88, RFD No. 2, Hampton, Virginia
“That she has known Elizabeth Cheesman, the claimant since she was a small girl, before she became of marriageable age, that she went to school with her and has lived near her nearly all of her life. That the said Elizabeth Cheesman was never married before she was married to the soldier, William Cheesman, having known him since she was a very young girl. That when she first became acquainted with him he was married to Nancy Cheesman, his former wife, that the said Nancy Cheesman died over thirty years ago; that said Elizabeth Cheesman lived with said William Cheesman until his death as his wife; that said Elizabeth Cheesman has not re-married since the said of the said William Cheesman.”

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Dawson Gordney, Company K

Dawson Gordney had an eventful life. He fell from his horse and was shot during a skirmish. He was married several times — as were his wives. One of his former wives was treated in the Central State Asylum for Colored Insane in Petersburg, Virginia. It appears that the Clerk of the County Court of Norfolk County committed perjury and forgery while handling Gordney’s pension application. The veteran died at the National Soldiers’ Home in Hampton, Virginia and was buried nearby at Hampton National Cemetery.

 

Invalid — 386,103 / 444,942
Widow —  994,469 / —-,  Louisa Gordney

War Department, Adjutant General’s Office, Washington, DC, 3 March 1883
“May 16/64 report shows him wounded by falling from horse. June 28/64 absent sick at Ft. Monroe. Hospital register not on file. The records of the office do not show nature nor location of wound.”

 

Deposition, Edward R. Pitt, 29 July 1889
50 years old; farmer; post-office address, Bowers Hill, Norfolk Co., Va. “It was about two months from the night of the skirmish before I saw him. … I remember that the claimant was in the company with us at the time of the skirmish but we had fallen back (Dawson Gordney) was missing.”

 

Deposition, Dawson Gordney, 29 July 1889
50 years old; farmer; post-office address c/o A.H. Martin, Box 203, Portsmouth, Va. I claim pension for a gunshot wound in the seven days fight between Petersburg and Richmond, at the skirmish on the turnpike, May 1864.

“I was the flag bearer when I was shot, and after being wounded, I fell from my horse and was trampled over by the rest of the company. None of the horses hurt me, the horses stepped over me.
“Captain Whiteman was the commandant when I was wounded. I was wounded in the nighttime. I was mounted and had hold of the bridle of my left hand. The flag was strapped on to the pommel of the saddle. We were sent to cut off a wagon train.
Q. What comrades were with you when you were wounded?
A. Ord. Sgt Thomas Pitt, Ed Pitt, Dick Colden, Albert Jones, James [?] Jones, Zachary Johnson, Bob Winburn, Fred Powell, that’s all I can think of. …
Q. When and where did you enlist?
A. At Norfolk, Va., Dec 13, 1863, I was not mustered out with my regiment on account of my wound.”

 

Deposition, Jacob Ashburn, 3 August 1889
6[illegible] years old; farmer; post-office address, Bowers Hill, Norfolk Co., Va. “I know that he was shot in the hand somewhere near Deep Bottom on the turnpike road, in a ‘scrimmage’ about May 1864, I have forgotten the date, but we were trying to cut off a rebel wagon train. …
Q. How do you know that he was wounded?
A. Because he hollered out.

 

Deposition, Richard Colden, 3 August 1889
60 years old; laborer; post-office address 818 Crabbe St., Portsmouth, Va.
Q. How do you know that Gwathmey was wounded?
A. I was right behind him when he fell off his horse. He said he was shot.
Q. How do you know which wrist was shot?
A. I saw it the next morning
in camp. I did not see the wound. I saw his hand wrapped up.
Q. Which hand or wrist was it?
A. I am positive it was the left….”

 

Deposition, Albert Jones, 3 August 1889
46 years old; laborer; post-office address 16 Clifford St., Portsmouth, Va. “I have known [Gwathmey] twenty-six years. I knew him before enlistment … He was treated by Dr. Gray in camp a day or two and then sent to Hampton Hospital. I did not see him anymore after he went to hospital at Hampton until I came home after discharge.

 

Deposition, Sias Washington, 3 August 1889
about 50 years old; farmer; post-office address, Portsmouth, Va.
“I was not there when he was shot. I was on duty at camp.”

 

Deposition, Wm. T. Pitt, 5 August 1889
50 years old; farmer; post-office address Churchland, Norfolk Co., Va. … [Gwathmey] was a Sergeant and flag bearer in my co. I did not know him before enlistment.
“He received a wound in the back of the hand. I do not know which hand. I was not present at the time, I was sick in camp … I saw the hand when he returned to the regiment. The back of the hand was raw and looked like a sabre wound. I never heard that he shot himself. I heard that he was wounded by the enemy and it was the general impression in the co. that he was so wounded at the time.  He did not go to Texas with us. He deserted.
“He came back to the regiment when he got better of his wound but he deserted and I did not see him again until two years after discharge. … He lives about five miles from me. When I was up and well I used to see him about twice a month but I have not seen him for nearly a year now. I have been down sick for fourteen months.”
[One of the witnesses in this deposition was Marnie or Mamie Pitt. Is she related to me through the Pitt brothers of Nansemond County? — Leslie]

 

Deposition, Squire Bright, 6 August 1889
48 years old; post-office address 313 Dinwiddie St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I remembered that [he] was shot in one of his hands in a skirmish on the turnpike between Bermuda Hundred and Petersburg in 1864. I don’t remember the month, but I remember that the wheat was high at the time and it must have been near warm weather. I remember we were down in a deep cut when the rebels fired down upon us from the edge of the hill above when Sergt. Gwathmey was shot.”
Q. How do you know that he was wounded in the hand?
A. I was there. I know that before that volley was fired his hand was allright [sic] and when he was struck by the ball he hollered out “Boys, I’m shot. I’m shot.”  I saw his hand after he came to camp. The wound was between the wrist and the knuckles.”

 

Letter from M.B. Bailey, Chief of the Law Division, Bureau of Pensions, to the Acting Chief of S.E. Div., 31 October 1889 
[This is my summary of a five-page typed letter in the folder:  It appeared that Alvah H. Martin, Clerk of the County Court of Norfolk County “unlawfully witheld $536.00 of the $636.00 due [Gordney].” Martin claimed that Gordney had paid him for a “piece of land near Scott’s Creek”  but Gordney denied Martin’s claim.  The Court Clerk then withheld Gordney’s pension papers. Bailey asked that a Special Examiner be directed to proceed to Norfolk, Va., and thoroughly investigate this matter in connection with the charges made by the soldier in his deposition, which, with the exception of the intimations of perjury and forgery against Martin, are substantially corroborated by the evidence …
“If, on the completion of his examination the Examiner should be of the opinon that forgery or perjury had been committed … he should report these facts at once to this Bureau, and await further instructions, –  unless, in his opinion there is danger of escape of the guilty party or parties, in which event he should consult at once the U.S. Attorney, and take his advice as to the propriety of  procuring warrants for the guilty party or parties.” — Leslie]

 

Affidavits for Neighbors and General Purpose, Tom Riddick & Cyrus Washington, 31 August 1891
[Riddick] 50 years old; residence King Street, Norfolk Co., Va. and [Washington] 60 years old; Godwin Street, Norfolk Co “that we were in the same company during the War of the Rebellion and was with him when wounded … we have known him and lived near him ever since the close of the war”

 

General Affidavit, Albert Jones, 17 October 1892
49 years old; post-office address 1114 Chestnut St., Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va…. “That he is intimately acquainted with the claimant from having served with him in the same co. and regt. during the war, and having lived in the same community that he has lived since the close of the said war, and at this time he lives within four blocks of him, that he is now in bad health and unable to work and he has often contributed to his relief.”

 

General Affidavit, Thomas Reddick, 19 October 1892
53 years old; residence Portsmouth, Norfolk Co., Va. “[T]hat he is living in the same neighborhood as the claimant … that he is well acquainted with the claimant from the fact of being his comrade-in-arms same Co. and Regt. during the late war.”

 

Marriage License [copy], Dawson Gordney & Louisa Johnson, 29 September 1896
[Marriage] Portsmouth, Va., 1 October 1896
[Ages] 55  years old and 31 years old, respectively
[Birthplaces] Southampton County, Va. and Nansemond County, Va., respectively
[Residence] Norfolk County, Va.
[Husband’s parents] Henry Gwathmey and Angelina Gwathmey
[Wife’s parents] Elias and Mary Gray
[Officiant] John C. Dennis

 

General Affidavit, Newell Jones & Edward Riddick 22 April 1897
[Jones] 57 years old, Portsmouth, Va. and [Riddick] 55 years old, Virginia; have known the claimant at least 25 years

 

Questionnaire, Dawson Gwathmey, 4 June 1898
[Married?] Yes, Louisa Gwathmey nee Louisa Gray; widow Louisa Johnson
[When, where, whom] about 1864, Norfolk, by Rev. J.C. Dennis
[Record?] Clerk’s Office, City of Norfolk
[Previous marriage] No
[Living children?] No

 

Deposition, Dawson Gwathmey alias Gordney, 20 March 1902
60 years old; laborer; 406 Cook St., Portsmouth, Va.
“I was born in Southampton, Va.; was a slave; was owned by Peter Olds. My father was Henry Gordney and it was from him I took my name. I worked on a farm before I enlisted.
“I never got a discharge when I left the army for the reason I was wounded and did not go to Texas, but during Cleveland’s first administration a discharge was sent me which I herewith hand you. … My correct name is Gordney, but not being able to read and write some people got the name mixed and called me Gwathmey.
“[After I was wounded] I returned to my company but was never able to resume duty. The regiment went to Texas after I rejoined them and was there some twelve months but I did not go.
“Jeptha Garrard was my Colonel.
“Jerry Whiteman was my first Lt. but I cannot recollect who was my Lt. Col.
“Seips was Major and Lt. Col.
“Whiteman always acted as Capt. of my Company. Hart was 2d Lt. He said he was from Syracuse.
“Thomas Pitt was my Ord. Sgt. Edward Pitt was Commissary Sgt. Genus Jones was Duty Sgt.
“A man named Elliott now of Portsmouth, Va. eat and slept with me still I have forgotten his first name. …
“James Allen Smith of Washington, DC was my attorney. So far I’ve paid him personally nothing.”
“The Pitt boys, Dick Colin, and Genie Gray were my witnesses. They charged me nothing. I was never a witness for any of my witnesses.

“Mr. Rutter executes my vouchers; charges me seventy-five cents; he always swears me; he never executes my vouchers before the 4th. I only pawned my pension papers once and that to Mr. Diesendorf; that was a number of  years ago.  I do not now owe Mrs. Diesendorf anything. …

“I had a slave wife named Jane Brinkley. She went to Richmond in time of war and has been married three times since she left me …

“I next married in 1863; married Bythy Falk. I had no ceremony with her; just took up and announced ourselves husband and wife. Lived with her eighteen years. I first had her at Suffolk but later on we came to Portsmouth and here my wife went insane and was sent to the asylum at Petersburg, Va. where she died about four years ago. The court considered me divorced though I never made an application for one.  I next married Louisa Johnson who was the widow of Harry Johnson who died in this city eight years ago. I married my last wife seven years ago in Portsmouth, Va. We were married by Reverend Denning. My wife was only married once before I married her and she and Harry Johnson separated and as I said he died eight years ago.

“I have no children under 16 years of age.”

 

General Affidavit, Jack Flemming & Jack Wilson, 7 November 1904
[Flemming] 48 years old, residence 1427 Green St., Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Va. …”well and personally acquainted with Dawson Gordney for 10 years and see him about three or four times a week…
[Wilson] 56 years old, residence 1110 London St., Portsmouth, Norfolk County, Va. … “well and personally acquainted with him for at least 40 years more or less as he was in the  same regiment as me. I have seen him nearly every week during that time … ”

 

General Affidavit, Albert Crump, 11 November 1904
about 75 years old; residence 1145 London St., Portsmouth, Va. “personally acquainted with Dawson Gordney for 45 years, knew him before the war, was in the same regiment with him & have been a neighbor to him for the past 30 or 35 years”

 

Claimant’s Affidavit, Louisa Gwathmey, 13 January 1913
50 years old; post-office address 1101 Glasgow Ave., Portsmouth, Va.  “Dawson Gwathmey alias Gordney died in Portsmouth, Va., January 8, 1907, at my house 1100 London St. and that his body was carried to National Soldiers Home for burial. That my first husband has been dead one year before I married the second and that my name before marriage to Dawson Gwathmey alias Gordney was Louisa Johnson

“That Gwathmey or Gordney’s wife whose name was Bithey died at the Central State Asylum some years ago. If date of death is required it is probable that it can be obtained from the Doctor at the above named institution, Petersburg, Va.

“On this 30th day of January 13, Minnie Brown and Annie E. Boush whose names appear in this affidavit dated 14 January 13 further swear that Dawson Gwathmey’s wife Bithey died some years ago in the Central State Asylum, Petersburg, Va. And that Dawson Gwathmey lived from his marriage to his death with Louisa Gwathmey.”

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