Feeds:
Posts
Comments

Posts Tagged ‘officers’

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.”

Read Full Post »

“The President’s authority to commission the officers of colored volunteer notwithstanding, state executives exerted considerable influence in the selection of officers of Negro regiments. Clamoring for the protection of states’ rights, the governors argued that native white men of their respective states should be appointed officers of the Negro troops they mobilized.”
John T. Blassingame. “The Selection of Officers and Non-Commissioned Officers of Negro Troops in the Union Troops, 1863-1865,” Negro History Bulletin,Vol. 30, No. 1 (January 1967), pp. 8-11.

This photograph of an unidentified cavalry officer is held in the collection of the Missouri Historical Society. The catalog record describes it as a “half-length portrait of a man in uniform with a sword. Subject’s hat has crossed sabers, indicating cavalry.”

See related posts:

1st U.S. Colored Cavalry in the 19th Century News” (December 23, 2019)
Black Troops, White Officers” (July 20, 2020)
Free Military School for Applicants for Commands of Colored Troops” (December 16, 2019)

Read Full Post »

White officers typically served as enlisted men or junior officers in Northern regiments before becoming commanding officers in African American regiments. This officer’s earlier service was as Regimental Quartermaster with the Sixth Massachusetts Infantry . After the war ended he married a woman from Norfolk, Virginia and returned to his hometown  Lowell, Massachusetts.

 

Inavlid — 1,313,825 / 1,105,836
Widow — 921,814 / 692,335, Mary Coburn 

 

Certificate of Marriage, Charles H. Coburn and Mary Victoria McClean, 20 June 1866
Coburn was born in Lowell, Massachusetts; McClean was born in Norfolk, Virginia. Officiated by Reverend J.S.B. Hodges on June 20, 1866 in Scotch Plains, New Jersey. Witnesses were: “Mother & sisters of bride, James Parker etc. 
Recorded in the Parish Register of Grace Church, Newark, NJ, Page 464, 465 of Vol. i.”

 

Questionnaire, Charles H. Coburn, 18 March 1905
[wife]  Mary Victoria Coburn; Mary Victoria McClean
[where, when, by whom] June 20, 1866 at Scotch Plains, NJ by John S.B. Hodges, DD, Newark, NJ
[record] at Scotch Plains, NJ
[previous marriage] no
[living children] Three — Victoria McLean Coburn, May 7, 1869; Frederic William Coburn, January 30, 1873; Helen Coburn, June 5, 1877

 

Questionnaire (3-447],  Charles H. Coburn, 24 March 1905
[birthdate] March 12, 1839
[birthplace] Lowell, Massachusetts
[date enlisted] August 20, 1862
[place enlisted] Lowell, Mass.
[residence before enlistment] Lowell, Mass
[post-office box before enlistment] Lowell, Mass
[occupation at enlistement] merchant
[when discharged] June 5, 1863
[where discharged] Lowell
[residence after discharge] Lowell, Massachusetts
[present occupation] merchant
[physicial description] 5 feeet, 6 3/4 inches; weight, 150 pounds; blue eyes; brown hair; light complexion; no scars

 

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Mary V. Coburn, 10 June 1909
“she is the widow of Charles H. Coburn, who was enrolled, on or about 16 day of September, 1862 as a 1st Lieut. Regt. Com, in 1st RRegt. U.S. Colored  Vol Cavalry , and honorably discharged June 3rd, 1863, having served ninety days or moe duirng the late civil war …
“Also personally appeared Hellen C. Stevens, residing in 187 Nesmith S., Lowell, Massachusetts, and Ethel M. Morse,  residing in 187 Nesmith St., Lowell, Massachusetts [acquainted with her] 32 years and 2 years, respectively …”

 

General Affidavit, Frederic McClean, 19 July 1909
36 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
“[the couple] was married but once …”

 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Record of Death, Charles H. Coburn, 29 October 1909 [date stamped by Pension Office]
[death date] June 3, 1909
[age] 70 years, 2 months, 19 days
[death place] 187 Nesmith Street, Lowell, Massachusetts
[occupations] Vice President & Treasurer, C.B. Coburn, Co.
[birthplace] Lowell, Mass
[parents’ names] Charles B. Coburn; Elizabeth West
[parents’ birthplaces] Chelmsford, Massachusetts; Salem, Massachusetts
[cause of death] arterio sclerosis 

 

Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Certificate of Record of Death, 11 June 1909
[Note] The information recorded here is also  in the “Record of Death.” However, this document states that this individual was buried in Lowell Cemetery, Lowell, Massachusetts and the previous document.

 

General Affidavit, Lizzie McClean, 19 July 1909
60 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
“depose and say that the claimant was never married but once and then to soldier, also that the soldier was never married but once and then to the claimant Mary V. Courn nee McLean….”

 

General Affidavit, Walter Coburn and Agness C. Bartlett, 20 August 1909
[Coburn] 64 years; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
[Bartlett] 47 years; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, 313 Nesmith St., Lowell, Massachusetts
“I Walter Coburn depose and say that I am the brother of the soldier, relative to the claimant and the soldier living together from the date of their marriage to about 1890 will say that they always lived together from the date of their marriage up to the date of his death and very happily. …
“I Agness C. Bartlett depose and say relative to the claimant and soldier living together from the date of their marriage to about 1890 … up to the date of the soldier’s death and very happily …”

 

General Affidavit, Mary H.C. Rogers and Elizabeth Coburn, 20 August 1909
[Rogers] 69 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
[Coburn] 59 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, Lowell, Massachusetts
“[the couple] well known to us before their marriage and we know that neither was married befoe and that the widow has not married since.”

 

General Affidavit, George H. Heath, 30 September 1909
35 years old; residence, Lowell, Massachusetts; post-office address, 79 Branch Ave., Lowell, Mass
“That is a clerical error on my part that June third was the correct date of  his death and it was my mistake and I hereby make oath to that effect.”

 

General Affidavit, Mary V. Coburn, 26 October 1909
72 years old; residence, Lowell, Middlesex County, Massachusetts; post-office address, 745 Hillside Ave., Plainfield, NJ 
“[Coburn] He died on the morning of June 3, 1909, at 6 o’clock a.m. which is correct. The undertaker was particularly told the day and time of day that the soldier died”

 

Read Full Post »

“Union cavalry and mounted artillery soldiers were issued greatcoats to be worn over their uniforms during the winter months.”

See the complete entry for “Union Mounted Greatcoat” at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of American History, accessed May 3, 2021.

Read Full Post »

It was somewhat easier for white officers and their families to have their pension applications approved. Family Bible entries for births, marriages, and deaths could be corroborated with other sources to prove relationships.

Invalid – 495, 059 / 979,556
Widow – 1,083,100 / 826,058, Clara J. Howard

General Affidavit, Charles M. Howard, 29 December 1898
50 years old; post-office address, 59 Quimby Street, Grand Rapids, Michigan
“Have known O.L. Howard for years having been in business with him …”
[Note: Another individual’s name “Charles [illegible], aged 20 years …” and signature were struck through — Leslie]

General Affidavit, George W. Morris, 30 December 1898
60 years old; post-office address, 43 Close Place [???], Detroit, Michigan
“I have known Orville L. Howard for the past thirty years. I know that he was in the Mt. Clemens [???] Mich in 1892 suffering from rheumatism and taking baths for treatment of the same. I know this for I visited him there two or three times.


General Affidavit, Orville L. Howard, 1 July 1914
69 years old; post-office address, 142 Wallach Ave., Buffalo, NY
” … there is no public or church record of his birth and no way to prove same other than a leaf [of paper] from the family Bible … This leaf was taken from the family Bible by this soldier some years ago and he does not known where the family Bible is now. [He recalls seeing his name in the Bible] giving his date of birth as July 26, 1844. o

General Affidavit, William H. Smith, 6 September 1912
40 years old; residence, Warsaw, Wyoming Co., NY; occupation, Pastor of the First M.E. Church, Warsaw, NY
“Have examined the church records here and find the following record
O.L. Howard — Farmer — Brockport, NY
Clara J. Morris Warsaw, NY
Married Dec 22nd, 1866 by H.H. Lyman, Pastor”

General Affidavit, Orville L. Howard, 1 July 1914
69 years old; post-office address, 142 Wallach Ave., Buffalo, NY
” … there is no public or church record of his birth and no way to prove same other than a leaf [of paper] from the family Bible … This leaf was taken from the family Bible by this soldier some years ago and he does not known where the family Bible is now. [He recalls seeing his name in the Bible] giving his date of birth as July 26, 1844. o

Declaration for Widow’s Pension, Clara J. Howard, 26 October 1916
“77 years of age … born November 23rd, 1839 at Warsaw, Wyoming Co., NY
“That she is the widow of Orville L. Howard who enlisted August 9, 1862, at Brockport, NY… as 1st Sgt & Cptn. in Company M, 3rd NY Cavalry and was honorably discharged November 22, 1864 …
“That she was married to said soldier December 22, 1866 under the name of Clara J. Morris, at Warsaw, NY by Rev. H.H. Lyman, that she had not been previously married, that he had not been previously married …
“That said soldier died October 20, 1916, at Buffalo, NY …”

Read Full Post »

Older Posts »

%d bloggers like this: