Mary C Lewis Original Application Letter - Dated 29 August 1862
Information that can be found in this documents:
- Mary C. Lewis is a resident of Lockport, Niagara, New York in 1862
- Mary C. Lewis is 61 years of age on 29 August 1862
- Wilson L. Starkey's military information
- Wilson L. Starkey's death information
- Mary C. Lewis is disable and relied on her son, Wilson L. Starkey for support
State of New York
County of Niagara On this 29th day of August A.D. personally appeared before me H. A. Cook the Deputy Clerk of the county court and other courts which are courts of Record of whose seals I have the custody. Mary C. Lewis a resident of Lockport in the county of Niagara and state of New York aged 61 years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions made by the act of congress approved July 14th 1862. That she is the wife of Daniel G. Lewis and mother of Wilson L. Starkey who was corporal in company C. commanded by captain Ellis & Brownell of the 15th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers commanded by colonel Turner in the war of 1861 who died on the 26th day of July 1862 at the Hospital Boat Red Rover of Swamp Fever or congestive Chills being from disease contracted in said service. She further declares that her said son upon whom she was wholly or in part dependent for support having left no widow or minor child under sixteen years of age surviving Declarant makes this application for a pension under the above mentioned act and refers to the evidence filed herewith and that in proper Department to establish her claim and this application is, made under the 3d Section of said act and in accordance with the following words thereof, “But has left or shall leave a Mother who is dependent upon him for support in whole or in part The Mother shall be entitled to receive the same pension as such officer or other person would have been entitled to had he been totally disabled.” That she was not only dependent upon her said son for support & was in her old age poor and her said son did at various times divide his earnings with her and contributed for her support and express a desire to leave her his property when dead and her said son died poor. That Deponent has not remarried since the passage of said law or since the death of said son: and she asks the careful consideration of the Hon Commissioner of Pensions and all officers and persons to whom the decision of this claim may be entrusted to the fact that the promise of said law as above quoted is not to widows but to mothers of Soldiers dying of disease contracted in the service aforesaid and said promise is not limited in said law as she believes and further that express words of limitation are necessary to limit an express promise, and further that any implication contained in the words in said section “That the pension given to a mother on account of her son shall terminate on her remarriage” should not be applied to her as she has not remarried since the right to said pension accured or could terminate nor since the passage of said act. She further declares that she has not in any way been engaged in or aided or abetted the rebellion in the United States. That she is not in the receipt of a pension under the second section above mentioned nor under any other act nor has she again married since the death of her said son the said Wilson L. Starkie. That she constitutes James F Baldwin of Lockport New York her attorney in the matter and desires all correspondence relative thereto mailed to him. Mary C. Lewis |