Affidavits and Statements concerning Benjamin Starkey
and Mary Ridgway's marriage
Statement of Wilson and Sarah R Lambert to the Marriage of Benjamin Starkey and Mary C Ridgway (now Lewis) - 29 May 1863
Information that can be found in these documents:
- Wilson Lambert and Sarah R. Lambert are residents of Geneva, Ontario, New York on 29 May 1863
- Benjamin Starkey and Mary C. Ridgway were married 27 November 1821
- Benjamin Starkey and Mary C. Ridgway were married in Wilson Lambert and Sarah R Lambert's home in Lambertsville, Hunterdon, New Jersey by Rev Mr Kirpatrick of Elder Kirpatrick
- A brief description of Wilson L. Starkey military service
- Benjamin Starkey is the first husband of Mary C. Lewis
- There is no known record of the marriage of Benjamin Starkey and Mary C. Lewis
- Benjamin Starkey presumed died in Pekin Illinois
- Mary C. Lewis married second time to Daniel G. Lewis on 29 July 1849 in Charlotte, Niagara, New York
- Daniel G. Lewis is 67 as of 9 Mar 1863
- Daniel G. Lewis is an invalid
State of New York
Ontario County On this 29th day of May 1863, before me the subscriber, personally appeared, Wilson Lambert and Sarah R Lambert, residents of Geneva in said County who being duly sworn says That on the 27th day of November 1821. Benjamin Starkey married Mary C Ridgeway at said Lamberts dwelling home then situate in the Town of LambertsVille County of Hunterdon in the state of New Jersey by Rev. Mr Kirpatrick Sworn to before me } Wilson Lambert this 29 day of May 1863 } Sarah R Lambert Official Seal HCfchell Affixed Notary Public Gen?? N.Y. ( See Note next page – J.F. Baldwin Atty) |
Note mentioned on above page about the need for the marriage record
Annexed papers were returned for certificate of Notarys Appointment &c The Certificate was sent Although no Proof of Marriage of Mothers is necessary consequently none of Notarys Appointment
See Laws and Decisions of Secretary of Interior Mothers are entitled whether or not married J.F. Baldwin Atty &c |
Mary Ridgway Starkey Lewis' statement on her marriage to Benjamin Starkey - 12 June 1863
State of New York
County of Niagara On this 12th day of June 1863 personally appeared Mary C. Lewis, who being by me the undersigned Justice of the Peace within and for the aforesaid county duly sworn declares that she is the identical person who applied under act of Congress Dated July 14th 1862 for a Mothers pension on account of the Military Service and death of Wilson L. Starkey who was her son: That Additional Evidence is required by the Commissioner of Pensions as she is informed by her attorney and believes: That she is also informed by her attorney that some delay has occurred on account of the destruction by fire of said requirements of soldiers desd that the same was burned in his office May 5th 1863 which she believes as a Private in Company C of the 15th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers in the war of 1861 (but she cannot state the date) and was promoted to Corporal in said company and was by request of the General as she is informed Detached, and Detailed to serve as a Signal officer and died July 26th 1862 on board the Hospital boat “Red Rover” and was buried at Spanish Moss Bend on the Mississippi River in the state of Louisiana. That he died unmarried leaving no child surviving him That he was the son of Benjamin Starkey. That said Benjamin was the first husband of Deponent and she was legally married to him by Elder Kirkpatrick November 27th 1821 at the house of Wilson Lambert in Lambertsville Hunterdon County in the state of New Jersey. That she has not for about forty years known said Minister and she believes he is now dead as he was then an old man. That she never had any certificate of said marriage. That she knows of no public Record thereof and believes she cannot obtain any legal or church Record and that none was kept as she believes, after due inquiry: That she has not any family Record and that the [manor and ------?] or family Record was taken to one of the western states by her son. That her said Husband died at Pekin Illinois in the fall of the year 1848 as she learned by letter which is lost and was from the Post Master at that place in answer to a letter inquiry from her which was mailed from the town of Wilson Niagara County aforesaid that in consequence of her husbands dying so far away and without her knowledge she cannot as she believes obtain evidence of his residence and of nothing having been known of him (as provided by common law and statutes) That she is the same person who was married to said Benjamin Starkey as stated in the affidavit hereto annexed of Wilson Lambert and Sarah R Lambert. That after the death of her said husband she was left dependent upon her own exertions and the aid received from her children for support. That she was again married July 29th 1849 to Daniel G Lewis at Charlotte in said county and he is her present husband. That her said Husband is in feeble health and is Sixty-seven years of age and she is Sixty-two years of age March 9 1863 and in feeble health. That she has not sufficient property or means of support and neither she nor her husband are able to obtain the necessary means of support from their labor and have no other income. That she was dependent for support both before and after her marriage with said Daniel G Lewis upon her said son and he furnished her with a necessary means of support from time to time after he was fifteen years of age up to the time of his death being for twelve years. That for a portion of the time her said son worked and returned his wages to her for her support and for a part of the time furnished money and sent her by mail and in various ways contributed to her support up to his death. And when she was in need of money from time to time for her support she wrote to him and he furnished it. That if any further evidence is required, she desires that the requisition be mailed to James F Baldwin at Lockport New York and particularly that her pension Certificate and all correspondence related thereto be mailed to him for he is her attorney and claim agent and she desires that he may receive all papers, in order that he may be in a condition to conduct her business, as she lives about eight miles from his place of business to transit at New Fane in the aforesaid county. That she desires this Evidence consolidated with her application Mailed to the Commissioner of Pensions September 20th 1862 but she cannot the number, on account of the destruction of Papers by said fire. Mary C Lewis Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of June 1863 and I hereby certify that I have no interest or indirect in the prosecution of this claim and the statements of said Mary C Lewis are entitled to full op dit. Alden C Keith Justice of the Peace |