Buena Vista County Military
Abstract of Pension File of Ester Newcomb, Civil War Widow
WAR OF 1861
BRIEF
IN THE CASE OF: Esther Newcomb, widow of Joseph Newcomb, Pvt. Co. C,
28th Iowa Volunteers, Post Office address, Montezuma, Iowa.
CLAIM FOR WIDOW'S PENSION
PROOF EXHIBITED:
On rolls, mustered in Aug. 11, 1862 and died Aug. 22, 1863
Shown
by report of Surgeon General to have died of pneumonia at Jefferson
Barracks, St. Louis, Mo., while in the service of the United States
Records
of Poweshiek Co., Iowa shows marriage of Joseph Newcomb to Ester
Cassiday, Sept. 20, 1855, by R. B. Ogden, County Judge of Poweshiek
County, Iowa
Three children whose names and ages claimant gives:
Sarah Rosetta Newcomb, born August 10, 1856
William Clayton Newcomb, born September 14, 1860
John Elmer Newcomb, born February 20, 1863
[note:
John Elmer Newcomb appears to have died sometime between Sept. 1863,
when he was listed as a surviving child of the Newcombs, and Sept.
1866, when only Sarah Rosetta and William Clayton were listed as
survivors]
Affidavit of J. W. H. Vest stating that he was
the family physician of the Joseph Newcomb family from 1856 to 1862 and
that he personally attended the births of Sarah Rosetta and William C.
Newcomb on the dates given above, and that they were at the time of
this affidavit (Feb. 1867) the only living children of the couple.
Admitted Feb. 26th, 1864, to a pension of $8 per month, commencing Aug. 22nd, 1863
[note:
at some point she was denied additional pension for the two living
children, Sarah Rosetta and William Clayton, because the pension agency
claimed that she had abandoned the children. The reason given for the
denial of the pension increase was that for a portion of the time the
children were inmates of an orphan asylum. However, there were
affidavits signed by John Cassiday and Rachael Porter attesting to that
fact that the children were not abandoned]
PENSIONER DROPPED
UNITED STATES PENSION AGENCY
DES MOINES, IOWA
Certificate No. 15788, Ester Newcomb, widow of Joseph Newcomb, Co. C, 28th Iowa Infantry
Sir:
I
have the honor to report that the above named pensioner, who was last
paid at $12, to Jan. 4, 1904 has been dropped because of death, Feb.
13, 1904.
Very respectfully,
R. P. Clarkson
United States Pension Agent
[note: Ester did die on the date given above, and is buried in Elk Cemetery north of Alta]
(Info contributed by Sheryl McClure) |
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