From the Pension File of Patty Wood
Dependant mother of William Wood

Claim #183.041; Certificate #185896
Box #34191
National Archives Trust Fund, Washington, DC


Mother's Claim For Pension
22 November 1869

State of New York, County of Hamilton.

        On this twenty second day of November, A.D., 1869, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace, a Court of Record within and for said County, Patty Wood, age fifty nine years, a resident of Long Lake, in the County of Hamilton, and State of New York, who, being, first duly sworn, according to the 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 14, 1862: That she is the widow of Josiah F. Wood, deceased, and mother of William Wood, deceased who was a private, in Company E, commanded by Captain J. Parmerter, in the 118th Regiment of New York State Vols, commanded by Colonel S. T. Richards in the war of 1861, who died near Peters burgh, [sic] Virginia on the ninth day of July 1864 from gun shot wound received near Petersburgh [sic] aforesaid at [?] while in the line of duty in the service of the United States.

        She further declares, that her said son, upon whom she was wholly 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 the proper department to establish her claim.

        She also 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 receipt of a pension under the second section of the act above-named, or under any other act, nor has she again married since the death of her son, the said William Wood.

        Also, personally appeared Cyrus H. Kellogg and [?], residents of Long Lake in the County of Hamilton, and State of New York, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn say that they were present and saw Patty Wood sign her name, Patty Wood, to the forgoing declaration. They further say, that they were acquainted with Josiah F. Wood, the late husband of Patty Wood, in his lifetime, and know that [????] wife, at the time of his death, and for a long time previous thereto; that they were generally recognized to be such by their acquaintances and neighbors, and affiants never heard their marriage questioned. They further say, that the said William Wood, who served and died, as stated in the forgoing declaration, left neither widow nor child surviving him, that he was the son of the said Patty Wood, and Josiah F. Wood, born to them during the continuance of their aforesaid marriage; that the said Josiah F. Wood died on the second day of June, A.D. 1867; that the said Patty Wood was wholly dependent upon the said William Wood for support at the time of his death; that since the death of her said husband the said Patty Wood has not married, but is still a widow; that she has not been engaged in or aided or abetted the Rebellion in the United States; and that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. All the forgoing statements they make from their own personal knowledge; and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

[Signed]
[?]
[?]

        Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 22 day of November A.D. 1869; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. And I certify that said Patty Wood resides [more?] than 25 miles from the place of holding the court. Witness my signature at Long Lake N.Y. the day and year aforesaid.
[Signed]
Robert Shaw
Justice of the Peace

Know all men by these presents, that I, Patty Wood of Long Lake, in the County of Hamilton, and State of New York do hereby constitute and appoint Zerah S. Westbrook of Northampton, NY, my true and lawful Agent or attorney, for me, and in my name, to prosecute the claim presented by me for a pension by reason of the service of my late son William Wood deceased; and I do hereby authorize my said attorney to examine the papers, documents and records relating to said claim, which may be found in any Department or Office of the Government; to appoint one or more persons to assist him in the business aforesaid; to file additional evidence or arguments when necessary; to receive the certificate which may issue in my name upon said claim; and do any and all lawful acts necessary in effecting the object of his said appointment. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand this 22nd day of November A.D. 1869 Sealed and delivered in the presence of: State of New York, County of Hamilton,

        On this twenty second day of November, A.D. 1869, before the undersigned authority within and for said County, personally came Patty Wood, and acknowledged the signing and sealing of the forgoing Power of Attorney, for the purposes therein expressed.
Witness my hand,
[Signed]
Robert Shaw

State of New York, County of Hamilton,

I, William H. Fry, Clerk of the Courts and of the County Court within and for said County, do certify that Robert Shaw Esq., before whom the forgoing declaration affidavit was made, was, at the time of taking the same, and still is an acting Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn; and that the signature, purporting to be his, to said declaration affidavit and acknowledgement, is his genuine signature and that said Justice resides [more?] than 25 miles from the place of holding the court. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of our said Court, at Sageville, NY, this Eighth day of December, A.D. 1869.
[Signed]
Wm. H Fry
Clerk Hamilton County and of the Courts of Record thereof.

Attorney's Address
Zerah S. Westbrook
Northampton, Fulton Co., NY
 


Affidavit of Cyrus H. Palmer an Reuben Cary
20 December 1869

State of New York
County of Hamilton

On this 20th day of December in AD 1869 before me a Justice of the Peace in and for said county personally appeared Cyrus H. Palmer and Reuben Cary residents of Long Lake in the County of Hamilton and State of New York. Persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who being each by me duly sworn according to law deposes and say that they reside as above stated and that they are each well acquainted with Patty Wood mother of William Wood who was a private in Company "E" of the 118th Regiment of New York Vols In the late war. That they have known the said Patty Wood for 16 years past and well knew her son the said William Wood for a long time before he entered said service of the United States and up to the time of his death. That at the time the said William Wood entered said service of the United States and at the time of his death in said service on or about the 9th day of July 1864 his mother the said Patty Wood was almost entirely dependant upon him for support and had been for at least 3 years previous to his entering said service. And to the extent of $100.00 per year. That he contributed to in support money in purchasing clothing. [four?] [sums?] and all other [?] of up for his said mother [?] and giving her the money to purchase the same herself. That he sent his said mother while he was in said service of the United States One hundred and twenty dollars ($120.00) and his said mother has received all back pay and bounty due him from the government since the death of her said son Wm. Wood for his service amounting to $100.00. They also swear that the said Patty Wood since the death of her son the said William Wood has had no means of support except the money received on account of the back pay and Bounty due her said son from the government; and a piece of wild land worth about $150.00 given to her by her said son when he entered said service. And also by hard manual labor which she is not competent to perform being 59 years of age and generally old and feeble.

That the said Patty Wood has no property except a piece of wild land on which is situated a log house worth in all not more that $150.00 and her son the said William Wood gave her the same before he entered said service of the United States.

They each also swear that the forgoing statements are entirely true and that they or either of them have any interest in pension or in its prosecution.
[Signed]
Cyrus H. Palmer
Reuben Cary

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 20th day of December in AD 1869 and I certify that I have no interest whatever in the claim of the said Patty Wood for pension or in its prosecution.
[Signed]
Robert Shaw
Justice of the Peace

State of New York
County of Hamilton

I William H. Fry clerk of said County and State and clerk of the County Court held therein (a Court of record) do hereby certify that Robert Shaw Esq. Before [?] the forgoing affidavits [?] [subs ontrd?] and sworn to was at the date and time a Justice of the Peace in and for said county. Duly elected and qualified to administer oaths. And that I am well acquainted with his hand writing and his signature to said affidavits as such Justice written [?] [?] his [?] signature. And I further certify that said Justice resides more than 40 miles from the office of the County Judge and the Clerk of the Courts. As witness my hand and official seal at Sageville, NY this 29th day of December AD 1869
[Signed]
Wm. H. Fry
Clerk
 


Supplementary Affidavit of Patty Wood
27 September 1871

State of New York
County of Hamilton

Patty Wood being by me duly sworn according to law deposes and says she resides at Long Lake in the County of Hamilton and the state of New York. That she is the mother of William Wood late a private in Company E of the 118th Regiment of New York Vols. In the war of 1861, now deceased. And she is now an applicant for pension No. 183.041 and as to the requirements of circular No. 18 from pension office dated Nov. 25, 1870 she makes the following supplementary affidavit
viz;
1st
I have resided at Long Lake, New York for 26 years and where I have resided ever since my said son William assisted me in my support, and where I now reside. I was married to Josiah F. Wood the father of said William in 1829 but he is now dead having died June 2nd 1867. And I am now un-married
2nd
I have had no property or resources since my said son began his assistance but the following; before he enlisted in [?] Company and Regiment in the United States service he bought us about fifty acres of wild land upon which is a small house not worth over $200 and which I have owned and occupied since his death. And since my said sons death my only sources of support have been what little I could [earn?] from my land and what I could earn by hard labor. And the amount due him for back pay and bounty from the United States.
3rd
The father of the said William Wood's age was sixty seven years when he died. His health was very poor from the time the said son William began his contributions and he was unable to labor or earn anything. And he died of cancer at Long Lake, New York June 2nd 1867 and no physician attended him for the reason it was not necessary as they could do him no good and we are unable to supply a physician.
4th
The names ages and residences of my other children are as follows
Martha Smith (married) oldest girl, aged 39 years, resides at Chester, Warren Co., New York.
Cynthia Hatheway resides at West port, New York.
Second son Alonzo Wood (married) aged 35 years resides at Boonville, New York.
Harriet Smith (married) fourth girl age 30 years resides at Chester, New York.
Safronia Wood (unmarried) aged 28 years resides at North Hudson, New York.
Samantha Howord (married) sixth girl aged 24 years resides at Long Lake, New York.
Amy Thornton seventh girl aged 22 lives at Long Lake, New York.
Jerome Wood third son living aged 20 years lives at Long Lake, New York.

None of my said children have aided me or do now aid me except my youngest the said Jerome Wood who has aided me a very little. He is very undependable and unsteady and is only little [nearly?] able to support himself.
5th
The deceased soldier said William Wood at the time of his death was twenty six years of age. He always lived at home up to the time of his enlistment aforesaid. He contributed to my support and his fathers for five or six years before he enlisted as aforesaid and directly previous to said enlistment for that time. He was a trapper in the north woods of New York. We lived in borders of the Adirondack Mountains and all he earned by trapping and hunting he contributed for the support of myself and his father except what was actually necessary for himself. Before he enlisted he bought us the aforesaid house and land and while he was in the army he sent us for our support in all one hundred and twenty dollars. And after his death I received $100 bounty and his back pay also through John H. Walker claim agent at Chestertown New York. My said son lived right at home with us, was our main dependence and support.
She further swears that the forgoing statements are entirely true.
[Signed] Patty Wood
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27 day of November A.D. 1871
And I certify that deponent is the person she represents herself to be and is entirely respectable and credible and that I have no interest in this said claim or in its prosecution.
[Signed] D. B. Squire
Justice of the Peace.
 


Affidavit of Robert Shaw
[Supervisor of Long Lake]
27 November 1871

State of New York
County of Hamilton

        Robert Shaw, being by me duly sworn according to law deposes and says he resides at Long Lake in the County of Hamilton and State of New York. That he is supervisor of said town of Long Lake and a taxpayer therein. That he well knows Patty Wood said [?] mother of William Wood late a private in Company "E" of the 118th Regt of N.Y. Vols, war of 1861. That he has carefully read the accompanying supplementary affidavit of the said Patty Wood of this date in the claim for pension and knows the statements and allegations made therein to be correct. That he well knows the said Patty Wood and lived neighbor to her for a long time and knew her said son William Wood ever since he was a small boy. That he always lived at home with his parents and for five or six years previous to his enlisting in said service of the United States he was the main dependence and support of his parents. That he was a hunter and trapper of the north woods and sold his [gawr ?], furs, etc., to [por? ?] away and used all the proceeds obtained thereby for the support of his parents except what was actually necessary for his own support. That his assistance to during that time was at least one hundred dollars per year. He took [ecctir ? chop?] of them. His father Josiah F. Wood during that time was very sick and feeble and unable to work and support himself and wife. He was suffering with a cancer from which he died June 2nd 1867. No physician attended him as none could help him and they had no means to employ one. During that time the father and mother of said William Wood had no property or income from which to support themselves. During the time the said William Wood assisted his said parents he resided a long distance from stores where necessaries were purchased and therefore no evidence of parties from which he purchased [things ?] for his father and mother can be obtained as they could not know for what they were purchased if they knew him at all. That he knew that while said William Wood was in the army he sent his said parents for support amounting to considerable, about $120. And after he died she obtained his back pay and bounty as stated by her in her said affidavit. And also before said William Wood enlisted he purchased a piece of wild land about fifty acres with a small house on it worth not over two hundred dollars for his parents which his mother now has. And since his death she has had no means of support except his back pay and bounty, and what she can obtain from said land, and by her own labor, her other children being unable to support her. That the forgoing statements are entirely true and he has no interest in this said claim or in its prosecution.
[Signed]
Robert Shaw
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of November, A.D. 1871 and I certify that deponent is entirely respectable and creditable and I have no interest in this said claim or in its prosecution.
[Signed]
D. B. Squire
Justice of the Peace
William H. Fry, Clerk
 


Affidavit of John L. Boyden
27 November 1871

State of New York
County of Hamilton

        John L. Boyden being also by me duly sworn at the same said time and place duly sworn according to law deposes and says that he resides at Long Lake, Hamilton County, New York and is a taxpayer. That he has for a long time lived neighbor to Patty Wood and her deceased husband Josiah F. Wood and well knew their son William Wood who was a private - Co. "E" 118th NY Vols for a long time. That he has carefully read the forgoing affidavit of Robert Shaw and knows the contents thereof and knows the same to be entirely true and he swears to the same also as there and makes oath to the same as he knows all the facts and circumstances therein alleged. That he has no interest in this said claim or in its prosecution.
[Signed]
John L. Boyden
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27th day of November, A.D. 1871 and I certify that the deponent is entirely respectable and credible and I have no interest in the prosecution of said claim.
[Signed]
D. B. Squire
Justice of the Peace
William H. Fry, Clerk
 


Mother's Declaration ---Army Pension
2 April 1877

State of New York
Essex County

        On this Second day of April A.D. 1877 personally appeared before me, a Deputy Court Clerk, in for the County and State above named, Mrs. Patty Wood a resident of Long Lake in the County of Hamilton on the State of New York she being the age of sixty seven years, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provisions made by the act of Congress approved July 14th, 1862; That she is the widow of Josiah Wood and mother of William Wood who was a private in Company E commanded by Jacob Parmerter in the one hundred and eighteenth Regiment of New York State Volunteers, in the was of 1861, who died on the ninth day of July 1864, at Petersburgh [sic] Virginia by being shot through the head.

        She further declares that her said son, upon whom she was wholly or in part dependent for support, having 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 the proper department, to establish her claim.

        She also 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 receipt of a pension under the second section of the act above mentioned or under any other act; nor has she remarried since the death of her son, the said William Wood and that she is now a widow.

        She further declares that she was married to her deceased husband, the said Josiah Wood on the fourteenth day of December in the year 1829: that her husband died on the second day of June 1867, and that she has ever since remained a widow; that said William Wood left no minor child or children no brother or sister him surviving.

        My Post-Office address is Long Lake, Hamilton County, NY.

        She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the pension to which she is entitled by reason of the services and death of her said son. And she hereby constitutes and appoints Wm. E. Preston, Licensed Army and Navy War-Claim Agent, of Cleveland, Ohio, her attorney, with full power of substitution, to prosecute her claim and procure and receive her Pension Certificate.
[Signed]
Patty Wood
Witnessed by
John E. Plumley
Jno. S. Roberts
Isaac B. C. Robinson, Justice of the Peace
William H. Fry, Clerk of Hamilton County
 


Affidavit of Ebenezer Bourn
7 May 1877

State of New York
County of Hamilton

        In the matter of the claim for a mother's pension by Patty Wood of the Town of Long Lake, State and County aforesaid [in the] death of her son William Wood who enlisted as a private in Company E one hundred eighteenth Regiment New York State Vols.

        Personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace [ ???] in and for aforesaid County and State Ebenezer Bourn, citizen of the County of [?] State of New York reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid claim, He is Seventy two years old, has been acquainted with Josiah Wood and Patty Wood his wife for over forty years, that he knew William Wood their son. Knows that Mr. Wood was not able to labour to support his family for a number of years previous to the enlistment of his son William into the army; knows that he had a small farm and was not able to work it; knows that Mrs. Wood and daughters had to keep working the farm when William was absent following the business of [pickling ? or peeling ?]; knows that a cancer had commenced in Mr. Woods mouth before William's enlistment in the army from which he died June 2nd 1867; knows that William was the main support of the family by hearing Mrs. Wood say that William sent money home when he enlisted; knows that Mrs. Wood no [?] now and that she is now living with her son who is a widower and work for he support; Know that William left no wife or child or children and no sister or sisters under sixteen years of age.

I further declare that I have no interest in said claim, and have not concerned in its prosecution.

I Ebenezer Bourn state that my P.O. Address is Long Lake, Hamilton Co., New York
[Signed]
Ebenezer Bourn
Attest
Cyrus H. Palmer
Orren B. Lapell
Isaac B.C. Robinson, Justice of the Peace
William H. Fry, Clerk of Hamilton County
 


Affidavit of Jeremiah D. Plumley
7 May 1877

Sate of New York
County of Hamilton

        In the matter of the claim for a mothers pension by Mrs. Patty Wood of the Town of Long Lake in the state and county aforesaid upon the death of her son William Wood who enlisted as a private in Company E one hundred Eighteenth Regiment New York Sate Vols.

        Personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Long Lake in and for aforesaid County and State Jeremiah D. Plumley, citizen of the County of Hamilton, Sate of New York, reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid claim, I am thirty eight years old, have been acquainted with Josiah and Patty Wood his wife and William Wood their son for nearly thirty years and knows that Mr. Wood was out of health previous to Williams enlistment in the army. That he was not able to support his family without the aid of his son. Knows that the cancer in his mouth of which he died commenced between one and two years before his sons enlistment. That the summer previous to his enlistment William and myself followed the business of guiding together, think he must have earned yearly the sum of at least two hundred and fifty dollars and that the whole of his earnings went for the support of the family besides the little labors that he performed on the farm. That through my whole intercourse with William he always said that he had to support the family for his father was not able to support them. William and myself enlisted at the same time in Company E One hundred and Eighteenth regiment New York State Volunteers. We was together in the army and tented together while there, saw his letters that he sent home near all of his wages to his father and mother, frequently talked with William about his helping his folks. While in the army he always said that they were depending on him for support. Don't think that Mr. Wood could do enough to pay for his own, couldn't for a number of years before his son enlisted with the army, knows that the property was sold for four hundred dollars which is all [?]. Knew that William resided with his father and mother up to the time of his enlistment. Know that he left no wife or child or children nor any sisters under sixteen years of age. That the said Mrs. Patty Wood is still a widow and has now [sic] property. That she is now living with a son who is a widower and taking care of his child and doing his work for a living.
[Signed]
John [?]
William C. Robinson
 


Affidavit of Calvin S. Parker and Reuben Cary
20 May 1878

State of New York
County of Hamilton

        In the matter of the claim for mothers pension by Mrs. Patty Wood of the town of Long Lake, County and state aforesaid and upon the death of her son William Wood who enlisted in Company [blank] Regiment New York Vols.

        Personally came before me, a justice of the Peace in and for aforesaid county and state Calvin S. Parker formerly a practicing physician and Reuben Cary citizen of the county of Hamilton State of New York, reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid claim, says that they are acquainted with Josiah and Patty Wood the parents of William Wood since 1857. Parker says that previous to Williams enlistment he examined Mr. Woods mouth and informed him that there was a cancer in his mouth which caused his death in 1867. That they were well acquainted with Mr. Wood during the year of 1864. That previous and during the year 1864 and never after was Mr. Wood able to support his family by his own labours without the help of his son William. That during the year 1864 he did not labour nor could not perform labour enough to pay for his board. That there is no estimating the woods labour as he done nothing more than to hoe in his garden a very little occasionally.

        They further declare that they have no interest in said claim, and are not concerned in its prosecution.

        I Calvin S. Parker state that my P.O. address is Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY and

        I Reuben Cary state that my P.O. address is the same as above.
[Signed]
Charles R. C. Robinson
Nelson Cary
Calvin S. Parker
Reuben Cary

...I further certify that I am in nowise interested in said claim, nor am I concerned in its prosecution no further than acting as a neighbor and friend without pay or reward.
 


Affidavit of Cyrus H. Kellogg and Calvin S. Parker
9 December 1878

New York
County of Hamilton

        Personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for aforesaid County and State Cyrus H. Kellogg and C. S. Parker citizen[s] of the County of Hamilton, State of New York, reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid claim, Cyrus H. Kellogg deposes and says that [he] was acquainted with Josiah F. Wood and Patty Wood his wife also with their son William Wood. That in 1866 a few days before Mr. Woods death deponent bought of the said Wood his farm for which he paid Eight hundred dollars, that there was then due to said deponent between four and five hundred dollars. That the balance was paid to the widow in a year or there abouts according to this deponents best knowledge and belief. C.S. Parker deposes and says that he is acquainted with the Josiah F. Wood and Patty Wood his wife. That he was present when the above deponent bought the said farm of Josiah F. Wood in 1866 and paid Eight hundred dollars for the same. That there was then due to the said Kellogg nearly Five hundred dollars the exact amount due he does not now recollect. That he was frequently at Mr. Woods in the year 1864 and knows there [is] no property to exceed one hundred and fifty dollars. That all the property they owned besides the farm was one pair of old horses of which one of them died and the other was sold in 1866 or in the winter of 1867 for the sum of seventy dollars. The farm in my opinion was not worth so much in 1864 as it was sold for in 1866. The farm to be used as a farm was not of value to any amount. That the income of the farm in the year 1864 was a mere nothing as Mr. Wood expressed himself. That there was not $25.00 worth raised on the place that year. That Mr. Wood owned fifty acres of land of which there was but a small part cleared of timber.

And we further declare that we have no interest in said claim, and we are not concerned in its prosecution.
I Cyrus H. Kellogg state that my P.O. Address is Long Lake, Hamilton Co., New York.
I C. S. Parker state that my P.O. Address is Long Lake, Hamilton Co., New York
Attest:
Isaac B. C. Robinson
[?] Kellogg
C. W. Blanchard, Justice of the Peace
William H. Fry, Clerk of the County Court of Hamilton County, NY
 


Affidavit of Isaac B. C. Robinson and John L. Boyden
[28 July or 7 Aug] 1879

State of New York
County of Hamilton

        In the matter of the claim for Mothers Pension of Polly Wood, mother of Wm. Wood, Private, Company E, 118 Regiment NY Vols.

        Personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for aforesaid County and State Isaac B. C. Robinson and John L. Boyden two of the assessors in the year 1865 of the Town of Long Lake in aforesaid county, citizen[s] of the County of Hamilton State of New York reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid claim, that they have examined the records in the office of the Town Clerk and found that there is no assessment filed from the year 1861 to the year 1865. That in the last named year the piece of land referred to in the case from the pention [sic] office was assessed to Josiah Wood for the sum of thirty dollars, that there not being any improvements upon the said land that it was assessed in all probability at the same price the previous year. That the said piece of land was sold in the year of 1874 for the sum of three hundred dollars by the claimant. That there is no income derived from any of the property at the present time it all having been made use of in paying debts and living.

They further declare that they have no interest in said claim, and are not concerned in its prosecution.
I Isaac B. C. Robinson state that my P. O. Address is Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY
And I John L. Boyden state that my P. O. Address is the same as above.
Signatures of witnesses
[Signed]
Henry Dornburgh
Orello E. Boyden
Signature of Affiants
[Signed]
Isaac B. C. Robinson
John L. Boyden

...and that there was a mistake made in the signing of the above affidavit by the deponents signing in the wrong place as can be seen by the above.
C. B. Hanmer, Justice of the Peace
William H. Fry, Clerk of the County of Hamilton
 


Affidavit of John E. Plumley and Zobeda Plumley
1879

State of New York
County of Hamilton

        In the matter of the claim for Mother's pension by Mrs. Patty Wood of the town of Long Lake in the State and County aforesaid [ ? ? ?] who enlisted as a private in Company E one hundred eighteenth Regiment New York State Vols.

        Personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace of the Town of Long Lake in and for aforesaid County and State John E. Plumley and Zobeda Plumley citizen[s] of the County of Hamilton State of New York reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid claim, That they knew Mr. Josiah Wood for over thirty years was present at his death 2nd day of June 1867; that he died from the effect of a cancer in the mouth that he had been out of health for a number of years previous to the cancer breaking out. That he could not support his family without the aid of his son. That it was about one year and one half before the enlistment of his son that the cancer broke out; know that his son procured medicine for him before he enlisted; know that Mr. Wood had given up to William the management of his affairs and depended wholly on him for his support and that of his family. Know that the labour of Mr. Wood amounted to [?] as he could not do anything except to hoe a little in the garden; know that his son sent money home to him a number of times by hearing him and Mrs. Wood say so but do not know of any particular amount except at one time after he sent thirty dollars; know that the property that was left at the time of enlistment of his son was sold for four hundred dollars which is now all [spent ?]; know that William earned and brought into the family about the sum of three hundred dollars; know it by the amount that I earned myself having followed the same business and much of the time was with him; besides the labour he performed on [?] farm; know that they had no family physician the only one who prescribed for William was a physician who was [taking ?] a trip for [?] [?] [?] by the name of [Gustile ?] [???lace] of Philadelphia and he gave them a prescription and they got the medicine; know that William resided with his mother Patty Wood at the time of enlistment; know that William had no wife or child. And we further declare that we have no interest in said claim, and we are not concerned in its prosecution.
I John E. Plumley state that my P.O. Address is Long Lake, Hamilton County, NY
And I Zobeda Plumley his wife state that my P.O. Address is the same place as above.
[Signed]
John E. Plumley
Zobeda Plumley
Attest
William H. Cullen
O. [D] Hough
 


Report from Commanding Company

        I certify, on honor, that William Wood a Private of Captain Parmerter's Company "E" of the 118th Regiment of Infantry Volunteers, of the State of New York, born in Lewis, State of New York, aged 25 years, 6 feet, - inches high; Light complexion, Blue eyes, Brown hair, and by occupation a Farmer, having joined the company on its original organization at Newcomb, and enrolled in it at the muster into the service of the United States at Plattsburgh, NY, on the 29th day of Aug, 1862 for the term of 3 years, and having served HONESTLY and FAITHFULLY with his Company in Camp and Field to the present date, is now entitled to a DISCHARGE by reason of Death by having been killed in action near Petersburg, VA on the 9th of July 1864.

        The said Pvt. William Wood was last paid by Paymaster Maj. Holmes to include the 29th day of Feb 1864,and has pay due him from that time to the present date... There is due him on acct of clothing $9.10....

Given in Duplicate, at Camp near Petersburg, this 9th day of July, 1864
[Signed]
Luther S. Bryant, Lieut. of Commanding Company
 


Summary of Case

War of the Rebellion
Act of July 14, 1862, and subsequent acts

DEPENDENT PARENTS
Claim No. 183.041 for original pension
Certificate No. 185.896

TITLE
Patty Wood, Mother of William Wood who was a Pvt in Co. "E" 118 NY Vols (Sharp Shooters) is entitled to a pension at the rate of Eight dollars per month, to commence July 10th, 1864, the date of soldiers death.

Residence, &c., of Claimant and Attorney:
Residence of claimant, Long Lake, county of Hamilton, State of NY
Post Office of claimant, Long Lake, county of Hamilton, State of NY
Name of attorney, Wm. E. Preston
Post Office of attorney, Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, State of Ohio
Fee, Twenty five dollars, articles of agreement...having been filed May 7th 1877
First att. Z. S. Westbrook has done nothing to complete the case but has neglected it.
Admitted Sept. 6th, 1879 [Signed], Examiner
Approved October 24, 1879 [Signed], Reviewer

Dates Shown By Papers:
Enlistment, August 15th, 1862
Muster into rank, August 30, 1862
Death, July 9th, 1864
Application filed, Jany 4th, 1870
Right accrued, July 9th, 1864
Claim completed, Sept. 1, 1879
Death of husband, June 2nd, 1867

Incidental Matter:
Robert Shaw (supervisor of Long Lake, Hamilton Co., N.Y.0 reports Apl 15 / 72 - claimant is a poor, needy woman.
Z. S. Westbrook the former attorney is [removed ?] he having neglected the claim since 1874.

Pension file generously donated by Annie Tanyeri. Transcribed by Joanne Murray.
 


Names Mentioned in Patty Wood's Pension File

Patty Wood
Petitioner and mother of soldier, William Wood. Martha "Patty" (Culver) Wood was Born 9 July 1809 in Bolton Landing, Warren Co., NY to David and Lucy Culver and died 21 January 1895 in Pottersville, Warren Co., NY.

Josiah F. Wood
Patty's husband and William's father. Born 31 January 1800 in Castleton, Rutland Co., VT and died 2 June 1867 in Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY. Josiah and Patty were married 14 December 1829. They moved to Long Lake in 1846.

Martha Smith
Josiah and Patty Wood's eldest daughter. She married Eban Alonzo Smith and they resided in Chester, Warren Co., NY.

Cynthia Hatheway [sic]
Cynthia Hathaway
Josiah and Patty's 2nd eldest daughter. She married Hiram Hathaway and they resided in Westport, Essex Co., NY.

Alonzo Wood
Josiah and Patty's son. He married Ophelia and they resided in Boonville, Oneida Co., NY

Harriet Smith
Josiah and Patty's daughter. She married Charles H. Smith and they resided in Chester, Warren Co., NY.

Sophronia Wood
Josiah and Patty's daughter. She remained unmarried and resided in North River, NY.

Samantha Howord [sic]
Samantha Howard
Josiah and Patty's daughter. She married Reuben Howard and they resided in Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY.

Amy Thornton
Josiah and Patty's youngest daughter. She married Robert Thornton and they resided in Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY.

Jerome Wood
Josiah and Patty's son. He married first, Rosellen Keller and they lived in Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY. He was widowed and left with an infant son in 1876 (referred to in one affidavit). The son, Edmond J., died in 1881.

Zerah S. Westbrook
Patty's first attorney. Listed in Child's Gazetteer of Montgomery and Fulton Counties, 1869-70 as "Attorney and counselor at law and U.S. Claim Agent" in Northampton, Fulton Co., NY. He apparently neglected Patty's claim and was replaced.

Robert Shaw
Mentioned as Justice of the Peace in 1869 and as Supervisor of Long Lake in 1871.
He served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors in 1876-1877, 1879, 1883 and 1887.
Resident of Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY. Born 1829 in Great Britain, son of Rev. William Shaw. Died 1907 and is buried in Long Lake Cemetery. His wife was Gitty H. (Keller) (1832-1916). The 1872 Business Directory lists him as being the proprietor of a country store in Long Lake. In 1880, he was one of the first trustees of the Long Lake Cemetery and his occupation listed on that census is "preacher and farmer".

D. B. Squire
Darius Bradford Squire - mentioned as Justice of the Peace, 1871.
He was born 30 April 1839 in Schroon, Essex Co., NY. He was there engaged in farming and lumbering until he removed to Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY. During the 9 years he lived at Long Lake he served as Inspector of Elections, Overseer of the Poor, Assessor and Collector, Constable, Highway Commissioner, and Justice of the Peace. Mr. Squire also acted as Trustee, class leader, and superintendent of the Sunday school of the Wesleyan Methodist Church. He and his wife, Phebe E. (Catlin), had returned to Schroon Lake by 1880 where Darius later served as Justice of the Peace and Conveyancer as well as conducting a legal business.

Isaac B. C. Robinson
Mentioned as Justice of the Peace in 1877; signed as a witness in 1878; Affidavit in 1879.
Born in 1818 and died 1902. He and his wife, Christina (Keller) (1816-1904) are both buried in Long Lake Cemetery. Isaac removed from Vermont and settled on the West Shore of Long Lake in 1841. He appears on Cyrus Kellogg's 1874 list of independent guides in the Long Lake area.

William C. Robinson
Mentioned as a witness in 1877.
Resident of Long Lake and son of Isaac. Born about 1855. He also appears on Cyrus Kellogg's 1874 list of independent guides in the Long Lake area.

Charles R. C. Robinson
Mentioned as a witness in 1878.
Resident of Long Lake. Born 1854, son of Isaac and Christina. He died 1925 and is buried in Long Lake Cemetery with his wife, Elizabeth (Scott) (1867-1904).

C. W. Blanchard
Charles W. Blanchard
Mentioned as Justice of the Peace in 1878.
Resident of Indian Lake, Hamilton Co., NY. He was born 1842 in Vermont and died 18 June 1927. Buried in Blue Mountain Lake Cemetery. His wife was Harriet (Baty) who was born 1850 in Vermont. Charles W. was a Civil War Veteran, having served from 1861 to 1864 as a private in Co. I, 25th MA Infantry. At the time of his enlistment he was residing in Westborough, Massachusetts where he was a peddler. He lost the index finger from his left hand at New Berne, NC, during his military service. Charles had settled in Indian Lake by 1880 where he worked as a guide for many years. He was the proprietor of an Adirondack hotel named, "Wigwams", in Raquette Lake at one time.

C. B. Hanmer
Charles B. Hanmer
Mentioned as Justice of the Peace in 1879.
Long time resident of Long Lake, born 1837. He married 1st, Hulda A. (Jordan) (1836-1899). Charles was a Civil War veteran having served first for a year with Co. C, 93rd NY Infantry. After receiving a disability discharge, he enlisted for a 2nd term at Long Lake with Co. K, 1st NY Light Artillery, with which he served until the close of the war. After the war he resided in Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY where he was worked as a guide. He apparently moved to Wisconsin for a while where he applied for invalid pension, but returned to Long Lake. Charles was a member of local G. A. R. Post No. 531, William Wood, and the meeting of 1917 was held at his residence. He married 2nd, Nellis. He died 1921, buried in Long Lake Cemetery.

William H. Fry
Mentioned as Clerk of Hamilton County.
He was County Clerk from 1865 to 1889.
William H. Fry, born about 1831 in Vermont, was the County Clerk for many years, and later served as County Judge. He married Louise Whitman and they resided in Wells, Hamilton Co., NY. In 1872 he was the Postmaster in Sageville, and in 1884 was keeping a store in Wells. He died 5 January 1915 and was buried in Wells Cemetery. His son, Carl L. Fry, was the publisher of the "Hamilton County Record", a local newspaper.

Cyrus H. Palmer
Affidavit in 1869 and witness in 1877.
Farmer and resident of Long Lake, Hamilton County, NY. He was born 1845 in NY, son of Ezekiel Palmer and younger brother of Ransom J. Palmer, Civil War Vet. He married Emily C. (Robinson) (1850-1904) and he died 1897. They are both buried in Long Lake Cemetery.

Reuben Cary
Affidavit in 1869 and in 1878.
Lifelong resident of Long Lake. Reuben was born February 1845 in NY to Thomas and Jane (Dornburgh) Cary who had moved from Vermont to Long Lake in that year. His wife was Estella (Helms) (1854-1933). He was employed as guide and was caretaker at Brandreth for many years. He died 1933 and is buried in Long Lake Cemetery.

Nelson Cary
Witness in 1878.
Brother of Reuben. Son of Thomas and Jane (Dornburgh) Cary, he was born 1846 and died 1894. Nelson Married Nellie (Keller) (1847-1932); they are both buried in Long Lake Cemetery. Nelson was also listed among the Long Lake guides in 1874.

John L. Boyden
Affidavit in 1877 and in 1879.
Resident of Long Lake, Hamilton County, NY. He was born 1822 in Vermont and married Alice A. (Stanton) (1828-1872), she was shot at Gull Rock. He was living in the home of Stephen Williams in 1880 as a widower with no occupation. John died 1892 and is buried in Long Lake Cemetery.

Orello E. Boyden
Witness in 1879.
Orello was born 1849 in NY, son of John L. and Alice (Stanton) Boyden. He was a farmer, merchant and guide in Long Lake. He married Olive L. (French) (1853-1938). Orello died 1892 and is buried in Long Lake Cemetery.

John E. and Zobeda Plumley
John, witness in 1877; John and Zobeda, Affidavit in 1879.
John was born 1827 to Joel and Sarah Plumley. Joel, born in Massachusetts, had been a resident of Vermont who settled on the western shore of Long Lake in the 1830's. He and his family are considered to be the first permanent settlers of Long Lake. John married Zobedia (Hough) (1830-1917). He was a long time guide in Long Lake and died in 1900. He and his wife are buried in Long Lake Cemetery.

Jeremiah D. Plumley
Affidavit in 1877 (age 38).
Brother of John (above). Jeremiah was born 1833 to Joel and Sarah Plumley. He was a veteran of the Civil War, serving with William Wood in Co. E, 118th NY Infantry. His right thumb was shot off during his service and he was transferred to 144 Co., 2nd Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps in which he served until the close of the war. He was a life long resident of Long Lake where he worked as a farmer and guide. He married 1st, Sophronia (1843-1866) and second, Eliza C. (Smith), b. 1850. Jeremiah died 1916 and is buried in the Long Lake Cemetery.

Ebenezer Bourn
Affidavit in 1877 (age 72).
Ebenezer Bourn was born about 1805 in Canada and settled in Long Lake, Hamilton Co., NY by 1850, when he resided with Amos and Lovina Huff. Ted Aber, in Tales From an Adirondack County, [(C) 1961] says that he built a rough cabin on a pine ridge just west of the outlet of Long Lake and that he was a "gentleman of culture and refinement whose humble home was kept well supplied with fine books." In spite of this, he was considered a hermit and his occupation was listed as such on the 1880 census of Long Lake. Aber states that Robert Shaw, leader of the Methodist Church in Long Lake, visited Bourn several times in unsuccessful attempts to urge him into the fold. When Bourn became gravely ill, he sent for Shaw, but to Shaw's dismay, " the hermit told him he knew he was about to die but had not changed his mind in the least." Ebenezer died in 1888 and a small marker was placed in the Long Lake Cemetery to signify the location of his remains.

John S. Roberts
Witness in 1877
?

Orren B. Lapell
Witness in 1877.
Orren was born January 1859 to John and Lydia Lapell. He married Elizabeth (Dodge) (1862-1944). He was employed as a Miller and as a guide in Long Lake. He died 1929 and is buried in the cemetery in Long Lake.

Cyrus H. Kellogg
Affidavit in 1878.
Born in 1819 to William H. Kellogg. He married Christina (Dornburgh) (1829-1903). Cyrus was the Postmaster in Long Lake in 1869 and 1872 and he was the proprietor of a popular hotel in there. His hotel and store was the "base of supplies for the region round about, and the starting off point for routes which radiate in various directions." His hotel was also the headquarters for a long list of independent Long Lake guides and he furnished a list of them for his guests. Cyrus died in 1879 and is buried in the Long Lake Cemetery.

Calvin S. Parker
2 Affidavits in 1878.
Calvin S. Parker was born in Massachusetts about 1815 - 1820. He was a graduate of Williams College and studied medicine for two and a half years at Pittsfield, MA. In his affidavit he says that he was a former practicing physician and that he examined Mr. Wood's mouth and informed him that he had cancer. "MD" was given as his occupation on the 1892 census of Long Lake, but other that these references, he was never known to have practiced the profession. "Captain" Parker, as he was called, had once been employed by the Hudson Bay Company and carried one of its guns. In Tales From an Adirondack County, Ted Aber says that Parker "Had crossed the western prairies, an attaché' at one time of Kit Carson's band", and that he liked to tell stories about his adventures. He "had renounced urban living for the quiet of the mountains". Parker arrived in Long Lake in March of 1858 and became a permanent guest of Bill and Rachel Helms, in their two-room log cabin on Forked Lake. Bill and "Captain" Parker trapped in the winter, hunted in the summer and fall, and fished in the winter. Parker was an accomplished musician and he often played his saxophone while Bill Helms accompanied him on clarinet. Calvin Parker was described as a towering, 6 foot, 2 inch, lank, old character with a long, unkempt, white beard and equally long white hair. He "carried a single-barreled gun almost as long as himself and wore a long hunting knife rudely fashioned from a broken sword." He kept in contact with his wife, Permelia, who was a schoolteacher in Boston. She visited on occasion, and later moved to Long Lake to be with him. By 1870 the couple had moved to Newcomb, Essex County, NY where he was employed at John David's "Half Way House", and in 1876 Parker assumed management of "Aunt Polly's Inn" at the same place. "Captain" Parker kept himself busy guiding city sportsmen and leading his own quadrille band at dances. By 1880, the parkers had moved back to Long Lake where the "Captain" would pass the rest of his life. The 1900 census of that place shows Parker, age 80, still employed as a guide. He was living with Walter G. and Annie Jennings. Walter was the young Civil War Veteran, blacksmith from Massachusetts who Parker had convinced to move to Long Lake 33 years earlier. "Captain" Calvin S. Parker died 24 January 1812 and was buried in the Long Lake Cemetery.

Henry Dornburgh
Witness in 1879.
Henry is listed as a resident of Long Lake in 1845. John Dornburgh who lived in Long Lake is said to have first lived in Newcomb in Essex county settling there in 1838 before moving to Long Lake in 1844. Henry Dornburgh of Olmsteadville is said to have settled in Newcomb in 1844. In the 1880 census he is 64 years old. It is possible that this is the Henry Dornburgh who was the witness and it is likely that this he is related in some way to John Dornburgh.

William H. Cullen
Witness in 1879.
William Cullen was born 1853, son of Henry. He married Mary (Cole) [and possibly a woman named June]. He was a resident of Long Lake and one of the independent guides on Kellogg's 1874 list. He died 1899 and was buried in Long Lake Cemetery.

O. D. Hough
Osborn Dighton Hough
Witness in 1879.
Osborn was born April 1828 in NY. He married Rachel (Keller) (1829-1901). He was employed as a day laborer and as a farmer and was a resident of Long Lake until at least 1900.


Last Updated: Wednesday, 14-May-2008 13:35:55 PDT
Copyright © 2004:  Annie Tanyeri / Joanne Murray / Lisa Slaski