Archive:Civil War Pension File, James H. Whitney
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Civil War Pension File of James H. Whitney
Mother: Louisa Whitney
Father: Ebenezer Whitney
Mother's Applic. # 152478 Cert. # 115479
Father's Applic. # 136431 Cert. # 184261
National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
He is identified as James H.8 Whitney (Ebenezer7, Ebenezer6, Samuel5, Samuel4, John3, Benjamin2, John1).
Private, Company E, 30th Massachusetts Infantry
Ebenezer Whitney first applied for pension benefits from Kennebec County, Maine on 22 October 1866. He is 66 years old and a resident of West Gardiner, Kennebec County, Maine. He is the father of James H. Whitney, who served as a private in Company E, commanded by Captain Brown, in the 30th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers. He died on board a transport on or about 27 June 1862 of typhoid fever, which was contracted in the service. James left no widow or child. Ebenezer was wholly, or in part, dependent upon his son James for support. For six years prior to his enlistment, James contributed to his father's support by giving him all of his wages, amounting to at least one hundred fifty dollars per year, except for about fifty dollars per year was needed for James' own clothing expenses. Ebenezer is, and has been for a long time past, in feeble health, and has no property or means of support other than his own labor. He is unable from age and sickness to perform more than one third of a man's ordinary labor. After his enlistment, James had sent part of his wages, amounting to thirty dollars, for his use and support. The application was witnessed by William Davis and Melvin B. Whitney.
The Adjutant General's Office verified that James H. Whitney was enrolled on 25 October 1861 at Boston, Massachusetts in Company C of the 30th Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, to serve three years. He was mustered in as a private the same day at Camp Chase, Massachusetts. He was reported "died on board the transport steamer Iberville, Mississippi River off Vicksburg of typhoid fever 27 June 1862". The Surgeon General's Office reports the same.
Ebenezer's claim was denied, because the mother of the soldier must apply if she is living. Louisa signed a Declaration for a Mother's Pension on 19 August 1867 from Kennebec County, Maine. Louisa adds that James died on the transport steamer while going from Vicksburg to New Orleans. She was wholly, or in part, dependent upon her son James for support. Her husband, Ebenezer Whitney, is unable to support his family through old age and physical disability. The application is witnessed by Hugh Smith and Albert Newell, both residents of Gardiner, Maine. Louisa was admitted for a pension, which commenced 14 September 1867 at eight dollars per month.
Ebenezer Whitney again signed an Application for Army Pension from Kennebec County, Maine on 8 June 1878. He is 78 years old and a resident of Boston, Suffolk County, Massachusetts, at 37 Tremont Street, Room 2, care of Sarah Johnson. His wife Louisa had drawn a pension up to 4 March 1878. Louisa died at West Gardiner, Maine on 21 April 1878. He was equally dependent with his wife, and refers to evidence in her application in support of his claim. The application is witnessed by Laura A. Hawks and David Dennis, both of Gardiner.
In support of the application, Mary Bowman, 61 years old and a resident of Cambridge, Massachusetts, testified that she was present at the marriage of Ebenezer Whitney and Louisa Gowell. They were married in Bowdoin, Maine about 1 March 1832 (sic) by Rev. Mr. Persons. She knows of no other living eye witness.
Jesse Partridge testified that he officiated at the funeral of Louisa Whitney, who died at West Gardiner on 22 April 1878. She was buried 25 April 1878.
Ebenezer was admitted for a pension on 17 February 1879. On 19 August 1882, the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers, Eastern Branch, at Togus, Maine notified the Commissioner of Pensions that Ebenezer Whitney, father of James H. Whitney was admitted to the Home on 18 August 1882. He was last paid at the Boston Agency.
Note: The 1832 marriage date is complicated by the birth of their first son, John Gilman Whitney, on 28 December 1831. Were they married 1 March 1831? KLW
Copyright © 2006, Kenneth L. Whitney and the Whitney Research Group
