Archive:War of 1812 Pension File, George W. Whitney
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War of 1812 Pension File, George W. Whitney
Widow: Angelina H. Whitney
Survivor's Application #SO18821, Certificate #SC24519
Widow's Application #WO35655, Certificate #WC24060
National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
Private, Captain J. Kilbourn’s Co., Massachusetts Militia
This file contains both and invalid’s application and a widow’s application for benefits. George W. Whitney applied for pension benefits on June 6, 1871 from his attorney’s office in Portland, Cumberland Co., Maine. He testifies that he is 78 years old, and a resident of Rochester, Strafford Co., New Hampshire. He declares that he is married, and his wife’s name was Angela H. McGrath, to whom he was married on 7 February 1855 in Hiram, Maine.
He testifies that he served the required 60 days, and was a Private in Captain John Kilbourn’s Company of the Massachusetts Militia. He was discharged at Portland, Maine about 10 November 1814. He had been called out at Bridgton, Maine on or about 10 September 1814 and on about the 24th day of that month he was drafted, and served in Portland and at Cape Elizabeth rendezvous near Fort Preble while at the Cape. He was honorably discharged on or about 10 November 1814. Official documentation from the US Army says he was given credit for 56 days service, from 13 September to 4 November 1814.
George W. Whitney died 18 September 1878, and on 29 September 1878, his widow Angelina H. Whitney applied for his pension benefit from Strafford Co., New Hampshire. She testifies that she is 72 years old, and a resident of Rochester, Strafford Co., New Hampshire. Her statement of the date of her marriage differs from that of her husband. She testifies that they were married in Hiram, Maine by Rev. J. A. Blealley, Minister of the Gospel on 4 February 1854. She was married under the name Angelina H. McGrath. She states that she was his second wife. In another testimony on March 26, 1879, she says the date was 4 February 1855. At that time, she also testifies that they had resided in Rochester for 9 years prior to her husband’s death. Two witnesses to the marriage say that it took place on 4 February 1855. Angelina testifies that since the date of his discharge, they have lived in the towns of Hiram, Parsonsfield, Buxton, and Bethel in Maine, and in Rochester, New Hampshire, in which she now resides. Her 1879 testimony also says that her husband’s former wife, Mary Whitney, died in Rochester 2 June 1853. The witnesses to the marriage also testify that they attended the funeral of Mary Whitney on or about 1 June 1853.
There is more testimony in the file from both George and Angelina, as well as witnesses who knew them. On one statement, George testified that he had lived 24 years in Bridgton, and after discharge had lived 2 years in Gray, ME; 6 years in Bethel, ME; 5 years in Rochester New Hampshire; 12 years in Hiram, ME; 6 years in Parsonsfield, ME, and 8 years in Rochester, NH. He was a farmer, born in Gorham, Maine. He was 6 feet tall, light complexion, brown hair, dark blue eyes.
There is evidence in the file that Angelina H. Whitney was living in Portland, Maine on 23 April 1887. She lived at 35 Parris Street in Portland. Her death certificate says she died there 19 March 1888, 82 years old, of heart disease.
Copyright ©2006, Kenneth L. Whitney and the Whitney Research Group
