Archive:Civil War Pension File, David C. Whitney

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Archives > Archive:Military Records > Archive:Civil War, Pension Files > Civil War Pension File, David C. Whitney

Civil War Pension File of David C. Whitney
Corporal, Company F, 2nd Maine Cavalry Regiment
Mother, Lucy Bailey
Mother's Claim: Application # 86507; Certificate # 84843
National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.


David C. Whitney was enrolled on 2 December 1863 at Industry, Franklin Co., Maine in Company F of the 2nd Regiment of Maine Cavalry Volunteers to serve 3 years, or during the war. He was mustered in at Augusta, Maine on 11 December 1863. He died 24 October 1864 at Mariana, Florida of wounds received in battle on 27 September 1964 near Mariana. His death was certified by the testimony of Captain Gustavus A. Stanley, Commander of the 2nd Maine Cavalry.

On 14 March 1865 from Franklin County, Maine Mrs. Lucy Bailey, mother of David C. Whitney, signed an Application for Mother's Army Pension. She is 66 years old and a resident of Industry, Franklin Co., Maine. The application contains testimony from two Industry neighbors. They testify that Lucy Bailey is the mother of David C. Whitney. They also testify that David left no father, widow, or child, as he was never married. His father had died many years ago. They testify that Lucy Bailey was wholly or in part dependent on David for support, since her husband Luther Bailey is a very aged and infirm man who has lived apart from Lucy for many years. He is wholly unable to work and is entirely destitute of property. He is entirely dependent on his friends and child Albert for support. He has not contributed to Lucy's support for at least two years before her son David went into the army. Her son David entirely supported her for at least three years before he went into the service.! Before David left Augusta in the service he made agreements to have his mother boarded and taken care of during his absence. He paid one hundred dollars in advance for her care and maintenance. He subsequently sent sixty dollars more for her care. She is aged and can do no work to support herself.

There is testimony from the physician and surgeon John F. Moses, who is well acquainted with Luther Bailey. He testifies that Luther suffered from a disease of the spine; to wit: spinal irritation. It renders him incapable of any labor. He is poor and dependant of his children for support.

Lucy Bailey was admitted for a pension on 3 October 1866 at $8.00 per month commencing 25 October 1864.

For those who subscribe, learn more about David C. Whitney on Ancestry.com.

Additional Information from Ken Whitney

David's ancestry is: David C.7 Whitney (Reuben6,Phinehas5, Isaac4, Nathanial3, Benjamin2, John1). His parents were Reuben and Lucy (Sawyer) Whitney. He was born in Norridgewok, Somerset Co., Maine 24 December 1834.

This file was very difficult to access. Although the index card contains all of the correct information, the envelope containing the file says: Lucy Bailey, mother of David Bailey. The contents of the file are the claim of Lucy Bailey on the pension of her son David C. Whitney. The envelope is incorrectly marked. David's name was never Bailey. However, the NARA staff believed that the this researcher had given incorrect information to pull the file on David C.Whitney. The name on the envelope did not match the name on the pull request. You can imagine the confusion!

This is the first file I have ever come away from with a bad feeling. I cannot prove it, but I have a feeling that the file may have been pilfered. In order for a mother to be successful in the prosecution of a claim on a deceased son's pension, she has to prove the relationship. It usually involves the submission of proof of her marriage to the son's father. As well, there is usually information on the son's birth, if not a birth certificate. None of this was found in the file. There was no mention of the father of David at all, nor was there any mention of his birth. All that supported the claim of motherhood was the testimony of two neighbors that she was the mother of David C. Whitney. Yet, the summary sheet for the file records that the relationship between mother and son was proven. I find it hard to believe that the testimony of two neighbors was conclusive for the Board of Pensions, who are usually meticulous in their investigation of claims. Maybe it's just me, ! but I came away with a bad taste in my mouth. Anyway, enjoy!


Copyright © 2006, Kenneth L. Whitney and the Whitney Research Group