Archive:Civil War Pension File, Henry Augustus Whitney
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Civil War Pension File of Henry Augustus Whitney
Invalid Applic. # 1340322 Cert. # 1119499
C2-494110
National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
He is identified as Henry Augustus7 Whitney (George Washington Riggs6, Henry5, Isaac4, Nathaniel3, Benjamin2, John1). He was the son of George Washington Riggs6 and Violet F. H. (Haines) Whitney of Phillips and Farmington, Franklin Co., Maine.
Musician, 8th Maine Infantry; Major, 1st South Carolina Vol. (later the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops)
Henry A. Whitney signed a Declaration for Invalid Pension from Salt Lake County, Utah on 11 September 1905. He declares that he is sixty-three years old, and a resident of Salt Lake City, Salt Lake Co., Utah. He was enrolled at Beaufort, South Carolina on 13 October 1862 as a Captain in the 1st South Carolina Volunteers (later) the 33rd U.S. Colored Troops, in which regiment he was promoted to Major in November 1864. He was honorably discharged at Charleston, South Carolina on 17 February 1866. He had also served as a Musician in the 8th Maine Volunteers from August 1861 to July 1862. At the time of enlistment, he was six feet in height, with a light complexion, gray eyes, and brown hair. He was a dentist prior to his enlistment. He was born 28 November 1841 in Phillips, Maine. Since being discharged he has lived in Boston, Massachusetts, New York City, St. Louis, Missouri, Pueblo, Colorado, and Salt Lake City since 1885. He is partially disabled with failing vision and chronic bronchitis.
On 13 October 1905, he answered an inquiry from the Bureau of Pensions. He testifies that he was born 28 November 1841 in Phillips, Maine. He enlisted in August 1861 (15 August 1861 according to army records) in Wilton, Maine as a Musician in the 8th Regiment of Maine Volunteers. He had resided in Farmington, Maine prior to enlistment, and he had been a dental student. He was discharged from that service in July 1862, and was discharged after his second enlistment on 2 February 1866 at Charleston, S.C. Since his discharge, he has resided in Boston in 1867 & 1868, New York from 1869 to 1871, Cincinnati to 1880, Colorado 1880 to 1885, and Salt Lake City from 1885 to the present. He has been employed in mining since 1904. For the thirty previous years, he was employed in dentistry, which he had to abandon due to failing vision. He is six feet one inches in height, 140 pounds, with gray eyes, gray hair, and a medium complexion.
On the same date, Henry answered another interrogatory from the Bureau of Pensions. He was married to Virginia Tiernan by Rector Putnam of St. Mark's Cathedral in Salt Lake City in 20 March 1889. He had not been previously married. He has two living children: Frank T.(?) Whitney, born 22 November 1890; and Virginia Whitney, born 20 June 1897.
Henry A. Whitney was granted a pension of eight dollars per month commencing 15 September 1905. It was approved due to impaired vision, bronchitis, and senile debility. Also, for catarrh and disease of the heart.
In a declaration for an increase in benefits signed on 4 March 1907 from Salt Lake Co., Utah, Henry adds to his places of residence since his discharge. He now declares that he lived in Boston, New York City, Chicago, Illinois, Louisville, Kentucky, St. Louis, Missouri, Cincinnati, Ohio, Pueblo, Colorado, and Salt Lake City. His current address is 445 E. South Temple, Salt Lake City.
On 20 January 1912, Henry signed another declaration for increased benefits from Los Angeles Co., California. He currently resides in the Soldiers' Home in Los Angeles County. In this list of residences, he states that he lived in Boston for 2 years, New York City for 4 years, Chicago for 1 year, St. Louis for 3 years, Cincinnati for 3 years, Salt Lake City for 27 years, and Colorado for 6 years.
In March 1921, the Commissioner of Pensions was informed that Henry A. Whitney was last paid at fifty dollars to 4 March 1921, and has been dropped from the roll because of his death on 16 March 1921 at the Soldiers' Home in California. The Pacific Branch, National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers provided a death certificate. He was a widower who died of pyelonephritis due to chronic urinary retention. His next of kin is his son, Major F. E. Whitney, 412 National Bank Bldg., Oakland, California.
The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States printed a memorial on 19 March 1921:
- In Memoriam
- Henry Augustus Whitney
- Major, 33 U.S.C.T.
Born: 28 November 1841 in Phillips, Maine. Elected a Companion of the First Class Original, 8 August 1917. Died, Soldiers' Home, California, 16 March 1921. Insignia 17622.
From Private, 8 Maine Vol. Inf. Captain and Major 33 U.S. C.T. Mustered out 14 February 1866.
Service: South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida.
Leaves surviving one son and one daughter, with whom his Companions sympathize and regret his loss. A brave and gallant soldier of the Union, a Patriotic Citizen and a true friend he has gone on to his eternal home.
- The Commandery, State of California
- William C. Alberger, Recorder
Copyright © 2007, Kenneth L. Whitney and the Whitney Research Group
