Archive:Civil War Pension File, Eben Whitney
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Civil War Pension File of Eben Whitney
Mother: Anna Whitney
Survivor Applic. # 161629 Cert. # 119324
National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
He is identified as Eben9 Whitney, son of Edward8 and Anna (Knox) Whitney of Hartland, Somerset Co., Maine (Eleasor7, Ebenezer6, Samuel5, Samuel4, John3, Benjamin2, John1). His brother, Thomas O. Whitney, also received a pension.
Private, Company K, 22nd Regiment of Maine Infantry
Anna Whitney signed a Mother's Application for Army Pension from Somerset County, Maine on 6 May 1868. She is fifty-two years old and a resident of Hartland, Somerset County, Maine. She is the wife of Edward Whitney and the mother of Eben Whitney, who was a private in Company K, in the 22nd Regiment of Maine Volunteers. Eben died at Brashear City, Louisiana from disease contracted in the service of the United States and in the line of his duty, on or about 13 May 1863 (sic). He left no widow or minor child under sixteen years of age.
Anna was dependent on Eben in whole or part for her support for four years prior to his death. He constantly contributed during those years most of his earnings toward her support, worth to her at least ten dollars per month. It was used to pay house rent and buy food, clothing, and other necessities of life. When he enlisted, he gave her all of the bounty he got, which was one hundred dollars. After he went into the army, he sent her ten dollars, all of which was used for her support. The property owned by her and her said husband is not worth in all over one hundred dollars. It consists of furniture, one heifer, and three sheep. She has no other means of support except her own earnings and those of her said husband. The said Edward Whitney is not able to labor more than one-half the time by reason of kidney complaints and humor in the head and eyes. Anna signed the application using her mark. It was witnessed by Martha J. Sims and Leantha A. Buntin, both of Hartland.
The death of Eben Whitney was certified by the Surgeon General's Office on 11 September 1868. Assistant Surgeon C. Powers reported that Private Eben Whitney of Company K, 22nd Regiment of Maine Volunteers died 18 May 1863 at Brashear City, Louisiana of Febris Remittens. On 6 October 1868, the Adjutant General's Office then reported to the Commissioner of Pensions that Eben Whitney was enrolled on 10 September 1862 at Hartland in Company K of the 22nd Regiment of Maine Volunteers, to serve nine months. He appears on the muster roll dated 14 August 1863, and is reported as died of disease 18 May 1863 in hospital at Brashear City, Louisiana. In a certification in September, they had been unable to provide information on his death.
In order to receive a pension, Anna had to prove that her husband was disabled, and unable to provide her support. Harris Pushor, M.D. certified on oath that he has carefully examined Edward Whitney, father of Eben Whitney, late of Company K, 22nd Regiment of Maine Volunteers. He finds that Edward is not able to labor more than half the time by reason of Strumous Conjunctivitis with ulceration and obstruction of the nasal duct, and he suffers from chronic nephritis. The disability has existed in the same degree for more than eight years, and his opinion is that it is permanent.
Anna also had to prove dependence on Eben for support. She provided a Proof of Dependence affidavit by two of her fellow citizens of Hartland: Nathan L. Wright and A. Bickford. They testify that they have been intimately acquainted for twenty years with Anna Whitney, the mother of Eben Whitney and the wife of Edward Whitney. They testify that she was dependent upon Eben for her support for four years prior to his death. He contributed ten dollars per month, which was used as previously described. During his time in the service he had given her all of his bounty money (one hundred dollars), and had sent home a total of ten dollars for her support. Her property was described and valued as previously described. Her husband, Edward, is fifty-eight years old and unable to labor more than half the time due to kidney complaints and humor in the head and eyes.
Anna was admitted for a pension of eight dollars per month on 19 September 1868, commencing 5 June 1868. She was granted a payment of four hundred eighty-four dollars and twenty-seven cents as payment in arrears from 19 May 1863 to 4 June 1868.
On 23 October 1897, the U.S. Pension Agency in Augusta, Maine reported to the Commissioner of Pensions that Anna Whitney was last paid twelve dollars to 4 September 1897, and was dropped from the rolls because of her death on 15 October 1897.
Copyright © 2006, Kenneth L. Whitney and the Whitney Research Group
