Archive:War of 1812 Pension File, Luther Whitney
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War of 1812 Pension File, Luther Whitney
Widow: Lydia Whitney
Widow’s Claim, #WO16147, Certificate #WC11000
National Archives Building, Washington, D.C.
Captain Atherton’s Company, Massachusetts Militia
Lydia Whitney filed an application for pension benefits from her husband Luther Whitney’s War of 1812 pension from Waldo Co., Maine on 21 March 1878. Lydia testifies that she was 71 years of age, and a resident of Thorndike, Maine. She is the widow of Luther Whitney who served in the War of 1812 in the company of Capt. Higgins (sic) in the regiment of Massachusetts Militia commanded by Colonel Burbanks. (The pension file index card at the National Archives states that Luther served in Captain Atherton’s company- KLW). She testifies that Luther was drafted at Gorham, Maine for a term of sixty days, and was honorably discharged. She describes her husband at the time of his enlistment as being 18 years old, with dark hair, dark eyes, and a dark complexion. He was a farmer born in Gorham, Maine.
Lydia further testifies that she was married to Luther Whitney in Troy, Waldo Co., Maine on 16 December 1827 by Charles Warren, Minister of the Gospel. Her maiden name was Lydia Packard. She states that her husband had been previously married to Catherine Jones, who died in Thorndike, Maine. There is a copy of the Thorndike marriage record in the file that says that Luther Whitney of Thorndike and Lydia Packard of Troy were joined in marriage by Charles Warren in the year previous to April, 1828.
Luther died at Belfast, Maine on 18 November 1870. Lydia testifies that after discharge from the army, Luther lived in Gorham for 6 years, and then Thorndike, Maine until his death. Her husband had previously applied for and received a War of 1812 land warrant.
There is testimony in the file from Josiah and Olive Murch who reside in Pittsfield, Maine, ages 85 and 87 respectively. The date of their testimony is 19 October 1878. They were intimately acquainted with Catherine Jones, the former wife of Luther Whitney. They testify that Catherine Jones Whitney died at Thorndike, Maine in 1826. They attended the funeral and saw her buried more than 50 years ago, and they think it was in October.
Lydia Packard Whitney died at Thorndike, Maine on 17 May 1879.
This person has been identified as Luther6 Whitney (Daniel5, Abel4, Nathaniel3, Benjamin2, John1)
Copyright © 2006, Kenneth L. Whitney and the Whitney Research Group
