Roane County, West Virginia - Civil War Pension Record - William H. COBB (1833-1901) and his widow, Barbara E. Starcher Cobb. ********************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ********************************************************************** ********************************************************************** The records for this work have been submitted and compiled by Charles Richard Cobb, E-mail address: , Submitted January 1999, can be copied for genealogy not to be sold. ********************************************************************** William H. Cobb was in the Union Army in the War Between The States. He served in: Company "A" 13th W.Va. Volunteer Infantry. Enlisted on August 15, 1862. Discharged on June 22, 1865 at Wheeling, WV. (Civil War Pension Files: 1861-1934; T - 288; Roll - 88). Note: This information was taken from records at the National Archives in Washington, D.C. The information was gathered by his Great-Great-Grandson, Charles Richard Cobb (Born: March 23, 1942), from Pension Records, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Certificate Number 304942, Correspondence Form dated, March 26, 1898 and on file in the Military Records Section of the National Archives Building, Washington, DC., during a personal visit to the National Archives to do family history research. Note: The 1860 Census lists William H. Cobb, Age 27, State of Virginia. Wife: Ellen, Age 27, State of Virginia. Children: Thomas Cobb (son), Age 6 yrs. Daniel M. Cobb (son), Age 1; Born June 15, 1958 The 1870 Census lists William H. Cobb, Farmer, Age 36, State of West Virginia Virginia Cobb "Keeping House" Daniel Cobb (Male), Age 10 Years (Male), Age 4 years Jordan Cobb (Male), Age 3 Years Grant (Male), Age 1 Year Soundex Cobb - C100 The 1880 U. S. Census: William H. Cobb, Age 50 Years, Born in Virginia Wife: Barbara Cobb, Age 50 Years, Born in Virginia James Cobb (Son), Age 12 Years, Born in West Virginia Grant Cobb (Son), Age 10 Years, Born in West Virginia Filmore Cobb (Son), Age 8 Years, Born in West Virginia Virginia Cobb (Dau), Age 6 Years, Born in West Virginia Note: The following information was taken directly from the same Pension Records mentioned above: William H. Cobb enlisted for service during the War Between the States in the Union Army on August 15, 1862. He was a private in Company A, 13th Regiment, West Virginia Volunteer Infantry. He was discharged on June 22, 1865. Application for Civil War Invalid Pension was filed by him on July 3, 1877. Application Number 238964. Certificate Number 304942. Application states, "Alleges Disease of Heart - was at Lynchburg (VA) August 1864. In the Declaration for Original Invalid Pension filed before A. A. Smith, Clerk, Poane Count Court of Record, on May 29, 1877, he signed "His "X" Mark" swearing that: " I am the identical William H. Cobb who was enrolled on the 15th day of August 1862 in Company A of the 13th Regiment of West Virginia Volunteers, commanded by George Danner and I was honorably discharged at Wheeling, West Virginia on the 22nd day of June 1865 and my age is now 44 years old. While in the service aforesaid, and in the line of my duty, I received the following disability, to wit: In August 1864 while on the Lynchburg raid in Shenandoah (sic) Valley, I contracted disease of heart. I suffer greatly with palpitation of the heart and smothering sensations. Said disease renders me unfit for manual labor. I was treated at Sandy Hook in August 1864 and from there was sent to Frederick City. I claim a pension on disease of heart. I have never been employed in the Military or Naval Service of the United States otherwise than set forth above. Since leaving the Service, I have resided at Roane County, West Virginia and my occupation has been farming before my entry into the Service aforesaid. I was of good, sound physical health, being at enrollment a farmer and I am now partially disabled from obtaining my subsistence by manual labor by reason of my disabilities above stated, received in the service of the United States, and I make this Declaration for the purpose of being placed on the Invalid Pension Roll of the United States. I hereby appoint and empower,with full power of substitution, Nathan W. Fitzgerald, of Washington, D.C., my true and lawful Attorney to prosecute my claim. My Post Office address is Left Hand, County of Roane, State of West Virginia." Note: And then, on November 25, 1879, William H. Cobb placed "His "X" Mark" on a notarized statement before Lynee I. Ellis, Notary Public, at Newton, West Virginia. The following is the exact wording of the notarized statement: "I, William H. Cobb, whose Post Office address is Left Hand, County of Roane and State of West Virginia and whose age is now 45 years being first duly sworn on oath says that he cannot get evidence of a Commissioned Officer as to the circumstances under which his disability occurred for the following reason his Captain Dannah does not remember anything about the circumstances under which his disease of heart occurred. And affiant further says the reason why he cannot get the affidavit of his departmental Surgeon or Assistant Surgeon is that he cannot find the whereabouts of either of them and the reason why he cannot get the affidavit of a family Physician is that he has not been able to pay a family physician and has not been treated by any. My disease for which I claim a Pension is heart disease and shortness of breath. Affiant further says he has not been employed in the United States service either Military or Naval since the War of Rebellion June 28th, 1865." Researcher's Note: On January 15, 1898, Commissioner H. Clay Evans, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, wrote to W. H. Cobb, Odell, West Virginia. The following is the exact wording of that piece of correspondence, which was viewed and copied at the National Archives, Military Section, Washington, D.C.: "Sir: In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by return this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below. Very respectfully, H. Clay Evans, Commissioner." Researcher's Note: The following questions were asked on the circular and were written in by someone, who could read and write, for W. H. Cobb: "First. Are you married? If so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name. Answer: Yes. Barbra (sic) E. Cobb. Barbra (sic) E. Starcher. Second: When, where, and by whom were you married? Answer: 1845. At Daniel Starcher by Rufus Notts. Third: What record of marriage exists? Answer: In Glenville, Gilmer County, West Virginia. Fourth: Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce. Answer: No. Fifth: Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth. Answer: Daniel M. Cobb - Oct. 2, 1859; James C. Cobb - Mar. 12, 1864; Phillip S. Cobb - Aug. 2, 1867; Jennie Cobb - May 31, 1873; Elizabeth Cobb - Apr. 23, 1879. Date of reply, Mar. 26th, 1898. Per W. H. Cobb." Researcher's Note: W. H. Cobb died on March 23, 1901, and his widow, Barbara Ellen Starcher Cobb, filed for a Civil War Widow's Pension. On March 27, 1901, Barbara E. Cobb, his widow appeared in the office of the Clerk of Kanawha County, in Charleston, West Virginia and placed "Her "X" Mark" on a form entitled, Widow's Claim For Pension. The following is the exact wording of that document, which is on file at the National Archives Building, Washington, D.C. (All spelling errors appear here, just as they appear in the document): "State of West Virginia . WIDOW'S CLAIM FOR PENSION State of West Virginia County of Kanawha ON THIS 27th day of March 1901, personally appeared before me, a Clerk of a Court of Record in and for the County and State aforesaid Barbry E. Cobb a resident of Charleston in the County of Kanawha and State of West Virginia aged 67 years, who being duly sworn, makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the Pension provided by the Act of Congress approved June 27th, 1890. That she is the widow of William H. Cobb who was a Private in Company "A" commanded by Captain George Danner in the 13th Regiment of West Virginia Vol Inft in the War of 1861; that her maiden name was Barbry E. Starcher and that she was married to said William H. Cobb on or about the 17th day of August 1852, at or near Glenville in the County of Calhoun and State of West Virginia by Rev. Joseph Knotts and that evidence of said marriage is on County Records at Glenville Calhoun County, WVA. SHE FURTHER DECLARES that said William H. Cobb her husband died at Charleston, in the State of West Virginia, on or about the 23rd day of March, 1901 of Heart trouble Breast and Loungs and cronic diarrhoea and that She also declares that she has remained a widow ever since the death of said William H. Cobb her husband and that she has not in any manner been engaged in, or aided or abetted, the rebellion in the United States; and she hereby appoints Curtis B. McIntosh of Charleston West Virginia as her lawful Attorney, with power of substitution, and authorizes him to present and prosecute this claim. The following .... the name, date of birth, and place of residence of all the children of her deceased husband who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his death ... There is no children under 16 years old her younest child is 24 years next month. My Post Office address is Clendennen Kanawha Co WVA. If mark is made, two witness who write sign here. Geo. W. Smith Her "X" Mark J. J. Hall Barbry E. Cobb ALSO PERSONALLY APPEARED before me, Geo. W. Smith and M. S. Jarrett residents of Charleston, Kanawha County, and State of West VA to me well known as credible persons, who being duly sworn, declare, that they were present and saw said Barbry E. Cobb (the word "sign" is stricken through) her name to the foregoing declaration, and that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said applicant, and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and know that said deceased recognized said applicant as his lawful wife, and that she was so recognized by the community in which they resided; and that they have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. Signature of Witness: Geo. W. Smith M. S. Jarrett Cert. No. 524027 WIDOW'S PENSION Claimant, Barbara E. Cobb P. O. Box ("Cotton" is stricken) Clendennin County, Kanawha State, West Virginia Soldier, William H. Cobb Rank, Private Company, A Regiment, 13 W.VA. Vol. Inf. Rate, $12 per month, commencing March 24, 1901, and $2 a month additional for each child, as follows: None. RECOGNIZED ATTORNEY. Name Nathan Brickford Fee, ($10 is stricken) $25. P.O. Box Washington, D. C. Articles filed Nov. 24, 1905 APPROVAL Approved for admission; origin and continuance of Disease of heart and chronic diarrhoea accepted Reissue to allow under general law. Deduct payments made under Act of June 27, 1890, and drop name from rolls these under. November 19, 1907 F. Wood, Legal Reviewer. November 20, 1907 W. R. H. Alexander, Re-reviewer. Approved to admission; death resulted from disease of heart due to cause which has been legally accepted. Uphram Rice, Medical Reviewer C. T. Whitney, Medical Referee. Nov. 20, 1907 IMPORTANT DATES Enlisted August 15, 1862 Former marriage of soldier - none. Discharged June 22, 1865 Death of former wife - none. Died March 23, 1901 Former marriage of claimant - none. Declaration Filed October 18, 1905 Death of former husband - none. Invalid appl'n filed July 3, 1877 Claimant's marriage to solder - Summer 1852. Invalid last paid to March 4, 1901 M. C. J. H. James Claimant does not write. GENERAL AFFIDAVIT STATE OF West Virginia County of Kanawha In the matter of Barbry E. Cobb Widow of the late William H. Cobb Co A 13th WVA Vol Inft. Personally came before me, a Clerk Circuit Court, in and for aforesaid County and State Barbry E. Cobb, aged 67 years, citizen of the town of Charleston, County of Kanawha, State of West Virginia, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case, as follows: I am the wife and widow of the late William H. Cobb. I married the said William H. jCobb on or about the 17th day of August 1852 at or near Glenville, Calhoun County, West Virginia by Rev Joseph Knotts. I had lived with my husband for 49 years and lived with him all of that time as his lawful wife up to the time of his death which occored on the 23rd day of March 1901 and he was buried on the 24th day of March 1901 he died with heart disease and cronic diarrhoea and Brest and lung trouble. I do not own any land and have no income of any kind and I am two (sic) old to work. and I have not got over 10 dollars worth of household goods and the county had to burry my husband and I have nothing in the worled to depend on but the pension that my husband was drawing and he had done no manual labor for years he was two mutch Broken down to do any manuel labor. I have never married since the death of my Husband and never expect to. I make this statement in order to get his accrued pension and a pension for myself as I am very poor and need it very badly. I was the only wife that William H. Cobb had and he was the only man I every married or lived with. Her "X" Mark Barbry E. Cobb Geo. W. Smith M. S. Jarrett Note - In the execution of papers and evidence, whenever a person or witnesss signs by mark ("X") two persons who can write must attest the signature by signing their names opposite. The official before whom papers are executed is NOT A COMPETENT WITNESS to a mark. (Reproduced at the National Archives, Washington, D.C.)