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Community Genealogy & History


Legal Documents - Bradford County, Pennsylvania
This is a transcription of the  Penison claim of Aurelia "Horning" of Bradford County PA.
Transcribed by Mallory Babcock
CIVIL WAR PENSION APPLICATION

OF WILLIAM HORNING’S WIDOW, AURELIA HORNING

Private, Company B. 76th NYSV

  • 1 March 1865: Aurelia Horning submits form for her late husband, William HORNING. She is living in Ridgebury, Bradford County Pennsylvania but the form is from Chemung County, New York. She is 34 years old. She states her husband, William, died 12 February 1865 at Ridgebury. He was at home on furlough from the prison camp. His disease was chronic diarrhea produced by starvation and deprivation while a prisoner in the hands of the rebels. He was taken prisoner at the Battle of the Wilderness in Virginia 5 May 1864. Her maiden name was Aurelia MANDEVILLE and she married William 1 January 1852 at Ridgebury by Rev. D. A. GILLETT. Their children are:
  1. Adelbert HORNING born 29 September 1852
  2. Chancey HORNING born 10 March 1855
  3. Giles HORNING born 9 June 1857
Also appeared for claimant were: Daniel GILLETT and Thomas McKEE, residents of Ridgebury.
  • 1 March 1865: Affidavit from Dan. A. GILLETT, age 58, a resident of Ridgebury stating he is a minister of the gospel of the Baptist Church and that he married William HORNING and Aurelia MANDEVILLE on the 1st day of January 1852 at Ridgebury, Bradford County, PA. That there is no public record of said marriage as it was not customary among the people of said county at the time of said marriage to record marriages in town or county or state records.
  • 16 March 1865. Affidavit from Eli J. HUNT, M.D. residing in Ridgebury and that he was acquainted with William HORNING and attended him during his last illness.
  • 20 June 1866 Affidavit from John W. MANDEVILLE stating he was a corporal and that he was acquainted with William HORNING. John was taken prisoner by the rebels on 14 October 1863 at the Battle of Bristoe Station, Virginia and was taken and put in prison camp at Andersonville, Georgia and was taken back to the Union lines about 29 April 1865. That William HORNING was brought to said prison camp at Andersonville, Georgia about the latter part of July. Said HORNING was taken sick with chronic diarrhea. So called by the surgeon of said prison camp. Produced by poor water unwholesome food and deprivation of food and bad treatment generally.
  • 9 November 1866 Affidavit by Jane MANDEVILLE and Lucricia SIGGEE(?) That they were acquainted with William HORNING and Aurelia HORNING and with Giles M. HORNING and attended Aurilia at the time of the birth of Giles as there was no physician there at the time.
  • 11 November 1866 Affidavit by Jonathan Smith, M.D. that he attended the births of Charles and Chauncey HORNING
  • 25 March 1867 Acknowledgement of the pension application No. 103.623. Shows that William HORNING was enrolled on 7 September 1863 at 20 District, New York in the 76th Regiment of New York Volunteers to serve three years and was mustered into service as a private. He was reported taken prisoner at the Battle of the Wilderness, Virginia May 5, 1864 and delivered at Charleston, South Carolina December 11, 1964. He arrived at Camp _________ in Maryland Dec. 17, 1864. Furloughed from December 25, 1864 to January 24, 1865, but did not return.
  • 18 April 1867 Affidavit of Aurelia HORNING stating she is the mother of the following children whose birth records are from the family bible and that these dates are the correct ones:
    • Charles Adelbert HORNING born 29 September 1852
    • Chauncey Alphonzo HORNING born 10 March 1854
    • Giles E. M. HORNING born 9 Jun 1858 (he was first named Giles E. M. HORNING and since the said record was made the "E" has been dropped from his name.
  • 17 May 1867 Aurelia was receiving $8 pension for herself and her minor children
  • 26 January 1912 Aurelia’s name was dropped from the pension roll due to her death on 25 November 1911. The cause of death is given as Bright’s disease. She was receiving $12 per month at this time. Her burial is listed as Laurel Hill Cemetery, South Creek, Bradford County, Pennsylvania
  • 19 February 1912: Mrs. Adelbert HORNING received $8.80 reimbursement
  • 15 March 1912 Letter from Mrs. Adelbert Horning follows:
"You will find enclosed the undertaker’s bill. It was paid by a note – due in six months time. I got those other papers signed by the doctor and grave digger but for the druggist bill we never kept no account of what was bought for she bought medicine wherever we were. She used mainly patent medicines and bought everything she heard of. She handled her own money and used it freely and was always in debt when the next pay come. This is as correct a statement as I can make out."
  • 18 March 1912 Note was signed by Dr. PRATT holding Adelbert HORNING responsible for any claim for services rendered, supplies furnished or money expended during the last sickness and burial of Aurelia HORNING.
  • 21 March 1912 Mrs. Adelbert HORNING was reimbursed by the government $75.00 of $88.50 due for the following:
    • Physicians’ bills $ 5.50
    • Nursing and care $25.00
    • Undertaker’s bill $50.00
    • Cemetery charges $ 8.00
27 November 1912 bill from BEAMAN & Friends, Funeral Directors and Embalmers for a casket and robe. Total $50.00. Payment received is noted.