Military Pension Files for widow Emma and Private Joseph J. Rice, 54th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, Co. D

Transcription

DEPOSITION B

Case of Emma Rice, No. 717484

On this 20 day of May, 1902, at Camden, county of Camden, States of N[ew] J[ersey], before me, R M Morris, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Joshua Richards (Colored), who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

I am about 56 years old, laborer, P[ost] O[ffice] 1100 So[uth] 8th Camden NJ

I first got acquainted with the deceased soldier about 1866 in Camden N.J. and I knew him up till his death. We worked sometimes together catching shad in nets. I am unable to say whether or not he was a married man when I first knew him. I got acquainted with his wife some two or three later. They lived together and were known as husband and wife, and lived peaceably up to his death. She has not remarried since he died. she is poor, has no property, she works when able to. I do not know with whom she is living, but my opinion is that it is with her married daughter. She does a little work, but she is old and feeble and can do but little. There was no divorce or separation between them to my knowledge. I never knew or heard of a prior marriage on the part of either. I am not related to her. Am not interested in the case. Do not know what Regiment soldier served in. My answers are correctly recorded.

• Joshua Richards

See also Special Examination Index

Public domain military record

National Archives Catalog #300020. "Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Veterans of the Army and Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain, compiled 1861 - 1934."

National Archives retrieval courtesy of American Origins, LLC

Fee provided by J.M.

Photo editing and transcription by K Raymoure