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Claim of Catherine Decker. No. 39.309. Widows Pension.
Proof of Marriage.
I Thomas Smith a Justice of the Peace of the County of
Ulster in the state of New York do hereby certify that on
the 9th day of January 1854 [?] at the Town of
Shandaken in the said county Minerd Decker & Catherine
Eignor Both of the Town of Shandaken where [sic] married by
me and that they where [sic] personally known to me & that
they were of sufficient age to contract marriage in the
presence of general witnyses [sic] at the said marriage and
that after due inquiry made there appeared no lawful
impediment to the said marriage given under my hand the 11th
day of August 1863.
undersigned, a Justice of the Peach in and for the County
and state above named personally appeared Thomas Smith, a
resident of Shandaken, who on oath, being duly sworn
according to law, declares [?] that he made and subscribed
the foregoing [crossed out: above] certificate of marriage
and that all contained in said certificate – is true &
correct. He further swears that he is interested in no way
in any claim this proof of marriage is intended to support
either as agent or attorney. And further he swears that he
at no time made or caused to be made any public record of
said marriage.
Thomas Smith
Sworn to & subscribed before me, & I certify that I believe
the officiant to be a respectable person & altogether
entitled to belief & that he is the person he represents
himself to be. And I further certify that I am not, either
directly or indirectly, interested in any claim this proof
of marriage is intended to support.
I hereby certify that Thomas Smith who made the prefixed
[crossed out: formentioned] certificate and declaration and
who has thereunto subscribed his name was a Justice of the
Peach in and for the County aforesaid on the 9th
day of January, 1863, duly commissioned and sworn, and that
his signature thereto is genuine. And further I certify
that Egbert Magbe [?]. Esgr, before whom the [inserted] said
prefixed Declaration was made and subscribed, and who has
thereunto subscribed his name, was at the time of so doing a
Justice of the Peace in and for the county aforesaid, duly
commissioned and sworn, and that his signature thereto is
genuine.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and
affixed my official seal, this 18th day of December A.D.
1863.
On this (1) 28 day of October, before me, the undersigned, a
Justice of the Peace in and for the County and States above
named, personally appeared Mary Eignor and Maria Eignor, who
on oath swore that on the 9th day of January A.D. 1854 [?]
they were present at the wedding of Catherine Eignor and
Minerd Decker, both residents of Shandaken, in the County
and State aforesaid; That they saw the aforesaid parties
joined together on that evening in the bond of holy and
lawful wedlock; and that the marriage [inserted:] ceremonies
[word crossed out under] were solemnized by one Thomas
Smith, a Justice of the peace residing at Shandaken
aforesaid. That said wedding was at the home of Catherine
Eignor’s father, (2) John Eignor, in the Town of Shandaken
aforesaid.
They further swear that they have ever since been acquainted
with the aforesaid parties and know that from the date of
said marriage to the time of Minerd Decker’s going to the
war as a federal soldier, they lived together, and directed
[?] and spoke of each other as husband and wife, & were so
reputed all in their neighborhood.
That said Catherine Eignor is the identical Catherine Decker
who is an applicant for widow’s pension. Reason [?] of the
death of her Husband Minerd Decker, who was a member of Co.
K in the 20th Regt. N.Y.S. Militia and who was killed at
Gettysburg on the 3d of July, 1863. That they know that the
said soldier and the husband of said Catherine Decker were
one and the same man, Minerd Decker above named. That they
have personal knowledge of his enlistment and have heard
from him while in said Co. K, of said regiment – and have
had the most reliable information of his death.
That they know that the said Catherine Decker has not
married since the death of her husband A[?] deceased soldier
above named, and that she is now and has been his widow.
That they are residents of Shandaken aforesaid & have no
interest in the prosecution if the claim for pension which
this proof of marriage is intended to support.
Mary Eignor
Maria her X mark Eignor (8)
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first
above [waikten?], and I certify that I know the offiants to
be respectable and credible persons and entitled to belief,
and further, I certify that I have no interest, direct or
indirect, in the prosecution
Of the claim this proof of marriage is intended to support,
either as agent or attorney.
Before Maria Eignore made affidavit – to the above, it was
by me read & explained to her
This 28 day of Oct – 1863
Sworned and subscribed before me ones [partially obstructed]
The Justice of the pease [sic] of the Town of Shandaken and
State of New York
Egbert Myh[?]
Justice of the Pease [sic]
I hereby certify that Egbert Maybe [?] before whom the above
affidavits were taken and who has thereunto subscribed his
name is now and was at the time of so doing a Justice of the
Peace in and for the said county and State, duly
commissioned and sworn and authorized by law to take the
same.
Page 11 [Completed Form: Claim for Increase of Widow’s
Pension]
War of 1861
Act of July 25, 1866
CLAIM FOR INCREASE OF WIDOW’S PENSION.
Supplemental to case in which certificate No. 17.004 was
issued March 24, 1864.
Brief in the case of Catharine Decker, Widow of
Minerd Decker, Srgt. Co. K. 20th Regt. N.Y. Vols.
Resident of ---- Ulster County, and State of New York.
Post Office address: Pine Hill, Ulster Co., New York
DELCARATION AND IDENTIFICATION IN DUE FORM
PROOF EXHIBITED
Abondment or adoption: Neither
Date of Marriage of Parents: January 9th 1854 [4 looks
like 7]
Names and dates of birth of children:
Mary A., born April 25, 1856, who will be 16 years old April
24, 1872
Alice S., born July 7, 1858, who will be 16 years old July
6, 1874
Lodema A, born March 5, 1860, who will be 16 years old March
4, 1876
Idella C., born March 31, 1862, who will be 16 years old
March 30, 1878
Proof of ages: [Crossed out: Baptismal Record] Affidavits
of persons forseens[?]
Only children: Declared
Agent and his P.O. Address: Charles Nettleton, N.Y. City
Issue certificate for -8- dollars per month, commencing July
3, 1863, and two dollars per month additional for each of
the above named children, commencing – 25 – day of – July --
, 1866, deducting former payments.
Catharine Decker, being by me duly sworn dothe on her oath
depose and say that she is the widow of Minerd Decker and
the identical person to whom Pension Certificate No. 17,004
was issued. She further says that the true and correct date
of birth in every respect of Mary A. minor child of herself
and said husband is the 25th day of April 1856, that
deponents original application for Pension was made out in
the village of Kingston New York by her then attorney a Mr.
Shaffer. That she did not take her family record or any
memorandum whatever as to the correct date of her said
child’s birth to said village of Kingston at the time she
made out said original declaration and consequently she gave
the date as near as she could approximate it from
recollection not thinking it was absolutely necessary to
give the precise date of birth. She further says that the
date of birth as above given is correct and true in every
particular.
me this 18th day of September 1867, by said deponent whom I
certify understood the contents of the forgoing affidavit
before execution. I am not interested in this matter. I
further certify that I have resided within about one and a
half miles from the said Catherine Decker for the past
twenty years and have been intimately acquainted with her
during that time, that she is a woman whose [??] reputation
for truth and varacity is above suspicion so far as I ever
knew or heard. I fully believe that the foregoing affidavit
by her subscribed is true in all respects and that the age
of the child as therein given is correct and true in all
respects.
[Form]
State of New York
Ulster County Clerk’s Office SS
I, Nathan Williams, Clerk of the County of Ulster, and also
Clerk of the Supreme Court, in and [??] and County, being a
court of record, do herby certify that Charles Swilte [?]
whose signature appears to the annexted jurat or
certificate, and before whom the annexed instrument appears
to have been verified, was, at the date thereof, an acting
Justice of the Pease [sic] within and for said County of
Ulster, duly qualified and empowered by law to take the
same. And I further certify that I am well acquainted with
the handwriting of each Justice and verily believe that the
signature to the said jurat or certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have herunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court and County, the 25 day of September,
1867
Page 15 [Statement of Mary Eignor and Eliza Tyler – Page 1]
State of New York
County of Ulster SS:
Mary Eignor and Eliza Tyler aged respectively 41 and 52
years, residents of Shandaken in said county being by me
duly sworn do on their oaths depose and say that they have
known Catharine Decker, widow of Minerd Decker, late a
Sergeant in Co. K. 20th Regiment, New York State Militia,
intimately for the past 25 years, that they were intimately
acquainted with the said Minerd Decker for 12 years prior to
his decease, they each further say that they well remember
the fact of the birth of Mary A. Decker legitimate child of
the said Catharine Decker and Minerd Decker, they said Mary
A. Decker deponents distinctly remember and know was born on
the 25th day of April in the year 1856, at Shandaken, New
York. Deponents each know this fact from having been
present and seeing the said Catharine Decker give birth to
said Mary A. Decker on the day aforesaid; that deponents
were living near neighbors to the said Catharine and Minerd
Decker on the occasion of said birth.
Deponents each further say that they well remember the fact
of the birth of Alace S. Decker legitimate child of the said
Catharine Decker and Minerd Decker, that said Alace S.
Decker
Page 16 [Statement of Mary Eignor and Eliza Tyler – Page 2]
Deponents distinctly remember and know was born on the 7th
day of July in the year 1858, at Shandaken, New York.
Deponents each know this fact from having been present and
seeing the said Catharine Decker give birth to said Alace S.
Decker on the day aforesaid; that deponents were living near
neighbors to the said Catharine and Minerd Decker on the
occasion of said birth.
Deponents each further say they well remember the fact of
the birth of Lodema A. Decker legitimate child of the said
Catharine Decker and Minerd Decker, that said Lodema A.
Decker deponents distinctly remember and know was born on
the 5th day of March in the year 1860 at Shandaken, New
York. Deponents each know this fact from having been
preent and seeing the said Catharine Decker give birth to
said Lodema A. Decker on the day aforesaid; that deponents
were living near neighbors to the said Catharine and Minerd
Decker on the occasion of said birth.
Deponents each further say that they well remember the fact
of the birth of Idella C. Decker legitimate child of the
said Catharine Decker and Minerd Decker, that said Idella C.
Decker deponents distinctly remember & know was born on the
31st day of March in the year 1862, at Shandaken, New York.
Deponents each know this fact from having been present and
seeing
Page 17 [Statement of Mary Eignor and Eliza Tyler – Page
3]
The said Catharine Decker give birth to said Idella C.
Decker on the day aforesaid; that deponents were living near
neighbors to the said Catharine and Minerd Decker on the
occasion of said birth, and they are not interested in this
matter.
Mary Eignor
Eliza her + mark Tyler
In presence of
Henry Griffeths
John Giles
Sworn to and subscribed before my this 20th day of March
1867 by said deponents, whom I certify to be credible
persons. I am not interested in this matter, that the
contents of the foregoing affidavit was read to and
understood by deponents.
[Form]
State of New York
Ulster County Clerk’s Office SS
I, Nathan Williams, Clerk of the County of Ulster, and also
Clerk of the Supreme Court, in and for said County, being a
court of record, do herby certify that Philip E. Crispell
[?] whose signature appears to the annexted jurat or
certificate, and before whom the annexed instrument appears
to have been verified, was, at the date thereof, an acting
Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Ulster,
duly qualified and empowered by law to take the same. And I
further certify that I am well acquainted with the
handwriting of each Justice and verily believe that the
signature to the said jurat or certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have herunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court and County, the 6th day of April,
1867
Charles Nettleton, Notary and Commissioner for all the
States
No. 111 Broadway
New York, Oct 12th, 1867
Hon. Joseph H. Barrett
Comm. Of Pensions
Dear Sir
In the claim of Catharine Decker increased pension No 17.004
I send herewith the [?] explanation desired by yours of the
note[?] [??] included herewith.
Catharine Decker being by me duly sworn dothe on her oath
depose and say that she is the applicant for increase of
Pension on the annexed declaration on account of Mary A.
Decker, Alace S. Decker, Lodema A. Decker and Idella C.
Decker minor children of herself and late husband Minerd
Decker.
Deponent further says that neither of her said children Mary
A., Alace S., Ledema A. or Idella C were ever baptized and
that there is no public or church record of their births or
of either of their births, that deponent did not have any
Physician to attend her at the time either or any of her
said children were born nor during her confinement.
Deponent further says that Mrs. Eliza Tyler acted as midwife
on the occasion of the birth of the said Mary A. Decker,
Alace S. Decker, Lodema A. Decker and Idella C. Decker, that
the affidavit of the said Eliza Tyler is hereto annexed that
the best testimony deponent can furnish respecting said
births is the evidence hereto annexed.
Day of March 1867 by said deponent whom I certify to have
understood the contents of the foregoing affidavit before
execution. I am not interested in this matter.
Philip E. Crispell
Justice of the Peace
[Form]
State of New York
Ulster County Clerk’s Office SS
I, Nathan Williams, Clerk of the County of Ulster, and also
Clerk of the Supreme Court, in and for said County, being a
court of record, do herby certify that Philip E. Crispell
[?] whose signature appears to the annexted jurat or
certificate, and before whom the annexed instrument appears
to have been verified, was, at the date thereof, an acting
Justice of the Peace within and for said County of Ulster,
duly qualified and empowered by law to take the same. And I
further certify that I am well acquainted with the
handwriting of each Justice and verily believe that the
signature to the said jurat or certificate is genuine.
In Testimony Whereof, I have herunto set my hand and affixed
the seal of said Court and County, the 6th day of April,
1867
Page 22 [Application for a New Certificate – Not
obstructed]
APPLICATION FOR A NEW CERTIFICATE
[Contains paragraph of instructions.]
State of New York, County of Ulster, SS:
On this 24th day of March, 1892, before the subscriber,
a Notary Public for said county, personally
appeared Catharine Decker, who on oath declares that she is
the widow of Minerd Decker who belonged to Company “K”
in the 20th Regiment of N.Y. Vols, in the service of the
United States, in the
war of the Rebellion; that her name was placed on the
pension roll of the State
[Remainder of document appears identical to the preceding
one. This appears to be the same document without the note
attached to the upper left corner.]
I have the honor to acknowledge receipt from your Office
of application for Pension No. 39 309, and to return it
herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files
of this
Office.
It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office that
Minard Decker was enrolled on the 23
Day of Sept, 1861, at Kingston in the Co. K
20th Regiment of N.Y. [??] /80 G[?]/ Volunteers, to [likely
this is a reference to the 20th N.Y. State Militia being
formally identified as the 80th Inf]
Serve [------- years, or – crossed out] during the war, and
mustered into service as a Private on the 23rd day of Sept
1861, at Kingston N.Y., in Co. K, 20
Regiment of N.Y.S. [??] /80 G Volunteers) to serve [--------
yeas or: crossed out]
During the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. K
Of theat Regiment for the months of July and August
1863, he is reported A sergeant and “Killed at the battle of
Gettysburg July 3rd 1863”
[Note: This document contains ages of the children which
might be the reason for the confusion as to the birth date
of Mary A. Decker in previous documents.]
Form of Declaration for obtaining a Widow’s Army Pension,
State of New York,
County of Ulster SS.
On this 23d day of October A.D., one thousand eight hundred
and
sixty-three, personally appeared before me the undersigned,
Clerk of the Supreme Court
held in and for the County and state above named, Mrs.
Catherine
Decker a resident of Shandaken in the
county of Ulster and state of New York, aged 37 years, who,
being
first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath make the
following declaration, in order to
obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of
Congress, approved July 14, 1862: That she
is the widow of Minerd Decker who was a Sergeant in company
K
commanded by Cptain Baldwin in the 20th regiment of New York
State Militia
otherwise known as the 80th Regt. N.Y.S. Vols., in the war
of 1861, who on or about the 3d day
of July A.D 1863 at a place called Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
came to his death by reason of
a death wound inflicted by a ball or some missile at the
battle of Gettysburg, while
actively engaged in the milatry service & in the time of his
death as a soldier in the military service of the United
States. His said wound was she has been reliably informed –
causing his death on the field of said battle.
She further declares that she was married to the said Minerd
Decker at Shand-
aken N.Y. on the Ninth day of January in the year 185?; that
her husband, the afore-
said Minerd Decker, died on the day above mentioned, and
that she has remained
a widow ever since that period. That she has living four
children under the age of 16 years
the issue of her then said husband – vis [?] Mary A. Decker,
aged 8 years 5 months 7 28 days; Alice A. Decker
aged 5 years 4 months and 16 days: Lodema A. Decker, aged 3
years 8 months and 15 days;
Idella C. Decker, aged 1 year 7 months and 23 days – all of
whom reside at Shandaken aforesaid with her
That at the date of this declaration the ages of her said
children, are as stated above, they live at Shandaken
afore[? Cut off?]
as will more fully appear by reference to the proof hereto
annexed. She also declares that she has
not in any manner been engaged in, or aided or abetted the
rebellion in the United States.
That she was married by one Thomas Smith, a Justice of the
Peace, & that she is not aware that there is a public or
private record of her said marriage
Catherine her X mark Decker
In presence of
Mary Eignor
Also personally appeared Maria Eignor and Mary Eignor
residents of Shandaken, in the state of New York persons
whom I certify to be
respectable, and entitled to credit, and who being by me
duly sworn say that they were present
and saw Mrs. Catherine Decker make her mark to
the foregoing declaration; and they further swear that they
have every reason to believe, from the
appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her,
that she is the identical person
she represents herself to be; and they further state that
the names and ages of her children under
the age of 16 years are as follows the ages given being
their ages at her said husband’s death: Mary A. Decker
aged at her husband’s death 8 years 2 months and about 9
days; Alice A. Decker, aged at her husband’s death
4 years and about 1 month; Lodema A. Decker, aged at her
husband’s death 3 years and about 5 months; Idella C.
Decker, aged at her husband’s death 1 year and about 4
months
that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Mary Eignor
Maria her X mark Eignor
In presence of
Sarah J. Irwin
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23 day of October A.
D. 1863
and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or
indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
