Rufus Tucker's Civil War Pension File Excerpts
Civil War Pension File for Rufus B. Tucker
9th Regiment of Vermont Volunteers Company D.
Pension No. 79.845
9th Vermont Infantry History (jpg)
I was led to this file after checking the probate records for the Hartford District of Vermont. One of the files indicated the children received a pension? "Pension for what," I asked. This led me to the National Archives in Washington, DC where I discovered the Civil War Pension file for Rufus Blodgett Tucker. I was able to use the actual paper record in transcribing this file. It has since been put on microfilm. It was quite an experience to realize that I was working with papers that were over one hundred years old and were actually about my great-great-grandfather! The pension was applied for by an agent on behalf of Rufus' minor children. They were to receive the pension until each reached the age of sixteen.
NOTES: Rufus B. Tucker was enrolled on the 21st day of June 1862 at Woodstock, Vermont in Co. D 9th Regiment of Vermont Volunteers to serve 3 years or during the war and mustered into service as a Private on the 9th day of July 1862 at Brattleboro, VT. On the Muster Roll of Co. D of that Regiment for the months of Sept and Oct 1862, he is reported died at Winchester Va. of Dysentery Aug 8th 1862.
The following documents are excerpts from that file:
I, Daniel F. Wiley of Bridgewater, in the County of Windsor and state of Vermont, aged 59 years on oath say I am a practicing physician and was acquainted with the late Rufus B. Tucker who enlisted into the U. S. Service the 24th of Jun 1862 and knew him at the time and over a two year previous to the time of his enlistment to be a stout healthy man and that he worked among the farmers by days works for the support of his family. And that I have no interest in this matter.
David F. Wiley (June 27, 1866)
I, Lydia George a resident of Pittsfield in the County of Rutland and State of Vermont, being duly sworn according to law, on my oath, declare that I have been for more than twelve years well acquainted with Rufus B. Tucker, late of Bridgewater in the State of Vermont, who was a private in Company D of the 9th Regiment of Vermont Volunteers and with his wife Betsey Tucker, now Betsey Ferrey; that I was present immediately after the birth of their son Rufus Jr. Tucker, and before the said child was dressed; that I well know that the said Rufus Jr. Tucker was born in Royalton, Vermont, on the 24th day of January AD 1855; that I was present at the birth of their son, Cornelius A. Tucker; that he was born in said Royalton, on the 24th day of May AD 1856. (Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 27th day of April AD 1867. [Lydia Durkee Bates George was the mother of Betsy Bates, Rufus' wife.]
We Ephraim Hubbard (note same name as one of the children) & Daniel Robinson residents of Bridgewater in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, being duly sworn according to law on our oaths, declare each for himself that we have for eight or nine years, been well acquainted with Rufus B. Tucker, late of said Bridgewater, who was a private in Company D of the 9th Regiment of Vermont Volunteers in the war of 1861, and with his wife, Betsey Tucker, now Betsey Ferrey; that we also well know John S. Slack of said Bridgewater, who is the guardian of the said Rufus B. & Betsey Tucker's children; that we know that Rufus Jr. Tucker, Cornelius A. Tucker, Ephraim H. Tucker, Mary L. Tucker and Ida J. Tucker are the only children of the said Rufus B. Tucker and Betsey Tucker, surviving; that the said Rufus B. Tucker left no children surviving him by any former or other marriage. (Sworn and subscribed before me this 6th day of May AD 1867.
We Sarah P. Thompson and Hannah B. Woods residents of Bridgewater of Windsor and State of Verrmont, being duly sworn according to law, on our oaths declare that we well know Rufus B. Tucker late of said Bridgewater, who was a private in Company D of the 9th Regiment of Vermont Volunteers, and we also well knew his wife, Betsey Tucker, now Betsey Ferrey; that we were present at the birth of their daughter, Mary L. Tucker; that she was born in said Bridgewater on the 13th day of April AD 1859. (Sworn and subscribed to the 30th day of April 1867.
X Sarah P. Thompson
X Hannah B. Woods
NOTE: The 1870 Census for Bridgewater, Windsor County, Vermont lists an Elisha F. Woods, age 58, bp New Hampshire and his wife Hannah, age 52.
I, Mehitable Tucker a resident of Bridgewater in the County of Windsor and State of Vermont, being duly sworn according to law, on my oath, declare that I have been for more than ten years, well acquainted with Rufus B. Tucker, late of said Bridgewater who was a private in Company D. of the 9th Regiment of Vermont Volunteers, and with his wife, Betsey Tucker, now Betsey Ferrey; that I was present at the birth of their son, Rufus Jr. Tucker; that he was born in Royalton, Vermont, on the 24th day of January AD 1855. [Mehitable is Rufus' mother.]
Mehitable Tucker
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of April 1867.
I Mehitable Tucker of Bridgewater in the County of Windsor & state of Vermont on oath state that I am the Mother of Rufus B. Tucker who was a member of Co. D 9th Vt. Vols., and was present at the births of (two) his children who namesd & ages are as follows: Rufus Jr. (it looks like the letter R under Jr.) Tucker born at Royalton Vt, .......'24 1855 Cornelius A. Tucker born at Royalton, Vt. May 24th 1856 Ephraim H. Tucker, born at Chickopee Mass Oct 13, 1857, Mary L. Tucker, born at Bridgewater Apr 12, 1859 & Ida J. Tucker, born at Royalton, Vt. Sept 12th 1860 that the above named children are the children & only children of the said Rufus B. Tucker & his wife Betsy Tucker, who has since married Chester Ferry as stated in the application for pension made by John S. Slack, Guardian of the minor children, which is on file in the Pension Office, No. 78.845. I further state that I am disinterested in said application for pension and that the children names above written are recorded in the family bible in the hand writing of Rufus B. Tucker and the day of the month and year of their births which is now in my possession.
Mahitable Tucker [If only this Bible were still around!]
State of Vermont at Bridgewater this 9th day of March 1866 personally appeared the above named Mehitable Tucker to me well known & made oath that the above statement by her subscribed is true.
State of Vermont Orange County
Be it Remembered that at Tunbridge on this 21st day of August 1853 Mr. Rufus B. Tucker & his wife Betsey Bates both of Tunbridge in the County of Orange were duly joined in marriage by me. Joseph Howes Minister of the Gospel (Note in file indicates that he was a Methodist preacher)
Town Clerks office Tunbridge Feby 21st. A.D. 1863 The foregoing is a true copy of Record remaining in this office.
Wm. P. Brown Town Clerk
I Betsey Ferry depose and say that my maiden name was Betsy Bates; that I was first married to Rufus B. Tucker on the 21 day of August 1853 by Joseph Howes, Minister of the Gospel: that we, the said Rufus B. Tucker (while he lived) and (then) Betsey Tucker, had five children to wit; Rufus Blodgett Tucker, who was born on the 24th day of January, A.D. 1855; Cornelius Augustus Tucker, who was born on the 24th day of May A.D. 1856; Ephraim Hubbard Tucker who was born on the 16 day of A....... A.D. 1857, Maria Louise Tucker, who was born on the 12th day of April, A.D. 1859; and Ida Jane Tucker, who was born on the 12th day of Sept, A.D. 1860; and all said five children are now living. After the death of the said Rufus B. Tucker, my first husband which occured in the military service of the United States on the 28th day of July 1862 I was married, on the 7th day of November 1862 to Chester Ferry, and am now his wife. (Done at Bridgewater October 4, 1864)
Betsey Ferrey X(her mark)
NOTE: Basically the same statement was made by Lois M. Raymond and her husband John Q. A. Raymond of Woodstock. Lois was the half sister of Betsey Ferrey.
Camp Ners Winchester, Va. Aug 7th/62
Mrs Tucker
by the request of Mr Tucker I write you to let you know that Mr Tucker is quite sick. we have hopes of him and hope he will be up in a few days he has just as good care as any man can have in camp. he has been sick ever since we left Clouds (?) mills whitch was tow weaks to day it is the Disentary that ales him he is the only one in the Co that is very sick. He is very curm and apers to be resince to his fait let it be as it will and that makes it better for him. if he does not get able to write himself I will write again son or if there is any chang I will write and let you know often how he is
Yours with respect
Aseph Clark 1st Lieut Co. D
Camp Neer Winchester Va Aug 9th /62
Mrs Tucker
I is with Sadness that I etempt to address you through the paper this morning for the tidings I have to communicate are ........ and Solman for you Mr Tucker has parted this life he died this morning about sun rise he died very easy and was sensible to his fate. we shall miss him m.... but no so mu.....as you must but Gods gibeth and taketh away and he ..... all things right. Hw will be burried to day I expet and I shall most likely write again and send you ...........of ..... he has left here behind that we can send if there is any and now I will closee by Saying God be with you all
Aseph Clark
