Henrietta Emory explains that she is too poor to provide evidence in her pension case
Dublin Core
Title
Henrietta Emory explains that she is too poor to provide evidence in her pension case
Description
Contains a series of petitions from Henrietta Emory (wife of deceased James Emory) to various claims agents requesting assistance obtaining the back pay and pension due her upon the death of her husband. She spells out the difficulty that many Black families had accessing the benefits to which they were legally entitled.
Date
2/24/1867
Coverage
Long Marsh, Queen Anne's Co
Alternative Title
A-4102
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Clerk in the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau to a Bounty Claimant; and Her Reply
[Baltimore, Md.] July 8” [186]7
Mrs James Emory
Long M[ars]h
[Queen] Ann Co
Maryland
Madam I am directed by Maj Gen Gregory to notify you that proof of marriage or [certification?] is required in your claim for your husbands Bounty. Your husbands father claims that you [were] nev[er] lawfully m[arri]ed to his son and he has instituted a claim for his Bounty. You had better call at this Office and bring this letter with you. Very respectfully
C. W. Hildreth
Clerk
Long Marsh P.O. Queen Ann's Co. Md. [July? 1867]
Mr. C. W. Hildreth.
I got your letter yesterday & hasten to reply. I have had so much trouble & gone so in debt to get my poor husband's bounty, that I was able to do no more, unless there was something accomplished by all my trouble, which there dint seem to be as there seems some hope of getting it, from your letter, I will try again. I can prove by the best authority, that
I was lawfully married to James Emory. I was married to him by a Methodist preacher, colored, & my husband paid him for marrying us, he was a regular preacher in the conference, & it was the way all the people were married. If his Father says we were not lawfully married, he tells a story, because he wants to get the Bounty himself. & I am the right one to have it, I am his widow & a poor woman, & have one child, a boy, living, four
years old, who should have some of the money of his Father, to raise & educate him. I have no money nor cant get any to go to Baltimore, but I will send a certificate of my marriage, with the preacher's name to it, sworn to before the county magistrate I would think this proof enough. I will send it in the next mail to you please show this to Gen Gregory & ask him if he can help me & I will be grateful all my life. Yours Respectfully
Henrietta Emory.
C. W. Hildreth to Mrs James Emory, 8 July 1867, vol. 7, p. 4, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; Henrietta Emory to Mr. C. W. Hildreth, [July? 1867], filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. According to an unsigned endorsement in the bounty file dated April 1868, Henrietta Emory had previously filed a claim for her husband’s bounty in 1866.
Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims to a Bounty Claimant; and Two Replies from the Claimant
HEAD QUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER.
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
DISTRICT OF MARYLAND AND DELAWARE.
No. 12 North Calvert Street. Claim & Complaint Division.
Baltimore [Md.], January 14 1868
Mrs. Emory
You are requested to state at your earliest convenience, what you have done or propose doing with papers sent you to execute in your claim for your husband's Bounty, when you answer, return this letter with your letter
A W Bolenius
Agent In charge of Claim & Complaint Division.
(& see her papers)
Beaver Dams [Md.]. Feb 4th 1868
Kind Sir I received your letter of Dec wanting to know whot I intend doing I must here state I do not know whot to do more than I have done for I have nothing to do with I am a poor woman and I can not get any thing done with out paying for it and I am not able to stand to it I want you to do all you can for me for I have no money to do any thing with Your. Obedient Servant
Henrietta Emory
Long Marsh Md Feby 12th /68
Sir Your letter was recived and in reply I will say that it is imposible for me to come to your Office. I am not able to come I certainly have not money to spare to pay my expenses to Baltimore and back I have gott one child and myself to maintain and it is imposible for me to come please do what you can for me and let me know how you will do please let me hear from you soon and Oblidge your Obedient Servant
Hennie Emory
Long Marsh
Md
A. W. Bolenius to Mrs. Emory, 14 Jan. 1868; Henrietta Emory to Kind Sir [Adolphus W. Bolenius], 4 Feb. 1868; Hennie Emory to Sir, 12 Feb. 1868, all filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. The letter to which Emory replied on February 12 has not been found in the volumes of press copies of letters sent of the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau.
Headquarters of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Assistant Commissioner to a Bounty Claimant; and a Reply by the Claimant, Enclosing the Affidavit of a Black Clergyman
No. 12 N. Calvert St. [Baltimore, Md.] Feby. 27 [186]8
Madam:- Please inform me whether you will be able to furnish the marriage certificate, properly sworn to by the officiating clergyman, as promised in your letter of recent date & oblige Very respectfully
Edwd C. Knower
Bt. Capt. U.S.A.
A.A.A. Genl.
Return reply in enclosed envelope
Henrietta Emory
Long Marsh P.O.
Queen Ann Co. Md
Long Marsh P.O. [Md.] [February? 1868]
Edward C Knower—
Dear Sir, I send the certificate of my marriage as you requested me. Col Cragrier the one who used to supertend the buisness has all my pappers. I have tried to get my money so long, I am poor & have not the money to pay for gitting any more certificates & things, I have gone to a great deal of expense about it, I sent them all once to Col Cragrier who promised to send me the money. I will be a thousand times obliged to you if you send me my money. I am much in debt about this buisness, I had to pay $2, for what little I had done for me this morning, & the money which is due my poor dead husband ought to be mine, He killed himself in the army! You could send me the money in a letter. Yours Respectfully
Henrietta Emory
Long Marsh P.O.
Queen Ann’s Co
Maryland
[Queen Anne County, Md., February? 1868]
State of Maryland
Queen Annes County to wit
I hereby make oath that I married Jas Emery & Henrietta Price on the 25 day of December 1860 according to the usages of the state of Maryland
his
John X Smith
mark
attest
R H Gibson
Sworn before W. D. Smith J.P.
Bt. Capt. Edwd C. Knower to Henrietta Emory, 27 Feb. 1868, vol. 7, p. 435, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; Henrietta Emory to Edward C Knower, [Feb.? 1868]; Affidavit of John Smith, [Feb.? 1868], both filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Headquarters of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Assistant Commissioner to a Bounty Claimant; and Her Reply
Head Quarters, Assistant Commissioner,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
District of Maryland and Delaware,
No. 12 N. Calvert Street,
Baltimore, Md., May 4 1868
Madam:- In your claim for pay on account of your late husband James Emery Co. "D." 39 U,S,C,T, the enclosed affidavit must be duly executed as indicated therein in pencil, If the Justice of the Peace who charged you two dollars for the affidavit previously sent, which was irregular in form, & of no value still refuses to execute the enclosed free of charge, (it being designed to supply the place of the one which you have already paid for,) please report the same to this office with the name & residence of the Justice, Follow the directions in pencil & return the affidavit with this letter to this office, Respectfully
Edwd C Knower
Bvt. Capt. & A.A.A. Genl.
Henrietta Emery
Long Marsh.
Queen Ann. Co.
Md.
Long Marsh. PO. [Md.] August 26 [1868].
Edward C. Knower—
Sir, I received your notice & reply immediately I have written repeatedly to the office in regard to my bounty money, & have gone in debt going to Baltimore, & writing for it, & have never got one cent, I am poor & not able to do any more unless I was sure of getting something, I send you all the papers I have about it & will be so thankful
if you will collect it for me, for I am very needy, & can just make out to live, I will wait anxiously to hear from you, for I am very much in need of money, I have gone to so much expense trying to get it, & have no more to pay. I have sent papers to Baltimore twice proving that I was legally married to my husband, & I could do no more. Very Respectfully
Henrietta Emory.
Bvt. Capt. Edwd C Knower to Henrietta Emery, 4 May 1868; Henrietta Emory to Edward C. Knower, 26 Aug. [1868], both filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims to a Bounty Claimant
HEAD QUARTERS, SUB-ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING,
Cor. SARATOGA and COURTLAND Streets,
Baltimore, Md. Sept. 18th. 1868
Henrietta Emory.
Long Marsh Md.
Take the enclosed letter to Justice Smith— I think he will assist you, Also have John Smith, the preacher who married you, and two witnesses, colored, or white, men of women provided they are not interested— go with you to Justice Smith, The witnesses must be acquainted with you, and your husband, know that you lived together as man and wife for several years As soon as the affidavit (which is in the letter for Justice Smith) is executed return it to this office, Unless you attend to this matter, you will NEVER get your claim settled,
E. C. Knower,
Bt Capt. U.S.A.
Box 599 P,O,
Baltimore Md
I H Bayne
Agent
[Endorsement] [Long Marsh? Md.] Mr Smith Sir Please to fix this womans papers for Her & turn them to Mr Geo Johnson for me and oblige
I E H Bayne
from Bureau Boltomore.
Bt Capt. E. C. Knower to Henrietta Emory, 18 Sept. 1868, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. Bayne’s endorsement to Justice Smith is written on the reverse of the letter of September 18, 1868 from Captain Knower to Emory that is printed above.
Bounty Claimant to the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims, Enclosing the Statement of a Maryland Physician
Long Marsh P.O. [Md.] April 13. 1870.
Capt Knower—
I received the letter, with the one for Justice Smith, which I gave him. I have sent you all the certificates you have asked of me, & have done all I could to get my money. I sent you the certificate of my marriage. I was Jim Emory’s lawful wife, & have proved it to you, & me & his son Moses, are the lawful ones to have it. I have gone to much expense to get it, & am not able to do more for I am a poor
woman. I send you in this the certificate of the Dr, who attended him in his last illness. I am very needy, & can do no more, am not able to pay for all the expense I have already gone to. Hoping to hear something from it. Respectfully
Heneritta Emory.
Long Marsh P.O.
Queen Ann’s Co.
Md
[Enclosure] [Long Marsh, Md.] Apr. 13/70
I certify that I attended, as Physician, Jas. Emory U.S.C.T., in his last sickness, in the year 1864, after he left the Army.
Also that his disease was, Chronic Diarrhea
L.H. Beatty
Heneritta Emory to Capt Knower, 13 Apr. 1870, enclosing statement of L. H. Beatty, 13 Apr. 1870, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims to the Freedmen’s Bureau Commissioner
[Baltimore, Md.] May 9th [1870]
Bv’t. Major Gen’l. O. O. Howard.
Comr Bureau R.F. & A.L.
Washington, D.C.
General. I have the honor to request information as to what evidence is on file, and what evidence necessary to complete the claim for Pension of Henrietta Emory as widow of James Emory; deceased Pvt. D. 39th US.C.T. Claim filed by J. P. Creagher in 1866. Please return this letter with statement. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant.
Edwd C Knower
Bv’t. Captain U.S. Army.
In charge of claims.
Bv’t. Captain Edwd C Knower to Bv’t. Major Gen’l. O. O. Howard, 9 May [1870], vol. 11, p. 202, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. No reply has been found in the commissioner’s letters-sent volumes.
Maryland Merchant to the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims
Beaver Dams [Md.] May 4th 1871
Mr Edwd C Knower
Dear Sir Hennie Emory, the wife of James Emory, came to see me a fiew days since stating to me that she had recieved several letters from you that if she would get some one that knew her, and also knew her to bee the wife of said Emory, that you would pay her the amt due. if there is any you can send the papers that is nessesary to bee filled up and it will be attended to. wright and lett me know yours Respectfully
J. L. Turner
P.O.
Long Marsh Queen anns co
M, D,
J. L. Turner to Mr Edwd C Knower, 4 May 1871, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files of Pension Claims, series 2002, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Statement of a Maryland Physician
Long Marsh P.O. Queen Ann's Co. Md. May 5. 1871.
By request of Hennie Emory I certify that I was the physician of James Emory, her husband, after his return from the army & that I have no knowledge of his ever being scalded by his wife, as I understand has been represented.
L. H. Beatty
Statement of L. H. Beatty, 5 May 1871, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims to a Maryland Merchant; Maryland Bounty Claimant to the Agent; and the Merchant to the Agent
[Baltimore, Md.] May 8th [18]71
J. L. Turner Esqr
Long Marsh P.O. Md.
Sir. Your letter of May 4th Received. There is certain evidence (not difficult to furnish) required to complete the claims of Henrietta Emory as widow of James Emory "D" 39th but it is useless to attempt the completion of her claims unless she can disprove certain facts sworn to by the father, of soldier, who has also made a claim. The Statements made and proved by the father are as follows viz: that, "Henrietta lived with other men while James Emory was in the Army, that she so continued to live until the year 1867 when she married one John Meade, that she was so living when James Emory came home sick on a furlough and she positively refused to receive
said soldier, and care for h[im], but forced him to leave her and go to [hi]s father’s house & during four week[s] [sickness?] Henrietta paid no attention [to] James & did not see him until his burial”
Before anything further can be done in regard to Henrietta's Claims she must furnish the testimony of two or more reliable white persons who can prove the falsity of the fathers statement If she has any such witnesses she need to simply send me THEIR names and state which of the above statements they will swear from their personal knowledge to be false If any of the assertions are true, and Henrietta can give a good reason for her conduct I would like to have her statement,
Remember!! do not attempt to have any papers sworn to, but simply send the names and facts and I will prepare a proper affidavit, AFTER we have straightened out the above matter we can then go ahead and complete her claims, Prompt action is necessary as this office will soon close and the claim will be given to father as Henrietta has had ample time to complete claims Let me hear from you
Edwd C Knower
1st Lieut. U.S.A.
Beaver Dams [Md.] May 16 1871
Mr Edward C Knower
Dear Sir Yours of the 8 inst came to hand on the fifteenth I was not aware that the Father of James had made any application to the office for the money. I have always thought that Samuel Emery aught to have the money, Henrietta Meeds was in my Store this morning to seel me about the matter, and I took her to herself and Questioned her, and she could not offer any evidence against the statements that Samuel Emery had already made, I am willing to testafy to the statements as set fourth in your letter to me, also Dr G. N. Parvis will do the same Hennie lived with me also James Emery her husband at the time he went in the army, and I know all about the facts in the case, and I feel willing to do any thing that is wright for Sam, please lett me here what is to bee done and it will be attended to at once Dr G. N. Parvis lives in the same town and a letter directed to the same P.O. will reach him Please wright soon yours &c—
J L Turner
[Long Marsh, Md.] May 17th 1871
Dear Sir I have heard the letter red that you sent to me but it give me very pore incurgement but I will try to come over on monday the 21 if I can
Mrs Henryetta Emory
Mr E. C Knower
1st Lieut. Edwd C Knower to J. L. Turner Esqr, 8 May [18]71, vol. 11, pp. 471-72, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; J L Turner to Mr Edward C Knower, 16 May 1871, Unregistered Letters Received, series 1997, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; Mrs Henryetta Emory to Mr E. C Knower, 17 May 1871, filed with Emory, James, Case Files of Pension Claims, series 2002, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. No reply to Turner’s letter has been found in the volumes of press copies of letters sent of the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau.
Representative of a Maryland Bounty Claimant to the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims; and the Claims Agent to the Freedmen’s Bureau Commissioner
Ridgely [Md.] Nov 16th 1871
E C Knower Esq
Baltimore
Dear Sir I recd your letter for Hester Ann Sparks to day, and will send it to her soon
Sir I written you a letter Some tow weeks a go. and sent a stamp for an answer & Direct it to you PO Box 599 Baltimore Md
asking you to tell me abouat Henry Miles [interlineation, in a different handwriting: Apr 20th. 1871 “A” 4th USCT] & Mrs Henrietta Emory case She wants me to attend to it for her Please to let me hear from them soon I am yours truly
Isaiah H Bayne
[Baltimore, Md.] Jany 2nd [18]72
General I have the honor to return herewith all papers in BOTH Pension and A,P, & B claims of Henrietta Emory widow of James Emory “D” 39th, with affidavits of two responsible persons confirming the charges of immorality and cruelty made in the endorsement of 2nd Auditor dated August 8th 1870, This case has been carefully and thoroughly investigated by me and every opportunity afforded claimant for refuting the charges against her, As the soldier left no child I think the father Samuel Emory should be recognised as the legal heir Respectfully
Edwd C Knower
1st. Lieut. U.S.A
To Brig Genl O. O. Howard
Comr Bu &c
Isaiah H Bayne to E C Knower Esq, 16 Nov. 1871, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files of Pension Claims, series 2002, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; 1st. Lieut. Edwd C Knower to Brig Genl O. O. Howard, 2 Jan. [18]72, vol. 12, p. 297, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. No reply to Bayne’s letter has been found in the volumes of press copies of letters sent of the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau. No reply to Lieutenant Knower has been found in the commissioner’s letters-sent volumes. Neither the original copy of Knower’s letter nor its enclosures have been found among the letters received by the commissioner’s office. Henrietta Emory’s claim was listed as closed in the record books of the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau. Accompanying the entry was a note to see the letter book entry dated January 2, 1872 for the conclusion of her case. (Entry for Emory, James, p. 1, Register of Claims not Originally Filed through the Baltimore Office, series 2004, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.)
[Baltimore, Md.] July 8” [186]7
Mrs James Emory
Long M[ars]h
[Queen] Ann Co
Maryland
Madam I am directed by Maj Gen Gregory to notify you that proof of marriage or [certification?] is required in your claim for your husbands Bounty. Your husbands father claims that you [were] nev[er] lawfully m[arri]ed to his son and he has instituted a claim for his Bounty. You had better call at this Office and bring this letter with you. Very respectfully
C. W. Hildreth
Clerk
Long Marsh P.O. Queen Ann's Co. Md. [July? 1867]
Mr. C. W. Hildreth.
I got your letter yesterday & hasten to reply. I have had so much trouble & gone so in debt to get my poor husband's bounty, that I was able to do no more, unless there was something accomplished by all my trouble, which there dint seem to be as there seems some hope of getting it, from your letter, I will try again. I can prove by the best authority, that
I was lawfully married to James Emory. I was married to him by a Methodist preacher, colored, & my husband paid him for marrying us, he was a regular preacher in the conference, & it was the way all the people were married. If his Father says we were not lawfully married, he tells a story, because he wants to get the Bounty himself. & I am the right one to have it, I am his widow & a poor woman, & have one child, a boy, living, four
years old, who should have some of the money of his Father, to raise & educate him. I have no money nor cant get any to go to Baltimore, but I will send a certificate of my marriage, with the preacher's name to it, sworn to before the county magistrate I would think this proof enough. I will send it in the next mail to you please show this to Gen Gregory & ask him if he can help me & I will be grateful all my life. Yours Respectfully
Henrietta Emory.
C. W. Hildreth to Mrs James Emory, 8 July 1867, vol. 7, p. 4, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; Henrietta Emory to Mr. C. W. Hildreth, [July? 1867], filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. According to an unsigned endorsement in the bounty file dated April 1868, Henrietta Emory had previously filed a claim for her husband’s bounty in 1866.
Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims to a Bounty Claimant; and Two Replies from the Claimant
HEAD QUARTERS, ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER.
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
DISTRICT OF MARYLAND AND DELAWARE.
No. 12 North Calvert Street. Claim & Complaint Division.
Baltimore [Md.], January 14 1868
Mrs. Emory
You are requested to state at your earliest convenience, what you have done or propose doing with papers sent you to execute in your claim for your husband's Bounty, when you answer, return this letter with your letter
A W Bolenius
Agent In charge of Claim & Complaint Division.
(& see her papers)
Beaver Dams [Md.]. Feb 4th 1868
Kind Sir I received your letter of Dec wanting to know whot I intend doing I must here state I do not know whot to do more than I have done for I have nothing to do with I am a poor woman and I can not get any thing done with out paying for it and I am not able to stand to it I want you to do all you can for me for I have no money to do any thing with Your. Obedient Servant
Henrietta Emory
Long Marsh Md Feby 12th /68
Sir Your letter was recived and in reply I will say that it is imposible for me to come to your Office. I am not able to come I certainly have not money to spare to pay my expenses to Baltimore and back I have gott one child and myself to maintain and it is imposible for me to come please do what you can for me and let me know how you will do please let me hear from you soon and Oblidge your Obedient Servant
Hennie Emory
Long Marsh
Md
A. W. Bolenius to Mrs. Emory, 14 Jan. 1868; Henrietta Emory to Kind Sir [Adolphus W. Bolenius], 4 Feb. 1868; Hennie Emory to Sir, 12 Feb. 1868, all filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. The letter to which Emory replied on February 12 has not been found in the volumes of press copies of letters sent of the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau.
Headquarters of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Assistant Commissioner to a Bounty Claimant; and a Reply by the Claimant, Enclosing the Affidavit of a Black Clergyman
No. 12 N. Calvert St. [Baltimore, Md.] Feby. 27 [186]8
Madam:- Please inform me whether you will be able to furnish the marriage certificate, properly sworn to by the officiating clergyman, as promised in your letter of recent date & oblige Very respectfully
Edwd C. Knower
Bt. Capt. U.S.A.
A.A.A. Genl.
Return reply in enclosed envelope
Henrietta Emory
Long Marsh P.O.
Queen Ann Co. Md
Long Marsh P.O. [Md.] [February? 1868]
Edward C Knower—
Dear Sir, I send the certificate of my marriage as you requested me. Col Cragrier the one who used to supertend the buisness has all my pappers. I have tried to get my money so long, I am poor & have not the money to pay for gitting any more certificates & things, I have gone to a great deal of expense about it, I sent them all once to Col Cragrier who promised to send me the money. I will be a thousand times obliged to you if you send me my money. I am much in debt about this buisness, I had to pay $2, for what little I had done for me this morning, & the money which is due my poor dead husband ought to be mine, He killed himself in the army! You could send me the money in a letter. Yours Respectfully
Henrietta Emory
Long Marsh P.O.
Queen Ann’s Co
Maryland
[Queen Anne County, Md., February? 1868]
State of Maryland
Queen Annes County to wit
I hereby make oath that I married Jas Emery & Henrietta Price on the 25 day of December 1860 according to the usages of the state of Maryland
his
John X Smith
mark
attest
R H Gibson
Sworn before W. D. Smith J.P.
Bt. Capt. Edwd C. Knower to Henrietta Emory, 27 Feb. 1868, vol. 7, p. 435, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; Henrietta Emory to Edward C Knower, [Feb.? 1868]; Affidavit of John Smith, [Feb.? 1868], both filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Headquarters of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Assistant Commissioner to a Bounty Claimant; and Her Reply
Head Quarters, Assistant Commissioner,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
District of Maryland and Delaware,
No. 12 N. Calvert Street,
Baltimore, Md., May 4 1868
Madam:- In your claim for pay on account of your late husband James Emery Co. "D." 39 U,S,C,T, the enclosed affidavit must be duly executed as indicated therein in pencil, If the Justice of the Peace who charged you two dollars for the affidavit previously sent, which was irregular in form, & of no value still refuses to execute the enclosed free of charge, (it being designed to supply the place of the one which you have already paid for,) please report the same to this office with the name & residence of the Justice, Follow the directions in pencil & return the affidavit with this letter to this office, Respectfully
Edwd C Knower
Bvt. Capt. & A.A.A. Genl.
Henrietta Emery
Long Marsh.
Queen Ann. Co.
Md.
Long Marsh. PO. [Md.] August 26 [1868].
Edward C. Knower—
Sir, I received your notice & reply immediately I have written repeatedly to the office in regard to my bounty money, & have gone in debt going to Baltimore, & writing for it, & have never got one cent, I am poor & not able to do any more unless I was sure of getting something, I send you all the papers I have about it & will be so thankful
if you will collect it for me, for I am very needy, & can just make out to live, I will wait anxiously to hear from you, for I am very much in need of money, I have gone to so much expense trying to get it, & have no more to pay. I have sent papers to Baltimore twice proving that I was legally married to my husband, & I could do no more. Very Respectfully
Henrietta Emory.
Bvt. Capt. Edwd C Knower to Henrietta Emery, 4 May 1868; Henrietta Emory to Edward C. Knower, 26 Aug. [1868], both filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims to a Bounty Claimant
HEAD QUARTERS, SUB-ASSISTANT COMMISSIONER,
Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands,
NORMAL SCHOOL BUILDING,
Cor. SARATOGA and COURTLAND Streets,
Baltimore, Md. Sept. 18th. 1868
Henrietta Emory.
Long Marsh Md.
Take the enclosed letter to Justice Smith— I think he will assist you, Also have John Smith, the preacher who married you, and two witnesses, colored, or white, men of women provided they are not interested— go with you to Justice Smith, The witnesses must be acquainted with you, and your husband, know that you lived together as man and wife for several years As soon as the affidavit (which is in the letter for Justice Smith) is executed return it to this office, Unless you attend to this matter, you will NEVER get your claim settled,
E. C. Knower,
Bt Capt. U.S.A.
Box 599 P,O,
Baltimore Md
I H Bayne
Agent
[Endorsement] [Long Marsh? Md.] Mr Smith Sir Please to fix this womans papers for Her & turn them to Mr Geo Johnson for me and oblige
I E H Bayne
from Bureau Boltomore.
Bt Capt. E. C. Knower to Henrietta Emory, 18 Sept. 1868, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. Bayne’s endorsement to Justice Smith is written on the reverse of the letter of September 18, 1868 from Captain Knower to Emory that is printed above.
Bounty Claimant to the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims, Enclosing the Statement of a Maryland Physician
Long Marsh P.O. [Md.] April 13. 1870.
Capt Knower—
I received the letter, with the one for Justice Smith, which I gave him. I have sent you all the certificates you have asked of me, & have done all I could to get my money. I sent you the certificate of my marriage. I was Jim Emory’s lawful wife, & have proved it to you, & me & his son Moses, are the lawful ones to have it. I have gone to much expense to get it, & am not able to do more for I am a poor
woman. I send you in this the certificate of the Dr, who attended him in his last illness. I am very needy, & can do no more, am not able to pay for all the expense I have already gone to. Hoping to hear something from it. Respectfully
Heneritta Emory.
Long Marsh P.O.
Queen Ann’s Co.
Md
[Enclosure] [Long Marsh, Md.] Apr. 13/70
I certify that I attended, as Physician, Jas. Emory U.S.C.T., in his last sickness, in the year 1864, after he left the Army.
Also that his disease was, Chronic Diarrhea
L.H. Beatty
Heneritta Emory to Capt Knower, 13 Apr. 1870, enclosing statement of L. H. Beatty, 13 Apr. 1870, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims to the Freedmen’s Bureau Commissioner
[Baltimore, Md.] May 9th [1870]
Bv’t. Major Gen’l. O. O. Howard.
Comr Bureau R.F. & A.L.
Washington, D.C.
General. I have the honor to request information as to what evidence is on file, and what evidence necessary to complete the claim for Pension of Henrietta Emory as widow of James Emory; deceased Pvt. D. 39th US.C.T. Claim filed by J. P. Creagher in 1866. Please return this letter with statement. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant.
Edwd C Knower
Bv’t. Captain U.S. Army.
In charge of claims.
Bv’t. Captain Edwd C Knower to Bv’t. Major Gen’l. O. O. Howard, 9 May [1870], vol. 11, p. 202, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. No reply has been found in the commissioner’s letters-sent volumes.
Maryland Merchant to the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims
Beaver Dams [Md.] May 4th 1871
Mr Edwd C Knower
Dear Sir Hennie Emory, the wife of James Emory, came to see me a fiew days since stating to me that she had recieved several letters from you that if she would get some one that knew her, and also knew her to bee the wife of said Emory, that you would pay her the amt due. if there is any you can send the papers that is nessesary to bee filled up and it will be attended to. wright and lett me know yours Respectfully
J. L. Turner
P.O.
Long Marsh Queen anns co
M, D,
J. L. Turner to Mr Edwd C Knower, 4 May 1871, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files of Pension Claims, series 2002, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Statement of a Maryland Physician
Long Marsh P.O. Queen Ann's Co. Md. May 5. 1871.
By request of Hennie Emory I certify that I was the physician of James Emory, her husband, after his return from the army & that I have no knowledge of his ever being scalded by his wife, as I understand has been represented.
L. H. Beatty
Statement of L. H. Beatty, 5 May 1871, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files for Claims for Bounty & Pay Arrearages, series 2000, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.
Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims to a Maryland Merchant; Maryland Bounty Claimant to the Agent; and the Merchant to the Agent
[Baltimore, Md.] May 8th [18]71
J. L. Turner Esqr
Long Marsh P.O. Md.
Sir. Your letter of May 4th Received. There is certain evidence (not difficult to furnish) required to complete the claims of Henrietta Emory as widow of James Emory "D" 39th but it is useless to attempt the completion of her claims unless she can disprove certain facts sworn to by the father, of soldier, who has also made a claim. The Statements made and proved by the father are as follows viz: that, "Henrietta lived with other men while James Emory was in the Army, that she so continued to live until the year 1867 when she married one John Meade, that she was so living when James Emory came home sick on a furlough and she positively refused to receive
said soldier, and care for h[im], but forced him to leave her and go to [hi]s father’s house & during four week[s] [sickness?] Henrietta paid no attention [to] James & did not see him until his burial”
Before anything further can be done in regard to Henrietta's Claims she must furnish the testimony of two or more reliable white persons who can prove the falsity of the fathers statement If she has any such witnesses she need to simply send me THEIR names and state which of the above statements they will swear from their personal knowledge to be false If any of the assertions are true, and Henrietta can give a good reason for her conduct I would like to have her statement,
Remember!! do not attempt to have any papers sworn to, but simply send the names and facts and I will prepare a proper affidavit, AFTER we have straightened out the above matter we can then go ahead and complete her claims, Prompt action is necessary as this office will soon close and the claim will be given to father as Henrietta has had ample time to complete claims Let me hear from you
Edwd C Knower
1st Lieut. U.S.A.
Beaver Dams [Md.] May 16 1871
Mr Edward C Knower
Dear Sir Yours of the 8 inst came to hand on the fifteenth I was not aware that the Father of James had made any application to the office for the money. I have always thought that Samuel Emery aught to have the money, Henrietta Meeds was in my Store this morning to seel me about the matter, and I took her to herself and Questioned her, and she could not offer any evidence against the statements that Samuel Emery had already made, I am willing to testafy to the statements as set fourth in your letter to me, also Dr G. N. Parvis will do the same Hennie lived with me also James Emery her husband at the time he went in the army, and I know all about the facts in the case, and I feel willing to do any thing that is wright for Sam, please lett me here what is to bee done and it will be attended to at once Dr G. N. Parvis lives in the same town and a letter directed to the same P.O. will reach him Please wright soon yours &c—
J L Turner
[Long Marsh, Md.] May 17th 1871
Dear Sir I have heard the letter red that you sent to me but it give me very pore incurgement but I will try to come over on monday the 21 if I can
Mrs Henryetta Emory
Mr E. C Knower
1st Lieut. Edwd C Knower to J. L. Turner Esqr, 8 May [18]71, vol. 11, pp. 471-72, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; J L Turner to Mr Edward C Knower, 16 May 1871, Unregistered Letters Received, series 1997, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; Mrs Henryetta Emory to Mr E. C Knower, 17 May 1871, filed with Emory, James, Case Files of Pension Claims, series 2002, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. No reply to Turner’s letter has been found in the volumes of press copies of letters sent of the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau.
Representative of a Maryland Bounty Claimant to the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau Agent in Charge of Claims; and the Claims Agent to the Freedmen’s Bureau Commissioner
Ridgely [Md.] Nov 16th 1871
E C Knower Esq
Baltimore
Dear Sir I recd your letter for Hester Ann Sparks to day, and will send it to her soon
Sir I written you a letter Some tow weeks a go. and sent a stamp for an answer & Direct it to you PO Box 599 Baltimore Md
asking you to tell me abouat Henry Miles [interlineation, in a different handwriting: Apr 20th. 1871 “A” 4th USCT] & Mrs Henrietta Emory case She wants me to attend to it for her Please to let me hear from them soon I am yours truly
Isaiah H Bayne
[Baltimore, Md.] Jany 2nd [18]72
General I have the honor to return herewith all papers in BOTH Pension and A,P, & B claims of Henrietta Emory widow of James Emory “D” 39th, with affidavits of two responsible persons confirming the charges of immorality and cruelty made in the endorsement of 2nd Auditor dated August 8th 1870, This case has been carefully and thoroughly investigated by me and every opportunity afforded claimant for refuting the charges against her, As the soldier left no child I think the father Samuel Emory should be recognised as the legal heir Respectfully
Edwd C Knower
1st. Lieut. U.S.A
To Brig Genl O. O. Howard
Comr Bu &c
Isaiah H Bayne to E C Knower Esq, 16 Nov. 1871, filed with claim of Emory, James, Case Files of Pension Claims, series 2002, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives; 1st. Lieut. Edwd C Knower to Brig Genl O. O. Howard, 2 Jan. [18]72, vol. 12, p. 297, Press Copies of Letters Sent, series 1995, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives. No reply to Bayne’s letter has been found in the volumes of press copies of letters sent of the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau. No reply to Lieutenant Knower has been found in the commissioner’s letters-sent volumes. Neither the original copy of Knower’s letter nor its enclosures have been found among the letters received by the commissioner’s office. Henrietta Emory’s claim was listed as closed in the record books of the Claim Division of the Maryland Freedmen’s Bureau. Accompanying the entry was a note to see the letter book entry dated January 2, 1872 for the conclusion of her case. (Entry for Emory, James, p. 1, Register of Claims not Originally Filed through the Baltimore Office, series 2004, MD Assistant Commissioner, Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, & Abandoned Lands, Record Group 105, National Archives.)
Collection
Citation
“Henrietta Emory explains that she is too poor to provide evidence in her pension case,” Black Maryland in the Civil War—A Microedition of the Freedmen and Southern Society Project, accessed June 8, 2026, https://fssp.artinterp2.org/items/show/2.