Civil War Pension File of Andrew J. Riggs

SC 177.852
Unit: Company I, 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Enlisted: 13 Aug 1862 at Bloomington, Illinois Discharged: 28 Jan 1864 at Brownsville, Texas Physical Description: 5 feet 6 inches; sandy complexion, blue eyes; sandy hair

Documents:

(1) Certificate of Disability For Discharge – 5 Jan 1864 – Brownsville, Texas
Andrew J. Riggs, Wagoner, of Captain Wm. H. Mann Company I of the 94th Regiment of United States Volunteers was enlisted by William H. Mann of the 94th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry at Bloomington, Illinois, on the 18th day of August 1862 to serve three years; he was born in Clarendon Co (sic–There is no Clarendon County, Ohio. The Riggs were from Clermont Co, Ohio) in the state of Ohio, is 42 years of age, 5 feet 6 inches high, sandy complexion, blue eyes, sandy hair, and by occupation when enlisted a farmer.  During the last two months the said soldier has been unfit for duty 60 days.  Was taken sick in the month of June 1863 while in the rear of Vicksburg Miss. and remained under the surgeon’s care until September 1863 at which time he was furloughed.
Signed W. H. Mann.
I certify that I have carefully examined the said A. J. Riggs private of Captain W. H. Mann’s Company and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of functional disease of the liver, worn out, and will not recover to be able to do duty during the remainder of his time of enlistment.  He will not be able to do duty in the Invalid Corps.
Signed A. E. Stewart, Assist Surgeon, 94th Illinois Volunteers
Discharged 28 January 1864 at Brownsville, Texas
The soldier desires to be addressed at Bloomington, McLean Co, Illinois.

(2) Certificate of Discharge – 28 Jan 1864 – Brownsville, Texas
Contains the same information as the Certificate of Disability For Discharge.
Signed by R. G. Laughlin, Lt. Col.

(3) Declaration for Invalid Pension – 4 Jun 1866 – McLean Co, Illinois Andrew J. Riggs, aged 45, resident of Mt. Pleasant, DeWitt Co, Illinois.  He has not in any way been engaged in, or aided or abetted the existing rebellion in the United States.   Honorably discharged at Brownsville on 28 Jan 1864.  While in the service and in the line of his duty at or near Springfield in the state of Missouri on the first day of February A.D. 1863, he received the injury as follows: He was driving his team along the mountainous road & by the road giving way on the lower side the team up set and driver wagon & mules “roled” down the mountain side severely injuring him in the spine, left hip & leg.  That the following week while in hospital from these injuries the diarrhea commenced and has remained ever since upon him, rendering him unable to work & he is still lame from his injuries.  Since leaving the service he has resided at McLean Co. and DeWitt Co. and his occupation has been farmer “so far as able.”  Witnesses: Richard Albery & John M. Longstuth, both residents of Bloomington, Ill.

(4) Affidavit of Dr. A. H. Luce – 31 July 1869 – McLean Co, Illinois
Dr. Luce attended professionally upon Andrew J. Riggs in the fall of 1863 and winter of 1864 and found him suffering from the effects of chronic diarrhea and injuries of back and hips from upsetting of wagon.

(5) Widows Declaration for Pension – 6 Jun 1870 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Charlotte Riggs, aged 41, resident of Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois, widow of Andrew J. Riggs.  The cause of Andrew’s death was chronic diarrhea & injury of the back & hips received while in the service of the United States.  He died 17 May 1870.  They were married 29 Nov 1849 at Bloomington, Illinois by David Davis, judge of the circuit court.  Her name before marriage was Charlotte Vannote.  She has remained a widow since the death of her husband.  Surviving children under the age of 16: Flora Belle, born 1 Sep 1858; Hester, born 18 Apr 1860; Debora, born 14 Apr 1862.   Witnesses: John R. Blackford of Clinton, Illinois and Preston Jones of Farmer City, Illinois.

(6) Adjutant General Report – 17 Aug 1870 – Washington D.C.
The muster roll of Co. I, 94th Regiment of Illinois Volunteers shows that Andrew J. Riggs was discharged 28 Jan 1864 for disability.

(7) Affidavit of Charlotte Mace – 13 Apr 1877 – Piatt Co, Illinois
State of Illinois} In the Matter of the claim per no 280.374 of Jonas Mace Guardian of
Piatt County} the minor children of Andrew J. Riggs, deceased, for pension on this
13th day of April AD 1877.  Personally appeared before me, William H. Plunk Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said county and by Law duly authorized to administer oaths.  Charlotte Mace, who being duly sworn on her Oath, says that she was the widow of Andrew J. Riggs and the mother of Deborah Riggs and Lucy M. Riggs who were the legitimate children of Andrew J. Riggs who was a private of Co. I 94th Regiment of Illinois Vol. Infantry.  That said Andrew J. Riggs died at DeWitt County Illinois on the 17th day of May AD 1870, and immediately after his death and before the birth of Lucy M. Riggs (who was born on the 8th day of December A.D. 1870) affiant had made her application for a pension for herself and her three children that were born to wit: Flora commencing May 18th 1870 ending Aug 31st 1874; Hester commencing May 18th 1870 ending Apr 17 1876; Deborah commencing May 18th 1870 ending Apr 13 1878; and that a Certificate No 148 795 for herself and the three last named children was issued and the reason why the child Lucy M. was not embraced in said certificate was because she is a posthumous child and was not born for at least five months after the application for affiant and children was made.  Affiant further avers that if the name of Deborah appears in the application as the child whose name is not on the certificate that it is a mistake and that the name of Lucy M. Riggs was intended and should be substituted in its stead and place and that the four children herein named are the only legitimate children of deceased.
Signed Charlotte Mace
Witnesses: David M. Williams & Christopher R. Ward
Also Personally appeared Flora B. Riggs, the eldest daughter of afore named affiant who being duly sworn says she has heard the foregoing affidavit read and knows that the facts therein stated as to the death of her father and the Mmaking of the application for pension and the birth of her sister, Lucy M. Riggs, are true and correct and that she has no interest whatever in this application.
Signed Flora B. Riggs
Witnesses: Christopher R. Ward & David M. Williams

(8) Letters of Guardianship – 31 May 1880 – Piatt Co, Illinois
James Stevenson was appointed guardian of Lucy May Riggs, Minor heir of Andrew J. Riggs, deceased.

(9) Affidavit of James Stevenson – 15 Jun 1880 – Piatt Co, Illinois
James Stevenson states he is personally acquainted with Lucy M. Riggs, a minor child of Andrew J. Riggs.  Lucy M. Riggs together with Deborah Riggs her sister and a child of Andrew J. Riggs were by the Pension Department awarded a pension at the rate of eight dollars per month commencing 24 April 1876 and also two dollars each per month.  The said Deborah Riggs attained to the age of sixteen years on 13 Apr 1878.  Lucy M. Riggs will attain the age of sixteen years on 7 Dec 1886.  Certificate 177.852 dated 19 Jun 1877 was delivered to Jonas S. Mace the guardian of Lucy M. Riggs and Deborah Riggs.  Said certificate is now in the possession of James Stevenson, successor to Jonas S. Mace as guardian.  Jonas Mace resigned guardianship ca 20 Oct 1879.  James Stevenson was appointed guardian 31 May 1880.  Payment of the pension was stopped by the pension agent at Chicago 3 Dec 1878.  James Stevenson now makes application to have said payments of pensions due to Lucy M. Riggs resumed.  James Stevenson’s Post Office is DeLand, Piatt Co, Illinois.

(10) Circular – Department of the Interior, Pension Office – 1 May 1886
Notice of the Act to increase the pensions of widows and dependent relatives of deceased soldiers and sailors to $12 a month commencing 19 Mar 1886.

(11) Drop Notice – U.S. Pension Agency – 31 Dec 1888 – Chicago, Illinois
Child of Andrew J. Riggs, Certificate 177852, last paid $10 to 4 Sep 1885, dropped because of failure to claim pension for three years.

Compiled Service Record, Andrew J. Riggs, Private, Company I, 94th Illinois Volunteer Infantry, File Designation MinC 177.852, National Archives, Washington, D.C.