Civil War Pension File of Thomas S. Weedman
WC 528.302
Unit: Private, Corporal, Sergeant - Company F, 2nd Illinois Volunteer Cavalry
Enlisted: 10 Jul 1861 - Monticello, Illinois
Discharged: 11 Aug 1864 - Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Description: Height: 5 feet, 8 1/2 inches; Complexion, dark; Eyes, hazel; Hair, dark
Documents:
(1) History of Claimant's Disability – 2 Jan 1890 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
In the matter of the pension claim No. 746064. Thomas Weedman, a resident of Farmer City,
DeWitt Co, Illinois, Post Office Farmer City, states he was discharged 10 Aug 1864 and since his
discharge has resided at Farmer City. His occupation has been that of a grain dealer.
The disability for which the original pension is claimed arises from chronic diarrhea resulting
in constipation, disease of liver and kidneys, and bowel trouble contracted April 1862 at Hickman,
Kentucky. He was treated in the hospital 2 or 3 miles below New Orleans, La. "When
I first came out of the army I was treated by Dr. A. S. Norris for 2 or 3 years now deceased.
Since that time have used "patten medesin" the most bought of S.B. Garver a "drugest
" of our town for 20 years past." [Note: There is no second page with a signature.]
(2) Inability Affidavit – 1 Mar 1890 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Thomas Weedman, a resident of Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois, states he is unable to comply with
the requirements of the Pension Office because the surgeon of the Regiment at the time he contracted
his disability was Dr. Cutts and he has never seen or heard from him since the war. He does not
know now whether he is dead or alive. He is unable to prove his condition from the date of
discharge up to the year 1890 by medical testimony. Dr. Leal was the first doctor that gave
him medicines for his disease after he came out of the Army for 4 or 5 years. The said Leal
is now dead. The next doctor was Dr. A. S. Norris who treated him for 10 years. He is
also deceased. The next one was Dr. Clouser. The last time that he knew of him Dr. Clouser
lived in Arkansas.
Signed: Thomas S. Weedman
(3) Circular, Bureau of Pensions – 17 May 1890 – Washington, D.C.
It is alleged that Thomas S. Weedman enlisted 10 Jul 1861 as a private in Company F, 2nd Regiment
Illinois Cavalry and was discharged at Baton Rouge, Louisiana, 10 Aug 1864. It is also alleged
that while on duty at Hickman, Kentucky, on or about April 1862, he was disabled by chronic diarrhea
resulting in constipation, disease of liver and kidneys and disease of bowels. He was treated
in a hospital near New Orleans, Louisiana.
(4) Record of Service – 21 May 1890 – Washington, D.C.
Thomas S. Weedman, Company F, 2nd Illinois Volunteer Cavalry was enrolled 10 Jul 1861 and mustered
out 11 Aug 1964 by reason of expiration of term of service. From 31 Dec 1861 to 30 Jun 1862 he
held the rank of Corporal. During that period the rolls show him present except as follows: 28
Feb 1862, absent gone to Fort MacDonald to get "Hosp’l" Stores; 30 Apr 1862, absent
home on sick furlough period not shown. Medical Certificate not on file. Other records
furnish nothing additional bearing upon this case. The medical records show him treated as
follows: T. S. Weedman Sgt. etc., April 20 to June 1, 1864, Chronic Diarrhea. Returned to
Duty. July 13 to 23, 1864, "Feb. Int." Returned to duty. Nothing
additional found.
(5) Record of Service - 15 Jul 1901 – Washington, D.C.
A request for additional military and medical history of the soldier, Thomas S. Weedman, including
the age at enlistment and what his rank was at the date of discharge. He alleges Quarter Master
Sergeant. The medical report shows rank as Sergeant. In the case of Thomas S. Weedman,
age 22, the Military records furnish the following in addition to prior reports. From M. I. to
31 Dec 1861 and from 30 Jun 1862 to M. O., rolls show him Corporal & Sergeant, present, except
as follows: 31 Dec 1862, absent, taken prisoner at Holly Springs, Miss. on 20 Dec 1862, paroled.
Same to 30 Apr 1863. 30 Apr 1864, on detached service in Gen. Lee’s Cavalry Division since
28 Jan 1864. Prisoner of War Records show him captured and paroled at Holly Springs, Miss., 20
Dec 1862, reported at B. B. (Benton Barracks?) Mo. 12 Jan 1863. Absent without leave 30 Jan 1863,
present 28 Feb 1863, 31 Mar 1863 & 30 Apr 1863. Roll 10 May 1863 absent without leave since
6 May 1863. Present 1 Jun 1863. No later records.
(6) Declaration for Invalid Pension – 20 Nov 1894 – Cook Co, Illinois
Thomas S. Weedman, resident of Chicago, Cook Co, Illinois, states he is unable to earn a support by
manual labor by reason of chronic diarrhea, disease of rectum, broken ankle incurred on or about 20
Nov 1867 at Farmer City, Illinois, caused by being thrown from a horse. Also suffers from heart
trouble. He is currently a pensioner under Certificate No. 559.909. He makes this
declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the
provisions of the Act of 27 Jun 1890.
Signed: Thomas S. Weedman
Witnesses: A. Hough, W. A. Hough
(7) Affidavit – 2 Sep 1897 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
George Farmer, aged 64, resident of Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois, Post Office Farmer City, and
George H. Parks, aged 60, resident of Santa Anna twp, DeWitt Co, Illinois, Post Office Farmer City,
declare that they became acquainted with the said Thomas S. Weedman in 1855 and 1860 respectively
and were intimately acquainted with the said Weedman prior to the Civil War. They were in the
same company with said Weedman, to wit, Co. F, 2nd Illinois Cavalry. They knew the said Weedman
at the time he enlisted and that he was a "stout, healthy, robust man" at the date of said
enlistment and free from bodily ailment or disease so far as affiants know or believe. They
served with the said Weedman until he was discharged and that when the said Weedman came out of
the army he was a "weak, emaciated man and physically in bad condition and was afflicted with
smothering spells" which he did not have at the time he enlisted, and that he never recovered
his good health so long as affiants knew and saw him, which was in 1892. Affiants further say
that in about the year 1870 the said Weedman broke his leg in Farmer City while riding a pony, and
that he never recovered the full and complete use of his broken limb but was partially disabled in
the free use thereof and that such accident and disease were not due to his own vicious habits.
Signed: George Farmer, George H. Parks
(8) Circular – 15 Jan 1898 – Washington, D.C.
· Wife&39;s Full Name: Mary M. Weedman, maiden name Brownlee
· When Married: 25 Dec 1866
· What record of marriage exists: Certificate from minister and recorded in Bible
· Previously married: No
· Living Children: Fred J., born 28 Mar 1872 – Ted G., born 15 Oct 1881
· Date of Reply: 5 Jul 1898
Signed: Thomas S. Weedman
(9) Declaration for Widow's Pension – Stamped 8 Jul 1901 – Dewitt Co, Illinois
Mary M. Weedman, aged 57, resident of Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois, Post Office, Farmer City,
declares she is the widow of Thomas S. Weedman who enlisted 1 Jul 1861 in Captain Melville H. Musser’s
Company F, 2nd Illinois Volunteer Cavalry and was honorably discharged 11 Aug 1864. Said soldier died
at Grandin, Missouri, 13 May 1901. She was married under the name Mary M. Brownlee on 25 Dec 1866 by
Rev. George Wolf, at Farmer City, Illinois. There are no children under the age of sixteen.
Signed: Mary M. Weedman
Witnesses: S. B. [unreadable], P. W. Mitchell
(10) Certificate of Record of Marriage – 7 Aug 1901 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Thomas S. Weedman was married to Miss Mary M. Brownlee in said county on 25 Dec 1866 by G. B. Wolfe,
Minister of the Gospel.
Signed: Warren Hickman, Clerk of the County
(11) Affidavit – 30 Nov 1901 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Mary M. Weedman, claimant, resident of Farmer City, Dewitt Co, Illinois, declares the following:
· There is no public record of the soldier's death and there was no
physician present when he died. There was no other person present other than myself and the two
witnesses, William Thompson and T. G. Weedman, whose affidavits are already on file.
· Neither I nor the soldier were ever married previous to our marriage.
· The affidavits of J.H. McCord and C. M. Weedman, already on file, show all
the property owned by my husband at the time of his death and up to that time my interest as wife in said
described property was included in all the property of whatever kind. At his death it all became
mine. I since sold the horse and mule for amount of the value as stated in affidavits on file.
"I have no income from any source and there is no one under the circumstances that are legally bound
to assist in my support."
Signed: Mary M. Weedman
(12) Declaration of a Widow For Original Pension – 25 Mar 1905 – DeWitt Co, Ill.
Mary M. Weedman, aged 61, resident of Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois, states she is the widow of
Thomas S. Weedman, who died at Grandin, Missouri, on 13 May 1901 of liver, stomach and bowel disease
due to chronic disease of stomach and bowels from which he had suffered since his discharge from
service. The said soldier was born 21 Jan 1839 in DeWitt Co, Illinois. He is described
as 5 feet, 8 1/2 inches, dark complexion, hazel eyes, and dark hair. His occupation was that
of a farmer. She was married under the name Mary M. Brownlee to said soldier at Farmer City,
Illinois, on 25 Dec 1866 by George Wolfe.
Signed: Mary M. Weedman
Witnesses: G.M. Kincaid, I. L. Weedman
(13) Certificate of Marriage – 24 May 1905 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Thomas S. Weedman was married to Miss Mary M. Brownlee in said county on 25 Dec 1866 by G. B. Wolf,
Minister of the Gospel.
Signed: Weldon Ward, County Clerk, by L.E. Stone Deputy
(14) Affidavit – 13 Jul 1905 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
W. W. Murphy, aged 66, resident of near Farmer City, Dewitt Co, Illinois, states he is by occupation
the President of the John Weedman Nat Bank. He has lived adjoining Farmer City since the year
A. D. 1860. He was personally acquainted with Thomas S. Weedman of Co. F, 2nd Vol Cavalry.
Said soldier was never married prior to his marriage to Mary M. Brownlee on 25 Dec 1866 as shown by
the County records. Said soldier lived continuously with his wife, Mary M. Weedman, from the
date of his marriage until the date of his death which occurred on or about 13 May 1901. She
has not remarried since his death.
Signed: W. W. Murphy
(15) Affidavit – 15 Jul 1905 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Mary A. Helmick, resident of Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois states she has been a resident of Farmer
City for more than forty years. She is 84 years of age and "she has retired from the active
duties of life." She has known Mary M. Weedman for the last 45 years or more. Her maiden
name was Mary M. Brownlee. Mary made her home with the affiant from the year 1857 or 1858 until her
marriage with Thomas S. Weedman on 25 Dec 1866. She was never married prior to her marriage with
the said Thomas Weedman. She continued to live with the said Thomas S. Weedman as his wife until
the date of his death on or about 13 May 1901 at or near the town of Grandin, Missouri. After the
death of the said Thomas S. Weedman, Mary M. Weedman has resided with me at my home in Farmer City,
Illinois, and now is a resident of my home. She has not remarried since the death of Thomas S.
Weedman. The affiant further states that she was well acquainted with Thomas S. Weedman, that he
was never married prior to his marriage to Mary M. Brownlee and that he lived continuously with the
same Mary, his wife, from the date of his marriage until the date of his death.
Signed Mary A. Helmick
(16) Affidavit – 17 Jul 1901 – DeWitt Co, Illinois
Arrod Knight, resident of Farmer City, DeWitt Co, Illinois, aged 67, retired farmer, states that he was
well acquainted with Thomas S. Weedman of Company F, 2nd Illinois Volunteer Cavalry having served in the
same company and same mess. As far as he can recollect, the said Thomas S. Weedman was in fairly
good health until the spring of 1864 when a portion of our Company and Regiment went on what was called
the Red River Campaign with General Banks. The said Thomas S. Weedman was on that expedition.
He was taken sick on this Campaign and sent to the General Hospital and from there to New Orleans.
He joined the Regiment later at "Batten Roughe" La. He was never able to do active duty
from this date until he was mustered out of the service on or about 11 Aug 1864 at "Batten Roughe"
La.
Signed Arrod Knight
(17) Request for Increase of Pension – 7 Oct 1916 – Farmer City, Illinois
Mary M. Weedman, Post Office Farmer City, Illinois states she is entitled to the increase of pension
provided by the first section of the Act of 8 Sep 1916. She is pensioned under Certificate #528.302
because of the service of Thomas S. Weedman. She was his wife during the period of his service in
the Civil War. She is 73 years of age, being born 4 Sep 1843 at Athens, Ohio.
Signed: Mary M. Weedman
(18) Drop Notice – 8 Mar 1933 – no place
Mary M. Weedman, Farmer City, Illinois, who was last paid at the rate of $40 per month to 3 Feb 1933,
has been dropped from the roll because of death, 20 Feb 1933.
Combined Service Record, Thomas S. Weedman, Private, Corporal, Sergeant , Company F, 2nd Illinois Volunteer Cavalry, WC 528.302, National Archives, Washington, D.C.