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Feb 18, 2019

Gadson, Jacob. USCT Pension File Abstract, Company G, 34th United States Colored Troops, Hilton Head, Beaufort, SC

Declaration for Pension, Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635

This file was abstracted by Alana Thevenet.

Jacob Gadson was enslaved by James Garrot at Oak Forest, near Bluffton, South Carolina. He was married about 1850 to Fortymore (also rendered Fortimore) Kinlock by Rev. Boston. Fortymore Kinlock Gadson was born about 1826. Together they had four children: Quest born 20 June 1867, died 1 June 1881; Betty born 4 June 1857; Robert born 20 June 1859, and Jacob born 4 December 1861, died [illegible] December 1880.

After enlisting, Jacob Gadson became sick with smallpox at Hilton Head and was taken home to his wife Fortymore Gadson, who nursed him until he died about two weeks later, on 20 June 1863.

USCT Service

Jacob Gadson enlisted in Company G, 2nd South Carolina Colored Infantry, which later became Company G, 34th Regiment United States Colored Troops.

Summary of Testimony

Summary of statements of James Miller and William Fields, 25 October 1902: They did not know the date of Jacob Gadson’s marriage to Fortymore Gadson because it was so long ago. They knew he married her about 1850 at Bluffton, SC. The marriage was performed by Rev. Boston, a minister of the gospel. They stated that Betsy and Robert were living at the time of their statement. They knew this because the belonged to the same owner as Fortymore Gadson before the war and saw him nearly all the time.

Statements of James Miller and William Fields in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statements of James Miller and William Fields in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statements of James Miller and William Fields in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statements of James Miller and William Fields in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635

Summary of statement of Fortymore Gadson, 25 October 1892: She was 66-years old at the time of her statement. She stated there were no records having to do with her marriage to Jacob Gadson or the births of her minor children. She stated she had not married since her husband died and supported herself through her own daily labor. Both her minor children were still living.

Summary of statements of James Miller and William Fields, 2 November 1902: They stated the marriage of Jacob and Fortymore Gadson was such a long time ago that they could not recall its date. They believed it was about 1850 when the marriage took place because Jacob had been married about 11-years when the war began. They knew Fortymore had not married after the death of her husband.

Summary of statements of Precilla Kinlock and Bettey Pinckney, 31 August 1892: The were acquatined with Jacob and Fortymore Gadson all their lives and knew they had been married before the war began, possibly about 1849 near Bluffton, SC. They knew Jacob died at Hilton Head, SC during the small pox outbreak about 1863. He left the following children: Quest born June 1856, died 1881; Betsey born June 1857, Robert born June 1859; Jacob born December 1861, died December 1880. Precilla and Bettey knew these things because they were living on the same place as were Jacob and Fortymore Gadson. They also helped attend the births of the children.

Statements of Priscilla Kinlock and Betty Pinckney in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statements of Priscilla Kinlock and Betty Pinckney in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statements of Priscilla Kinlock and Betty Pinckney in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statements of Priscilla Kinlock and Betty Pinckney in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635

Summary of statement of Fortymore Gadson, 23 August 1892: She stated she was the widow of Jacob Gadson who served in Company G, 34th Regiment US Colored Troops in the war of 1861-1865. He contracted a condition that caused his death in the hospital at Hilton Head, Beaufort County, SC on 20 June 1863. She stated she married Jacob under the name of Fortymore Kinlock. Rev. Boston performed the ceremony. Neither she nor Jacob had been previously married. At the time of his death, Jacob left the following children under 16-years of age: Quest born 20 June 1867, died 1 June 1881; Betty born 4 June 1857; Robert born 20 June 1859, and Jacob born 4 December 1861, died [illegible] December 1880.

Declaration for Pension, Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Declaration for Pension, Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635

Summary of statement of Hector Kinlock, 5 March 1897: He was well acquainted with Fortimore Gadson for 40-years. He also knew her husband, Jacob Gadson. He knew they were man and wife and lived together until Jacob died. He was a neighbor of theirs and knew Jacob’s death was caused by an affliction he contracted while in the service. Fortimore had no means to support herself except from her own daily labor. She had no property.

Summary of statement of James Miller, 25 April 1895: He was well acquainted with Jacob Gadson who was a member of Company H, 34th Regiment US Colored troops. James knew Jacob died and left a widow, Fortimore Gadson, and four children. His children, Betty and Robert, were still living at the time of this statement.

Summary of statement of Fortymore Gadson, 6 September 1895: Her husband, Jacob Gadson, belonged to James Garrot at Oak Forest, near Bluffton, SC. He enlisted at Hilton Head, SC about April 1863 and died there about 20 July 1864 from small pox. She described Jacob as having been 5-feet 7-inches tall with a black complexion, hair, and eyes. He enlisted in Company E, 21st Regiment US Colored Troops. She stated she could not give the exact date of Jacob’s death. She had been told he was very sick and his captain carried  Jacob to her house where she attended him. She stated Jacob died with small pox pain in his back. She stated she had no means of support aside from her own daily labor.

Summary of statement of Fortimore Gadson, 5 March 1897: She stated she had been married to Jacob Gadson who enlisted in Company D, 34th Regiment US Colored Troops Volunteers. She married him under the name of Fortimore Kinlock and lived with him until he died. Neither of them had been previously married.

Summary of statement of Fortimore Gadson, 5 March 1897: She was the widow of Jacob Gadson who had served in Company D, 34th Regiment US Colored Troops Volunteers. He enlisted at Hilton Head, SC. While in the service about 1863, he died. Rev. Boston Garrett at Tappan, SC married her and Jacob. Her name was Fortimore Kinlock at that time.

Summary of Bureau of Pensions form, 15 April 1897: Jacob Gadsen’s name had not bee found on rolls of the 34th Regiment US Colored Infantry.

Summary of statement of Fortymore Gadson, 11 October 1897: She was the widow of Jacob Gadson who enlisted at Hilton Head, SC on 25 April 1862 in Company K, 33rd Regiment US Colored Troops as a private. He died at Hilton Head while in the service. She married Jacob under the name of Forty More Kinlock before the war. Rev. Boston performed the ceremony at Tappan, near Bluffton, SC.

Statement of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statement of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635

Summary of statement of Fortymore Gadson, 11 October 1897: She stated her husband, Jacob Gadson, was in Company K, 33rd Regiment US Colored Troops. He died in the hospital at Hilton Head, SC.

Summary of statement of Hector Brown, 11 October 1897: He was well acquainted with Fortymore Gadson from boyhood. He stated he had tended to her children for her. He stated Jacob Gadson, her husband, was in Company K, 33rd Regiment US Colored Troops and that was changed to Company K, 33rd US Colored Troops. Jacob enlisted before Hector did and they would see one another while they were in the service. He knew Jacob enlisted at Hilton Head, SC and that he was taken sick while at Hilton Head and died in the hospital there before he was discharged. Fortymore did not remarry after Jacob died. He knew Rev. Boston had married Jacob and Fortymore at Tappan, near Bluffton, SC.

Statement of Hector Brown in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statement of Hector Brown in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statement of Hector Brown in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635
Statement of Hector Brown in Pension File of Fortymore Gadson, Widow of Jacob Gadson, Company G, 34th USCT, Application #559635

Summary of Act of June 27, 1890 form, 30 Mary 1897: Fortimore Gadson of Bluffton, Beaufort County, SC was the widow of Jacob Gadson who served in Company G, 34th US Colored Infantry.

Summary of letter written by Fortymore Gadson, 15 November 1893:  She stated she was not able to do anything and had to depend on neighbors and friends to help her. She stated her husband, Jacob Gadson, served during the war. She thought he belonged to Col. Montgomery’s regiment. After Jacob was taken sick, the office asked for him and they brought him to her. Jacob died from small pox two weeks after she carried him home.