Other Names Mentioned in Pension File

• Dr. BAUGLEY
• John CARLIN
• J. CARR
• W. R. DONALDSON
• Benjamin EXLEY Sr.
• George W. GRODHAUS
• Jarrub HUFF
• W. H. HUMES
• Wm. LESTER
• J.C. ORR
• J.E. REEVES
• John REID
• J. Melvin RICHARDS
• D.M. THORNBURG
• R. T. TURNER, M.D.
• John H. WELLS

Pension File for Joseph H. Connelly

Sergeant

Battery D 1 West Virginia Light Artillery
Enlisted August 18, 1862
Discharged June 27, 1865

Applied for Pension June 5 1879.
Contracted chronic diarrhea
while a prisoner of war at Richmond, Viriginia in July 1863.
Pension Approved

Military Service Roll

On rolls from August 31, 1862 to April 30, 1863
Present May and June, 1863.
Missing since fight at Winchester, Virginia
July and August, 1863 paroled prisoner at Annapolis, Maryland
On rolls August 31, 1863 to December 31, 1863
January and February 1864 on detached service at Greenland Gap, West Virginia
March and April, 1864 absent on sick furlough for 20 days dated April 20.
May and June, 1864 absent on detached service at Martinsburg.
On rolls from June 30, 1864 to April 30, 1865

June 21, 1864 taken prisoner at Masons Cree, Grove, Virginia
paroled prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio

The War Department files stated that CONNELLY was captured at Winchester, Virginia June 15, 1863; confined at Richmond, Virginia June 23, 1863; paroled at City Point, Virginia July 8, 1863; reported at Camp Parole, Maryland July 9, 1863. No labor record, no evidence of medical treatment or disability on said records. The records of the war department "do not furnish any evidence of chronic diarrhea July 1863 as claimed."

Personal Information Gleaned from Pension File

Joseph H. CONNELLY
Born November 5, 1842
in
Wheeling, West Virginia
Died February 1, 1916
in
Elm Grove, West Virginia
Buried in Stone Church Cemetery, Elm Grove, West Virginia


Marriage 1
to
Jane E. TRACY
Died October 23, 1868
in
Wheeling

Marriage 2
April 14, 1870 in Washington County, Pa
to
Rebecca J. ELLIOT
Born November 14, 1845 in Washington County, Pennsylvania near Dallas, West Virginia

Children Alive in 1898
George L., born March 1866 (from first marriage)
Jo. Harry, born May 26, 1875
Bessie E., born September 19, 1878
Frank W., born March 15, 1880

Declaration for Invalid Pension

Joseph Connelly, resident of
Ohio County, West Virginia age 36
May 5, 1879

"July 1863 at Richmond Va. I contracted the chronic diarrhea while a prisoner of war and have never been able since to work at manual labor but a small portion of my time and have been as much as two years at a time unable to work at all. On account of the chronic diarrhea resulting in [illegible word] disability contracted while in service and in line of duty claim and pension."


Letter to Commission of Pension
from Joseph H. CONNELLY
April 18, 1880
Wheeling, West Virginia
(original spelling retained)
Dear Sir I'm reply to yours of March 23,80 I will state my case as clear as I can. I have always lived in the city my occupation for two years preceding my enlistment was that of a carriage trimmer and has been the same to the present time when able to work at all. My disability was contracted while at Camp Parole Annapolis Maryland in July 1863. I arrived at Annapolis on the 9th day of July 1863 from Richmond Va a few days thereafter I was atacked with the diarrhea and was treated by the post Surgeon but was unable to stop. I was troubled with it all that summer and from that time on have been trouble with it. I was treated by the different post and Regimental Surgeons in the command in which I was atached whose names I am unable to give excepting Dr. BAUGLEY (deceased) of the first Wva Inft in April 1864 he sent me home that I might recrute my health.

After my discharge I still grew worse after try all the remedies that I could hear of I placed myself under the treatment of Dr. W. J. BATES in of this city by whom I was treated during the months of April May June July Nov. and Dec 1866 Jan Feb Fuly and Oct and Nov 1877 March June & Dec 1868 June July & Sept 1869 June & Nov 1870 Aug 1871 Sept 1872. I then placed myself under the treatment of DR. R. T. TURNER of this city who advised me to go to the country as I have got so low that I was unable to do anything. I stayed in the country the most of time for two years unable to work at my trade. Dr. TURNER treated in the months of Aug & Sept 1873 April & July 1874 Nov & dec 1875 July & Oct 1876 June & Sept 1877 Feb June July & Dec 1878 Feb June Sept & Oct 1879 and April 1880. I have worked at my trade when able and very to work at all and very often compelled by my poverty to work when not able hopeing that this statement will be satesfactory. I am very Respt yours


Wheeling, West Virginia
September 16, 1880
from Joseph H. CONNELLY
Letter to the Surgeon's General's Office

Dear Sir
I am unable to get an affidavit of any Surgeon by whom I was treated while in the armey for the reason that not being confined in any hospital there was no record kept of my case. When I would be suffering from the diarrhea I would go to the nearest Surgeon for treatment and would only be off of duty but a few days at a time. The first treatment that I received was at Camp Parole at Annapolis Maryland in Aug 1863 from that time untill I was discharged I was treated by the different Surgeons of the commands in which I served.

I became so much worse in the Spring of 1864 that Dr. BAUGLEY (since died) of the first W Va Vol Inft sent me home from that time on. I kept geting worse and assumed a cronic form and have been troubled with it ever since.


(note from webpager: In September, 1880 the Department of Interior/Pension office asked the Surgeon General's Office for information concerning Sergt. Joseph Connelly's diarrhea treatment while in the army. SGO confirmed that the soldier entered the hospital for paroled prisoners at Annapolis, Maryland July 16, 1863 and there was a diagnosis of constipation but disposition not stated. The record of the Regt were not on file.)

(note from webpager: The Department of the Interior informed Joseph Connelly thathe needed to prove his birthdate. Joseph wrote the following reply)


Letter to Commissioner of Pensions
Joseph H. CONNELLY
1913
Dear Sir
In reply to yours of April 26th would say that there is no public or church record of my birth there was a family record but on the death my mother in 1878 (my father having died in 1851) the family Bible containing the family record passed into the hands of a half sister. She has since died. I have made every effort to trace the Bible but have been unable to find it there is no doubt in my mind that the date given your Nov. 5th 1842 is correct.


Letter to Department of the Interior
Interview results
Joseph H. CONNELLY stated the following
wife Rebecca J. CONNELLY nee ELLIOT
married April 14, 1870 West Alexander, Pa by Wm. LESTER
previous marriage to Jennie TRACY who died October 23, 1868 in Wheeling, West Virginia
living children George L. March [illegible] J. Harry Mar 26, 1875 Bernie E. Sept 19, 1878 Frank W. March 15 1880

Affidavits in Support Of Joseph H. Connelly's Pension Claims

John CARLIN
September 13, 1880
"I John CARLIN a resident of Wheeling in the County of Ohio, State of West Va. late a Captain of Battery "D: 1st west Va. Light Artillery, on oath depose and say, that Joseph H. CONNELLY late a Sergeant in Battery "D" 1st Regt of W.Va. Light Arty, of the War of 1861, while in the line of his duty and without fault or improper conduct of his own, on or about the 15th day of June 1863, after the Battle of Winchester Va. while on the retreat was captured by the Rebels near Winchester Va. and taken to Richmond Va. at the time of his capture and previously he was in good health, he did not rejoin hi Batery until the following October (1863) when he was suffering from Diarrhea coantracted, "as he stated to me", from exposure and poor rations while he was a prisoner at Richmond Va. he was afflicted with it unnitl his discharge from the service in June 1865, when it had assumed a chronic form. I have been intimately acquainted with him during all the time since his discharge and know that he has been at times for months under the Physicians care and unable to follow his vocation. And I further certify that I am not interested, and that I make the above statement from personal knowledge."
witnesses
H [?] SHRIVER
James B. QUARREL



Dr. H. J. BATES
Medical Evidence
Wheeling, West Virginia September 16, 1880

Dr. BATES, aged 60, and practicing medicine for 35 years stated "my medical attendance on the applicant in all the months and years above [ illegible words ] was for the treatment of chronic diarrhea, with what he suffered. He was well known to me before he was in the service of the US. He was then quite healthy, and I therefore believe his disease (chronic diarrhea) was contracted when in the service of the US. He is of thrifty temperate [illegible] I know nothing of his health since the date last above written." (last date listed was July 1873)


Dr. R. T. TURNER
Medical Evidence
Wheeling, West Virginia
September 20, 1880

"The applicant has been afflicted with chronic diarrhea during the whole time since he came under my charge. For weeks at a time he has been entirely unfit for labor and at no time is he fit for hand work. It is only by the greatest care and the constant use of medicine that he is able to be out at all. He is at present under my charge for the above disease and is very much reduced."



Surgeon's Certificate
E.A. HILDRETH (Dr. HUFF absent)
October 20, 1880

Height 5.7
weight 112
complexion fair
age 38
pulse 96
respiration 20

"applicant alleges to have periodical attacks of diarrhea, ocurring once in 5 or 6 weeks. Each attack occupying over one week; at which times he is unfitted for any labor. These attacks are induced by the slightest indiscretion in quality or quantity of food; thourgh exposure, lifting, or from any slight cause. Applicant has lost flesh, and presents an enfeebled appearance, belly flat; tongue coated; appetite variable; assimilation poor; loses 1/5 time from labor"


J. C. ORR
Wheeling, West Virginia
March 4, 1881

"I am personally acquainted with Josh. H. CONNELLY and know that when he entered the army he was in good health and of sound constitution [copied badly and illegible] long time unable to work and that form that day to the present he has been troubled with chronic diarrhea and thereby incapacitated from doing any ordinary had manual labor. And that although compelled from circumstances (being poor) to labor to sustain his family yet I do not think he was able to do so."


J. Melvin RICHARDS
Wheeling, West Virginia
November 4, 1881

I was a Lieut. of Batty D 1st W.Va Lt Arty-was personally acquainted with Sergt Jos. H. CONNELLY before his enlistment in said Co. He was a good soldier, an efficient non commissioned officer, prompt and reliable and always ready for duty. On my return from Rebel Prison after nearly a years absence I found him complaining of diarrhea almost unfit for further duty and much reduced in flesh he continued in this condition during the remained of his term of service. SInce that time I have known him intimately and know him to be suffering with the same complaint and unable to work a good portion of his time."


W. R. DONALDSON
Wheeling, West Virginia
November 4, 1881

"I have known Joseph H. CONNELLY ever since he came home from the war. We have most of the time worked together in the same shop. And for the last [?]4 years he has been in our employ. I have always known him to be troubled with the chronic diarrhea ever since he came home from the war. And on some occasions have never expected him to survive. Sincehe has been inour employ he has rarely been fit for labor, but being poor and a family depending on him for support he has worked when he could scarcely drag around, as how much time he has not been able each year I could not take, but will cheerfully say I dont think these have..[rest illegible].


J. W. WARDEN
Wheeling, West Virginia
November 18, 1881

I have know the Joseph H. CONNELLY before the war and since have been very intimate with all the time know that when he entered the army that he was in good health and on his return he was very much reduced and suffering from Chronic diarrhea and has been troubled with it ever since and in my judgment has not been able to preform manuel labor for at least one half of his time by reason of the chronic diarrhea."

J. Melvin RICHARDS
April 19, 1882


On muster roll to Feby 28/65 absent "Taken prisoner at Masons Creek S. Grove Va. June 21/64." To April 30/65 absent. "Paroled Prisoner at Camp Chase Ohio." Muster out roll dated June 27/65 present. Return for March 1865 reports him absent on 30 days leave from Camp Parole. Return for May 1865 reports him present, joined for duty May 11/65.

Prisoner of War Records show him confined at Camp Asylum Columbia SC date not given paroled at N.E. Ferry NC Mar 1. 65 granted leave of absence from Camp Parole Md March 12. 65 for 30 days reported at Camp Chase O. April 15.65 and dropped June 7.65.

John C. HUFF
R. W. HAZLETT
E. A. HILDRETH
Examining Surgeon's Certificate
April 12, 1882

height 5.9
weight 110 complexion fair
age 40
pulse 96
respiration 20

[ ?] to suffer from chronic diarrhea especially during warm weather; comparative freedom from it during the cold weather; operations during attacks thin small frequent and often admi[ ?] with blood and mucous; the [?] tongue florrid, abdomen normal spare in flesh, strength feeble general appearance anemic, losing 1/10 times from his disability"

Board of Pension Report
September 2, 1885

"abdomen tender, superficial veins prominent. Are of dullness over liver is slighly increased. Area of dullness over spleen slightly increased. Tongue broad, coated and fissured. No piles present now."

Report in 1888
"Chronic diarrhea has remained about the same. Has smothering sensations especially when making slight exertion. Also troubled with indigestion.

Poorly nourished, skin sallow, tongue coated and fissured, lungs normal. Heart: apex in 8th interspace in [illegible] line. Area of dullness in gland. Mitral murmur. Liver enlarged spleen normal. Apigastrium distended and tender. Superficial epigastive veins prominent, rectum congested. Three [illegible] of old piles; none recent." Medical Evidence

Declaration for Widow's Pension

Declaration for Widow's Pension

Rebecca J. CONNELLY
February 7, 1916
Elm Grove, West Virginia

born November 14, 1845 in Washington County, Pennsylvania near Dallas, West Virginia
Widow of Joseph H. CONNELLY
married in West Alexander, Pa., April 1870
not previously married
CONNELLY's first wife Jane E. TRACY died in Wheeling October 23, 1868
Joseph H. CONNELLY died February 1st, 1916 at Elm Grove, West Virginia
attested
John REID, of Elm Grove, West Virginia
Benjamin EXLEY, Sr. of Pleasant Valley, West Virginia


AFFIDAVIT

I, John H. WELLS, Clerk of the County Court of Ohio County, State of West Virginia, Do Hereby Certify that I am the legal custodian of the Records of Death of said Ohio County and State of West Virginia. I Hereby Further Certify that said Record of Death shows that Jane Connelly, aged 23 years, consort of Joseph CONELLY, died on the 23" day of October 1868, at Wheeling, and that the name of the disease, or cause of death was Typhoyd Fever. The name of the person giving information of Death was J. E. REEVES, physician.

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and the Seal of said Court, at the City of Wheeling, County of Ohio and State of West Virginia, this Seventh day of February A.D., 1916.

Letter
D. M. THORNBURG
March 31, 1916
Elm Grove, West Virginia

"This is to certify that I was personal acquainted with Joseph H. CONNELLY. That he died Feby 1st 1916. That he was buried in the Stone Church Cemetery at Elm Grove West Virginia on Feby 3rd. I am also personaley acquainted with Mrs. Rebecca J. CONNELLEY his widow who is still living in this place. I further certify that Jos. H. CONNELLEY was a soldier in the War 1860-1865. His death and burial are on record in our {illegible} books."

AFFIDAVIT

Rebecca J. CONNELLY
Elm Grove West Virginia
February, 1916


"That she is unable to furnish record evidence of her marriage to Joseph H. CONNELLY, from the fact that she was married at West Alexander, Pa., on April 14th 1870 by Rev. Wm H. LESTER, and I am informed that the State of Pennsylvania kept no records of marriage at that time, but she has the marriage certificate that was given her at that time and that she can not find any Bible record evidence of her marriage and she does not know of any witnesses now living who saw them married. And that she is also unable to furnish record evidence of her late husbands death from the fact his death occured February 1st, 1916 and is not a matter of record yet, to soon."

AFFIDAVIT
John REID
aged 70
Elm Grove, West Virginia
and
Benjamin EXLEY, Sen
aged 77
Pleasant Valley, West Virginia
That we were well acquainted with Joseph H. CONNELLY and before he was of marriagable age; he first married Jane E. TRACY. She died, then he marrried Rebecca J. ELLIOTT, his present widow who is alive. We attended the funeral of Joseph H. CONNELLY, saw his corps, and know that his present widow Rebecca J. CONNELLY, has not remarried and their is about four grown children of theirs, also that they have been respected as man and wife by the community where they live. We have never heard of any other marriage by either Jos. H. CONNELLY, or his last wife Rebecca J. CONNELLY, had their been we would certainly have heard of it, as we were intimately acquainted with Joseph H. CONNELLY. He never was in the military or naval service of the United States, only Co. "D" 1st Reg. West Va. Light Artillery to our knowledge. We know these facts from long acquaintance and personal observation."


Jarrub HUFF
aged 74
Elm Grove, West Va.
Hiram E. L[ ]


"that we have known Rebecca J. CONNELLY since she was a small girl 10 or 12 years of age, before she was of marriagable age, She was never married but once to Joseph H. CONNELLY who died recently, they raised a family of children and have lived in our community all their married life, recognized as man and wife, She has not re-married since her husbands death. We never heard of Joseph H. CONNELLY being in the army or navy only Co. "D" 1st Regt West Va. Light Artillery."

Letter to Commissioner of Pensions
J. V. GIFFIN for Rebecca J. CONNELLY
September 25th, 1916
Elm Grove, W.Va.

Dear Sir: This is written in the interest of pension certificate no. 807,362. The beneficiary is past seventy years of age and I think is entitled to an increase according to the recent act of Congress. Please send blanks for application or direct to whom to apply for increase."