Robert Roy Soden

10 Oct 1879
"Declaration for original invalid pension, State of New Jersey, Monmouth County
On this 20th day of April A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy eight personally appeared before me, Clerk of the Common Pleas, a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid, Robert R. Soden aged 38 years, a resident of the town of Freehold, county of Monmouth, State of New Jersey, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Robert R. Soden who was Enrolled on the 13th day of August 1862, in Company "H" of the 14th Regiment of NJ Vol commanded by Capt. Sy? N. Stults and was honorably discharged at or near Washington DC on the 18th day of June 1865; that his personal description is as follows: Age 38 years; height 5 feet 9 inches; complexion dark; hair dark; eyes grey. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Monocacy, in the State of Maryland, on or about the 9th day July 1864, he received gun shot wound of left arm, above the elbow while in action there. Also, at or near Petersburg VA, February 1865 was run over by a wagon and this produced hernia of right side. His arm is weak and painful, & he has much distress in the abdominal region so that he can do very little regular manual labor. That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Centre St Hospital, Baltimore Md. and ? Annapolis Md, thence to Hospital Newark NJ, and in February 1865 in the Field Hospital near Petersburg Va. That he has never been employed in the military or naval service otherwise that as stated above. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the town of Freehold in the State of New Jersey and his occupation has been that of a farmer. That prior to his entry into the service above named, he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a farmer. That he is now greatly disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, received in the service of the United States; and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.
He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, James F. Rusling, of Trenton NJ his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. That he has not received now applied for a Pension. That his Post Office address is Freehold, county of Monmouth, State of New Jersey. Claimant's signature, Robert R. Soden. Attest: Charles A. Lewis, J. C. Lawrence.
Also personally appeared Charles A. Lewis, residing at Freehold New Jersey and Jacob C. Lawrence, residing at Freehold New Jersey, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Robert R. Soden the claimant sign his name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Sworn to and subcribed before me this 20th day of April A.D. 1880, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. singed: H. T. Arrowsmith, Clerk of the Court of Common Pleas."

1 Nov 1881
"General Affidavit State of New Jersey, County of Middlesex
In the matter of the claim of Robert R. Soden, late Private Co H, 14th Regiment, NJ Volunteers, for Original Pension.
Personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County and State Henry Van Hise and William Andrews, the last named a citizen of Ocean Grove, Monmouth County NJ, the former a citizen of the town of East Brunwsick, County of Middlesex, State of New Jersey, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares each in relation to aforesaid case, as follows:
'We knew and was intimately acquainted with the above mentioned Robert R. Soden before he enlisted in Co H 14th reg NJ Vols. He was then a man of good sound physical health and free from any distress or pains in the right side of the lower abdomen or right groin; and his left arm was also sound and strong and he could do a good heavy days work year in and year out, at any kind of heavy manual labor. We also knew and saw him when he returned home at the time of his discharge from the army in 1865. He was then physically unsound. He complained that he had been run over by a wagon while in the service aforedaid, and said he suffered great pain in the right hip, and right groin, and said he was ruptured by the said Wagon running over him as aforesaid. He also complained of a gun shot wound in the left arm. We have lived near neighbors to him for a half of the time since his discharge from the said service and have been intimately acquainted with him and his affairs in each and every year since such discharge, and have frequently worked along side and with him since that time, and we know by experience and observation that he cannot do one half the work of an able bodied man, and that he has been so disabled in each and every year since his discharge from the said service. And we know that he has been unable to obtain regular employment of heavy manual labor because of his inability to do a sufficient amount of work, by the day, or month or year to enable him to command employment at such kind of labor. And from actual observation we feel justified in saying that he has not been able physically to do more than one half the work of a man in good sound physical health by the day, month, or year at heavy labor in any year since discharge. And that the cause of such inability is pain and weakness of right hip, right lower abdomen, and right groin, and weak left arm caused by gun shot wound the scar of which we have seen and we have also seen that he walks stiff and lame in the right groin and hip and that he has been in such physical condition from the day of his discharge to the present time with his physical disabilities increasing and that for two or three years back he has been obliged to give up all attempts at heavy labor and do only light labor such as watchman, and other light jobs as he can procure from time to time.'
He further declares each that he has no interest in said case, and is not concerned in its procestion, and is not related to said applicant.
Two Witnesses - when any affiant signs by mark.
Stoddard W. Stout Henry 'X' his mark Van Hise
Andrew J. Disbrow William 'X' his mark Andrews
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above named affiants each; and I certify that I read said affidavit to said affiants each, and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same each. I further certify, that I am in nowise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiants is personally known to me, each; that they are creditable person and so reputed in the community in which they reside each.
Witness my hand and official seal this First day of November 1881.
Sign Here: Andrew J. Disbrow, Justic of the Peace'
Filed by James F. Rusling, No 367.397 Dec 8, 1881."

24 Feb 1882
Adjutant General's Office, ico 367-397
" Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions, Robert R. Sodan, Wagoner Company "H", 14th Regiment New Jersey Infantry Volunteers, was enrolled on the 13th day of August, 1862, at Camp Vredenburgh and is reported on muster roll of Company for July & August 1864, Private, absent in Hospital wounded (?wd? was in action at Monocacy Bridge, Md July 9th 1864) Sept & Oct 1864 present Same to Apr 30 1865 (no remark as to disability) Honorably mustered out with the company June 18,1865 as a Private. Borne also as Robt R. Soden. Company Description Book reports him " Wounded in Action at Monocacy Md July 9, 1864" location of wound not stated. Regimental hospital records are not on file. The records of this office furnish no evidence of alleged injury, Feby, 1865."

19 Dec 1889
"Declaration for the Increase of an Invalid Pension
State of New Jersey, County of Mercer
On this 19th day of Dec A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty nine, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, Robert R. Soden, aged 48 years, a resident of Trenton, County of mercer, State of New Jersey, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is a pensioner of the United States, enrolled at the Philadelphia U.S. Pension Agency at the rate of Four dollars per month, by reason of disability from gun shot wound left arm incurred in the Military service of the United States while Private Co "H" 14th Reg't New Jersey vols. That he believes himself to be entitled to an increase of pension on account of his present bad condition. His said arm is very weak and painful, and is f?g little use to him in lifting and is growing weaker and more painful.
And that by reason thereof, he is now incapacitated for regular and active manual labor to the extent of 3/4 to total within meaning of U.S. Pension Laws, and claims Increase accordingly; that he hereby appoints with full power of substitution and revocation James F. Rusling, of Trenton, N.J., his true and lawful attorney, to prosecut his claim. That his Post Office address is Trenton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey, 141 Lelack Ave. Signed: Robert R. Soden, witnesses: W.M. Watson; Andrew J. Holl
Also personally appeared Solomon Sickles, residing at Trenton, N.J. and Ezekiel A. Voorhees, residing at Hightstown, N.J., persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Robt. R. Soden, the claimant, sign his name to the foregoing Declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Signed by: Soloman Sickel, 205 N. Hanin St. Trenton N.J., Ezekiel A. Voorhees, Hightstown NJ
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of Dec A.D. 1889 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above Declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
Signed W.M. Watson, Trenton, N.J. Notary Public"

15 Jan 1898
"Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Washington D.C., January 15, 1898
Certificate No. 224.170, Name, Soden, Robert R.
Sir: In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.
Very Respectfully, ?? , Commissioner.
First. Are you married? If so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name.
Answer. Henriett Soden = maden name Sherman
Second. When, where, and by whome were you married?
Answer. May 28th 1862, Jonney Shandler, Freehold Monmouth Co, N.J.
Third. What record marriage exists?
Answer. 7 children, youngest 19
Fourth. Where you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.
Answer. Blank
Fifth. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer. I haven't got the date of there birth
Robert R. Soden, May 3rd 1898"

4 Nov 1895
" United States of America, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions; No. 57 Renewal and Increase, Certificate No. 224.170 Note: Former payments covering any portion of the same time to be deducted.
It is hereby certified that in conformity with the laws of the United States Robert R. Soden who was a Private Co H 14th Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry is entitled to a pension at the rate of Six dollars per month, to commence on the fourth day of November one thousand eight hundred and ninety five. This pension being for gunshot wound of left arm. Renewal and Increase under general law.
Given at the Department of the Interior this twenty eighth day of December one thousand eight hundred and ninety five and of the Independence of the Unites States of America the one hundred and twentieth. Hoke Smith, Secretary of the Interior, Countersigned Wm Lochoen, Commissioner of Pensions."

16 Jun 1900
"Declaration for Invalid Pension,State of Pennsylvania, County of Bucks
On this 16th day of June, A.D. one thousand Nine hundred (1900), personally appeared before me Mahlon? H. Stout a notary public within and for the County and State aforesaid Robert R. Soden, aged 60 years, a resident of the city of Trenton County of Mercer State of New Jersey who, being duly sworn according to the law, declares that he is the identical Robert R. Soden who was enrolled on the 13th day of August, 1862 in Co "H", 14th Reg. New Jersey Vol Infantry, as a Private. in the service of the United States in the war of rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was honorably discharged at Near Washington DC on the 18th day of June 1865. That he has not been employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above. That he is now 3/4 unable to earn support by manual labor by reason of Rheumatism in the back, left shoulder and left arm, heart disease, dizziness in the head, catarrh in the head and deafness in left ear - also sunstroke. That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent. That he has applied for pension under Application No. blank. That he is a pensioner under Certificate No. 224.170. That 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 June 27, 1890.
He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, T. J. Murphy of Doylestown, Bucks Co, Pa his true and lawful attorney to prosecute this claim, the fee to be Ten Dollars, as prescribed by law. That his post office address is No. 134 Sweets Ave, Trenton, County of Mercer, State of New Jersey. Signed Robert R. Soden, Witnesses: John Trouts, Charles B. Wright.
Also personally appeared John Trouts, residing at No. 9 Barbara St Trenton NJ, and Charles B. Wright, residing at Morrisville Pa, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Robert R. Soden, claimant, sign his name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him of eight and five years respectively, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of June A.D. 1900, and I do hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. Mahlon H. Stout, Notary Public. "

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