2023-08 Raynors HCA Live
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/26/2023
A unique archive of forty-one documents and letters relating to George F. Emery, Actuary for the Portland office of the Maine War Claims Association. The archive contains eighteen miscellaneous letters and documents from December 15, 1862 to August 15, 1865 related to Emery's position and appear to be of a legal or administrative nature. The remaining items concern his efforts to secure the pension and bounty claims of soldiers from three different Maine Infantry Regiments and are ordered accordingly below. The collection offers a fascinating glimpse into the organization of war-time administrative offices committed to serving veterans and their families.1) Five war-dated letters from July 11 to December 2 of 1864 concerning the pension of Daniel J. Durham. He was a corporal in Company C of the 21st Maine Infantry and was mortally wounded at Port Hudson. The first letter reads, in part: "Mrs. Rhoda Durham widow of Daniel J. Durham Corporal in Co. C of your Regt. [crossed out: deceased] who was wounded at Port Hudson in May 1863 & died in New York in August 1863 from the effects of his wounds, has applied for a pension." The final letter in the group records that his widow received the pension certificate in December 1864.2) Seven war-dated letters from February 14, 1863 to February 22, 1864concerning the pension of John H. Pence. He was a private in Company K of the 16th Maine Infantry and was missing in action after the Battle of Fredericksburg. The final letter in the group was sent by the captain of the company and reads, in part: "John H. Pence was reported missing in action; at Fredericksburg, December 13th, 62, and has not since been heard from; and it is probable, (though not certain) that he was killed at that time; & neither of our men who was missing at that time has lately been reported a prisoner in Alabama..."3) Eleven war-dated letters and documents from January 29 to May 4 of 1863 concerning the bounty of Charles H. Sampson. He was a corporal in Company A of the 3rd Maine Infantry and was wounded at the Battle of Malvern Hill when a cannonball shattered his right leg. Due to the severity of the wound, he was discharged from service in December 1862. Several of the items in this group appear to be working drafts or copies. The final letter records that Sampson was granted his certificate in May 1863.Light edge wear with minor scattered soiling and toning. May 4, 1863 letter has a diagonal line of toning from being folded, but does not affect text.
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