Civil War Pension Records

Andrew CLAFFEE - C1 Ohio Cavalry

Andrew J. CLAFFEY - Private, 11th Reg. Co. "C", Massachusetts Infantry.

Born August 3rd, 1843 in Cloghan, King's County, Ireland. Married Sarah Helen Partridge May 24th, 1868 at the Methodist Church in Newport, NH. Wife died Feb. 3, 1900 in Danvers, MA., leaving no issue. Married Sarah Elizabeth Arnold in May 1885 in Boston, MA by Rev. Foster.

Previously enlisted Nov. 14th, 1869 in 5th US Artillery; dismissed for theft Dec. 31st, 1882. Dishonorable discharge data on Dec. 28th, 1882 lists age at 40 years, height at 5'5", with hazel eyes and brown hair. A detail of the stolen items was listed.

Became a U.S. citizen Oct. 20, 1883 at Boston Circuit Court, MA. Lived in Lowell, MA to 1868; Pittsfield, MA to 1869; in the Army until 1883; Boston, MA to 1887 and Somerville, MA from 1887 to death on Oct. 23rd, 1926. Information obtained elsewhere: Court records show Andrew is the son of Patrick Claffy and Maria Claffy.

33 Crocker St.
Somerville, Mass
April 12th, 1907

Mr. J. L. Davenport
Acting Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

Sir:

In reply to your letter of the 8th inst, I have the honor to submit the following statement. That as far as I know there is no record of the date of my birth in existence. I was born in Cloghan, Kings Co., Ireland, and have always believed from talk in our family, that our births were not registered there. That I always believed that I was born on the 3rd day of August, 1843, but that my brother's widow once told me that her husband (my oldest brother) said to her, that I was born in 1841. This she told me in 1864, and for the past twenty years or more, I have dated my age from that year.

That I hereby profess my willingness to profess my claim under the Act of May 6, 1907 so that my birth will date from August 3rd, 1843, as stated at the time of my enlistment in 1861, and this I do, to expedite my claim, and because I cannot furnish further evidence, as to the best of my knowledge and beleif (sic), I am the only surviving member of my family.

Andrew J. Claffey

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
April 12th, 1907

Then personally appeared before me a notary public in and for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Andrew J. Claffey and acknowledged the above statement by him subscribed to be true to the best of his knowledge and belief, before me, Edward Coffin, Notary Public.

Charles CLAFFEY - Trans. Serv. 2.M, Dept. USA. Born Nov. 27th, 1871 in Sacramento, CA. enlisted in the Quartermaster Corps during the Spanish American War. Discharged Aug. 24th, 1899. Described as 5' 11 and 3/4", ruddy complexion, blue eyes, red hair. Was previously a farmer. Since leaving the service, resided in CA in light house service. Resided at 411 27th St., San Francisco, CA in 1926 and 1927. On April 29th, 1920 age stated as 48 years, and was formerly a fireman. Applied for an invalid pension for service aboard the USAJ "Sherman", but investigation showed him to be a civilian in the Quartermaster Corps. Charles Y.E. Claffey was living at the Sailors Snug Harbor in Sacramento, CA as of May 30th, 1939.

Charles J. CLAFFEY - C3 US Cavalry & Gen. Mtd. Service

David CLAFFEY - Cert. 7488220.
Private, Independent Company, Washington Calvary, Pennsylvania Volunteers. Also, Private, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Company G, 76th Regiment.

Enrolled at Washington, PA on Aug. 14, 1861. Honorably discharged at Camp Kelley, West Virginia on Feb. 1, 1862.

Enrolled at Newark, Ohio on Feb. 27, 1864. Honorably discharged at Columbus, Ohio on Jul. 15, 1865.

Married Louisa Roberts on July 13, 1862 in Perry Co., Ohio by Rev. N.W. Herron.

Died July 11, 1912 in Groveport, Madison Co., OH due to cancer of the mouth and throat.

Information given on death certificate #805 (obtained from the Columbus, OH Bureau of Vital Statistics) by his son William was that David was 76 years, 9 months and 28 days old; he had been born in PA on Oct. 13th, 1835; his father was Thomas Claffey (born in Ireland) and his mother's maiden name was Preston (also born in Ireland). He was buried in Groveport on July 13, 1912.

On April 23, 1898, David listed his living children:

William J. Claffey, born May 1, 1863
Louisa Claffey, born Nov. 3, 1865
Calvin Claffey, born Dec. 16, 1867
Arthur Claffey, born Jun. 20, 1872
Susan Claffey, born Jun. 30, 1875
Morgan Claffey, born Nov. 15, 1877
Lida Claffey, born Jun. 13, 1880
Earl Sandusky? Claffey, born Jan. 1883
Harry Claffey, born Jun. 20, 1885.

On Aug. 28, 1916, David's widow, Louisa, died of cancer in the spleen and stomach. Under reimbursements, on Sept. 9, 1916, daughter Lyda was listed with her husband Otis Mansfield, age 39, in Groveport.

In 1908 an examination pointed out that all David's teeth were missing and that he had D.C. tattooed on his left arm.

On a deposition letter, stated that when he was about 15 years old, he broke his right leg below the knee working as railroad -- {editor's note - failed to copy down fully what his job was}.

On his declaration for the pension in Franklin Co., OH on Feb. 22nd, 1907: resided in Thurston, Fairfield Co., OH was 5'5" tall, fair complexion, hazel eyes, brown hair, born Oct. 13th, 1835 in Washington Co., PA, and since leaving service had resided in Franklin Co., OH from 1805 to 1872; Linn Co., IO during 1872; Franklin Co., OH from 1872 to 1904; Thurston, OH from 1904 to 1906; Groveport, OH in 1906, and Thurston, OH from 1906 to 1907.

notables: Researcher Carol Ann Mounts lists David as brother to her great-grandfather William Claffey of the A100 Pennsylvania Infantry.

Edward CLAFFEY - A & C 16 Pennsylvania Cavalry

Edward J. CLAFFEY - A 10 Ohio Infantry

Francis CLAFFEY - Widows application 410084. Certificate filed in NY by Mary Claffy. Francis was a Private in the Illinois Infantry Volunteers, Company B, 144th Regiment. He enlisted Sept. 3rd, 1864 and was discharged July 14th, 1865. He died in the Soldier's Home, Hampton, VA on Oct. 2nd, 1889 or on Dec. 31st, 1889. On Dec. 2nd, 1889, Mary Claffey filed for a widow's pension. She stated that she had previously been married to John McCann, who died in Co. Galway, Ireland around 1859, and that there were no children as a result. Also, that Francis had a first wife named Mary Morgan, who died in Montreal, Canada around April 1871. Her residence at the time of filing was 338 2nd Ave, New York City, NY, care of Thomas Claffy. It is not indicated from the pension records who Thomas was. When Mary died on Jan. 10th, 1891, a claim was made by Annie Craighan, who bore the expense of Mary's last sickness and burial at Calvary Cemetery, Governor's Island on Jan. 12th, 1891. She stated that she was the sister of Mary and that Mary left no children".

Francis J. CLAFFEY - C 69 New York Infantry

Frank CLAFFEY - A1 Connecticut Infantry & L16 US Infantry

Frank CLAFFEY - A23 Connecticut Infantry

Frank J. CLAFFEY - Navy

Hubert CLAFFEY - Private, 21st Reg. Co. "C" Massachusetts Infantry

"I was a member of Company C, 21st Mass. Regt, the second brigade, Gen. Burnside's ninth corps.

I was wounded at the battle of Newberne, N.C. in the left arm and left foot. When I got shot they carried me back and placed me behind a stump, while I lay there a bullet went through the big toe of the left foot.

I was taken to the Academy Green Hospital and Dr. Derby performed an operation on my arm, he took off 3 1/2 inches of the broken bone, inserted a wire and drew the ends up together.

He meant to have the bone knit together but it did not. My arm pained so that I did not take much notice of my toe then.

At the same time I contracted the Fever and Ague bad. I stopped at this hospital four months under the care of Dr. Derby, then he sent me home to East Brookfield. I stopped at East Brookfield two months. Dr. Fiske attended me there for both wounds and the Fever and Ague. He then sent me to Pemberton Square Mason General Hospital at Boston. Dr. Fiske is now dead.

Dr. Townsend took charge of me there, he performed another operation on my arm there, he cut the arm open and found the bone all dead between the elbow and shoulder. He took all this bone out with the shoulder joint. After that I showed him my big toe, he burned out bunches of proud? flesh from it several times.

In five or six months afterwards I saw that the veins in the leg were beginning to bunch up. I showed the leg to the Doctor and he said that he did not attend to the toe quite quick enough. The next day he took off the first joint of the toe. The bunches have grown larger since then and the leg bothers me late years. He doctored me at the same time for the fever and ague. He gave me my discharge in April, 1863.

Dr. Townsend is dead now. For the last five years I have not been able to do any work. Rheumatism has set into my shoulder. Most every winter I have been troubled by the Fever and Ague.

Dr. Hobart has doctored me for about seventeen years. His address is Dr. Hobart, 42 Green St., Worcester, Mass.

Hubert Claffey, Worcester SS June 2 1886"

subscribed and Sworn to Before Me, Geo. H. Estabrook, Notary Public. Certificate.