Corrections to current information, below, posted to website.
"Archibald married once before, and he was a widower when he married Celia.
That Celia was his widow and that she is dependent on her two children for a
living with what she can assist them, not having any income only what they
and herself can make." Affidavitt signed by
Adam Frakes or Drakes and an X
mark for Frances Drake. Dated 01 November 1890 Another general affidavit by
Charles R. Budlong and F.M. Weeks said basically same thing but added "her
sole sufficient what she can earn herself and that of a crippled boy and
another who is almost animbecile."Dated 01 November 1890 Affidavit by Elias
Walts 64 and George W. Drake 57 both resident of Bolivar, Polk County states
"that in relation to claim for pension that Christina first wife of 1843 or
1844 in Marion County Illinois, that our said knowledge was devised from
intimate acquaintance with said Christina Drake and Archibald Drake up to
the year 1839. We further state that said Christina and Archibald Drake left
Ohio in 1839 and went to Illinois and that said Christina Drake died about
time stated above, that Jesse Drake an older brother of affiant George W.
Drake, went to Illinois and brought one of the children, a girl, the
daughter of said Christina Drake and Archibald Drake to Ohio and was raised
by the mother of said George W. Drake affiant herein." Dated 25 August 1891.
COULD THIS BE THE CATHERINE DRAKE THAT WAS 8 YEARS OLD IN 1850? Affidavit by
George W. Drake resident of Bolivar, Polk County, MO and Jacob Drake 65
resident of Benton Township, post office address Halfway Polk County, MO. "
We are brothers of Archibald Drake the deceased soldier. We know of our own
personal knowledge that his first wife had been dead near 50 years, we also
know that he married again Celia Swift 40 years ago and that she is his
legal widow. We also know that he left - no children by his first wife under
16 years of age at the time of his death and that she is not possessed of
real estate and hardly enough household goods to supply her want and that
she is dependent on her own labor for her living." Dated 30 May 1891.
Affidavit of Matthew Hartman 50 Carthage, stated that "I know of my own
knowledge that the claimant has not married since the death of her husband
January 18, 1883, and that she is his lawful widow. I further know that she
is very poor and has no income except as she earns it herself. Her health is
not good." Dated 16 June 1891
14. Pension Certificate stating she is entitled to a pension under the
provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890 at the rate of Eight dollars per
month, to commence on the ninth day of September 1890 and to continue during
her widowhood. Document is stamped with a notation that the pension is
increased to $12.00 per month from April 19, 1908 by act of that date.
15. Celia died April 15, 1914. Her residence was 902 E. Chestnut Street,
Carthage, MO. I'm not sure if she died there, but that was where her pension
checks were sent.
16. Remaining documents pertain to the request for reimbursement for medical
and funeral expenses. A
Mrs. Frances McCulloch of Duenweg, Missouri
submitted these documents. Frances McCulloch states that she is Celia's
daughter.
(FRANCES WAS OMA'S AUNT. MUST HAVE BEEN BORN AFTER ARCHIBALD CAME
HOME FROM THE CIVIL WAR. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THEM ON ANY CENSUS
AFTER 1860. - should be deleted from the web site information as she is on the 1880 census as Plina F., born 1861)
