Thomas G. Riggs is named in History of the Pan-Handle, West Virginia: MAHLEN RIGGS was born in Ohio county, in 1815. Educated at such schools as they had at that early day. He was reared a farmer. Married Miss Lydia Dickinson, of Washington county, Pennsylvania. The same year he located on the farm now occupied by him, near Pleasant Valley. They have seven children---only three remaining at home. Had one son in the late war, Thomas G. Riggs. He was a member of Company B, 12th West Virginia Regiment, serving three years. Our subject received the appointment by the county court of Marshall county, in 1876, as road surveyor and has filled said office up to the present time. He is a member of the M. E. Church at Pleasant Valley.

Sir,
To further aid this bureau in the adjudication of above entitled claim for pension in which you have testified that claimant became disabled while in the U.S. service, please furnish a statement in your own hand writing setting forth all the facts within your personal knowledge relative there to.

If such disability resulted from disease state its name or nature, how claimant was affected thereby and when where, and how you first became aware of the fact.

If the disability resulted from an injury, or a wound state whether you were an eye witness of it’s incurrence and whether you saw the affected part and if so, describe it’s location and condition, and state nearly as possible the date of incurrence, and time of your first seeing the same.

Your early, reply endorsed on this letter will be appreciated.
Very Respectfully
John C Black
commissioner
James M. Blair
Pleasant Valley W Va.

War Department,
Adjutant General’s Office,

Washington July 12, 1889
#632717
Respectfully returned to the commissioner of pensions.
Alexander Neil, an Asst. Surg of Company the 12 Regiment W Va. Volunteers, joined for duty and was enrolled on the 27 day of July, 1863, at Wheeling W Va., and is reported: On regtl returns from July to November 1863 present, December 1863 absent on 20 days leave from December 26, 1863, January 1864 present, same to April 30, 1864, May 1864 absent detached as Surg for pickets. June 1864 present, July 1864 absent detached as Actg Surg to 18 Com Va, August 1864 same, September 1864 present, same to December 31, 1864, January 1865, absent leave for 30 daysfrom January 14, February 1865 present. March and April 1865 same, May 1865 absent on duty in Arty Brig 24 A.C., mustered out with FS June 16, 1865, at Richmond Va. Station August 31, 1863 Martinsburg W Va, October 31 to December 31, 1863 Harpers Ferry Va., February 29, 1864 Cumberland Md, April 30, 1864 Bunker Hill Va., June 30, 1864 near Qauley Bridge VA, August 31, 1864 near Charlestown.

R.C. DRUM,
Adjutant General
by
? Lt. 10 cav.

Declaration for Dependent Widow's Pension

Act of June 27, 1890
State of West Virginia County of Marshall ss:
ON THIS 19th day of August A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety before me, Thos. ????, Clk of the County a court of record in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary E. Riggs aged 45 years, a resident of ___________, county of Marshall, State of West VA., who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Thomas G. Riggs, who enlisted under the name of Thomas G. Riggs, at Wheeling on the 26th day of August 1862, Private m Co. "B" 12th WVa. infantry vols. and served at least 90 days in the late War of the Rebellion, who was honorably discharged on the 16th day of June 1865, and died near Pleasant Valley, Marshall County WVA., on August 7th 1890.
That she was married under the name of Mary E. Johnson, to said Thomas G. Riggs, on the 20th day of August 1868 by Rev. Buchanan at the residence of her father in Marshall County WVA. there being no legal barrier to said marriage
That she has not remarried since the death of the said Thomas G. Riggs

That she is without means of support than her daily labor. That names and dates of birth of all the children of the soldier now living and under sixteen years of age are as follows:
Charles Earnest Riggs, born December 19th 1875
That she has not heretofore applied for a pension and the number of her application is -----
That she makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under provisions of the Accct of June 27, 1890.
She hereby appoints T. J. Parsons, her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim. That her Post-Office iss Pleasant Valley county of Marshall, State of West Virginia
Witness: G. A. Jones
Witness: Emma Riggs
Claimant: Mary E. Riggs

Affidavit - Physician

In case of
Thomas G. Riggs
Co. B. 12th Reg W.Va
No. 461146
Pleasant Valley
Marshall Co. W.Va.

I I.V. Houston am 46 years of age have been in the continuous practice of medicine for eighteen years. and have practiced for the last sixteen years at the above address I knew Thomas G. Riggs, before I commenced to practice med. he was a dellicate man ever since I came to the above address he died Aug. 7th 1890 with phthesis pulmonalis he has often told me it was the result of catching cold on the measles while in the Army I see by my books I gave him medicine as far back as May 19th 1881, then frequently on until I find in May 2-1886 a prescription for phthesis pulmonalis and then several times I find where I have itemized medicine for the trouble on my books I treated him on until death and there is not the least shadow of doubt as to the diagnosis of consumption of the lungs I am not connected in no way to the family neither have I any interest in the case
4th 20-1896
I. V. Houston M.D.

April 20th 1896
I Wilbert Jones a Notary Public of Limestone Marshall Co. certify that I.V. Houston whose name is signed to the above writing bearing date on April 20th 1896 appeared before me in my said County of Marshall and made oath to the same. I also certify that they were made acquainted with the contents of this paper before they subscribed to it. I know him to be a reliable man.
Given under my hand this 20th day Apr. 1896.
Wilbert Jones
Notary Public

Affidavit - Citizens

Pleasant Valley April 20th, 1896

We the undersigned citizens of Pleasant Valley Marshall Co. W.Va. In case of the widow of Thomas G. Riggs. Make the following statement under oath. We have known said Riggs and wife before and since their marriage and have known them to live together continously since their marriage and know they were never divorced. Our ages will follow our signatures Post Office address is Pleasant Valley W.Va. Mrs. Riggs the claimant has not remarried since her husbands death. The reason we know these things is because we have been near neighbors since their marriage except six years they were eight or ten miles away but during that time they visited the old homestead each year more or less where the widow now resides.

We the undersigned certify that this testimony was all written inour presence and from our oral statement then made on April 20th at the house of Mary E. Riggs and was written by Wilbert Jones and that in writing the same he was not aided or prompted by any written or provided statement or recital, prepared or dictated by any other person; and not attached as an exhibit to our testestimony

Thomas Anderson Age 64 years
S.D. Martin Age 56 years
Edward J. Fitzsimmons + (his mark) Age 53

page 2

April 20th 1896

I Wilbert Jones a Notary Public of Limestone Marshall Co. certify that Thomas Anderson S.D. Martin and Edward J Fitzsimmons whose names are signed to the above writing bearing date on April 20th 1896 appeared before me in my said County of Marshall and made oath to the same. I also certify that they were made acquainted with the contents of this paper before they subscribed to it. I know them to be reliable men. Anderson is Co. Comm.
Given under my hand-4-20-1896.
Wilbert Jones
Notary Public

Widow's Declaration for Pension or Increase of Pension

State of West Virginia, County of Marshall, SS:
ON THIS 14 day of July A.D. one thousand eight hundred and 92 personally appeared before me Notary Public of the County of Marshall and State aforesaid Mary E. Riggs aged 48 years, who being duly sworn to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the Pension provided by Acts of Congress granting pension to widows: That she is the widow of Thomas G. Riggs, who enlisted under the name Thomas G. Riggs at Wheeling W Va., on the 20th day of August A.D. 1862 in Company B. 12th WVa. Infantry Vols in the war of the rebellion who died August 7th 1890 near Pleasant Valley W Va. of lung disease contracted in the service of the U.S. and for which said soldier was drawing a Pension of $4 a month at the time of his death.
Pension Cert No

that the she was married under the name of Mary E. Johnson to said Thomas G. Riggs on the 20th day of August A.D. 1868 by Rev. W.F. Cannon at Marshall Co WVa there being no legal barrier to such marriage; the neither she nor her husband had been previously married that she has to present date remained his widow; that the following are the names and dates of birth of all his legitimate children yet surviving who were under sixteen years of age at father's death, viz:
Charles Evert, son of soldier by Claimant, born December 17, 1875

That she has not abandoned the support of any one of her children, but that they are still under her care or maintenance. that she has not in any manner engaged in, or aided the rebellion in United States; that a prior application has been filed No. 461.146. under act of June 27th 1890 that she hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, T. J. Parsons of Moundsville WVa. her attorney to prosecute the above claim; that her residence is Marshall County W. Va and her Post Office address is Pleasant Valley Marshall County W.Va.

(signature of claimant) Mary E. Riggs
(Two witnesses who can write, sign here)
Charles H. ???
John B. Standiford

Marriage Record

State of West Virgina,
County of Marshall}SS:
I, E. M. Lewis, Clerk of the County Court of said County of Marshall, do certify that the records of marriage of this office of which I am the legal custodian show that Thomas G. Riggs and Mary E. Johnson were united in marriage on the 20th day of August, 1868 by Rev. W. F. Cannon a licensed minister of the Gospel, and due return made to this office as required by law. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Court at my office in the city of Moundsville, Marshall County, WVa. this 20th day of July, 1891.

Teste E.M. Lewis
clerk
seal

Death Record

State of West Virgina,
County of Marshall }SS.

I, E. M. Lewis, Clerk of the County Court of said County of Marshall, do certify that the Records of Deaths of this office of which I am the legal custodian show that Thomas G. Riggs late of Pleasant Valley. Marshall County West Virgina, son of Malin and Lydia Riggs, husband of Mary E. Riggs, died on the 7th day of August 1890, aged 50 years, of lung disease at his home at Plaesant Valley in said County and State, and that proper return thereof was made to this office as required by law. In testimony whereof.

I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of said County Clerk at my office in the city of Moundsville in said County of Marshall in the State of West Virgina this 31st day of July A.D. 1891.

Teste: E. M. Lewis
clerk
seal

Affidavit - Means & Property

Pleasant Valley, W.Va.
Sep. 14, 1893

Commissioner of Pensions, Sir:- In the pension claim of Mary E. Riggs, I hereby make this additional statement.
She has her one third life interest in a farm of one hundred and forty acres. There is an indebtness on the farm of about seventeen hundred dollars ($1700 00/100) which she and her children are trying to pay off. The whole farm would probably rent for three hundred dollars ($300 00/100) thus making her share of the rent one hundred dollars ($100 00/100) This is the amount of her income from all sources so far as I know.

With regard to her expenses. She has six children of whom three are of age. One of the children is married and the other five live with her and derive thier living from the farm. One of her children is afflicted with epilepsy and can not work.

Thus it can plainly be seen that her income outside of expenses is very small. yours truly
T. M. Pedley
Pleasant Valley, W.Va.

Application for Accrued Pension
(Widows)

State of West Va., County of Marshall SS:
On this 5th day of September, 1890, personally appeared Mary E. Riggs, who being duly sworn, declares that she is the lawful widow of Thomas g. Riggs, deceased; that he died on the 7th day of August, 1890 that he had been granted a pension by certificate No. H52293 which is herewith returned (or if not, state why not) that he had been paid the pension by the Pension Agent at Washington D.C. up to the 4th day of June, 1890 after which date he had not been employed or paid in the Army, Navy, or Marine service of the United States, except__________; that she was married to the said Thomas G. Riggs on the 20th day of August, 1868 at in Marshall Co., in the State of West Va.; that her name before said marriage was Mary E. Johnson; that she had not been previously married; that her husband had not been previously married; that she hereby makes application for the pension which had accrued on aforesaid certificate to the date of death; and that her residence is No.___ Street, City of ____________, County of Marshall, State of West Va., and her post-office address is Pleasant Valley West Va.

(widows signature) Mary E. Riggs

Also personally appeared William D. Riggs, residing at Near Pleasant Valley West Va., and Alexander Miller, residing at Near Pleasant Valley West Va., who, being duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Mary E. Riggs sign her name (make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they know her to be lawful widow of Thomas g. Riggs, who died on the 7th day of August, 1890; and that their means of knowledge that said parties were husband and wife, and that the husband died on said date, are as follows:
William D. Riggs saw the said parties Thomas G. Riggs and Mary E. Johnson married. Alexander Miller has known the said parties for at least 13 years as neighbor

(signature of witnesses.) Alexander Miller
William D Riggs

Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 5th day of Sept, 1890, and I certify that the affiants are reputable persons; that they know the contents of their depositions, and that their statements are entitled to full faith and credit. I further ceritfy that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the above claim.

(signature) S. F. Earliwine
(offical charter) Notary Public

Reply To Pension Office Regarding Previous Affidavit

Mr. John C. Black
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D.C.

Sir, In reply to your inquiry how and where I became acquainted with the facts set forth in my former testimony of the claimants contracting disease while in U S service The first knowledge I had of the claimants ear becoming diseased was at Berryville Va. in the latter part of April 1863. His ear became swollen and he complained of it causing pain. In the first part of May 1863 his ear festered and discharged small quanties of puss and continued at intervalls to fester and discharge puss up to the time in July 1863 when he was sent to the U S hospital. The way I became acquainted with these facts was by being with him examining and assisting him in dressing it. The way I gained my knowledge of his loss (or almost so) of hearing in that ear was by being in frequent conversation with him and having to articulate very loud to make him hear. The way I know that this trouble of his hearing has continued from that time to the present is by frequent conversations and particular attention to the manner I have to articulate to make him hear me. The first knowledge I had of the claimant having Diarrhea, was about the 10th of July 1863 at ?? Pa He with others and myself was detailed to take care of teams that our cavary captured from the enemy while they were retreating from gettsyburg. The claimant was attached with diarrhea became unable care for his team was sent to the regiment and from the regiment to the hospital. I gained this knowledge by being with him.

Yours Respectfully
James M. Blair

my own hand make.