In the West Virginia Adjutant General's Report, 1864, Patrick Farley was 20 years old when he mustered into service 12 Sept 1861. He died of wounds, July 17, 1863. His Civil War pension index card at the National Archives indicates that his mother, Margaret Curran, and step-father, Luke Curren, applied for pensions.

     There were two Patrick Farleys in Company "K" and it appears that there is much confusion as to their identities. The final record of the W.Va. Adjutant General from the W.Va. State Archives has only one Patrick Farley listed in Company K: "Farley, Patrick, resided or enrolled at Wheeling, W.Va.; age 21; mustered in 12 Sep 1861 at Wheeling, W.Va. Mustered out 27 Dec 1864. Expiration term of service. Sergeant."

     However, in the Adjutant General's list of those who died during the war, the other Patrick Farley is named. "Patrick Farley - Died, July 17, 1863, of wounds; place unknown."

     Because of the conflicts in the records, the information presented here is subject to change. However, this presentation is quite likely an accurate reflection of identities of the two Patrick Farleys.

     The Class I Civil War medal of Patrick Farley, awarded by the state of West Virginia, is in the possession of Dennis Barry. Since Dennis has a familial connection with the Curran family, it is likely that the medal was issued for the Patrick who died of wounds. Patrick's half brother was Bernard Curran, who married Anna Barry, the sister of Dennis Barry's great-grandfather. Bernard and Anna had four daughters, Mary, Anne, Regina and Elizabeth, none of whom married. Elizabeth, the last surviving sister, died in 1996. Earlier, she had given Dennis Barry an old wooden box that contained the Civil War medal; she didn't know its origin.

1850 census, Ohio Co., WV:
#2579
FARLEY, Thomas, 32, Blacksmith, Born Ireland
Margaret, 32, Ireland
Mary, 10, Ireland
Patrick, 6, Ireland.

1860 census, Ohio Co., WV:
(Note: Patrick Farley not found in census with mother & stepfather)
CURRAN, Luke, 28, Farm laborer, Ireland
Margaret, 30, Ireland
Bernard, 6, Va.
Lawrence, 2, Va (Died 9 Nov 1882 - buried Mt. Calvary Cem., Wheeling - age 25)

     An illustration of the confusion caused by having two men of the same name and company is found in the service record. The file contains a list of cards and some of the numbers are scratched off and a note on the bottom says, "*Cards withdrawn amd filed in jacket of other man same name Co & Regt. 11-5-1914 - T.H.L."

Declaration for an Original Pension of a Father or Mother

State of West Virginia, County of Ohio, ss:
     On this 26th day of OCTOBER A.D. one thousand, eight hundrend and eighty SEVEN personally appeared before me CLERK of the COUNTY COURT, a Court of Record within and for the county and State aforesaid MARGARET CURRAN aged 73 years, who being duly sworn acording to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the Pension provided by Acts of Congress granting pensions to dependent relatives: That she is the MOTHER of PATRICK FARLEY, who ENLISTED under the name of PATRICK FARLEY at WHEELING WVA on the 12th DAY of SEPTEMBER A.D. 1861, in COMPANY K 1st WVA CAVALRY in the war of REBELLION who was WOUNDED IN THE LEG AT THE BATTLE OF WINCHESTER VIRGINIA ON THE 15th DAY OF JUNE 1863. HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER, HIS LEG AMPUTATED AND DIED IN THE HANDS OF THE REBELS AT WINCHESTER VIRGINIA on the 7th day of July A.D. 1863, who bore at the time of his death the rank of PRIVATE in Company K 1st WVA CAVALRY that said son PATRICK FARLEY left neither widow nor child under sixteen years of age surviving; that the said declarant was married to the FATHER of the said son at COUNTY CAVEN IRELAND on the 20 day of NOVEMBER A.D. 1842, by JOHN LESSICH(?) that she was in part dependent upon said son for support; that the father of said son died at WHEELING WVA on the 31 day of AUGUST A.D. 1851 or 52.
That I have not heretofore received or applied for pension that I have not aided or abetted the rebellion;....

Signed by MARGARET CURREN
Witnesses: B. Shauley(?) & W. H. Howard

Treasury Department
Adjutant General's Office,
Washington, Apl 13, 1888
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
PATRICK FARLEY, a PVT of Company K 1st Regiment Va Sub WVa Cav Volunteers, was enrolled on the 28 day of August, 1861, at Wheeling Va 3 yrs and is reported on roll from enrollment to Dec 31/61 Present. Same on subsequent rolls to April 30/63.
"Died July 5 1863 of wounds received in action at Winchester Va June 15 1863" Age 18 at date of enrollment. No further description shown. Co was in action at Winchester Va June 15/63.

R. C. DRUM, Adjutant General.

Treasury Department
Second Auditors Office,
Washington, June 28, 1888
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
     In the case of PATRICK FARLEY, late Priv., Co. K, 1 West Va. Vol. Cav., MARGARET FARLEY, mother, was allowed $100 Bounty, Act July 22, 1861, and arrears of Pay to include July 5, 1863, by Certif. 90.298, issued June 14, 1864.
     Claimant in application filed Sept. 26, 1863, states that she is the mother of soldier, that her husband, the father of soldier, was named THOMAS FARLEY, who died Aug. 31, 1852; that she remarried, not stating to whom; that her son died unmarried, leaving no wife nor child.
     The identifying witnesses JAMES N. CHARNOCK and WILLIAM McENTEE, corroborate above statements from acquaintance for twelve or fifteen years.
     Same claimant was allowed $100 Bounty, Act July 28, 1866, by certif. 364.997, issued Nov 14, 1967.
     In application filed Sept. 12, 1866, former statements relative to sonship and celibacy are reaffirmed, the date of father's death being stated as on or about Sept. 1, 1853.
     The identifying witnesses, LUKE CURNER and BENJAMIN GOOCH, corroborate above statements from acquaintance for ten years.
     No evidence on file of relationship of MARGARET CARREN as mother of soldier. Postoffice of claimant MARGARET FARLEY, Clinton, Ohio Co. West Va.

Signed by Wm A. Day, Auditor
Pen. Claim 362.808

General Affidavit of Margaret Curran

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     In the matter of MARGARET CURRAN mother of PATRICK FARLEY of Co K 1s W.Va. Cav. Vols pension claim No 362808.      On this 21st day of MAY A.D. 1888; personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, MARGARET CURRAN aged 74 years, a resident of TRIADELPHIA in the County of OHIO and State of WEST VIRGINIA well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:

Resided in 1863 in West Liberty District Ohio County WVa and resided there until 1872, removed then to Richland District same County, remained there until 1876 removed from there to some other farm in the same District, remained there until 1880, removed to Elm Grove, Triadelphia District, same County and remained there until 1882, moved from there upon Mr. Anderson's Place, same District and County and remained there until 1884 - from there moved in Mr. John Blane's place, until 1887 and removed from there to the place where she lives now, all in the same District and County - she first has says that her relations to the soldier is that she is his mother and that he was unmarried, the father of the soldier died prior to the death of the soldier, being about 1853, He the soldier enlisted at the beginning of the war and she never seen him again since but know that he died as prisoner of war in the hands of the Confederates and she further says that her daughter was 1863 23 years of age and named Mary J. Farley.

Post Office address is Triadelphia, Ohio County, West Virginia.

MARGARET CURRAN

George Hook,
Clerk of County Court of Ohio County
State of West Virginia
Wheeling, W.Va., May 22, 1888

     I , George Hook, Clerk of the County Court of said county, do hereby certify that Mrs. Margaret Curran or her husband have never owned any real estate since the years 1863 to 1888 and that the records do not show any income derived from any real estate.

     Given under my hand and the seal of said Court at Wheeling this 22" day of May AD 1888.
GEORGE COOK, Clerk

General Affidavit of James N. Charnock

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
(Stamped Dec 1, 1888)
     In the matter of the Pension claim of Margaret Curran mother of Patrick Farley of Co "K" 1st W.Va. Cav Vols, Claim No. 362808.
Personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County and State, James N. Charnock 64 years of age a resident of Wheeling, County of Ohio, State of West Virginia, person of lawful age,who, being duly sworn, declares in relation thereto as follows:
I knew the father of the soldier - The father Thomas Farley - (and the claimant the mother) who was by me employed as a Horseshoer about a couple of years before his death. He died sometime before the war, the soldier was by me aprenticed to learn the trade of Blacksmithing, and when the war broke out, left me, and inlisted in the Army, while with me paid him a yearly pay, such as were customary in those days, such as boarding, clothing and a small part of money, could not say what he done with the money other than that he was a good son to his mother, and was a trustworthy and good boy, generally, and his habits were good.
I further declare that I have no interest in said claim, and not concerned in its prosecution.

JAMES N. CHARNOCK

General Affidavit of Thomas Burke

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     In the matter of Margaret Curran No. 362808 mother of Patrick Farley late a Private in Co "K" 1st Regt of W.Va. Cavy Vols.
On this 4th day of December A.D. 1888; personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, THOMAS BURKE aged 61 years, a resident of Wheeling, County of Ohio, State of West Virginia, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Have known soldier PATRICK FARLEY ever since childhood and knew him to be the support of his mother at all times until he enlisted in the army, he sent his pay from the army to his mother, and know from personal knowledge of the same cumming three or four times, and was always informed of those facts by his mother, and I further know that he was the lawful son of the said applicant, as I was aquainted with the father of the said soldier and I further can say that the present husband of the applicant was not able and is now not able to support his family, and that he is afflicted with chronic Diarrhea and other diseases and that the said soldier was unmarried and left no family.

His Post Office address is #1163 High Street, City of Wheeling WVa.
I further declare that I have no interest in said case and that I am not concerned in its prosecution.
THOMAS BURKE

General Affidavit of George W. Clifton

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     In the matter of Pension Claim No 362808 of Margaret Curran mother of Patrick Farley late a Private in Co "K" 1st Regt of W.Va. Cav.
On this 15th day of December A.D. 1888; personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, GEORGE W. CLIFTON aged 43 years, a resident of Cameron, County of Marshall, State of West Virginia, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I was well acquainted with PATRICK FARLEY for some time before he inlisted in the army worked with him in the same shop and know that he helped support his Mother because I saw her come to the shop for money and also know that he sent money home from the army. He said to me he did not like LUKE CURRAN his step father for he was not much account for any thing. Was not acquainted with Curran and only know this fact from what the boy told me. I served in the same Company K of the First West Virginia Cavalry.

Post office address is Cameron, Marshall Co West va.
I Further declare that I have no interst in said case and I am not concerned in its prosecution.

GEORGE W. CLIFTON

General Affidavit of Ellen C. Powers

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     In the matter of Pension Claim No 362808 of Margaret Curran mother of Patrick Farley late a Private in Co "K" 1st Regt of W.Va. Cav.
On this 8th day of January A.D. 1889; personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, ELLEN C. POWERS aged 49 years, a resident of Bellaire, County of Belmont, State of Ohio, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Was present at the marriage of Margaret Curran the mother of PATRICK FARLEY to LUKE CURRAN in the month of December 1853 and that they were married by one Father Brassele in the Catholic Cathedral in the City of Wheeling WVa and that the said Father Brassele is now dead.

Post office address is Bellaire, Belmont Co Ohio.
She further declares that she has no interest in said case is not concerned in its prosecution.

ELLEN C. POWERS (mark X)
Witnesses - W. H. Howard & S. A. Wilcox

General Affidavit of Margaret Farley

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     In the matter of Pension Claim No 362808 of Margaret Curran mother of Patrick Farley late a Private in Co "K" 1st Regt of W.Va. Cav.
On this 1st day of March A.D. 1889; personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, MARGARET FARLEY aged 50 years, a resident of Wheeling, County of Ohio, State of West Virginia, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Was present at the marriage of Margaret Curran the mother of PATRICK FARLEY to LUKE CURRAN in the month of December 1853 and that they were married by one Father Brassele in the Catholic Cathedral in the City of Wheeling WVa and that the said Father Brassele is now dead.

Post office address is Wheeling, Ohio Co, State of West Va.
She further declares that she has no interest in said case is not concerned in its prosecution.

MARGARET FARLEY (mark X)
Witnesses - W. H. Howard & S. A. Wilcox

General Affidavit of Bernard Curran

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     In the matter of Pension Claim No 362808 of Margaret Curran mother of Patrick Farley late a Private in Co "K" 1st Regt of W.Va. Cav.
On this 8th day of April A.D. 1889; personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, BERNARD CURRAN aged 34 years, a resident of Triadelphia, County of Ohio, State of West Virginia, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
That he has been and is the only and sole support of his father and mother, and has supported them from early age to the present time and ever since the death of the soldier, and because of so being compelled to do is for the reason of the disability of his father and being the only son now alive, and he further states that the suppot he has to give his parents is almost a hardship as he is himself a man of family, and therefore compelled to do more and work harder, than if the soldier had lived and helped in the support of his parents.

His post office address is Triadelphia, Ohio County, West Va.
He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.

BERNARD CURRAN

General Affidavit of Bernard Curran

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     In the matter of Pension Claim No 362808 of Margaret Curran mother of Patrick Farley late a Private in Co "K" 1st Regt of W.Va. Cav.
On this 8th day of April A.D. 1889; personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, MARGARET CURRAN aged 75 years, a resident of Triadelphia, County of Ohio, State of West Virginia, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
That her legal support has been and is since the soldiers death her son, the son by her present husband Luke Curren, who is also an invalid and has been such for many years past and therefore entirely dependent upon their son Bernard Curren who is now and has been the only legal support of her hsuband and herself and he has a family of his own to provide for, and therefore unable to do as would were he able.

Post Office address is Triadelphia, Ohio County, West Virginia.

MARGARET CURRAN

General Affidavit of Bernard Curran

State of WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     In the matter of Pension Claim No 362808 of Margaret Curran mother of Patrick Farley late a Private in Co "K" 1st Regt of W.Va. Cav.
On this 10th day of April A.D. 1889; personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County duly authorized to administer oaths, W. H. HOWARD aged 55 years, a resident of Wheeling, County of Ohio, State of West Virginia, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I have been intimate with the claimant MARGARET CURRAN since the year 1866, also with her husband and family, her son BERNARD CURRAN has intirely contributed to the support of his mother and family he being the only son living, the reason and cause of his being compelled to support them, is, that she the claimant is to aged and the Husband by illness so disabled to be unable to perform very little if any manual labor whatever to contribute any assistance of support and therefore the intire charge of support fell upon him the said Bernard Curran which he has been compelled to do since the death of the soldier Partick Farley, and the reason for doing so has been and is that as a son he felt that his parents should not suffer, which he was able to prevent suffering, and that he was bound by natural affection for them, and that he is not nor has been legaly bound to support them, other than the duty of love and affection of a child.

His post office address is #88 South Huron Street, Wheeling, Ohio County, West Va.
He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.

WM H. HOWARD

Letters From Solider Showing Contribution.

Weston
Feb 28

     Dear father I reseved your letter and Was very glad to hear from you I am Well at present and getting along fine hopeing that these few lines Will find you the Same I am hopeing that mi time of Soldgering is a bout com to a end from all reports. I think that We Will be disbened in to months and Will get home a gain our Capten has commente for to give furlows and I think that I can git to com home in a coppel of Wekes We haf been pade of for the months bur We Will be paid of in a short time again I cant send you moch money this time for I ode the S---r of our compenny 20$ and Wont to ceape som for to get som thins that I wont for mi Self I Will Send you 15 dolers for a Crismus gift I wod like to no how mother and the rest of the family is getting along
Pat Farley
nothing more at present

Saturday
Janery 3, 1863

     Dear
father I received your letter and I was very glad to hear from you. I am Wel at present hopeing that those fe lines at present Wil find you the Same. Our divesion is in Winscester at the present time We ar all in food sperets at present. I wod like to get a furlow to get home but I can't get one for a while yet I send mi love to you and motehr and the rest of the family nothing more at present truly yours
     Pat Farley

     Direct your letter to Winschester Fridrick County in Cear of Capten Roand
milroy divison Send me a paper

Thursday
March the 12 1863

     Dear
Sister I take the opertuney to in form you that I haf roat to letters to you and havent reseved no anceer yet I wod like to no how you ar and how you ar getting along I am Wel at present hopeing that those few lines Wil find you the Same We ar Stil at Winchester We haf a good time hear every ting is qite hear thare is no thalk of a fite heare I wod like you wod you send me a paper every time you write to me and let me no how the times is at wheeling.
     Nothing more at present Wil remain your effection brother
     Pat Farley

Winchester
Aprle the 21 1863

     Dear Sister
I received your letter and was very glad to hear fom you I am Well at present hopeing that thos few lines Wil find your the Same I haven't forgot you yet I wood like you Wood send me a paper evey time you Wood rite.
     I send mi love to you and the rest of the family.
nothing more at present truely yours
Pat Farley

U.S. Pension Agency Washington, D.C.
March 27, 1891

Hon G---. B. Ra--
Commissioner of Pensions

Sir:
     I hereby report that the name of MARGARET FARLEY NOW CURRAN, (MOTHER), who was a pensioner on the rolls of this Agency, under Certificate No. 256.396 and who was last paid at $12 to Dec 4- 1890, has been dropped because of DEATH OF PENSIONER.
Very respectfully
Pension Agent (name illegible)

Declaration for an Original Pension of a Father or Mother.

WEST VIRGINIA, County of OHIO, ss:
     This 6th day of March, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and Ninety one personally appeared before me clerk of the Circuit Court a court of record within and for the county and State aforesaid LUKE CURRAN aged 65 years, who, being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the Pension provided by Acts of Congress granting Pensions to dependent relatives: That he is STEP-FATHER of PATRICK FARLEY enlisted under the name of PATRICK FARLEY at Wheeling, West Va during year, A.D. 1861, in Co K - 1st West Va Cavalry in the war of 1861-65 who DIED FROM EFFECTS OF GUNSHOT WOUND RECEIVED IN LINE OF DUTY AT WINCHESTER VA. 1864 (error) who bore at the time of death the rank of PRIVATE in Co K 1st West va Cav tht said son PATRICK FARLEY left neither widow nor child under sixteen years of age surviving; that the said declarant was married to the mother of said son at Wheeling West va om the 27' day of AUGUST 1853 by Father Dan Brazell that he was PARTLY dependent upon said son for support; that the mother of said son died NEAR TRIADELPHIA WEST VA on the 21st day of February A.D. 1891.
     That prior to the enlistment of said soldier, and since his death, no person has been legally bound to support this applicant. THE MOTHER OF SAID SOLDIER DREW A PENSION FOR DEATH OF SAID SON CERT 256.396 as we were both dependent in part on the contributions of said son to our assistance & having married the mother of said soldier prior to the war. I depended on him & had the same feeling as he was my natural child & his loss was the same as if he had been my own child.
     That he has not aided or abetted the rebellion....

Signature of Luke Curren
Witnesses: Patrick Nyles(?) & J. J. Jones

Application for Head Stone.
Note:
     Howard T. Sweeney of The American Legion in St. Marys, Pleasants County, West Virginia ordered and received, from the U.S. Government, an upright head stone for the grave of Patrick Farley, buried in the Ruckman Cemetery, Pleasants County. The order was placed 02 Aug 1939 and the stone was shipped 29 Jan 1939.[This was an error... The person buried there was actually Pearson Farley.]