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A Civil War Widow's Pension (1899)

A few years ago, I obtained from the National Archives and Records Administration the civil war pension file for my ancestor, Christopher Tinkler (1834-1899)*, the first in this family line to be born in America.  In a family tree prepared by my great uncle Leslie Tinkler, Christopher's wife's name is given as Julia Carey.  Her name in the marriage record was Julia Ellen Carey.  It took some time to uncover her maiden name.  It can be challenging to find details about female ancestors.  Often the details of their lives are hidden in the records of their husbands, sons, fathers, and brothers.
 
Below is a transcription of an affidavit filed by Julia's brother, George Washington Kline, and sister, Lydia Ann (Kline) Nicholson, in support of Julia's widow's pension:
 

No. 707102
 
General Affidavit
 
Case of Julia A. Tinkler, Widow of Christopher Tinkler, Co. D 107 Ohio Infantry
 
Affidavit of Geo. W. Kline and Lydia A. Nicholson, Bethany, Illinois
 
Filed by Michael Shea, Decatur, Illinois
 
                                                                       
State of Illinois, County of Moultrie ss:
 
In the matter of Pension Julia Ann Tinkler Widow of Christopher Tinkler Co D 107 Ohio Inf.
 
Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County and State, George W. Kline, aged 56 years, and Lydia A. Nicholson, aged 63 years citizens of the town of Marrowbone Bethany County of Moultrie, State of Illinois well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
 
We lived in Stark Co Ohio knew claimant Julia Ann Tinkler all her life knew of her marriage to Charles F. Carey in May 26 1856 and know her husband Charles F. Carey Died October 16th 1857 all in Stark Co Ohio
 
We further know that Julia A. Carey the claimant married Christopher Tinkler the Soldier in Stark Co Ohio July 11th 1858
 
We further State that claimant was never married except the two times above named that her and Soldier lived together as husband and wife up to time Soldier was placed in asylum at Kankakee except the time he was in U.S. Service we further state that Soldier was not married ...[illegible]... to his marriage to claimant and that they were never divorced and that she still remains his widow.
 
We further declare that we have no interest in said claim and are not concerned in its prosecution.
 
            /s/ George W. Kline
            /s/ Lydia A. Nicholson
 

Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above-named affiant; and I certify that I read said affidavit to affiants, and acquainted them with its contents before they executed the same.  I further certify that I am in nowise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiants personally known to me; that they credible persons and so reputed in the community in which they reside.
 
Witness my hand and official seal this 14th day of October, 1899

 
                                                                                                                        /s/ N. P. Mcguire

OFFICIAL SEAL                                                                                     Notary Public

 
My Commission will expire Dec 10 1899

*Tinkler, Christopher [alternate name Christian Tinkler]
BATTLE UNIT NAME: 107th Regiment, Ohio Infantry
SIDE: Union
COMPANY: D
SOLDIER'S RANK IN: Private
SOLDIER'S RANK OUT: Private
FILM NUMBER: M552 ROLL 109
INVALID APPLICATION NO.: 166512, filed 19 Jun 1871, Illinois
INVALID CERTIFICATE NO.: 156616
SPOUSE: Julia Ann Tinkler
WIDOW APPLICATION NO.: 707102
WIDOW CERTIFICATE NO.: 488385, filed 18 Oct 1899, Illinois
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Location: Bethany, Illinois, USA

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