Grave #5830: Tilghman Jacoby

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Tilghman Jacoby, Private, Co. G, 128th Pennsylvania Infantry. Enlisted July 28, 1862 and mustered in August 12, 1862 to serve nine months. Died February 20, 1863 of Dysentery. Tilghman Jacoby had married Catherine "Kitty Ann" Ronig on August 2, 1862, just before leaving for the war. When he died he left behind his young widow and their newborn son.

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Tilghman Jacoby's Widow was able to secure a pension for herself and their child.

Pension file, page 1

Brief in the case of Catherine Jacoby shows that she received a pension of $8 per month (June 1864) (pension file, page 2)

Pension file, page 3 (back of the case brief)

Catherine Jacoby's deposition in her claim for a pension (April 1, 1863) (pension file, page 4)

Catherine Jacoby deposition, page 2 (April 1, 1863) (pension file, page 5)

Pension file, page 6

Adjutant Report for Tilghman Jacoby (August 4, 1863) (pension file, page 7)

Pension file, page 8 (back of Adjutant Report)

Pension file, page 23 (notary for letter, next page)

In this document Catherine Jacoby appoints an attorney to act on her behalf in securing a pension (January 1864) (pension file, page 24)

Pension file, page 25

This affidavit by Catherine Jacoby explained why her marriage record to Tilghman stated "Kitty Ann" rather than "Catherine" (January 25, 1864) (pension file, page 26)

Catherine Jacoby's deposition stating that Charles was the only son of Tilghman and herself. (January 30, 1864) (pension file, page 35)

Pension file, page 36 (back of Jacoby deposition)

Pension file, page 27 (notary for Hamilton deposition)

Deposition of George W. Hamilton, a 2nd Lieutenant in Jacoby's company, attests to the date and nature of Tilghman Jacoby's illness and death. (February 1, 1864)

Philip Ronig, Catherine's father, provided a deposition confirming her maiden name, nickname of "Kitty Ann," and married name of Catherine Jacoby (June 25, 1864) (pension file, page 39)

Pension file, page 40 (back of Ronig deposition)

Pension file, page 9 (Notary for marriage record) (pension file, page 9)

Marriage record for Tilghman Jacoby and Kitty Ann Ronig. The couple married on August 2, 1862. (pension file, page 10)

Pension file, page 11 (back of marriage record)

Marriage certificate included with the pension file (labeled "not authenticated") (pension file, page 12)

Back of the marriage certificate (pension file, page 13)

Pension file, page 14 (notary for marriage certificate)

Pension file, page 19

Pension file, page 20

Pension file, page 21

Index sheet of the evidence presented in Catherine Jacoby's pension claim (1864 pension) (pension file, page 22)

Pension file, page 15 (notary for marriage record of Catherine and Milton Jacoby)

In September 1866 Catherine Jacoby remarried to Milton Jacoby (pension file, page 16)

Pension file, page 17

Pension file, page 29

Pension file, page 30

Pension file, page 31

Brief in the pension case for Charles Tilghman Jacoby shows that the child earned a pension starting the day after Catherine Jacoby remarried (June 8, 1868) (pension file, page 51)

Pension file, page 37 (notary for record of birth)

Record of Birth for Charles Tilghman Jacoby, born February 15, 1863 (August 28, 1867) (pension file, page 38)

Society's definition of an "orphan" was different in the nineteenth century and once Catherine Jacoby remarried it was considered that Charles had "no person legally authorize to take charge of his person and estate." This was the reason that Catherine needed to appoint a guardian to handle requesting a pension for Charles as the only child of Tilghman. The Orphans Court appointed Edmund Moore as guardian. (September 10, 1867) (pension file, page 41)

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Once Catherine Jacoby remarried she would not longer receive her pension (because her new husband would now support her rather than the government). Catherine then appointed a guardian for her son (Charles Tilghman Jacoby) in order to secure a separate Minor's Pension for him. (October 31, 1867) (pension file, page 33)

Pension file, page 34

Affidavit from Susanna Texter and Fredericke Burhard confirming Catherine Jacoby's remarriage to Milton Jacoby (October 31, 1867) (pension file, page 47)

Thomas Ronig, likely a male relative of Catherine's, was appointed as Charles Tilghman's guardian in 1870 (pension file, page 42)

Pension file, page 43 (back of Guardian's Certificate)

Pension file, page 44

Pension file, page 45

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Pension file, page 46

Pension file, page 48

Pension file, page 49

Pension file, page 50

Index of evidence in the pension case for Tilghman Jacoby's child (pension file, page 32)

Catherine Jacoby attempted to regain pension support in 1896 but her claim was rejected "on ground of no title, the soldier being still alive." (May 18, 1896) (pension file, page 53)

Pension file, page 54 (back of rejected claim)

Index in Catherine Jacoby's 1896 application for pension (pension file, page 123)

Catherine Jacoby's 1896 Declaration for Widow's Pension (April 14, 1896) (pension file, page 124)

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Back of 1896 Declaration (pension file, page 125)

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April 1896 Affidavit of Catherine Jacoby (April 14, 1896) (pension file, page 130)

Page 2 (back) of April 1896 affidavit (pension file, page 131)

Supporting affidavit of William Baker on Jacoby's finances and the absence of Milton (April 14, 1896) (pension file, page 123)

Page 2 (back) of Baker's affidavit (pension file, page 133)

May 1896 Affidavit of Catherine Jacoby (May 18, 1896) (pension file, page 128)

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Page 2 (back) of May 1896 affidavit (pension file, page 129)

Affidavit of Mary, Catherine's sister, testifying to the marriage between Catherine and Milton (May 18, 1896) (pension file, page 137)

Mary Steitz affidavit, page 2 (pension file, page 138)

Documentation from the county clerk of Lehigh County that Catherine Jacoby owned no property in 1896 (May 19, 1896) (pension file, page 134)

Marriage certificate for Catherine and Milton Jacoby's marriage (translation from German) (pension file, page 135)

Notary certification of the marriage record (May 20, 1896) (pension file, page 136)

Pension file, page 102

Request to the Bureau of Pensions for Milton's pension information and address (November 21, 1899) (pension file, page 70)

Pension file, page 71

In January 1900 Catherine Jacoby again filed for pension support under the class "Deserted Wife" claiming that Milton Jacoby had abandoned her in October 1884. Her claim was approved. (May 4, 1900) (pension file, page 52)

Catherine Jacoby's 1900 declaration for pension support (January 8, 1900) (pension file, page 58)

Jacoby's 1900 declaration, page 2 (pension file, page 59)

Because Milton Jacoby was an active pensioner from his Civil War service, the Pension Office was able to provide his current location for Catherine's claim (January 1900) (pension file, page 68)

Pension file, page 69

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Notice to Milton Jacoby that Catherine Jacoby filed for pension support (January 31, 1900) (pension file, page 166)

Affidavit of Catherine Jacoby on the information relative to her marriage to both Tilghman and Milton Jacoby (February 27, 1900) (pension file, page 60)

Jacoby Affidavit, page 2 (pension file, page 61)

Affidavit of Emma Krebs and Mary Frederick testifying that Milton did abandon Catherine, that there was no application for divorce by either party, and that Catherine was of good moral character. (February 27, 1900) (pension file, page 72)

Back of Krebs/Frederick Affidavit (pension file, page 73)

Affidavit of Catherine Jacoby attesting to her financial and health conditions, as well as the last known address of her husband (April 23, 1900) (pension file, page 62)

Affidavit, page 2 (pension file, page 63)

Affidavit of acquaintances attesting that Milton was not married before his marriage to Catherine (April 1900) (pension file, page 139)

Affidavit, page 2 (back) (pension file, page 140)

Another request for Milton Jacoby's location (April 1900) (pension file, page 64)

Pension file, page 65

Another request for Milton Jacoby's address (April 1900) (pension file, page 66)

Pension file, page 67

County Clerk of Leigh County, PA provides a statement of property for Milton and Catherine Jacoby (they had none) (April 30, 1900) (pension file, page 74)

Pension file, page 75

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Pension file, page 55

Pension file, page 56

Index of evidence in Jacoby's 1900 claim for pension (pension file, page 57)

Pension file, page 76

1908 Declaration for Widow's Pension (January 28, 1908) (pension file, page 126)

Back of 1908 Declaration (pension file, page 127)

Catherine Jacoby's case was revisited and amended in 1908, with the approval noting that Milton Jacoby disappeared in 1899 (pension file, page 77)

Pension file, page 142 (April 15, 1908)

Pension file, page 143

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Notice to Catherine Jacoby that her case will be reviewed by a special examiner (July 16, 1908) (pension file, page 108)

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Index to Special Examiner's Report (pension file, page 78)

Pension file, page 103 (August 6, 1908)

Notice to Catherine Jacoby about special examination in her case (September 10, 1908) (pension file, page 79)

Catherine Jacoby's deposition to the special examiner, page 1 (September 10, 1908) (pension file, page 82)

Jacoby deposition, page 2 (pension file, page 83)

Jacoby deposition, page 3 (pension file, page 84)

Lydia Schriver, daughter of Catherine and Milton Jacoby, provided a deposition to the special examiner to support her mother's claim (September 11, 1908) (pension file, page 85)

Schriver deposition, page 2 (pension file, page 86)

Deposition of Annie Marks, a neighbor of Catherine Jacoby's, to the special examiner (September 11, 1908) (pension file, page 87)

Pension file, page 104 (September 14, 1908)

Pension file, page 105 (September 12, 1908)

Pension file, page 106

Pension file, page 107 (September 14, 1908)

Deposition of John S. Shraff who did not know Catherine Jacoby, but was acquainted with Milton Jacoby when the soldier was periodically in Lebanon, PA. Shraff testified that Milton went by the name Milton Anderson and said he was single. He also testified to Milton's work, his drinking, and his last known whereabouts. (October 9, 1908) (pension file, page 88)

Shraff deposition, page 2 (pension file, page 89)

The special examiner attempted to track Milton Jacoby, even contacting area hospitals and institutions to determine whether Milton was a patient or died. This is a letter to St. Joseph's Hospital in Reading, PA. (November 19, 1908) (pension file, page 92)

Letter to Reading Hospital, Reading, PA, searching for Milton Jacoby (November 19, 1908) (pension file, page 93)

Letter to the Berks County Almshouse, Reading, PA, searching for Milton Jacoby (November 19, 1908) (pension file, page 94)

Letter to the Lebanon County Almshouse, Lebanon, PA, searching for Milton Jacoby (November 19, 1908) (pension file, page 100)

Reply from the Lebanon County Almshouse (November 30, 1908) (pension file, page 101)

Deposition of Catherine Jacoby to special examiner about Milton's drinking and the day he disappeared. (November 27, 1908) (pension file, page 95)

Jacoby deposition, page 2 (pension file, page 96)

Deposition of John Jacoby, Milton Jacoby's half brother, to the special examiner (November 28, 1908) (pension file, page 90)

John Jacoby Deposition, page 2 (pension file, page 91)

The report of the special examiner reveals that Milton Jacoby had a known drinking problem and that there was no trace of him after his last pension payment in 1899. (November 30, 1908) (pension file, page 80)

Report of the special examiner, page 2 (pension file, page 81)

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Request for information on Milton Jacoby in the records of the Soldiers Homes (January 4 1909) (pension file, page 98)

Reply--Milton Jacoby was not found in a Solders Home (January 7, 1900) (pension file, page 99)

Pension file, page 97

In 1916 Catherine Jacoby requested an increase in her pension (September 19, 1816) (pension file, page 109)

Pension file, page 110

Jacoby again asked for increase based on 1926 legislation (Pension file, page 112)

Response to Jacoby's request for pension increase (July 22, 1927) (pension file, page 111)

Catherine Jacoby completed and submitted the the form mentioned in the previous letter (July 27, 1927) (pension file, page 113)

Back of 1927 form (pension file, page 114)

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Catherine Jacoby was approved for a renewal of her pension connected to Tilghman Jacoby, which increased her pension to $50 per month (September 17, 1927) (pension file, page 117)

Jacoby's 1927 application file (pension file, page 115)

Pension file, page 116

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Pension file, page 118

Pension file, page 119

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Catherine Jacoby was on the pension roll until her death in 1933. (pension file, page 16)

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Pension file, page 141

Invalid Pension for Milton Jacoby (Pension file, page 120)

Pension file, page 121

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Milton Jacoby's application for Invalid Pension due to an injury to his right foot (January 9, 1895) (pension file, page 145)

Page 2 (back) of Milton Jacoby's application (pension file, page 146)

Medical examination of Milton Jacoby (February 27, 1895) (pension file, page 155)

Medical exam, page 2 (pension file, page 156)

Milton Jacoby filed for pension in 1895 but was rejected (June 11, 1895) (pension file, page 122)

Milton Jacoby's service record provided by the War Department for his pension claim (February 9, 1895) (pension file, page 151)

Page 2 of War Department record (pension file, page 152)

Index in the pension case of Milton Jacoby (pension file, page 144)

Milton Jacoby again applied for a pension in 1898 and was approved for $10 per month (July 7, 1898) (pension file, page 160)

Milton Jacoby's 1898 declaration for pension (March 24, 1898) (pension file, page 147)

Page 2 (back) of Milton Jacoby's declaration (pension file, page 148)

Milton Jacoby's explanation of his disability (June 8, 1898) (pension file, page 149)

Affidavit page 2 (pension file, page 150)

Affidavit of John Shropp and William Uhler attesting to Milton's disability and its impact on his ability to work (June 8, 1898) (pension file, page 153)

Page 2 (back) of Shropp/Uhler affidavit (pension file, page 154).

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Second medical examination of Milton Jacoby (June 8, 1898) (pension file, page 157)

Medical exam, page 2. Diagram shows where Milton's foot was amputated. (pension file, page 158)

Pension file, page 161 (pension file, page 161)

Pension file, page 162

Milton Jacoby was dropped from the pension roll in 1902 (pension file, page 163)

Pension file, page 164

Pension file, page 165

Pension file, page 167

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Pension file, Page 159

Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Tilghman Jacoby of the 128th PA Infantry died just after midnight on February 20, 1863. The eighteen year old had been unwell with dysentery for months before it suddenly turned into typhoid fever right before his death. Comrades and hospital staff prepared his body to send it home to the wife Jacoby had married only a few weeks before enlisting. Catherine did not collect the body from its temporary burial at Aquia Landing because she gave birth to their only son, Charles Tilghman Jacoby, just five days before Tilghman died. Catherine received a widow’s pension of $8 per month until she remarried to her late husband’s younger brother, Milton, who had served with the 209th PA Infantry in the Petersburg Campaign. Milton later abandoned Catherine in 1884 and completely disappeared in 1899. Catherine Jacoby navigated the pension system for the rest of her life.

Sources

Pfanz, Donald C. "Where Valor Proudly Sleeps: A History of Fredericksburg National Cemetery, 1866-1933." National Park Service, 2007. (Available at Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP)

Cemetery Roster & Book File, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania NMP

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Photo by Kathleen Thompson

Organization Index to Pension Files of Veterans Who Served Between 1861 and 1900, compiled 1949 - 1949, documenting the period 1861 - 1942. NARA Record Group 15, Catalog ID 2588825. Accessed through Fold3, March 18, 2021.

Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Veterans of the Army and Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain, compiled 1861 - 1934. NARA Record Group 15, Catalog ID 30020. Accessed through Fold3, March 18, 2021.

Additional Information

Where Valor Proudly Sleeps: A History of Fredericksburg National Cemetery, 1866-1933, by Donald C Pfanz