Between the Windows: Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" McCutcheon

For many years I have meant to write an article on my Great-great-great Uncle, Thomas Jefferson “Jeff” McCutcheon. I started - but didn’t finish. Picked it up again - and still didn’t finish. Until now. In the last McCutcheon Trace quarterly, Sarah Splaun wrote an article about Jeff, which was mostly about his service in the Loudoun County Rangers.

This is the rest of the story . . .

Jeff was the son of Mary and Samuel McCutcheon. I believe that Mary is a Davis but have not yet found much evidence other than the marriage record below to support that claim. Samuel’s family remains a mystery as well. I have not been able to connect him to any other McCutcheons in Northern Virginia or Maryland.

Nevertheless, I do have these pieces of information about Samuel and Mary.

These records show Samuel McCutcheon in Loudoun County in 1827, 1828, 1831, and 1836.

Virginia, Loudoun County, Will Book abstracts [Pat Duncan]:

Will Book Q, page 363

Saml McCutchen purchaser at 17 Feb 1827 sale of the estate of William Cole.

Will Book R, page 71

Samuel McCutchen purchaser at sale on estate of Michael Stream, returned to court 14 Jan 1828

Will Book T, page 364

Samuel McCutchen purchaser at the sale of estate of Mrs Elizabeth Potterfield on 21 Nov 1831.

Index to Loudoun Co, Virginia Wills 1757-1850, by Hutchison, Will Book X, page 278-

Samuel McCuther witness to 6 Apr 1836 will of John Stoutsberger

Elizabeth Ellen McCutcheon, daughter of Samuel and Mary married Joshua Stocks in 1846. This excerpt from the record of their marriage names Samuel, who is in poor health:

State of Virginia, Marriage Register of 1846, Loudon Co, To Wit:

Know All Men By These Presents, That We, Joshua Stocks and Thomas Davis . . . bind ourselves, our and each of our heirs, executors and administrators jointly and severally, firmly by these presents, sealed with our seals and dated this 27th day of April 1846 and in the 70th year of the Commonwealth. The condition of the above obligation is such that whereas a Marriage is shortly intended to be had and solemnized between the above bound Joshua Stocks and Elizabeth E McCutchen of Shelburne Parish. . . .

. . . This is to certify that I am at the time unable to appear in person being Inable from a severe attack of Rhumatism. That I do consent Before witness that I do freely consent that my Daughter Elizabeth Ellen McCutchen be join in the holy Bond of wedlock unto Joshua Stocks as given ___. my hand and seal this 27th day of April 1846 -Sam McCutchen John ________ (Thomas Davis) . . . .

Thomas Davis may be Mary’s father, or a brother. Since one of Samuel and Mary’s children is named Thomas, it’s likely, but I just don’t know yet.

Samuel and Mary and their children are listed on the 1830, 1840, and 1850 censuses in Loudoun Co, Virginia. On the 1850 census - where the family is listed twice - as shown in Sarah’s article – Samuel is shown to be a mechanic and also a labourer, and to be deaf and dumb.

1850 Virginia, Loudon Co, p 295a, 20 September
1923/1923 McCuchen, Saml, 45, labourer, b Virginia / Mary, 43, b Virginia // Jefferson, 12, b Virginia; Jno, 10, b Virginia; Belle, 5, b Virginia; Saml, 3, b Virginia; Mary 4/12, b Virginia
---and---
420/420 Saml McCutchin, 45, mechanic, b Maryland, deaf and dumb / Polly, 35, b Maryland // Thos, 14, b Virginia; Jno, 9, b Virginia; Isabel, 6, b Virginia; James, 3, b Virginia; Polly, 6/12, b Virginia

This quote is from a pension document related to the death of Thomas J McCutcheon, filed by his mother Mary: "The father of said Thomas J McCutcheon & husband of said Mary, was Samuel McCutchen, he was a tailor by trade, always a delicate man unable to do any work for years before his death which occurred in 1854. He had no regular physician & died of the Consumption. The two other children of said Mary are daughters - one of them married to a man named George Fry & the other to a man named Joshua Stocks & they are both very poor as above stated". By listing these two daughters, Mary means the surviving ones. We know that one child died in Ohio when Mary and her children had gone there after Samuel’s death.

This excerpt gives another date for Samuel’s death and the financial status of the family:

from a depositon given by William Hough and Daniel Harper in Mary McCutcheons' pension application for Thomas J McCutchen: "That her husband died in 1853, leaving no property of any value".

By the time of the 1860 Census, Samuel had died leaving his family in a state of dire poverty. Mary and her children travelled to Ohio and lived in several households for a short time. On the death of one of her children in Ohio, Mary and her remaining family returned to Loudoun Co. I have been unable to document exactly why Mary took her family to Ohio except for the suspected Davis link. Mary lived with the Chance family in Mansfield, Ohio; Jeff lived with the Copeland family; daughter Isabell lived with the George Kiser family. The Kiser name turns up in a marriage record involving Thomas Davis and Samuel McCutcheon:

Marriages of Loudoun Co, Virginia, 1757-1853, by Mary Alice Wertz, Genealogical Publishing Co, page 37, Parish Register A New Jerusalem Lutheran Church

Davis, Thomas and Barbara Kitzer (Kizer), Samuel McCutchen attests bride's age, bond of marriage 12 Jan 1844; marriage 18 Jan 1844.

I believe this Thomas Davis to be the brother of Mary [Davis] McCutcheon and both of them the children of Thomas Davis, but as you can see, I have not proven the relationships.

Here is the 1860 Ohio census showing Mary, Jeff, and Isabell McCutcheon:

1860 Ohio, Richland Co, Madison Twp, Mansfield, 14 June

page 116: 822/832 Aaron Chance, 53, vope 1000, farmer, b Maryland // Wm, 22, farm hand, b Ohio; John, 18, farm hand, b Ohio; Aaron, 12, b Ohio

Mary McKitchen, 54, attended school, b Ohio [sic]; Ann Chance, 10, domestic [sic], b Virginia

- - -

page 120: 851/861 Charles Copeland, 32, farmer, vope 400, b Ohio / Martha, 28, b Pennsylvania // Ann, 9, school, b Ohio; Mary, 8, school, b Ohio; Alvira, 6, school, b Ohio; Isabell, 5, b Ohio; Alfred, 3, b Ohio /// Jef McCutchen, 18, laborer, b Virginia

- - -

page 126: 897/907 George Kiser, 65, farmer, vore 4000 vope 500, b Pennsylvania / Mary, 61, b Pennsylvania /// Isabell McCuchen, 13, domestic, b Virginia

Christian Cibling, 34, farmer, vore 6800 vope 500, b Germany / Ann, 34, b Germany // Wilmina, 14, school, b Ohio; George, 10, school, b Ohio; Amanda, 8, school, b Ohio; Rosena, 5, b Ohio

---1860 Commentary:

p 116 - It appears that the information for Mary and Ann was swapped - Mary the domestic born in Virginia; Ann attending school and born in Ohio.

In 1850 Jeff is listed as 12 years old and 14 years old in the repeated listings; the 1860 shows him as 18 years of age; and in 1862 he’s noted to be 23 when he joins the Loudoun Rangers.

In 1862, Jeff joins the Loudoun Rangers as reported in Sarah’s article.

A number of years ago The McCutcheon Trace printed an article about the Loudoun Rangers from information on Linda Cunningham Fluharty’s excellent web site.

McKUTCHIN, Thomas J, Waterford, Va, 23, 20 Jun 1862, Waterford, Va -----. Captured 18 Oct 1863 at Charlestown, WVa, POW at date of muster out, Corporal.

And I found this information:

---American Civil War Soldiers Record, National Park Service

Thomas Jefferson McCutcheon enlisted 20 June 1862, Distinguished Service, Union, Virginia, unit number 3007.

Enlisted as a Corporal on 20 June 1862, in Company A, Loudoun Rangers Regiment Virginia. POW on 18 October 1863 at Charles Town, WV, wounded on 18 October 1863 at Charles Town, WV, died of wounds while POW

Did he muster out or did he die?

Thus began my research on Thomas Jefferson McCutcheon. I ordered Jeff’s service record and the pension application filed by his mother Mary McCutcheon after his death.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

McCutchen, Thomas J; dependent - mother McCutchen, Mary; service: A Loudon Rangers Va Cav

Filed 1866, April 25, mother application 125627, certificate 147836

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

First Thomas’s record:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Military Service Record from the National Archives

Thomas J McCutchen

Co A, Loudoun Rangers

Union, Civil War 1861-1865

Item 1: McCutchen, Thomas J / Co A, Loudoun County / Rangers, Virginia / Corporal / Corporal / Card numbers: 12452532; 12452608; 12452691; 12452781; 12452786; 12452981; 12453080; 12453181; 12453332; 12453371; 12453467; 12453558; 12453647; 2453737; 12453824; 12453975; McAC - 147 - 1868; 40604932 / Number of personal papers herein - 3 / Book Mark: Walz 186-1867; McAC - 147 - 1868

Item 2: McCutcheon, Thomas J / Corpl, Co A, Ind W Va Cav Loudon Rangers / 3 Enclosures: Pris of War Record - 1, Casualty Sheet - 1, Misc Information - 1

Item 3: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McKutchen, Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Vir / Age --- years / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Sept & Oct 1862 / Joined for duty and enrolled June 20, 1862, Waterford, Va, period 3 years / Present or absent: not stated / Book mark: Walz - 186-1867 / McAC - 147 - 1868 / S Thompson, copyist

Item 4: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thoms J McCutchen, 2 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Nov & Dec 1862 / Present / Muster-in June 20 '62 at Waterford / S Thompson, copyist

Item 5: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / T J McKutchen, Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Jan & Feb 1963 / Present / S Thompson, copyist

Item 6: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Tho J McCutchen Corpl , Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Special Muster Roll for April 10th, 1863 / Present / S Thompson, copyist

Item 7: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thos J McCutchen 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for July & Aug 1863 / Present / S Thompson, copyist

Item 8: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thos J McCutchen, Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Sept & Oct 1863 / Absent / Remarks: Taken Prisoner Oct 18, 1863 at Charlestown, Va / C B Sayer, copyist

Item 9: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas McCutchen, Corpl, Co a, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Nov & Dec 1863 / Absent / Remarks: Taken Prisoner Oct 18, 1863 at Charlestown, Virginia / C B Sayer, copyist

Item 10: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McCutchen, 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Jan & Feby 1864 / Absent / Remarks: Taken prisoner Oct 18, 1863 at Charlestown, Va / C B Sayer, copyist

Item 11: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thos J McCuthen, 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Mch & April 1864 / Absent / Remarks: Taken Prisoner Oct 18 - 1863 at Charles town, Virginia / C B Sayer, copyist

Item 12: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McCutchen, 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for May & June 1864 / [Present or absent not noted] / Remarks: Taken Prisoner Oct 18, 1863 at Charles town, Va / C B Sayer, copyist

Item 13: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McCutchen, 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for July & August 1864 / Absent / Remarks: Taken Prisoner Oct 18, 1863 at Charles town, Va / C B Sayer, copyist

Item 14: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McCutchen, 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Sept & Oct 1864 / Absent / Remarks: Taken Prisoner Oct 18, 1863, at Charles town, Va / J A Wise, copyist

Item 15: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McCutchen, 1 Corpl, Ca A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Nov & Dec 1864 / Absent / Remarks: Taken Prisoner Oct 18, 1863 at Charles town, Va / J A Wise, copyist

Item 16: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McCutchen, 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Jan & Feb 1865 / Absent / Remarks: Taken Prisoner Oct 18, 1863 at Charles town, Va / J A Wise, copyist

Item 17: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McCutchen, 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Mch and April 1865 / Absent / Remarks: A prisoner of War since Oct 18, 1863 / J A Wise, copyist

Item 18: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thomas J McCutchen, Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Age 23 years / Appears on Co Muster-out Roll, dated Bolivar, Va, May 31, 1865 / Last paid to June 30, 1863 / Due soldier $75.16 / Remarks: Prisoner of War, captured at Charles town, Va Oct 18, 1863 / Book mark: Died[?] vide D&DR Mch 7 '64 / Walz 186-1867 / J A Wise, copyist

Item 19: Mc Indpt Rangers, Va / Thomas J McCutcheon, Co A, Va Indpt Rangers / Notation / Book Mark: McAC - 147-1868 / War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington May 25, 1868 / Call from ~~~~~ returned with report. The above book mark was noted on rolls in order to preserve results of search in this case. W J Allen, copyist

Item 20: [undated] McC, Loudoun Co Independent Rangers, Va / Thos J McCutcheon, Corpl, Co A, Loudoun County Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Returns as follows: Aug '62 to Oct 31, 1863 / Loss: Oct 18 '63, Charlestown, Va. Missing in action there, Prisoner at Richd / G M Row, copyist

Item 21: War Department, Adjutant General's Office, Washington, May 25, 1868 / This is accepted as referring to Corpl Thomas J McCutcheon, Co A, Indpt Va Rangers, who died March 7th, 1864, at Richmond, Va, while a Prisoner of War / Saml[?] Breck, Assistant Adjutant General / G H? Vide Mc A C = 147 = 1868

Item 22: See Endorsements / Casualty Sheet / Thos McCutchen, Corpl, Means Indpt Co Loudoun Va Rangers / Nature of Casualty / Death / Died at Richmond, Va Mar 7, 1864 / Page 55 / Richmond Records

Item 23: [hand written endorsement] Thomas McCutchen, Corpl, Co A 3rd Va Vols "died at Richmond Va March 7th 1864 of disease. As per record on file in this office D & _ D Room No 7, March 8th CC / J B [written over that note is this:} Accepted as Thomas J McCutchen, Mean's Indpt Co, Loudoun Va Rangers _____ [undecipherable signature]

Item 24: Casualty Sheet / Thomas J McCutchen / Corpl / Means Indept Loudon Va Rangers, Co A / nature of casualty: Death / cause of casualty: Disease / by whom certified: Bvt Maj W T Hartz, AAG / date of death: Mar 7, 1864 / Richmond, Va / from what source was this information obtained: Rolls furnished by Conng? Genl of Prisoners / W T Pray, clerk

Item 25: Memorandum From Prisoner of War Records

Name: McCutcheon, Thos J / Rank: C / Organization: Va Indpt Rangers, Co A / Information obtained from: Records of DB, Vol 1, p 224 / where he died: Richmond, Va, Mch 7, 1864, in C S M Prison. Corrected 5-26-68. Se McA C 147-1868 - TW / Copied by ECC

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

That military record gave the details of service with the Rangers, already listed in Sarah’s article on Jeff.

But then I began to read the pension application filed by Mary McCutcheon after the death of her son. This is how I came to admire and love the person who was my Great-great-great Uncle.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Military Service Record from the National Archives

Thomas J McCutchen

Co A, Loudoun Rangers

Union, Civil War 1861-1865

Item 2: McCutcheon, Thomas J / Corpl, Co A, Ind W Va Cav Loudon Rangers / 3 Enclosures: Pris of War Record - 1, Casualty Sheet - 1, Misc Information - 1

Item 5: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / T J McKutchen, Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for Jan & Feb 1963 / Present / S Thompson, copyist

Item 6: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Tho J McCutchen Corpl , Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Special Muster Roll for April 10th, 1863 / Present / S Thompson, copyist

Item 7: Mc / Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers / Va / Thos J McCutchen 1 Corpl, Co A, Loudoun Co Indpt Rangers, Va / Appears on Company Muster Roll for July & Aug 1863 / Present / S Thompson, copyist

Item 22: See Endorsements / Casualty Sheet / Thos McCutchen, Corpl, Means Indpt Co Loudoun Va Rangers / Nature of Casualty / Death / Died at Richmond, Va Mar 7, 1864 / Page 55 / Richmond Records

Item 25: Memorandum From Prisoner of War Records

Certificate No 147.836

Acts of January 25 and March 4, 1879

Brief for Arrears of Mother Pension

Name: Mary McCutchen, mother of Thos J McCutchen, Corpl Co A, Indp't Batt Loudoun Rangers Va Co C, Vol

PO Address Goresville, County: Loudoun, State: Va

Date the soldier died Mch 7, 1864, while in service. Mother pensioned from Dec 19, 1870

Arrears of Pension due at the rate of $8. per month from Mch 8, 1864 to Dec 28, 1870, when it terminates.

Date: April 26, 1879, B ____ Examiner.

Approved for Issue: J H Patrick, Receiver.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

---Military Pension Application from the National Archives

Mary McCutcheon, mother of Thomas J McCutchen

Co A, Loudoun Rangers

Union, Civil War 1861-1865

Application 125627 filed 25 April 1869

Certificate 147836 dated 8 February 1871

Box 33391, Certificate 147,836 xMary McCutchen, Mother

Item: Claim for Mother's Army Pension / State of Virginia, County of Loudoun

-On this 31st day of May, AD, 1869, before me, Clerk of the County Court, in the county and State aforesaid, personally appeared Mary McCutchon, aged 64 years, a resident of the county of Loudoun, State of Virginia, who, being first duly sworn according to law, declares, in order to obtain the benefits of the provisions of the Act of Congress, approved July 14, 1862, that she is the widow of Saml McCutchen, and mother of Thomas J McCutchin, who was a 2d Corporal in Company __, commanded by Capt Saml C Means in the Virginia Loudoun Rangers, in the war of 1861, who was captured by the enemy at Charlestown, Va on or about the 18 day of Oct 1863, and died at Andersonville a prisoner of War on or about the ___ day of ___ 1864.

-That her said son, upon whom she was wholly or in part dependent for support, having left no widow, or minor child under 16 years of age, surviving, she makes this application for a pension under the aforesaid Act, and refers to evidence herewith filed, and to that in the proper Department, to establish her claim.

-That her said husband died at the County aforesaid on or about the 12th day of November or December 1853; that she has not, in any manner, been engaged in or aided or abetted the rebellion in the United States; and that she is not in the receipt of a pension under the second section of the Act mentioned, or under any other Act, nor has she again married since the death of her son, the said Thomas J McCutchin. And she hereby appoints J T & L H Stevens, of Washington, D C, her Attorneys to prosecute this claim, and to receive the certificate of pension.

-Witnesses: General K Fox, Jr; Edgar Littleton; additional witnesses as to Mary McCutchen

-Mary McCutchen X her mark

-Also personally appeared John F Money and James T Fry, residents of Loudoun County aforesaid, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw, Mary McCutchen sign her mark to her name, to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the applicant, and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim; that they know the said Mary McCutchen is the widow of Saml McCutchen, and the mother of Thos J McCutchen, who performed the military service mentioned in the declaration, from an acquaintance with her about 20 years, and with her son about 20 years before he entered the service, and that she has continued a widow since his death; and their means of knowledge that she is the widow of Saml McCutchen, and the mother of Thos J McCutchen, is as follows: they have lived as near neighbors and have been intimately acquainted with the entire family during the 20 years last past.

John F Money / James T Fry

Item: Names, &c, of Witnesses /

Proof as to Celibacy and Sonship of Soldier

-Joshua Stocks / James W Harper / Shown by testimony of two (2) competent witneses.

-Proof as to Dependence and Support: 1st Non-support from husband. 2d Property, and income therefrom. 3d Means besides property. 4th Contributions of son.

-William Hough, Daniel Harper: 1st. Husband died in 1853 very poor leaving no property.

-Daniel Harper: 2. No property and no income shown by competent testimony.

-Daniel Harper: 3. None shown as above.

-Daniel Harper. George M Fry: 4. The claimant with her three children including the soldier removed to the west soon after the death of her husband. The soldier returned to Va in the Spring of 1861, worked for Geo M Fry and having obtained enough to bring his Mother to Va sent the same to her. When she arrived he rented a house for her, gave his note for the money, which note is among the papers of this case. Soldier provided his Mother with groceries, fuel, &c. While in the service he sent at one time $30 to his Mother & being for some time stationed near his Mother, he purchased meal, flour & meat & sent to her house for her use & benefit. The claimant during all this time being infirm & unable to work, the Soldier provided her with house rent, provisions, fuel & clothing. Mr Fry paid some of the wages due Soldier to his Mother in money & some in provisions &c. Estimated contributions of son from $8 to $12 per month.

-Mother's Brief, Clain No 176, 263 / Soldier, Thos J McCutchen, W W Jacob, Ex'r. Room No 26.

Item: [promisary note for rent mentioned in Item B]

-Six months after Date we or Eather of us promis to pay to Mrs Sarah J May fifteen dollars being rent for house & lot six Months as witness hour hand & seal this 25 th day of January 1862 [sic] T J Macutchen, John Finney

Item [handwritten receipt]:

-Jan 10th 1863 / Recd of Thomas J Mccutchen amount of the within note for rent of house occupied by his Mother in full. Sarah J May.

Item: Proof As To Service.

-The Adjutant General USA reports name on rolls as Thomas J McCutchen also the rank, company, and regiment, and the date of Enlistment as stated on preceding page. He also reports "Soldier first appears on Muster roll from Enrollment to Oct 31 [18]62 as a Crpl, present, no remark. It is stated he was Enrolled June 30 [18]62 to serve 3 years. Muster roll for Sept & Oct [18]63 Absent. Taken prisoner Oct 18 [18]63 at Charlestown Va, similarly reported on subsequent rolls to Muster out roll dated May 31 [18]65, on which he is reported Died at Richmond Va March 7, 1864.

-Proof as to Death: 1st Report of Adjutant General / 2d Report of Surgeon General / 3d Certificate of Disasbility / 4th Testimony of Army Surgeon. / 5th Testimony of Officers. / 6th Testimony of Fellow Soldiers. / 7th Testimony of Attending Physician. / 8th Other testimony.

-5th. The Captain of the Company, to which this Soldier was attached testifies, that soldier was captured with 16 other members of his company, Oct 18, 1863, while in strict line of his duty as a soldier, at Charlestown Va. That he never returned after his capture. That only two of the captured men returned, who reported Thomas J McCutchen had died of starvation, and the privations incident to prison life.

-The whereabouts of these two men who returned from capture cannot now be ascertained.

Item: [claim cover sheet]:

No 176.263 [and written in] 147.836, Act of July 14, 1862

Mary McCutchen, Loudoun Co Va, Mother of Thomas J McCutchen, 2d Corpl Loudoun Rangers Va, Died at Andersonville Ga 1864. Received June 11, 1869, J T & L H Stevens Present Attorney

Item: [deposition, July 1869] State of Virginia, County of Loudon

-Personally appeared before me, a Justice of the peace in and for said State and County, George W Fry and Martin Fry, whom I certify to be credible witnesses and entitled to full faith - who being duly sworn depose and say: That they have known Mary McCutchen well and intimately for the last twenty years, and also her son Thomas J McCutchen. That the said Thomas J McCutchen was 2nd Corporal in the Virginia Loudon Rangers, who was taken prisoner and died at Andersonville in the year 1864. We also know that the said Thomas J McCutchen was after the death of his Father in 1853 the only suppport of the said Mary McCutchen before the war and we also know that after his enlistment, and before he was taken prisoner he sent her money; at one time we know $(30) Thirty dollars and he also saw that she was provided with flour, meat, and groceries, that he was taken prisoner before he had been a longtime in the service and had no opportunity to assist her after that time.

-We also certify that the said Mary McCutchen is very poor, that all the property she has in the world would not amount to twenty dollars ($20) if sold at this present time, that she has no way of supporting herself but by labor. And we also affirm we have no interest in this claim for Pension.

George W Fry, Martin Fry

-Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7th day of July 1869, and I certify witness are the persons they represent themselves to be and that I have no interest in this claim.

John L Stout, J P

State of Virginia

-I, Charles P Janney, Clerk of the County Court of Loudoun County in the State aforesaid, certify that John L Stout whose genuine signature appears to this foregoing certificate was at the time of signing the same a Justice of the peace in & for the County & State aforesaid duly commissioned & qualified. Certififed under my hand and the seal of the said Court at Leesburg this 20 day of July 1869.

Chas P Janney, C C

Item: No 176.263 Adjutant General's Office, Washington D C, July 8th, 1869

-Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 29th day of July, 1869, requesting a "Statement of Service" of Thomas J McCutchen. The following information has been obtained from the files of this Office, and is furnished in rely to your inquiry:

-In the case of Thomas J McCutchen there is no original Enlistment or Muster-in Roll showing him to have been enrolled or mustered into the service of the United States as an enlisted man in Company "A" of the Independent Battalion of Louden Rangers, Va Cavy Volunteers, on file in this Office up to date.

-The Muster Rolls of Company A of that Battalion contain the following evidence of service: He first appears on muster roll from enrollment to Oct 21 [18]62 as a Corporal, present, no remark. It is stated he was enrolled June 20 [18]62 to serve 3 yrs. Muster roll for Sept & Oct 65 "Absent - taken prisoner - Oct 18 [18]63 at Charlestown Va. Similarly reported on subsequent rolls to muster out roll dated May 31 [18]65 on which he is reported Died at Richmond Va, March 7, 1861. Cause not stated. I am, sir, very respectfully, Your obedient servant, Sam. Breck, Assistant Adjutant General. To Commissioner of Pensions, Washington D C

Item: [deposition, September 1869]:

State of Virginia, Loudoun County to wit:

-We the undersigned to certify under our oaths th[at] Thomas J McCutchen furnished his Mother Mary McCutchen with flour & grocerys at different times (as to the percise quantity it is more than we can say) but know that he furnished her, and we also state under oath the T J McCutchen left neither wife nor minor child at his death and our knowledge of those facts are from an aquaintance with him from the time of his birth up and we also certify that we have no interest in this claim.

-Joshua Stocks, his mark; James W Harper, his mark.

-2 witnesses: John L Stout, Martin Fry

Loudoun County to wit

-This day personally appeared before me, John L Stout, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County, Joshua Stocks and James W Harper, credable persons to me well known and after haveing the foregoing Writing read over to them and fully explained to them by me they made oath to the same and signed it by theyr mark and they also certify they have no interest in this for her claim.

-Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4 Day of September 1869 and I hereby certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of her claim.

John L Stout J P

-[separate page] My Post office address is Gores Ville Loudoun County Virginia.

Mary McCutchen, her mark

Witness to mark: John L Stout, Martin Fry

State of Virginia, Oct

-I, Chas P Janney, Clerk of the County Court of Loudoun County, in the State aforesaid certify that John L Stout Esq whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned & qualified.

-Given under my hand & official seal at Leesburg Virginia, this 17th September 1869.

Chas P Janney

Item: [deposition, August 1870]:

Virginia, Loudoun County to wit

-I, James S Fry, being duly sworn, do say that I was acquainted with Thomas J McCutcheon in his life time and was in the habit of employing him as a laborer. I was living in the same house with him in 1861 & I swear that he bought provisions for his Mother & that he bought provisions for her regularly & was her only support during that time & up to his death. Since that time Mrs McCutcheon has been reduced to great privation to make a living. And I swear that I have no interest in this claim.

James T Fry.

-Sworn & subscribed by James Fry before the undersigned a Justice of the Peace; I certify said affiant to be respectable & entitled to credit. Given under my hand this 26th day of August 1870.

Sydnor Bennett, J P

Item: [deposition, August 1870}:

Virginia, Loudoun County to wit

-I, George M Fry, being duly sworn do say that Thomas J McCutcheon was in my employ for the later months of the years 1861 & in 1862 until he enlisted in the Army. I also swear that I paid him for his Mother some money & I furnished provisions for her at his instance & expense and I was at the house rented by him for his Mother in the year 1862 and know that said house was provided by Thomas J McCutcheon. And I also swear that I have no interest in this claim.

Geo M Fry

-Sworn & subscribed before me by George M Fry whom I certify to be a credible witness, this 26th day of August 1870.

Sydnor Bennett J P

Item: [depositions, August 1870]:

-We, George M Frye and James T Frye, Citizens of Loudoun County Virginia, do solemnly swear that we are & have been for the last ten years past acquainted with Mary McCutcheon, that during all that time she has lived in said County, at Stumptown, six miles South of Point of Rocks, Md: She has never had but one son Thomas J McCutcheon, & she has two daughters, both married, both to poor men who have large families to take care of: She has never had any property except some household chattles which have never been worth over Thirty dollars, she has never had any interest in any real property & has not enjoyed robust health. She has rec'd during the time of our acquaintance with her from time to time aid & assistance from her son Thomas J McCutcheon who was a Soldier in the Indepd't Loudoun Rangers & who died at Andersonville Georgia: The father of said Thomas J McCutcheon & husband of said Mary, was Samuel McCutcheon, he was a tailor by trade, always a delicate man unable to do any work for years before his death which occurred 1854. He had no regular Physician & died of the Consumption. The two other children of the said Mary are daughters - one of them married to a man named George Fry & the other to a man named Joshua Stocks & they are both very poor as above stated: These sons in law have contributed to a very small extent to the support of the Said Mary McCutcheon in the way of meal & other provisions. The main reliance & dependance of the mother was on her son Thomas J McCutcheon - his age at death was about 26 years. He lived with his Mother at different places & lodged at home when not employed too far off to do so: he was a farm laborer & his earnings as such are usualy paid to such employment. He worked for Richard C Marlow & George M Fry (not the same as George Fry his brother-in-law): The Post office of these part[n]ers was then (before the war when the work was done) Goresville Loudoun Co Va, but Mr Marlow now lives on the Potomac River in the State of Maryland at Whites Ferry. Thos J McCutchen rented to our knowledge a house of Sarah J May for his Mother & she rec'd The money therefor: he was in the habit of giving his Mother money (with which to purchase provisions & he purchased them himself at times from C W Paxon's store at Goresville Va. Mrs McCutcheon has received back pay and bounty since the death of her son but we do not know to what amount. We regard this applicant as a very necessitous case and we think she ought to receive consideration at the hands of the pension Department. And to all the facts set forth herein we do solemnly swear.

-Given under our hands this 26th day of August 1870.

-Geo M Fry, James T Fry

-Witnesses: Julius Harper, Daniel W Fry, Martin Fry

State of Virginia, Loudoun County to wit

-Personally appeared before the under given Justice of the Peace, George M Frye and James T Frye to me well known to be reliable & entitled to credit, who made oath in due form to the facts set forth in the foregoing affidavit And I certify that I have no interest in the claim of Mrs Mary McCutcheon. Given under my hand & seal this 26th day of August 1870.

Sydnor Bennett J P

State of Virginia to wit:

-I, Chas P Janney, Clerk of the County Court of Loudoun County in the State aforesaid certify that Sydnor Bennett Esq whose genuine signature appears the foregoing & two following certificates, is a Justice of the Peace duly commissioned and qualified. Given under my hand at Leesburg Va this 12th day of September 1870.

Chas P Janney, Clk

-July 25th 1870 i ___ ___ ___ that t J mcCutehen was living in the same hous with me in 1861 and ___ can testify th-- he bought provision for his mother and that he wass his mothers, only sorport up un til his deth.

James T Fry

-July 22th 1870 I hereby State that T J McCutchen was Laboring for me in the latter part of the year 1861 & 1862 until he enlisted I paid him some money & some provision for his Mother & was at the House with him he rented for her in 1862

Geo M Fry

Item: [medical referee]

-No 176263, Claim of Thomas J McCutchen, Loudoun Rangers Va, Post office: Goresville, County: Loudoun, State: Virginia

Item [deposition, Dec 1870]:

-The undersigned being duly sworn depose and say: That he was formerly Captain of Co A Louden Virginia Rangers. That he was well acquainted with Thomas J McCutchen who was a Corporal in his said Company. That when he enlisted he was well and strong and free from all disease. That he was a good and faithful soldier - more so than most others. That he was in the constant discharge of his duties until October 18, 1863 when he was captured by the enemy while in strict line of duty at Charlestown Va. That he never returned. That seventeen men of his Company were captured at the same time, only two of whom returned, viz, Wm Bull and Peter Doherty. That he does not know where they now are and does not believe they can be reached. That they reported to him that said McCutchin died at Richmond Va in prison March 7, 1864, and he believes such report to be true. That they reported that he died from Starvation and the privations incident to prison life. That he was well when captured.

-That he is acquainted with Mary McCutchen, Mother of said soldier and knows her to be a poor and deserving woman. That he knows the said Thomas J helped her with money, food, &c, while in the service. That he does not remember the dates and amounts but knows the fact. That his aid to his Mother was a matter of general notoriety throughout his Company. And that he has no interest herein.

Saml C Means

-Subscribed and sworn to before me this 26th day of December of AD 1870 and I certify that deponent is credible and that I have no interest herein.

Edwin A Atlee, J P

-Virginia, to wit: I, Chas P Janney, Clerk of the County Court of Loudoun County in said Sate do certify that Edwin A Atlee, whose genuine signature appears to the foregoing certificate, and F Bennett, whose genuine signature also appears to the accompanying certificate, dated 24th December, 1870, and Justices of the peace for the County and State aforesaid, duly commissioned and qualified. In testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and affix this seal of said Court, this 27th December, 1870.

Chas P Janney.

Item: [deposition, Dec 1870]

State of Virginia, County of Loudoun

-On this 24 day of December AD 1870, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in & for said Count and state, William Hough and Daniel Harper who being first duly sworn depose and say: that they were formerly members of Co "A" Loudon Virginia Rangers and were well acquainted with Thomas J McCutchen who belonged to said Company and were well acquainted with him both prior and subsequent to his enlistment. That when said McCutchen enlisted he was a well, strong and healthy man, free from all disease, that he so continued, performing all the duties of a soldier in every position in which he was placed till he was captured by the enemy in an engagement with the enemy at Charlestown West Va Oct 18, 1863. That seventeen men of said Company were captured at the same time & place, and all were taken to Andersonville Ga. That only two of the seventeen ever returned, viz: Wm Bull and Peter Doherty, who have both moved away to parts unknown where their evidence can not be obtained. That deponents have often seen said Bull & Doherty and heard them say that McCutchen died at Richmond Va on or about March 7, 1864 of starvation and ill-treatment, which they believe to be entirely correct.

-That they are also well acquainted with Mary McCutchen, the Mother of said Thomas J. That her husband died in 1853, leaving no property of any value - probably in all not exceeding $20. That Mrs McCutchen after the death of her husband moved to some part of the West with her family. That in the Spring of 1861 the said Thomas J then about twenty years old, returned to Loudon County Va where they had previously lived. That he was the only son: that deponents have understood and believe that they were very poor while in the west: that all the family consisting of the Mother, two daughters and the said son were taken sick and were sent to the Poor House where one of the daughters died: that said Thomas J recovered his health and as aforesaid returned to Virginia.

-That they know on his return he immediately went to work to earn money to bring his Mother back from the West: that he worked for George Fry and Richard Marlow from the spring till some time in the summer when he sent the money for his Mother to return. That on her return they lived together except when he was at work: that he supplied her with provisions, clothing and all the necessaries of life - her house rent being given to her by an old friend till McCutchen was able to rent a house. That a few months after he rented a house for six months and they lived there together, she being sick and infirm, unable to work and he providing her with everything. That this continued till June 1862 when he enlisted. That he was always kind & dutiful, sober and industrious, and was her sole support from the summer of 1861 till June 1862. That he worked during that time on farms earning from $8 to $12 per month - and in harvest more, all of which he expended for their mutual support. That his aid during that time must have amounted to $150 including the money sent her in the West. That when he enlisted he rented the house for his mother for six months giving his note with security. That said Wm Hough knows that this note was paid while in the army by said McCutchen, being some $20 or $25, out of his pay. That he, Hough, saw McCutchen buy flour &c, and send it to his Mother while in the service. They were often encamped near where she lived, and they, Mother & son, often met, and it was a well known fact that he aided her. And they have no doubt that nearly all his pay up to the time of his capture went to his Mother. That it was often currently reported in Camp that McCutchen had sent groceries and necessaries to his Mother. That Mrs McCutchen is poor, infirm and sick. That her property cannot exceed $25 in value, and she is supported by charity. That they have no interest herein, giving their evidence only from motives of sympathy for a deserving woman. That they have real knowledge of the facts stated having lived near neighbors all their lives.

William Hough, Daniel J Harper.

-Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year aforesaid and I certify that deponents are respectable and credible and worthy of full belief in everything, and that I have no interest herein.

S Bennett J P

See Clerk's Certificate inclosed in the Certificate anexed to accompanying afft.

Item: Vol 7, No 2437 War Department, Surgeon General's Office, Record and Pension Division.

-Washington, D C, March 27, 1871. It appears, from the "List of Casualties" accompanying the Monthly Report of Sick and Wounded", of Rebel T? H No 21 Richmond, Va, for the momth of March 1864, Surgeon G W Temple, C I?, Army, in charge that Thomas McCutchen Corpl Co A, 3 Regiment Virginia, died March 7, 1864 at that Hospital of Pneumonia. Remarks: No evidence of Thomas J McCutchen 2nd Corpl A 1st Batt Loudon Rangers Va. The records of above named Hospital on file furnish no information in this case. By order of the Surgeon General: J J Woodward, Surgeon, U S Army.

Item: [pension record form; starting at top of page with handwritten comments]

-approved at fifteen dollars

War of the Rebellion; Act of July 11, 1862, and subsequent Acts.

Mother's Pension

-Mary McCutchen, Mother of Thomas J McCutchen, 2d Corporal, Co A, Ind Battalion Loudoun rangers Va Cav, resides Loudon County, and State of Virginia. Post Office: Goresville, Loudon Co, Virginia. Attorney: J H & L H Stevens Present Fee: $15.00 as per schedule. Contract for $25.00

-Rate of pension $8.00 per month, commencing Dec 29, 1870, the date of filing last material evidence and ending [at] death or ____. Admitted Febry 1, 1871, G W Jacob, Examiner. Approved Feby 3, 1871, G A S---, Receiver.

-Enlistment, June 30, 1862, Mother's application filed, June 11, 1869. Claim completed, Dec 29, 1870. Death of husband 1853.

Death March 7, 1864. Cause of Death, Prisoner of War, place of death, Richmond Va

-Allegations of Claimant: Not receiving a pension, Alleged in declaration. Loyalty, Averred.

-Incidental Matter. Last material evidence consists of proof of dependence & support.

Item: [cover sheet]

No 147836 Virginia

-Mary McCutchen mother of Thomas J McCutchen, 2 Corporal, Co A, Ind Batt'n Loudon rangers Va Cavlry Vols

Richmond Agency. Rate per month $8. Commencing 29 Dec 1870. Certificate dated 8 Feb 1871 and sent to Pen agent J T & S H Stevens, Atty. Sent 13 July '71. Act 14th July 1862.

Book C, Vol 15, page 153.

W A __all, Clerk

To the Commisioner of Pensions.

-I, Mary McCutchen, a pensioner under pension Certificate No 147836, hereby apply for the arrears due me under the act granting arrears of pension approved Jan 25, 1879. My post office address is Goresville Loudoun Co Virg'a. Mary McCutchen, her mark

[Witnesses] elle e Stocks, Martin Fry

State of Virginia, County of Loudoun ss

-Signed in my presence this 4th day of Feb 1879 by Mary McCutchen who is known to me to be the person she described herself to me & at the same time she exhibited to me her pension certificate which is numbered 147.836.

W Giddings, Justice of the Peace.

Item: [payment of arrears]

Certificate No 147.836

Acts of January 25 and March 4, 1879

Brief for Arrears of Mother Pension

Name: Mary McCutchen, mother of Thos J McCutchen, Corpl Co A, Indp't Batt Loudoun Rangers Va Co C, Vol

PO Address Goresville, County: Loudoun, State: Va

Date the soldier died Mch 7, 1864, while in service. Mother pensioned from Dec 19, 1870

Arrears of Pension due at the rate of $8. per month from Mch 8, 1864 to Dec 28, 1870, when it terminates.

Date: April 26, 1879, B ____ Examiner.

Approved for Issue: J H Patrick, Receiver.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A few years ago I came across a notice for a publication I thought could shed some light on the situation of Mary McCutcheon. I ordered the book Crossing the Line: Civilian Trade and Travel Betweek Loudoun County, Virginia, and Maryland During the Civil War, by Taylor M Chamberlin & James D Peshek; copyright 2002 by Waterford Foundation, Inc, Waterford, Virginia.

My note, written on the title page, says: This book is about the hardships endured by our ancestors Joshua and Ellen (McCutcheon) Stocks and Mary (Davis) McCutcheon, during the American Civil War”.

This wonderful publication is a transcription of the account book of the Customs Agent, Samuel Speer, during the period 1863-1865. The book describes thousands of names and their purchases in Point of Rocks, Maryland during that period.

Loudoun County had a unique position in the Civil War. It’s citizens were for both the South and the North. Hence, much fighting was done in the county, requiring supplies taken from local farmer, and decimation inflicted by both sides. It was as though Loudoun County was in the eye of a hurricane that refused to move away. Citizens were desperate for food and other necessities and had to cross into Maryland to purchase them, thus the records in the ledger.

The ledger begins 11 November 1863 and ends 154 pages later on 17 May 1865. The Stocks and McCutcheon families made trips in that time period and purchased supplies.

Joshua Stocks made 19 trips purchasing $135.42; and paid an additional $4.02 in taxes.

Ellen McCutcheon Stocks made 2 trips purchasing $48.30 worth of goods.

Stephen S Stocks (brother to Joshua), a surveyor who travelled but apparently lived with them at times, made 6 trips, purchasing $55.57 worth of goods as Stephen, and $74.42 worth of goods as S S Stocks.

Mary McCutcheon made 2 trips and purchased $59.73 in goods.

Rachel Stocks made 1 trip, purchasing $1.30 in goods. I have no idea who Rachel is.

Isaac C Stocks, nephew to Joshua, made 1 trip and purchased goods valued at $2.80.

Joshua made trips in November and December of 1863; Joshua and Stephen made trips in June, September, October, November of 1864. The commentary tells that sometimes the border was closed, and that is where the gaps lie in the listing of visits to Point of Rocks. It must have been particularly hard during the first 5 months of 1864 when there are no listings for the Stocks-McCutcheon family; then 6 trips in June, generally every few days; and nothing in June, July, or August and until the middle of September. From September 14th until December 17th, 13 trips were made by someone in the two families. That last bit of the ledger documents trips in two trips in January, one in February, one in April, and two in May, the last one by Mary McCutcheon, herself.

Mary’s son Jeff died in March 1864, but previously had been a prisoner of war without funds or means to support his mother. Mary made 5 visits to Maryland for supplies - twice to Point of Rocks, twice to Com Adams; once to N B Means - other suppliers in Maryland. Her first visit was June 13, accompanied by son-in-law Joshua Stocks. Mary bought $7.53 work of “family supplies”, paid a 5 cent fee and a 5 cent stamp at Point of Rocks. Joshua bought $7.20 of family supplies and paid the same additional 5 cent fee and 5 cent stamp.

I have no follow-up on Mary. I don’t know when she died, or where she is buried. Mary is listed on the 1880 census with daughter Ellen Stocks, but I have no trace of her after that.

---Loudoun Co burial look-up request, 4 Feb 2006, Pat Duncan replied:

"No McCutchens (or variation) deaths appear on the Loudoun Co Death Register from 1853-1896. There is no will or other estate entry in the Loudoun Will Books.

There are still lots of loose ends in the story of Samuel and Mary McCutcheon. I would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information about them.

Friday, September 20, 2013

Thomas Jefferson "Jeff" McCutcheon