8 Replies Latest reply on Jun 5, 2020 11:51 PM by Rebecca Collier

Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow

Jan Durecki Jun 5, 2020 11:36 PM

I would like to go about getting a photocopy of the original paperwork containing my ancestor's name who was killed during the Civil War. I have his Compiled Service Record (CRS), that shows his widow's name on a Register of Deceased Officers and Soldiers from North Carolina which were filed for settlement in the Office of the Confederate States Auditor for the War Department. His CRS notes that the information can be found in the Confederate Archive, Chapter 10, File No. 23, page 145.

The soldier's surname was Winecoff, John W.Crusoe. He died in a Richmond hospital from wounds received at Cold Harbor, VA (June 1862). His widow was Mary S. (nee Lytaker) Winecoff and she filed the settlement paperwork on April 7, 1863. I am interested knowing the proof-of-relationship, to John, that she submitted to the Confederate authorities and I'm also wondering if they approved her claim. Despite multiple online searches, I have been unable to locate any digitized copies of the above referenced Register. Is it necessary to hire a private researcher to visit the National Archives to photocopy the information I seek, or could such a request be handled by the staff? If it's the latter, I understand that charges might/will apply, but I'm unclear as to how to begin the process of accessing the Claims of Deceased Officers and Soldiers from North Carolina Register. I'm looking forward to your guidance. Best regards

Re: Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow

Alice Lane May 29, 2020 5:35 PM (in response to Jan Durecki)

Hi Jan,
This is Mrs. Winecoff's application and approval for a pension.
https://digital.ncdcr.gov/digital/collection/p16062coll39/id/19591/rec/1

John and Mary Winecoff marriage record from family search https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CS44-DNP4?cc=1726957&personaUrl=%2Fark%3A%2F61903%2F1%3A1%3AQPSS-CFZ1

familysearch.org is a free site, you just need to beome a member to search.
Best Wishes,
Alice
1 person found this helpful
Like (0)

Actions
- Re: Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow
  
  Jan Durecki Jun 1, 2020 10:38 AM (in response to Alice Lane)
  
  June 1, 2020
  
  Hello Alice,
  
  Thank you for the response, but I'm afraid this is the wrong John and Mary Winecoff.
  
  I was remiss in including the following information in my posting: My ancestor's name was John W. Crusoe Winecoff and his wife's maiden name was Mary S. Lytaker (Litaker). They lived in Cabarrus County and John served in the 20th NCT, Co. B.
  
  The Winecoff family was very prolific. Cabarrus Co., especially the area around Concord, was home to a great many of them. I apologize that my inattention to detail caused you to expend time researching the wrong folks.
  
  I'm going to try and clarify my initial post so that some other kind soul doesn't spend their efforts looking for the wrong Winecoff.
  
  Best regards, Jan
  
  Like (0)
  
  Actions
Re: Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow

Elliot Schneider Jun 1, 2020 11:33 AM (in response to Jan Durecki)

Jan,

There looks like was able to find two pension request for 1885, and 1901. Please see the following below. LOoks like he was KIA at Chancellorsville, VA

Hope this Helps,

Elliot Schneider
1 person found this helpful
Like (0)

Actions
- Re: Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow
  
  Jan Durecki Jun 1, 2020 2:49 PM (in response to Elliot Schneider)
  
  June 1
  
  Hello Elliot,
  
  I'm afraid that my inattention to detail in the original post has caused some confusion. "My" ancestor John W. Crusoe (Cruiser) Winecoff died of wounds he received during the Seven Days Battle in June of 1862. He was with the 20th NCT, Co. B. John was a farmer from Cabarrus County, NC. I found a newspaper account that shows him as injured and being taken from the field, along with his wounded brother Henderson, on June 27. John's Service Record shows him dying in the Richmond hospital as I mentioned in the original posting. His tombstone gives the death date as July 7, 1862, so he lingered for over a week after being injured.
  
  The Winecoff family was very large and I should have been more specific as to the unit that John was in. He was one of four brothers who served in the CSA. Henderson was the only one survived.
  
  I am appreciative of your efforts and will make every attempt to provide more information in the future. Lesson learned.
  
  Best regards,
  
  Jan
  
  Like (0)
  
  Actions
Re: Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow

Alice Lane Jun 2, 2020 10:19 PM (in response to Jan Durecki)

Hi again Jan
John's Civil War Service Records can be gotten on fold3. His name is listed as JNOWC Winecoff . I don't have a subscription to fold3...that is all the information that I could get for you.

Listed on son's, Joseph N. Winecoff, death certificate as Cruson Winecoff his wife as Mary Litaker
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F36B-9VX

Marriage to Mary Lytaker
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSS-C7YQ

I am listing findagrave because I am confused about Mary Litaker marriage dates, showing she married both husband's in 1860??? https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/145737523/john-w_cruser-winecoff

Mary Etta Knox marriage to Caleb W. Litaker https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QPSS-XMKB

Caleb Litaker family tree includes two Winecoff Children
https://www.familysearch.org/tree/pedigree/landscape/LKGR-HKJ

John, Mary and Salina Winecoff in 1860 Census
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDDP-6W2

Death Certificate for John and Mary's daughter Margaret J. Overcash.
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:H4J4-34PZ

Well, that is all for now.....I am still looking for widow's pension.
Best Wishes. Hope this helps
Alice
Like (0)

Actions
Re: Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow

Elliot Schneider Jun 2, 2020 9:52 PM (in response to Jan Durecki)

Jan,

I found the 1850 census for your family and it lists John as 19 years old very large family. Hope this helps ad well.

Elliot Schneider
Like (0)

Actions
Re: Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow

Elliot Schneider Jun 3, 2020 11:15 AM (in response to Jan Durecki)

Jan,

Found something interesting it says he was killed at Gettysburg. Please see his muster rolls. Please look carefully they may have done paperwork in correctly however this is your relative one document says killed at Gettysburg, and the other says Coal Harbor July of 1862 however if you look they have another listed for him being killed at Gettysburg July of 1863. If you look he was furloughed to go home for rest and recoup and was mistakenly detained on his way back to the regiment. Looks like once they saw the orders from travel and furlough they allowed him to rejoin his unit at Gettysburg thus being actually listed as killed at Gettysburg and not Cold Harbor .

Either way you have a very interesting family history. Also you maybe seeking the wrong widows pension look at the other document showing a Martha Winecoff filing March 8th 1864 file #32/136

Hope this Helps,

Elliot Schneider
Like (0)

Actions
Re: Seeking settlement claims of John Winecoff's widow

Rebecca Collier Jun 5, 2020 11:51 PM (in response to Jan Durecki)

Dear Ms, Durecki,

Thank you for posting your request on History Hub!

We searched the National Archives Catalog and located a series titled Record Books of Executive, Legislative, and Judicial Offices of the Confederate Government in the War Department Collection of Confederate Records (Record Group 109) that includes “Register of Claims Filed on Behalf on Deceased Officers or Soldiers, 1861-1865,” which may contain his widow’s settlement claim. For access to these records, please contact the National Archives at Washington, DC - Textual Reference (RDT1) via email at archives1reference@nara.gov.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and pursuant to guidance received from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), NARA has adjusted its normal operations to balance the need of completing its mission-critical work while also adhering to the recommended social distancing for the safety of NARA staff. As a result of this re-prioritization of activities, you may experience a delay in receiving an initial acknowledgement as well as a substantive response to your reference request from RDT1. We apologize for this inconvenience and appreciate your understanding and patience.

We hope this is helpful. Best of luck with your family research!
Like (0)

Actions