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WILLIAM H. CRISWELL, Company "B"


1850 Marshall County Census
CRISWELL (1305)
John...Farmer...37-M...OH
Margaret...37-F...OH
Sarah A...17-F...VA
Franklin...15-M...VA
Joseph...13-M...VA
Charles...11-M...VA
Angeline...9-F...VA
John...7-M...VA
Keziah Jane...5-F...VA
William H. H...3-M...VA
Benjamin...3mo.-M...VA

1860 Marshall County Census
CRISWELL (1050)
John...47-wm...farmer...OH
Margaret...46-wf...OH
Charles...20-wm...farm hand...VA
John...16-wm...farm hand...VA
Kiziah J...14-wf...VA
William H...12-wm...VA
Daniel...8-wm...VA
Amos...6-wm...VA
Brady...4-wm...VA
Norris W...2-wm...VA

The whereabouts of William H. Criswell in 1870 is not known. In his pension declaration, he stated that since the war, he had lived in Lancaster, PA. There is a William Criswell in Eden Twp., Lancaster Co., PA, living with the William Withers family - age 19; b. PA; farm worker. - - - William H. was first married to Jennie Duncan in Ohio Co., WV by J. Smith Marple. She appears in the 1870 Ohio County, WV census, age 15, apparently the daughter of Rebecca. Siblings are John & Clara.

1880 Marshall County Census
CRISWELL (285)
John...67-wm...farmer...OH...PA...PA
Margaret...66-wf...keeping house...OH...OH...IL
W. H. H...30-wm...preacher...VA...OH...OH
Nannie...11-wf...gdau...at school...WV...VA...VA

From "The History of Lancaster County" (date and author not obtained), page 481, regarding the CHURCH OF GOD, established in Lancaster in 1816: "The number of members in 1883 is two hundred and forty-five.......... Among its membership at this time are four local preachers, Elders J. F. Weishampel, John Swenk, John B. Tucker, and William H. H. Criswell.

William H. H. Criswell wrote two wills and they are recorded at the Marshall County, WV courthouse.


National Archives Pension File

Declaration for Original Invalid Pension

State of Pennsylvania
Lancaster County

On the 18 day of JUNE, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and EIGHTY-FIVE personally appeared before me, Pronthonotary of the Court of Common Pleas, a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid, W. H. CRISWELL aged 40 years (36 scratched out), a resident of the City of Lancaster, county of Lancaster, State of Pennsylvania, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical W. H. Criswell who was enrolled on the 22nd day of September, 1863, in Company B, of the 12th Regiment of West Virginia Volunteers commanded by Colonel CURTIS, and was honorably discharged at Richmond Va, on the 9 day of August, 1865; that his personal description is as follows: Age, 40 years (36 scratched out); height, 5 feet 4 inches; complexion, fair; hair, dark; eyes, gray. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of duty at New Market, in the State of Virginia on or about the --- day of ---, 1864, during the retreat he received a gunshot wound upon the crown of his head which fractured his skull, knocked him senseless, and caused the blood to flow freely, and in consequence of said wound he has had and for two years he has been treated for softening of the brain.

That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Was not treated in hospital for the said wound.

That he has NOT been employed in the military service otherwise than as stated.

That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the City of LANCASTER in the State of PENNSYLVANIA, and his occupation has been that of a CIGAR SALESMAN. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a FARMER. That he is now WHOLLY disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, received in the service of the United States; and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.

He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, Allen Rutherford, of Washington, D. C., his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim, That he has never received nor heretofore applied for a Pension. That his Post-office address is LANCASTER County of LANCASTER State of PENNSYLVANIA.

Claimant's signature, W. H. Criswell

Attest: E. H. Martin(?)
J. H. Abraham


Department of the Interior
Pension Office,
March 3, 1886

Southern Div.
T. T. G., Ex'r.
No. 542959
W. H. Criswell
B 12 W.Va. Inf

Sir:
     I have the honor to request that you will furnish from the records of the War Department a full report as to the service, disability, and hospital treatment of WM H CRISSWELL, who, it is claimed, enlisted Dec 22, 1863, and served as PRIVATE in Co B, 12 Regt WVa Inf; slso in Co. (Col. Curtis) and was discharged at Richmond Va, Aug 9, 1865.

     While serving in Co. B, 12 regt WVa Inf, he was disabled by gunshot wound of head which is resulting in softening of the brain. Incurred during retreat from New Market Va about May 15, 1864 in line of battle. - Please give full military history - and was treated in hospitals of which the names, location, and dates of tratment are as follows: Treated by reg Surgeon

Very respectfully,
John C. Black
Commissioner


Department of the Interior
Pension Office,
Dec 8, 1886

Respectfully returned to the Commissioners of Pensions

WILLIAM H. CRISWELL, a PRIVATE of Company "B", 12th Regiment W.Va. Inf. Volunteers, was enrolled on the 23 day of December, 1863, at Glen Easton for 3 years, and is reported on muster roll for January and February 1864. present and so reported to April 30, 1865. Roll of Co. C 10 W.Va Inf. Vols. to which transferred for May and June 1865 reports him absent on Det service as Mtd. Orderly at Brig. Hd. Qrs. Mustered out with Co. as Private at Richmond Va. August 9, 1865. Return for May 1864 does not report him absent. Regt was in action at New Market Va. May 15, 1864. Not borne as Wm H. Creswell (Wm B. Curtis was Colonel of the 12th W.Va. Inf. Vols.) Return for January 1864, reports Criswell joined Co January 10, 1864. (next page missing)


Marriage Record - 2nd Office of Marshall County Clerk
Thos. Finn, Clerk.
Moundsville, W.Va. July 26th, 1887

I, THOMAS FINN, Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do hereby certify that it appears from the record of marriages in my office, that W. H. H. Criswell and M. M. Rulong were united in Marriage in this county on the 8th day of August 1881 by J. M. Wardon a licensed Minister of the Gospel & due return thereof made to this office according to law.

Given under my hand & seal of said County Court at my office in Moundsville this 26th day of July 1887

Thos. Finn, Clk.
County Court


Act of June 27, 1890
Widow's Pension

Claimant MARY M. CRISWELL
P. O. BANNEN
County MARSHALL, State of W.Va.
Rate, $8 per month, commencing July 23, 1890

Soldier WILLIAM H. CRISWELL
Rank PVT., Co. B
Regiment 12 W.Va. Vol. Inf. and Co. C 10 W.Va. Vol. Inf.

Recognized Attorney ALLAN RUTHERFORD
P.O. CITY

Approvals:
Submitted for Adm. Aug 4 1892. W. Beattie, Examiner.
Approved for admission Aug 13, 1892. S. J. Green, Legal Reviewer.

The soldier was NOT pensioned......
Enlisted Dec 23, 1863
Honorably disch'd Aug 9, 1865
Re-enlisted NOT
Died Dec 5, 1885
Declaration filed July 23, 1890
Soldier's app'n filed June 22, 1885
Clt's app'n under other laws NONE
Former marriage of soldier, 18--
Death of former wife, Jan 4, 1880
Clt's marriage to soldier Aug 8, 1881
Cl't NOT remarried


State of West Va, County of WETZEL, ss:
     In the matter of the pension claim of Mary M. Criswell Widow of the W. H. Criswell Co B 12th Reg WVa inft

     On this 9th day of Dec A.D. 1890; personally appeared before me A Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County culy authorized to administer oaths, W. R. Wallace aged 37 years, a resident of BANNEN in the County of MARSHALL and State of WEST VA well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly wworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:

I have been acquainted with the claimant M. M. Criswell about 15 years. I know that She has no other means of support only her day labor except the interest on from $400 to $600 that she has loaned out. She works some at the milliner business & does some crayone painting the rest of the time. She lives with her father. I know this by being a near neighbor.

His post office address is Bannen Marshall Co WVa. He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.

W. R. Wallace


Declaration for Widow's Pension
Act of June 27, 1890

State of West Virginia, County of Wetzel, ss:
     On this 18th day of July A. D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, MARY M. CRISWELL aged 31 years, a resident of BANNEN county of MARSHALL State of BANNEN county of MARSHALL State of W.Va. who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of William H. Criswell who enlisted under the name of the same at Wheeling on the 22nd day of Dec. A.D. 1863 in Co "B" 12" W.Va. Vols. and served at least ninety days in the late War of the Rebellion, who was Honorably Discharged Aug the 9th 1865 and died Dec the 5th 1885.

That she was married under the name of Mary M. Rulong to said Wm H. Crisswell on the 12th day of August, 1881, by Rev. J. M. Warden at M. Rulong's there being no legal barrier to said marriage Wm. H. Crisswell were married before & his wife died.

That she has has not remarried since the death of the said Wm. H. Criswell.

That she has not theretofore applied for pension.....

(Attorney Allan Rutherford)

Mary M. Criswell


General Affidavit
State of West Virginia
County of Ohio
     In the matter of the Pension Claim of MARY M. CRISSWELL Widow of WILLIAM H. CRISSWELL late of Co B, 12 regt W.Va. Inft Vols.

     Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid County and State, REV. J. SMITH MARPLE, aged 41 years. Residence and P. O. Address is No. 2028 Main St. Wheeling, W.Va. person of lawful age, who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

     I am well acquainted with the claimant. I was well acquainted with Soldier's first wife, whose Maiden name was JENNIE DUNCAN. I know that she is deceased I performed her Marriage and Funeral Service.

J. Smith Marple

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 2nd day of October 1891......

Jas. A. Henry
Notary Public


General Affidavit

State of Texas, County of Cooke, ss:
     In the matter of Wm. H. Criswell's Claim on this 4th day of June A.D. 1892, personally appeared before me E. C. Peery Clerk in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, JOSEPH CRISWELL aged 55 years, a resident of Collisburg in the County of Cooke and State of Texas well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:

That knew Wm. H. H. Criswell and that he was an own brother. And that I know of my own knowledge that he was never in any other company save and except Co B 12th West Virginia Inft.

Joseph Criswell


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