Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D. C., January 15, 1898.

Certificate No. 555,468
Name, David P. Chase

First. Are you married? Is so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name.
Answer. My wife's maiden name was Lavina J. Dixon.

Second. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer. We was married March 15th, 1871 by Baker McGuire.

Third. What record of marriage exists?
Answer. A Justis of the pease in Wahsington County Pennsylvania recorid in Jusits docket.

Fourth. Were you previously married?
Answer. no

Fifth. Have you and children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer. Yes, seven.

Milton C. Chase, Jan. 5 (or 3), 1872
Nettie A. Chase, Oct. 17th, 1874
Nellie A. Chase, Oct. 19th, 1876
Ruth Ida Chase, Sept. 14th, 1878
William L. Chase, Dec. 11th, 1881
Olive E. Chase, Nov. 12th, 1887M
Benjaman H. Chase, Aug. 21, 1889

David P. Chase
(Signature)

Date of reply, May 4th, 1898

State of Kansas,
County of Dickinson}SS.

     Personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the above named County and State David P. Chase who is personally known to me.
     And being first duly sworn states unpon oath that he was married to Miss Lavina J. Dixon March 6th, 1871 at West Findley in Washington County, Penn. by Baker McGuire, a Justice of the Peace in and for the said County and State.
     That he re-enlisted at Wheeling, West Va., in March, 1864. That he had served nearly three years prior to that time in the Army.
     That he was discharged at Wheeling, West Va. about July first, 1865. That he served in Co. B 1st West Va. Calv.
     That his discharge and their marriage certificate was stolen from them in January, 1892, when their house was robbed in Harrison Co., Mo.
     That they have lived together continuously since their marriage and are now living in Solomon, Dickinson Co., Kas. That neither had been married before.

David P. Chase

Subscribed and sworn to before me at Solomon, Kas. this 14th day of February, 1912.

J. A. Keeler
Notary Public

Deposition A
Case of Lavina J. Chase, No. 1039924

     On this 5th day of January, 1916, at Solomon, County of Dickinson State of Kansas, before me, F. E. Keith a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Lavina J. Chase, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

I am 63 years of age; my post-office address is Solomon, Dickinson Co., Kansas. I am the claimant in the above-numbered case for pension on account of the service and death of my husband, David P. Chase, and filed my application therefore in the Pension office about a year ago, and identify the signature to the declaration filed January 15, 1915. My husband's full name was David Parkhurst Chase, and he died here in Solomon, Kansas, on the 19th day of December, 1914.
     My full and correct name is Lavina Jane Chase, maiden name Dixon. My parent's names were George and Elizabeth Dixon, they are both dead. I have but one brother living, William Dixon, who lives in Idaho Falls, Idaho. He belongs to the Salvation Army and will be found at their headquarters. He goes by the name of Envoy William Dixon. He is two years older than I. My mother died when I was only five months old and I was taken by a family by the name of Ely, but they are both dead, and they had no children. I remained with them until I was 18 years of age. Their post office address at that time was East Findley, Washington Co., Penna. From their place I went to live with the Blayney family, West Findley, same county. The old people are both dead, but John R. Blayney of Claysville, Washinton Co., Penna. is their son, and he has testified in my case. R. D. Irey, who has also testified for me, married a daughter of Cad and Elizabeth Blayney, the people with whom I lived. My husband and myself lived in the same house with this Mr. and Mrs. Irey the first year after we were married. C. C. Wolfe and his wife, I think now of Washington, Washington Co., Penna. also knew me before I married the soldier and can testify that I was not married prior to my marriage to this soldier. I was well acquainted with most of the people there prior to my marriage, but as I have been away so long I can not tell the names of persons who would now be living. These people who have testified can give names of others in case it is necessary.
     My husband's parents names were James and Ruth Chase. Their post office address was Good Intent, Washington County, Penna., and while I did not know my husband before his army service, it is my impression that their post office address was as given above in 1850 and 1860. He has but one sister living, Ruth J. Baldwin, who now lives at 232 South 11th Street, Salina, Kansas. She is about two years younger than the soldier, and the last of a family of ten children.
     My husband always told me that his birthday was on the 17th day of June, and if he had lived would be 70 years of age this coming June. I have no record of his birth. From my conversations with my late husband it has always been my understanding that at the time he enlisted for service in the United States Army he was not quite 18 years of age.

Q. When did your late husband enlist for service, giving company and regiment?
A. He enlisted in 1864, and I think his service was Co. B, 1st W. Va. Cav. He told me he served for 18 months. We have not his discharge certificate as it has been lost. It did seem that he spoke about the Home Guards, but whether he was a member of the Penna. Home Guards or not, I can not say, but am sure that the only service performed by him for the United States was in the West Virginia Cavalry, as stated above.
     After my husband was discharged from the service he went back home and lived with his parents until he and I were married. He was 24 years of age when he married me, and while I only knew him about two years before we were married, yet he only lived a short distance from where I did, and if he had been married I would have been told of it. The same persons whose names I have given you knew him before he married me and can testify that he had never been married but the one time.
     After our marriage, which took place on the 16th day of March, 1871, at the home of Baker McGuire, a Justice of the Peace, in West Findley, Washington County, Penna., we lived in Washington County, Penna. part of the time West Findley was our post office address and part of the time Good Intent. My husband was a farmer all of his life.
     When we were married we went to the home of Baker McGuire, not Burton McGuire as stated in my application for pension, and the squire called in two men who were working for him at the time and I believe a young lady, and they were witnesses to our marriage. One of the men's names was James Carol, but I can not give the name of the other man as they were strangers to me. The girl married a man by the name of Morgan Jones, but I have been unable to locate her. He lived in Green County, Pa. at that time, but I do not know where he now is, if living. Marriage licenses were not required at that time, and our marriage certificate has been lost. I did have one at the time of my marriage giving the date, names of witnesses, etc. but it was lost at the same time of my husband's discharge certificate was lost.
     To the best of my recollection we lived in Washington Co., Pa. for about ten years, and then we came west, locating in Ellsworth Co., Kansas, where we lived for a number of years, then we went to Harrison Co., Mo., Bethany being the post office, and lived there for a time and from there here where we lived together until the death of my husband. From the time my husband I married we lived together as man and wife until his death, never being separated. J. H. Rasher and his wife, near neighbors of ours here in Solomon can testify that my late husband and myself lived together as man and wife until his death. We lived together here in Solomon about eitht years, and they knew us during that period.

Q. What was the correct name of the Justice who married you and your late husband?
A. His name was Baker McGuire, and if my declaration states his name as Burton McGuire that was a mistake on the part of the notary public.
     At the date of my husband's death he left no children under the age of 16.
     I have heard you read the statement signed by my late husband and executed before J. A. Keeler, Notary Public in this city, wherein he speaks about having served three years and about re-enlisting at Wheeling, W. Va., and I am sure that is a mistake on the part of the notary, as my husband was a recruit. Why I make that statement is from the fact that I have heard him talk about the veterans making the recruits do most of the work and placing them in positions where the work was the hardest. I know my husband was a recruit as he has told me he was, so that part of my late husband's statement is not correct.
     A. D. Baldwin, the husband of Ruth J. Baldwin, made a statement for me and I gave it to Mr. Keeler, Notary Public, and I am surprised to learn that it is not with the other papers in my case. He has known us ever since before we were married and afterward, in fact has known us all the time since before our marriage, and can testify on all points in my case.
     I have been advised of my rights and privileges in this case, but waive my rights to be present at the further examination of my claim here or elsewhere.
     In line 20 where it is stated that Mr. Irey married a daughter of Cad and Elizabeth Blayney, that is wrong. Mr. Irey married a sister of my late husband.
     I have no attorney in connection with my claim for pension, and have paid nothing except notary fees.
     I have heard this statement read, have understood the questions asked and my answers were correctly recorded herein.

Lavina J. Chase

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 5th day of January, 1916, and I certify that the contents were fully made know to deponent before signing.

F. E. Keith
Special Examiner

Deposition
Case of Lavina J. Chase, No. 1039924

     On this 7th day of January, 1916, at Salina, county of Saline State of Kansas, before me, F. E. Keith a Special Examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Ruth J. Baldwin, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

I am 67 years of age, or rather will be this coming Sunday, January 9th. My post office address is 232 South 11th Street, Salina, Kansas. Occupation - Housekeeper. I am the wife of Allison D. Baldwin, retired farmer. I am acquainted with the claimant in this case, Lavina J. Chase, she being my sister-in-law, her husband, David P. Chase being my brother. I am the only member of our family now living.
     My parents names were James and Ruth Chase. They are both dead. Prior to the time my brother enlisted for service during the civil war he was at home, helping my father on the farm, and I was also at home, and I know that my brother had never had but one service during the civil war. He enlisted during the month of March, but I do not recall the year but my impression is he did not serve more than a year and a half and he was discharged at the close of the war. It seems to me that his company was B, and the 1st Virginia Cav. He enlisted at Wheeling, W. Va. I have heard you read a statement signed by my late brother and executed before J. A. Keeler a Notary Public of Solomon, Kansas, in which it states that he had served nearly three years prior to his enlistment in 1864, but I am sure that is a mistake on the part of the Notary as my brother was too young to have served earlier than when he did. My brother was about two and a half years older than I, and my understanding is that if he had lived he would be 70 years of age this coming June 17th. In 1850 and 1860 both my brother and myself were living at home, and the post office address was Good Intent, Washington Co., Penna. In the family during the year 1850 there were my father and mother, Minerva, Nancy Minerva, but we never used the Nancy; Milton, was the oldest, Elizabeth next, then Rebecca, then John (who died before I was born) then Minerva, then David P. and then myself.
     When my brother enlisted for service he was not quite 18 years of age, and after the war was over he returned home and remained home until he married. His first and only marriage was to the claimant in this case, Lavina J. Dixon. They were married at West Findley, Washington Co., Pa. I was not present at their marriage, but I saw them shortly after they were married. They rented part of the house with my sister and brother-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Richmond Irey, and our folks considered them legally married and always recongnized them as man and wife. I do not recall whether I ever saw a marriage certificate or not but presume I have but did not pay any attention to it. Licenses were not required at that time. My brother and this claimant were married by Justice McGuire, I can not call his first name. I knew this claimant before she married my brother and know she never was married but the one time. She was brought up by a family by the name of Ely.
     I have no record of my brother's age. After my brother married this claimant I visited them frequently, and after they came west I saw them quite often, in fact they were at our house in Ellsworth County, Kansas, for a time while they were building their own home. I also visited them when they lived in Missouri, and I know of my own personal knowledge that they were never separated or divorced, and that they lived together as man and wife until his death, which occured at Solomon, Kansas, on the 19th of December, one year ago this past December. I was not present at his death and did not attend the funeral but was advised of his death at the time it occured. My brother and this claimant were married early in the '70's, but I have forgotten the date.
     I signed a statement for this claimant and have heard it read and it is correct except the claiman't maiden name was Dixon instead of Dickison. The dates furnished therein were given me by the claimant.
     I have no pecuniary interest in this pension case. I have heard this statement read and my answers are correctly recorded therein.

Ruth J. Baldwin
(Deponent)

Deposition A
Case of Lavina J. Chase, No. 1,039,924

     On this seventh day of April, 1916, at Claysville, county of Washington, State of Pennsylvania, before me, Theodore Tallmadge, a Special Examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Christopher C. Wolfe, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

My age is 71 years; Occupation - Retired, formerly farmer in the oil business and pensioner. Address; - Claysville, Washington Co., Pa.
     The David P. Chase was my first cousin, his father and my mother were brother and sister. I knew him from the time we were small school boys. We called him "Park" for short, his full name being David Parkis Chase. He enlisted in the 1" Va. Cav. a little while before I did. I enlisted in the 16" Pa. Cav. I believe he served in Co. B, 1" West Va. Cav., commanded by Capt. Farrabee. Previous to that enlistment he had been in the Home Guard as well as myself, it was an organization for the purpose of training and we were to be subject to call for service and known as the Department of the Monongahela. The way I understood the conditions of that service we were "subject to call to meet an invading enemy or follow their retreat". The Company was termed "Capt. John Henderson's Company" "Departmental Corps" I believe they called it of the "Monongahela". I would like it understood that I can not be positive as to that Company being fully organized when this soldier left and went into the U. S. service. That was the only service that he had before he enlisted in the 1" W. Va. Cav. And the Home Guard Company I have referred to was immediately discharged or disbanded immediately after the surrender of Morgan up about Steubenville. Of course I would have known it had "Park" any other service and I am sure he had no other service.
     The only marriage of "Park" Chase was to this present claimant, who we called "Bine Dixon" a girl raised right in our home Church and attended our Sabbath School when I was a boy. She was only a young girl when she was married and was never married before she was married to "Park" Chase.
     I did not witness their marriage but I had personal knowledge of the fact that immediately after they claimed to have been married, they set up housekeeping with Richmond Irey who had married her sister and they shared part of their house with Chase and his wife. I then lived on the adjoining farm, their place being right against one corner of our farm. They claimed to have been married by Squire McGuire, and according to the way Irey tells it, Chase came to his house riding on a horse with his girl behind him and he furnished a second horse for her to ride and they left to go and be married and returned stating that they were married. Next day, according to Irey, he and Chase took a team and went to Wheeling and bough furniture to set up housekeeping. But my own personal knowledge enables me to say that I knew of their going to live there at Irey's and of setting up housekeeping and claiming that they were married and they were recognized as husband and wife from and after that time in this community and recognized each other as such, there was no question ever raised as to the fact of marriage. Later Chase moved from there back to his father's farm, three and a half of four miles from where I was raised. I can not recall dates very well but this must have occured in the last end of the Sixties or early in the Seventies when they were married. Following the death of Chase's father the date of which I can not recollect, he and his wife herein stated went West and lived in the West thereafter, Kansas and Missouri.
     I was West Findley Township, Washington County, Penna. where these people lived and where they claimed to have been married. J. B. McGuire was a Justice of the Peace of that Township at that time, and I knew him personally. He was a Lieutenant in the Home Guard Company already mentioned. He has been dead a long time, leaving no widow but had a son who he acknowledged who studied law, went to Cleveland and died when quite a young man. I knew the James Carol said to have been a witness to the marriage of the parties herein named and know he is dead. The woman referred to by claimant as "afterwards marrying Morgan Jones" as a woman at the Squire's house and as a witness to her marriage to Chase, I also knew, her name was Sarah Jane Hughes, then an unmarried woman and she later married "Lewis Jones" not "Morgan Jones" and they went to Seatonville, W. Va., across the State line from here and I have been to his place and know that he was a blacksmith there and later he and the wife stated both died.
     I do not know the age of David Parkis Chase but I know from childhood that he was about a year younger than me and I was born Nov. 5th, 1844.
     I have heard this read. I have no interest in this claim. I have understood the questions asked and my answers as read have been correctly recorded herein.

Christopher C. Wolfe
(Deponent)

Deposition B
Case of Lavina J. Chase, No. 1,039,924

     On this the seventh day of April, 1916, at Claysville, county of Washington, State of Pennsylvania, before me, Theodore Tallmadge, a Special Examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Richmond D. Irey, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

My age is 68 years; Occupation: - Farmer; Address: - RFD No. 4, Claysville, Washington Co., Penna.
     I married Abigail Chase a full sister of David Parkis Chase. My wife is dead. Jane Baldwin is the only surviving member of my wife's family living of whom I have knowledge. I do not know her as Ruth but she lives in the West somewhere. I married as stated in 1870 and went to live at what was called the Irey Mill three miles from Good Intent, West Findley Township, Washington Co., Penna. I lived there both before and after I was married. I became acquainted with "Bine" or Lavina Dixon three or four years before she was married. She was brought up by Daniel Ely of the same Township. She was not married before she married Park Chase as I would have known it had she married. She was only a young girl when she was married and I don't think over 21 years of age. I first knew David Parkis Chase since shortly after he came from the War. I always called him "Park" by which name he was best known and notwithstanding I have know that his full name was as stated above. He was brought up at Good Intent and he lived there with his father when I first knew him and until he married Lavina Dixon. He was not previously married that I ever heard of and I would have heard had he been married before in the section where I knew him. He was a young man when I first knew him, don't think he was more than 18 years of age when he went to the Army. he did not live with any woman until he lived with Lavina Dixon, at least not hereabouts and I never heard or had any reason to think that he had done so.
     Yes, I knew of the intention of these parties to get married, and I will tell you the circumstances: - She had been working for Cad Blayney and on April 1", 1871 he, David Parkis Chase had taken possession of the Mill already mentioned and boarded with me and told my wife that he was going to get married and then said to me that he was going to get married. Then he went to Blayney's, so he said, and get this woman, Lavina Dixon and get married. He brought her to my place and got a second horse from me so they both could ride, and they left my place saying they were going to Squire McGuire's to get married. Squire McGuire lived about 3 to 3 & 1/2 miles from where I then lived, and they returned to my house and said that Squire McGuire had married them. I am not sure of the month, it was however in the Spring of 1871. They were married early enough in the Spring to put out a garden, I remember that well enough. After they were married we divided the house with them and they had their separate part to keep house in. They lived in that way and that place for a year, lived as husband and wife, claimed a marriage and were generally recognized as husband and wife not only by us but by everyone in the community. The next year they moved back to his father's farm which was up at Good Intent and they lived there a good many years until his father died, then the property was sold and they went West and continued to reside in the West thereafter. I first heard of Park Chase' death by letter from his widow Lavina and her address was Solomon, Kansas. That may have been a year ago.
     Claimant wrote me that James Carol was a witness to her marriage but I know he is dead. She gave me also the name of a Jones who was a blacksmith at Good Intent, but I could not locate him. I tried to find Squire McGuire's old records to prove this marriage and went to Squire J. J. Jewell of Burnsville but he said he did not have them and did not know where to direct me to find them. I did not know where else to make inquiry for the records.
     I do not know Park Chase' age. I did not know him until after he came home from the War. He was a young man when I first knew him, and suppose he was a little older than I am, but not very much.
     I do not know a thing about his War record.
     If the claimant has stated March 16, 1871 as the date of her marriage, she is mistaken, because I remember that we went into the Mill the first of April and it was not until after we took the Mill that they were married. 1871 is the correct year, that I am able to fix by the fact that it was the next year after I was married, and I was married in 1870.
     Squire McGuire referred to was called "Baker McGuire" but his initials were "J. B. McGuire". He was a Justice of the Peace in West Findley Township at the time these parties claimed to have been married by him. I knew him personally and know he is dead.
     Alterations made before signing: - Page 1 Line 28 "and I" added. Line 36 "they" added.
     I have heard this read. I have no interest in this claim. I have understood the questions asked and my answers as read have been correctly recorded herein.

Richmond D. Irey
(Deponent)