Widow's Civil War Pension For Lutitia Shively, Widow of John M. Shively

    The genealogist doing research now is fortunate that almost daily new information becomes available if utilizing the Internet for research.  There are numerous sites available with large databases.   On Footnote are found scanned documents of original war records as well as other research items.  Footnote is scanning the Civil War widow pension files and at present is only 2% complete.  The widow pension file for Lutitia Shively, wife of John M. Shively, was recently added.

     John M. Shively was born on 21-December-1828 in Orange County, Indiana.  He was the son of the Reverend Henry B. Shively and Mary Hunter.  He married Lutitia Buntin in Daviess County, Indiana (Marriage Book 1, Page 124) on 4-May-1852.   Henry B. Shively was the son of Henry Shively and Mary Banta.  Henry B. Shively was born 1-January-1799 in Shelby County, Kentucky.

    John M. Shively is listed on the 1850 and 1860 census records.  He died in 1863 so the information about him was limited until finding the pension information.  The pension is filled with details that help fill in gaps. In October 1850 John is still single and living at home in Daviess County, Indiana, Barr Township with his parents.  By 1860 John has married, had 5 children, and moved to Harrison County, Missouri, Union Township.  The 1860 census is important because it lists the five children of John and Lutitia, two who died young and are no longer listed on the 1870 census.    The children of John and Lutitia were; Isaac H born 30-Jan-1853, John W born ca 1854, Mary E born 5-Feb-1855, Martha A born ca 1858 and William S born 9-May-1860.

    Lutitia Shively and children Isaac, Mary and William are still in Harrison County, Missouri, Union Township in 1870.  By 1880 there have been several changes with the family.  Lutitia and sons have moved to Sedgwick County, Kansas, Sherman Township between 1870 and 1880.  Isaac had married Hannah (last name unknown) and had a son Jessie.  The daughter of John M and Lutitia married George B  Fuller and is found in Butler County, Kansas, Bruno Township. 

    From the 1895 Kansas State Census it is known that Lutitia is living in Sedgwick County, Kansas, Illinois Township with son, William S, who is now married to Adaline Coberly.  Adaline Coberly was the daughter of Isaac Neal Coberly and Mary Florine Sullivan.  In 1895, William and Adaline have two sons, Lloyd born Aug 1887 and Ernest born 18-Mar-1890.      Lutitia Shively’s son, Isaac H., died in Sedgwick County in 1892.    

    The two children of John M Shively and Lutitia Buntin continue to migrate west and by 1910 are found in Fresno County, California.   William S and Adaline Shively are in the 14^th Judicial Township, Mendocina Precinct.  Lutitia  Shively is living with daughter, Mary E Shively Fuller, in the town of Fowler, California, Fourth Township.  Lutitia Buntin Shively died in Fresno County, California on 18-July-1910 and was buried in the Fowler Cemetery.

    John M. Shively served in the Civil War as a private in the 35 Regiment of Missouri Volunteers, Company A commanded by Captain Fitch. He entered service in September-1862 and at that time he states he lived in Eagleville, Harrison County, Missouri. John died on 22-March-1863 at Helena, Missouri from measles and other diseases unknown contracted while in military service.  Widow, Lutitia Shively, filed for a widows Civil War pension in Harrison County, Missouri on 28-April-1863.   Rebecca Adair and Sarah J Thompson  were witnesses to the signing of the pension form by Lutitia.

Considerable additional documentation was provided with the application for the pension.  In the documentation papers is a hand written copy of the marriage certificate for John M Shively and Lutitia. 

Included in the papers are signed statements regarding the birth of the children of  John Shively and Lutitia Buntin:

State of Indiana)

County of Davis)    Before me the undersigned a Clerk of Circuit Court within and for said Davis County personally came Elizabeth Shively who is well known to me and being by me duly sworn upon her oath states that she was personally acquainted with John M. Shively and Lutitia Shively and who left this County to move to Missouri in the year 1855.  That I was present when said Lutitia Shively was confined on or about the 30^th day of January A.D. 1853 when she gave birth to a male child which was named Isaac H. Shively.  That said John M. Shively and Lutitia Shively lived together as husband and wife.  That Isac J. Parsons was attending physician when said Lutitia was  confined and that said Parsons is now deceased.   This officiant further states she has no interest either directly or  indirectly in any application by the heirs of said John M. Shively for a pension.

                                            Elizabeth Shively

    In the papers concerning the widows pension is an Application For Reimbursement from Mary E Fuller, daughter, at the death of her mother Lutitia Shively.    
                 State of California)

                 County of Fresno)    On the 21^st day of September, A.D., one thousand nine hundred and ten personally appeared before me, a Notary Public, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary E. Fuller, aged fifty-four years, a resident of  Fowler, County of Fresno, State of California, who, being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain reimbursement from the accrued pension for expenses paid (or obligation incurred) by claimant for the last sickness and for the burial of Lutitia Shively who was a pensioner of the United States by certificate No. 22985 on account of the service of her husband John M. Shively as private in Co. “A” 35 Regt. Missouri Vols…………..Pensioners last sickness began in January 1906….Pensioner was nursed by Mary E. Fuller who states her mother lived with her constantly for the last 7 years….the pensioner died at the home of her daughter, Mary E. Fuller on 18-July-1910 and was buried in Fowler Cemetery, Fresno County, California.