Lewis J. Henson
Born: 1840, Pennsylvania
Died: 2 Nov. 1898
Married: 13 March 1862 by Rev. A. G. Morrison
Wife: AMANDA L. JONES
Born: 27 June 1838 in Pennsylvania
Died: 15 Jan. 1920
Children: Florence (b.1867) Elmer H (b.1872) Lewis F (b.1876), all born in Pennsylvania
Lewis Henson's father and mother were born in Pennsylvania. Amanda Jones father was forn in Maryland and her mother in Pennsylvania.
Lewis J. Henson was a long time resident of Coatesville who was 23 years old at the time of his enlistment in the military. In 1880, Lewis worked in a "coal year."
Military Service: Lewis enrolled in Company A, 6th Regiment of the USCT on 27 July 1863 at Camp William Penn, near Philadelphia. The 6th Regiment was moved to Fort Monroe, Virginia in October and from there to Yorktown. Many battles and skirmishes occurred including siege operation against Petersburg and Richmond from June to December 1864. It was during the Battle of Chaffin's Farm, New Market Heights, Virginia on September 29, 1864 that Lewis Henson had his right foot badly injured when his horse fell and threw Lewis over his head. He stated that he was Wagon Master with Company A and was "taking Rations to the front" when he was injured. He also stated that he was able to continue since he always had a horse to ride "being detached to Brigade Head Quarters." In February, 1864, Lewis was billed for "one half Shelter test, $1.69" and in the spring of 1865 for "1 screwdriver, 23¢, 1 wiper 20¢ and 1 canteen 55¢." On July 15, 1865, Lewis was granted a 30 day furlough to visit his home in Coatesville. He was provided transportation from Wilmington, North Carolina to Coatesville, Pennsylvania fora cost of $12.11. He was discharged shortly after his return in the 3rd Regiment, on 20 September 1865 at Wilmington, North Carolina and was "due a $100 bounty or pay."
Invalid Pension Application: No record was made of Lewis's injury while he was in the 6th Regiment. This led to numerous correspondence and Affidavits concerning proof of the injury. One Affidavit from George H. Jones states that George was in the same Company and was present when the injury occurred and that he and Lewis were close neighbors and frequently discussed the injury in later years in Coatesville. He felt that the injury made Lewis a "cripple." Another Affidavit from Alexander Jones who was in a different Company (same Regiment) essentially made the same statements. Alexander Jones lived in Ercildoun, Pennsylvania in 1882. Lewis was discharged on 20 September 1865 at Wilmington, North Carolina.
Family: Lewis Henson and Amanda L. Jones were married prior to Lewis's Civil War service on March 13, 1862 by Rev. Morrison at Coatesville, Pennsylvania. They lived in the "Borough of Coatesville" where in 1880 Lewis listed his occupation as a "Team Driver" on his Invalid Pension Application. In the 1880 Federal Census, Lewis and Amanda Henson listed their children as Florence L. (age 13), Elmer H. (age 8), and Lewis F. (age 4). They were living in the Village of Rock Run, Valley Township (just North of the Borough of Coatesville) at the time.
Widow's Pension Application: Amanda submitted a "Declaration for Widow's Pension on 26 November 1898 at age 60. At the time Amanda and Lewis owned a two story four room house on a little less than one acre. The home was valued at about $100 according to Amanda. A statement from W. E. Penneypacker, Clerk, County Commissioner states that Amanda L. Henson had no taxable property while Lewis J. Henson owned a small house and land valued at $200. Her application was witnessed by Elmer Henson. An accompanying Affidavit was from M. J. Morrison who states that her father, Rev. A. G. Morrison recorded marriages in a book and the book did not contain the marriage of Lewis Henson and Amanda Henson. However, Amanda presented an original marriage certificat to Martha J. Morrison (a.k.a. Pattie Morrison) who confirmed that the certificate was valid and contained her father's signature thereby confirming the marriage. Martha Morrison and her niece Elizabeth Morrison, both music teachers, were living together in 1880.
A handwritten note from Amanda L. Henson to the Pension Office accompanying an official request for a Pension Increase as allowed under the Act of September 8, 1916.
| Coatesville, Pa. Sept. 17, 1916 Dear Sir, I thank you very much for the interest you are taking in us Poor Widows for we certainly need the increase badly for every thing is so high and getting higher including doctors calls and medicines not to say nothing about groceries and meats. Amanda L. Henson |
Amanda was aged 78 at the time she wrote the above note. The Pension File is closed by the death of Amanda L. Henson on January 15, 1920.
Friends: Friends of Lewis, as identified above, include George H. Jones and Alexander Jones who both served in the Civil War with Lewis. Lewis was also a friend of Edward Spencer and Thomas Coursey, who also served in the Civil War and who are buried in the same cemetery with John. Lewis and Edward Spencer were living in the same house in 1890. Oliver Pennington and Henry S. Blackston were likely close friends of Lewis, based on the length of acquaintance.
Associations in Lewis J. Henson's Pension File:
Affidavits: Oliver Pennington, Thomas Cousy, Amanda L. Henson, Alexander Jones, George H. Jones, Elmer Henson, Henry S. Blackston, Thomas A. Windle, J. F. Perdue
Attorney: John Wainwright of Wilmington, Delaware, Charles W. Coward, West Chester, Pa.
Clerk: P. Hoopes Jr., W. E. Pennypacker
Children: Florence L., Elmer H., and Lewis F. Henson
Justice of the Peace: Goerge G. Myer, Henry G. Thomas
Minister: Rev. A. G. Morrison, daughter M. J. Morrison
Physician: George R. Spratt
Witnesses: H. Dickenson, H. G. Thomas, Elmer Henson, Henry S. Blackston