Jeptha and Mary Massie’s Civil War Records

Marriage Book 1-2-3, page 144
18 Nov 1841
Lawrence County, Ohio
Jeptha Massie and Mary Massie were married on 29 Nov. 1841.

Jeptha served in the Ohio Infantry Division in Company E, 23rd Regiment of the Civil War. The Adjutant General’s report states that Jeptha Massie mustered out on 28 March 1864 and was discharged on 26 July 1865. The Surgeon General reported that Jeptha entered the hospital on 4 April 1865 for chronic bronchitis and was furloughed on 4 May 1865.

The attending Physicians testified that he was a healthy man when he enlisted. Still, when he returned home on a sick furlough, he was very ill with bronchitis, &c., and was unable to rejoin his command at the expiration of the furlough. He died of a disease of the lungs on 30 October 1865. Enlisted men testified that he contracted a cold in the line of duty, which affected his lungs.

Jeptha Massie and Mary Massie were married on 18 Nov. 1841, and their children qualified for a pension:

• Edmund was born on 28 May 1851 and will be 16 years old on 27 May 1867.
• Abigail was born on 28 May 1853 and will be 16 years old on 27 May 1869.
• Robert was born on 24 Sept 1856 and will be 16 years old on 23 Sept. 1872
• Eliza was born on 9 March 1861 and will be 16 years old on 8 March 1877
• Mary Ellen was born on 13 June 1863 and will be 16 years old on 12 June 1879.

Widow’s Claim for Pension

Mary Massie was living in Greasy Ridge, Lawrence County, Ohio, a widow with minor children, claiming a widow’s pension after her husband’s death. On 22 November 1865, Mary, age 38, appeared in Probate Court in Lawrence County, Ohio, and declared that she was the widow of Jeptha Massie, a private in Company E, commanded by the 23rd Regiment of Ohio Vol. Infantry in the War of 1861. That Jeptha Massie is her said husband, and on 30 Oct. 1865, he died at his residence in Lawrence County, Ohio, from bronchitis contracted while in the line of duty in the service of the United States. She further states that she was married to Jeptha Massie on or about the 18th day of Nov. 1841 by J. Massie, and her name before her marriage was Mary Massie, and she has remained a widow.

During their marriage, they had the following children:

• Eliza Jane, 20 years old;
• Alexander, 17 years old;
• Edmund, 15 years old on 28 May 1866;
• Abigail, 12 years old on 28 May 1866;
• Robert, ten years old on 24 Sep 1865;
• Elza, five years old on 9 March 1866;
• Mary Ellen, three years old on 13 June 1866.

They are all still living and residing in Lawrence County, Ohio; her post office is Greasy Ridge, Lawrence County, Ohio.

James Brumfield of Lawrence County, Ohio, and John Brumfield of Gallia County, Ohio, also personally appeared. They swore that Mary Massies and saw her make her mark. They further swear they were a long and intimate acquaintance with the family of Jeptha Massie and knew that he and Mary Massie lived and cohabited together as man and wife, and she has remained a widow since his death.   Signed on 22 Nov. 1865

Adjutant General’s Office
11 April 1865

Jeptha Massie was enrolled to serve three years on the 28th day of March 1864 at Gallipolis, Ohio, in Co. E, 23 Regiment of Ohio Volunteers. He was mustered into service as a private on the 28 March 1864 at Ironton, Ohio, in Co. E, 23 Regiment for Ohio Volunteers to serve three years. On the Munster Roll of Company E of that Regiment dated July 26, 1865, he is reported as “Jeptha Massie, absent, sick in the hospital in Cumberland, Md.” Records on file in this office noted, “Discharged 13 Sept. 1865 to date July 26, 1965, per circular June 29, 1865—no evidence of death on file.”

Physician’s Certification of Illness and Death

“On the 20th day of October 1865, I hereby certify that I was called to visit professionally as a Physician, Jeptha Massie, private of Co. E, 23rd OVI, who was then sick at his residence in Mason Township, Lawrence County, Ohio. I found him suffering from a disease of the lungs that presented all the symptoms of bronchitis. Said Massie died from that disease on 30 October 1865.”

I am of the opinion his disease was contracted while in the service of the United States. I have no interest in his widow’s pension claim. Signed J. W. Belcher, M.D.

The State of Ohio, Lawrence County
Sworn before me by J.W. Belcher, M/D., whom I certify to be a practicing physician of said county in good standing in his profession and of credibility this 27th day of January 1866, and I certify that I have no interest in this claim. Signed Squire Massie, JP

Mary and Jeptha’s Children Become Guardians of Rufus Brumfield

This record continues with J.H. Sampson and J.W. Sampson of Greasy Ridge accusing Mary Massie of having an illegitimate child after Jetha Massie’s death “and is keeping up the show.” They detail her character, claiming her reputation for chastity was terrible. Her widow’s pension was suspended on 12 Dec 1871. In 1872, Rufus Brumfield became the legal guardian of the heirs of Jeptha and Mary Massie.

Mary Massie Married Thomas Higgins

Certificate of Marriage
Lawrence County, Ohio
19 March 1882
Thomas Higgins and Mary Massie were married by Squire Massie, JP.

Mary Massie Higgins Widow’s Pension Was Renewed

On 30 April 1904, Mary Massie Higgins widow’s pension was renewed at $12.00 per month when her second husband Higgins died on 19 March 1904.