Frances Freeman Becraft
Sex: M
Individual Information
Birth: 30 Sep 1825 - Schoharie, Schoharie Co, NY 2
Christening: 30 Apr 1826 - St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Schoharie, Schoharie Co, NY 2
Death: 23 Jan 1911 - Bellevue, Eaton Co, MI 1
Burial: in Bellevue, Eaton Co, MI
Cause of Death:
AFN :
Events
• Baptism, 30 Apr 1826 in Schoharie, Schoharie Co, NY
• Land, 7 Jun 1852 in Morehouse, Hamilton Co, NY
Book 4, pg. 36• Land, 26 May 1853 in Morehouse, Hamilton Co, NY
Indenture made 7 June 1852
Abraham S. Morehouse by attorney Andrew K. Morehouse
To Francis F. Becraft of Morehouse
40 acres for $125.00
Bounded on the east by lands of William Rickard and on the west by Joseph Lane's lot.
Book 4, pg. 280• Census, Federal, 1860 in Morehouse Twp, Hamilton, NY
Indenture made 26 May 1853
Abraham S. Morehouse by attorney Andrew K. Morehouse of Morehouseville
To Francis F. Becraft of the same place
For $125.00; part of lot #14; 45 acres & 2 rods
This survey is intended to contain the land of lot 14 north of the creek after deducting that part of 100 acres conveyed to Washington Rickard and also the 50 acres on the easterly part of the said lot 13 & 14 known as the Houghtaling lot.
Francis Becraft, age 34, farmer, 150, 75, born NY; Elizabeth age 26, born NY; Elijah age 8, born NY.• Physical Description, 1861
Rickard, Elias age 64, born NY.
His physical description at the time of his enlistment was 5 feet, 7 inches tall, dark complexion, dark hair and grey eyes.• Military, 81st NY Volunteer Infantry, Company C, 23 Oct 1861 in Morehouse Twp, Hamilton, NY
• Census, 1880 Census, 1880 in Bellevue, Eaton Co, MI
Francis F., self, Married, Male, W, 55, NY, Farmer, NY, NY• Pension, Pension File Extract, 11 Oct 1886
Listed with wife, Eunice Beecraft, age 35, NY, Keeping House, NY, NY
Son, William F age 1, born MI and stepson Charles H age 12, at school
Selected pages• Pension, Pension File Extract, 4 Jun 1898
From the Pension File of
Francis Freeman Becraft
Certificate #383007
Can #8095, Bundle #14
National Archives Trust Fund, Washington, DC
Declaration for Original Invalid Pension
State of Michigan
County of Eaton
On the date hereinafter mentioned, personally appeared before me clerk of the Circuit Court, a court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid, Francis F. Becraft, a resident of the town of Belleview County of Eaton, State of Michigan who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Francis F. Becraft who was Enrolled on the 23rd day of October, 1861 and served in Company C of the 81 Regiment of New York Inf. Commanded by Capt. Richardson and was Discharged at Fortress Monroe on the 3rd day of August, 1865; that his personal description is as follows: Age 36 years; height 5 feet 7 inches; complexion, dark; hair, dark; eyes, grey. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty, after the Battle of Seven Pines, in the State of Virginia, on or about the [line left blank] day of July or Aug, 1862, he contracted a severe fever from lying on damp ground after the battle, from which a disease of the head and spine has resulted. Also at Bermuda Hundred, VA in 1864 he contracted diarrhea from which he still suffers. That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Armory Hosp. Phila. For 2 months in 1862. Point of Rocks, Va. For about 2 months in 1864 for diarrhea. That he has not been employed in the military or naval service otherwise than as stated above.
That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in Oneida Co., NY for about six months after discharge, and the rest of the time in Eaton Co., Mich.
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 partially disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of the injury or disability, 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, Louis K. Gillson Co. of Washington, D.C. his true and lawful attorneys to prosecute his claim. That he has not received nor applied for a pension. That his Post Office address is Belleview, County of Eaton, State of Michigan.
Claimant's Signature: Francis F. Becraft
Attest: John A. Spaulding
Charles Otto
Also personally appeared, John A. Spaulding, residing at Charlotte, Mich. And Charles Otto, residing at [Cornis]?, Calhoun, Mich., persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Francis F. Becraft, the claimant, sign his name (or make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant, and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of his claim.
Sworn to and Subscribed before me, this 11 day of October A.D. 1886...
Department of the Interior,• Pension, Pension File Extract, 19 Feb 1907
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., January 15, 1898
Certificate No. 383007
Name, Francis F. Becraft
Sir:
In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.
First. Are you married? If so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name.
Answer: Widower
Second. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer: [blank]
Third. What record of marriage exists?
Answer: [blank]
Fourth. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her
death or divorce.
Answer: [blank]
Fifth. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer: Yes. William F. Becraft, Sept. 30 / 78; Claud Becraft, Aug 5 / 81
Francis F. Becraft
Date of reply, June 4th, 1898
Declaration for Pension• Pension, Pension File Extract, 27 Jan 1911
State of Michigan
County of Eaton
On this 19th day of February, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and seven personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Francis F. Becraft, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 81 years of age and a resident of Belleview, County of Eaton, State of Michigan; and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Morehouseville, NY under the name of Francis F. Becraft on the 23rd day of Oct, 1861, as a private, in Co. C, 81st NY Vol. Infty; reenlisted in same Co. and Reg. In the service of the United States, in the Civil war, and was honorably discharged at North West Landing, VA on the 31st day of December 1863.
That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, 5 feet 7 inches; complexion, dark; color of eyes, grey; color of hair, dark; that his occupation was farming; that he was born Oct 30, 1825, at Schoharie, NY.
That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Belleview, Michigan.
That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of February 6, 1907.
That his Post Office address is Belleview, County of Eaton, State of Michigan.
Claimant's signature in full. Francis F. Becraft
Attest:
(1) Sullivan W. Gibson
(2) Josiah A. Birchard
Also personally appeared Sullivan [looks like it might be an "N" here] Gibson, residing at Belleview, Michigan and Josiah A. Birchard, residing at Belleview, Michigan, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Francis F. Becraft, the claimant, sign his name (or make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him of 8 years and 10 years respectively, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of his claim.
Sworn to and Subscribed before me this 19th day of February, A.D. 1907...
George P. Stevens
Notary Public
My commission expires Dec. 26, 1910
PENSIONER DROPPED• Pension, Pension File Extract, 16 Feb 1911
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
UNITED STATES PENSION AGENCY
DETROIT, MICH.
Jan. 27, 1911
Certificate No. 383007
Class: Invalid
Pensioner: Francis F. Becraft
Service: Co. C, 81st NY V.I.
The Commissioner of Pensions.
SIR: I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner who was last paid at $20, to Dec. 4, 1910 has been dropped because of death. Date not given
Application for Reimbursement
State of Michigan
County of Eaton
On this 16th day of February, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and eleven, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Claud Becraft, aged 29 years, a resident of Belleview, County of Eaton, State of Michigan, 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 Francis F. Becraft, who was a pensioner of the United States by certificate No. 383007, on account of the service of Francis F. Becraft in Private, Co. C, 81 Reg. NY Vol. Inf. U.S. army. That pension was last paid to Francis F. Becraft, Dec. 4, 1910, by the U.S. Pension Agent at Detroit, Michigan.
That the answers to questions propounded below are full, complete, and truthful to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief, and that no evidence necessary to a proper adjustment of all claims against the accrued pension is suppressed or withheld.
1. What was the full name of the deceased pensioner? [Ans.] Francis Freeman Becraft
2. In what capacity was decedent pensioned? (As invalid soldier, sailor, or as a widow, minor child, dependent relative, etc.) [Ans.] As invalid soldier
3. If decedent was pensioned as an invalid soldier or sailor -
(a) Was he ever married? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] Yes
(b) How many times, and to whom? [Ans.] Twice married - First time to Elizabeth last name not known, second Eunice Caroline June
(c) If married, did his wife survive him? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No
(d) If so, is she still living? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No
(e) If not living, give full names and dates of death of all wives. [Ans.] Elizabeth Becraft died Dec. 20, 1872, and Eunice Caroline Becraft died Jan. 2, 1885.
(f) Was he ever divorced? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No
(g) If so, is the divorced wife still living? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No (If living, a copy of the decree of divorce must be filed)
(h) If not living, give her full name and the date of her death. [Ans.] None
4. Did pensioner leave a child under 16 years of age? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No
5. Is any such child still living? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No
6. Was there insurance (Life, accident, or health?) in force on life of pensioner at the time of death? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No
7. If so, give the name of each company in which a policy was carried and the amount in which each policy was written. [Ans.] None
8. Who was the beneficiary named in each policy? [Ans.] None
9. What was the relationship of each beneficiary to the pensioner? [Ans.] None
10. Were the premiums paid by the deceased pensioner? [Ans.] None
11. If not paid by the deceased pensioner, state the amount of premiums paid by each person who made payment on that account. [Ans.] None
12. Was pensioner a member of any society paying sick or death benefits? [Ans.] None
13. Is there an executor or administrator, or will application be made for appointment of any person as administrator? [Ans.] None
14. Did the deceased pensioner leave any money, real estate, or personal property? [Ans.] Personal Property
15. If so, state the character and value of all such property. [Ans.] Cash in Bank $60.00
16. What was the assessed value (last assessment) of the real estate? [Ans.] None
17. How was the pensioner's property disposed of? [Ans.] None
18. Did pensioner leave an unendorsed pension check? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No
19. What is your relationship to the deceased pensioner? [Ans.] Son
20. Are you married? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] Yes
21. What was the cause of the pensioner's death? [Ans. Left blank]
22. When did the pensioner's last sickness begin? [Ans.] Something over one year ago.
23. From what date did the pensioner become so ill as to require the regular and daily attendance of another person constantly until death? [Ans.] Jan. 16th 1911
24. Give the Post Office address of each physician who attended the pensioner during last sickness. [Ans.] Dr. H. D. Hull, Belleview, Michigan
25. State the manes of the persons by whom the pensioner was nursed during the period or any portion of the period of last sickness and the period covered by such service in each instance. [Ans.] Claud Becraft and Edna Becraft his wife
26. Where did the pensioner live during last sickness? [Ans.] At his sons. Claud Becraft
27. Where did the pensioner die? [Ans.] At his sons Claud Becraft house
28. When did the pensioner die? [Ans.] January 23rd, 1911
29. Where was the pensioner buried? [Ans.] At Belleview, Michigan
30. Has there been paid, or will application be made for payment to you or any other person, any part of the expenses of the pensioner's last sickness and burial by any State, County, or municipal corporation? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] No
31. State below the expenses of the pensioner's last sickness and burial. Write the word "none" where no charge is made in case of any item of expense noted.
Dr. H.D. Hull, Physician - Bill for 1910 25 [?] bill for 1911 6 [?], total $31.00
Dr. H.D. Hull, Physician, Medicine, Unpaid, [Amount left blank]
Claud Becraft & wife, nursing and care, Unpaid, $21.00
N. H. Johnson, Undertaker, Paid, $60.00
Needham & Grooms, Livery, Paid, $2.00
Alf Sidler, Cemetery, Unpaid, $9.00
Rev. Judson Vradenburg, Unpaid, $5.00
Choir, Unpaid, $3.00
H.S. Engelman, [nature of expense left blank], Unpaid, $15.65
Total $140.65
32. Is the above a complete list of all the expenses of the last sickness and burial of the deceased pensioner? (Answer yes or no) [Ans.] Yes
That my Post Office address is Belleview, County of Eaton, State of Michigan.
[Signed] Claud Becraft
Also personally appeared Charles W. Cooper and Bernard E. Mason, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Claud Becraft, the claimant, sign his name (or make mark) to the foregoing application, and that they know the claimant therein; that they have read all the questions, answers, and declarations in said application and believe the facts set forth to be true; and that they have no interest, direct or indirect, in this claim.
Charles W. Cooper
Bernard E. Mason
Both P.O. Address
Belleview, Mich.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 17th day of Feby A.D. 1911;
Charles E. Beers
Notary Public
Belleview, Mich.
Statement of Attending Physician
Give the date of pensioner's death: January 23rd 1911
Give the commencement of pensioner's last sickness: Was taken worse on Jan. 16, 1911
From what date did the pensioner require the regular and daily attendance of another person constantly until death?
Has needed one constant nurse for the last year. Since Jan. / 11, has needed two.
During what period did you attend the pensioner? Since Jan. 1st, 1910
State nature of disease from which pensioner died. A general giving out with kidney & heart trouble. Very weak heart.
Give name of each person who rendered service as nurse, and who has or will make a charge for such service. Claude
Becraft & Edna Becraft.
Give name of any other physician who attended the pensioner in last sickness. Was none
Does your bill include a charge for all medicine furnished the pensioner during last sickness? Yes
State whether you have read the questions in the foregoing application, and the claimant's answers thereto, and whether such answers are correct according to your best knowledge, information, and belief? Yes
Mention any other facts within your knowledge, which in your opinion would be helpful in adjusting this claim for reimbursement:
These people are poor & I think they have been very careful of their expenses & have set up many nights when if they had money they would have hired.
February 17, 1911
H.D. Hull, M.D.
Parents
Father: Peter Becraft
Mother: Elizabeth Miller
Spouses and Children
1. *Elizabeth "Betsy" Rickart
Marriage: 1 Mar 1851 - Morehouse, Hamilton Co, NY 1
Status:
Children:
1. Elijah Franklin Becraft 1
2. Eunice Caroline Spicer 1
Marriage:
Status:
Children:
1. William F. Becraft 1
2. Claude Becraft 1
Notes
Death Notes:
Name:General:Freeman Becroft
Gender:Male
Burial Date:
Burial Place:
Death Date:23 Jan 1911
Death Place:Bellevue Vil., Eaton, Michigan
Age:85
Birth Date:1826
Birthplace:New York
Occupation:Farmer
Race:White
Marital Status:Unknown
Spouse's Name:
Father's Name:
Father's Birthplace:
Mother's Name:
Mother's Birthplace:
Indexing Project (Batch) Number:B53273-8
System Origin:Michigan-EASy
Source Film Number:966600
Reference Number:bk 3 p 321 rn 462
Ancestry.com, William Knox, wknox1@msn.com LDS IGIMarriage Notes (Elizabeth "Betsy" Rickart)
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyhamilt/military/nymiscvol.html
Civil War Soldiers - Miscellaneous Regiments from Hamilton County
- 81st NY Inf - Becraft, Francis F. C 81Inf 10/23/61 Morehouseville 36-8/31/65 mo/co
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyhamilt/bios/Becraft1.html
He was about fourteen years old when he moved with his parents from Schoharie County to Morehouseville. At the age of twenty-five, he was married in Morehouseville, by George H. Durand to Elizabeth. The following year, their only child, a son, was born.
23 October 1861, at the age of 35, Francis enlisted at Morehouse in Co. C, 81st NY Volunteer Infantry for Civil War service. His physical description at the time of his enlistment was 5 feet, 7 inches tall, dark complexion, dark hair and grey eyes. His occupation was farming. On 5 March 1862, the regiment left the state for Washington and in May, fought at the Battle of Seven Pines in Virginia. After this battle, Francis developed a severe fever and was hospitalized at the Armory Hospital in Philadelphia for 2 months. The regiment embarked for North Carolina in December of 1862 and was stationed at Morehead. Francis was again listed as "absent, sick in hospital". In October of 1863, the regiment returned to Newport News and performed outpost duty along the Dismal Swamp canal. Francis was honorably discharged on 31 December 1862 at Northwest Landing, Virginia, but re-enlisted in the same company, as a veteran volunteer for another three years. After their return from a short furlough, the regiment fought at Swift creek, Drewry's bluff and Cold Harbor. In the two assaults on Cold Harbor, the regiment took a prominent part and suffered the heaviest loss in its history. For the rest of the summer, the regiment fought at Petersburg, VA. In September and October, as his regiment was engaged in many other battle, Francis was sick at the Base Hospital; Point of Rocks, Virginia. He was back with his regiment from November of 1864 until 31 August 1865 when they were mustered out at Fort Monroe, Virginia.
After returning home, Francis and his family lived in Oneida County, New York for about 6 months, before moving to Eaton County, Michigan. They settled in Bellevue, where Francis engaged in farming. After only 7 years, Elizabeth died at the age of about 38. After her death, Francis married Eunice Caroline, the widow of Alvin June, bringing her son, Charles June with her. In 1878 Francis and Eunice had a son and in 1881, their second son was born. Four years later, Eunice died at the age of 38.
Francis, at the age of 60, once again widowed, was left with the task of raising two young boys, aged 7 and 4. His health was failing due to the effect of the fevers he had suffered during his military service. The following year, in October of 1886, he applied for an invalid pension. Francis and his sons remained in Bellevue on their farm. In his last year of life, Francis needed a constant nurse. Since his sons couldn't afford to hire one, his youngest son, Claude and his wife, took care of him. Francis died at Claude's home at the age of 86 on 23 January 1911 and was buried in Bellevue.
1
by George H. Durand
Sources
1. Joanne Murray (lajkam@gmail.com), The Becraft Family of Morehouse (http://hamilton.nygenweb.net/bios/Becraft1.html).
2. Ancestry.com (Original data extracted by Arthur and Nancy Kelly of Kinship Publishers from various church registers in Fulton, Herkimer Montgomery, Schenectady, and Saratoga Counties in New York.) .... Joanne Murray (lajkam@gmail.com), The Becraft Family of Morehouse (http://hamilton.nygenweb.net/bios/Becraft1.html).