Housed in the National Archives Washington DC

Note: the Pension file of William Deem (Co. E, 11th WV Inf.) has been combined with the file of Asa Jenkins by the Pension Office because Nancy C. Lewis had been married to both men.

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1841 - Asa Jenkins born about 1841 in what is now Ritchie County, West Virginia. Asa is described as being 5 ft. 8 3/4 inches tall, 155 pounds, hazel eyes, sandy hair, and with fair complexion. (pension and military files)

7 April 1859 - Thomas Johnson, first husband of Alpha Jane Marshall Stanley Jenkns, died in a construction accident while building the Eastern Tunnel at Eatons, Wood County, West Virginia for the B&O Railroad. (pension file)

20 Aug 1862 - Asa Jenkins, along with brothers Samuel and Robert, enrolled at Harrisville, Ritchie Co. (W) Virginia, in Co. K, 10 Reg't VA Infantry, Brother, Joseph Jenkins, had enrolled in the same Company earlier. (military file)

15 Nov 1862 - Asa mustered in at Beverly, VA for a period of 3 years. Age listed as 21.(military file)

25 Mar 1863 - Medical records included in pension file show Asa treated for pneumonia. (pension file)

27 Mar - 11 Apr 1863 - Medical records included in pension file show Asa treated for "Catarrh" and returned to duty. (pension file)

14 Jul 1863 - Medical records included in pension file show Asa treated for pneumonia and returned to duty. (pension file)

Nov 1863 - Asa in arrest for desertion. No additional deltails given in report. (military file)

Jan 1864 - In arrest waiting sentence of Court Marshall (It appears that Asa may have really been assigned to another Company of sharp shooters during this time period?) (military file)

19 Sep 1864 - Asa was in a battle of Winchester, VA and received injury to his eye, which resulted in a permanent total loss of vision to his left eye. Robert Jenkins was wounded in action in the same battle this day, and later died of his wounds. (pension file)

29 Jul 1865 - Asa Jenkins is mustered out with detachment at Richmond, VA. (military file)

7 Sep 1865 - Asa Jenkins and Alpha Jane (Marshall) Stanley were married in Ritchie Co. WV. (Note: many records in the Asa Jenkins pension file gives infomation on the marriage of Asa and Alpha Jane, but the actual date is not given. The actual date, and additional information concerning this marriage is included in the pension file of James Stanley, the second husband of Alpha Jane.) (pension file)

12 Sep 1870 - Mary Deem Sr., Wirt Co. WV, states she was present as a nurse or assistant, at the birth of the children of William Deem and his wife Nancy C. Deem. Mary Susan Deem was born 15 March 1860, and George W. Deem was born 13 July 1862. (pension file)

5 Nov 1870 - J. M. Woods, recorder for Ritchie Co. WV states that Wm Deem and N. C. Lewis were legally married on 11 Feb 1857 in Ritchie Co. WV by Rev. John Hull. (pension file)

5 Nov 1870 - B. B. Nutter, of Petroleum, Ritchie Co. WV, states that he is the legal guardian of Mary Susan Deem, born 15 March 1860, and George Washington Deem, born 13 July 1862, who were the children of William Deem and Nancy C. Lewis. (pension file)

11 Nov 1870 - The Clerk of Wirt Co. WV, certifies that Jeremiah Deem and Nancy C. Deem, widow, were legally married in Wirt Co. WV on 30 July 1866, by Rev. G. W. Richmund. (pension file)

13 Feb 1871 - Certificate #192.133 was awarded to Mrs. Nancy Deem, widow of William Deem, late a private in Co. E, 11 th Reg. WV Volunteers who died on 8 Aug 1864, at Petroluem, Ritchie Co. WV, of Typhoid fever. (pension file)

8 Feb 1874 - Asa Jenkins and Nancy C. (Lewis) Nutter were married in Calhoun County, West Virginia at the home of James Jenkins, brother of Asa. (pension file)

15 Dec 1875 - Gilmer County, WV, Alpha Jane Jenkns is granted a divorce from Asa Jenkins, and she is awarded custody of their children. (pension file)

2 Dec 1885 - Thomas G. Smith, Clerk of Wood Co. states that Samuel Nutter and Nancy Deem were 28 Dec 1864 by the Rev. D. Nutter. (pension file)

2 Dec 1885 - Clerk of Ritchie Co. certifies that Alvin J. Jnekins and Mary S. Deem were married in Ritchie Co. WV on 5 April 1880 by H. B. HIggins. (pension file)

5 Dec 1885 - Nancy A. Deem, of Petroleum, Ritchie Co. WV, states that she has in her possession the family Bible of William Deem which shows the births of Mary Susan Deem as 15 March 1860, and George Washington Deem, as 13 July 1862. The marriage of Nancy C. Lewis and William Deem was listed as 12 Feb 1858. The Bible bears the date 1847, published in New York, by American Bible Society, and the entries appear to have been made at the dates stated and are in the handwriting of William Deem, to the best of her knowledge. She further states that the two children listed as the only children of William Deem, now living. Later, on 19 July 1886, George W. Amos, Clerk of Court of Ritchie Co. WV, attested that the information above was presented to him and that the record seems "genuine and apparently made about the date of each entry." (pension file)

7 Dec 1885 - Christopher B. Nutter and William H. Stanley of Ritchie Co. WV, states that they were well acquainted with William Deem for many years and know that he left no children under 16 years of age except - George W. Deems and Mary Susan Deems. They also stated that the widow, Nancy Deems, married Samuel Nutter about 28 Dec 1864 and is still living. (pension file)

9 Dec 1885 - Dr. W. H. Thomas, age 57, now of Grantsville, Calhoun Co. WV, states that he treated William Deem and that Deem died of Typhoid fever. (pension file)

28 Aug 1886 - Susanna Nutter, age 54, and husband, Benjamin B. Nutter, age 59, both residents of Oxbow, Ritchie Co. WV, state that William Deem, on or about 1 Aug 1864, reached his home (on their farm) sick, and died a few days later. (pension file)

28 Aug 1886 - Mary E. Nutter, age 47, a resident of Oxbow, Ritchie Co. WV, states that she remembers that William Deem came home sick on or about August 1864. (pension file)

23 Mar 1887 - Mrs. Mary Deem, age 68 years, Ritchie Co. WV, states that she was present as an attendant at the birth of Mary Susan and knows she was born 15 Mar 1860 and that she was a child of William and Nancy Deem. (pension file)

26 Jul 1888 - Sarah Lewis, Ritchie Co. WV, stated that she was present as an attendant at the birth of George W. Deem, son of William Deem and Nancy C. Deem, and that said George W. was born 13 Jul 1862. (pension file)

14 Aug 1889 - Resident of Smithville, Ritchie Co. WV. Asa stated that in a battle near Winchester, VA, on 19 SEp 1864, he received injuries which resulted in the loss of his left eye, and other injuries. Asa gives age as 47. Personal description which gives as: height of 5 ft. 7 in.; sandy hair, fair complexion; and hazel eyes. (pension file)

23 Jan 1890 - War Dept. stated that regiment was in action at Winchester, VA on 19 Sep 1864, but had no further records of Asa. (pension file)

26 Feb 1890 - Asa is examined by a medical board and is found to be blind in his left eye. Asa is listed as 5 ft, 8 3/4 inches tall; 155 pounds, and age 49 years. (Note: many other copies of medical records are included in the pension file which gives the same type of information) (pension file)

14 Mar 1890 - Asa sends a statement to the pension office, Washington DC, from Smithville, Ritchie Co. WV, and states that he had resided in Ritchie Co. WV, and was a farmer, prior to his enlistment in the Army. His post office address has been Smithville or Cisco, Ritchie Co. since his discharge, and he has been a farmer. He states again that his left eye was damaged while he was engaged in a battle near Winchester, VA about 19 Sep 1864. (pension file)

21 Apr 1890 - E. M. Stanley, age 54, resident of Ritchie Co. states that he was with Asa at the Winchester VA battle on 19 Sep 1864, when Asa had his eye damaged. He states that he has been acquainted with Asa Jenkins from the time of his discharge to the present time. (pension file)

23 Apr 1890 - Samuel Jenkins (brother of Asa), age 65, resident of Walker, Wood Co. WV, states that he and Asa were in a battle at Winchester VA on 19 Sep 1864 when Asa had his eye damaged when a man shot his rifle near Asa's face. Samuel stated: "Near Winchester, VA, the said Asa Jenkins was in the front rank and the man that was in the rear just behind him fired his gun too close to his head and this very much effected his left eye in a short time. Afterwards he was at work on the breast works near Winchester, Va, and their the contracted disease of piles which he frequently complained of ..... That the facts stated are personally known to the affiant (Samuel) by reason of being with him." (pension file)

27 May 1890 - Charles A. Kearns, age 64, a resident of Oxbow, Ritchie Co. WV, states he has known Asa Jenkins for 38 years and since 1857 he had lived 1/2 jmile from Madison Jenkins and that Asa Jenkins had lived with Madison between that time, 1857 until the war. He stated that he has worded with Asa since the war. (pension file)

11 Jun 1890 - Martin Hoover, age 47, resident of near Cairo, Ritchie Co. WV states that he has known Asa since 1875, and had worked with him in 1879 on McFarlin Run. He states that Asa was not able to work more than one-half day at a time. (pension file)

25 Jun 1890 - W. W. Roome(?), Special Examiner, writes a letter on the letterhead of the US Marshall's Office, Parkersburg WV and states that their office, as instructed by a letter from the Pension Office dated 17 March 1891, "upon investigation it is alleged by Asa Jenkins, pensioner, that one Isaac Hoover, of Smithville, Ritchie Co. WV, the local Atty. in his claim for pension, did verbally contract for, one half of the first check for his services in the prosecution of said claim, and that when the pension was granted did demand and receive from said Asa Jenkins, the sum of one hundred for his services. It is also alleged that said Isaac Hoover did contract with widow Nancy Deems, widow of Wlliam Deems... for one half of the first check that she would receive when her claim was granted for his services in the prosecution of her claim."

"Having been reliable informed that Hoover, fearing arrest, was about to leave the jurisdiction of this Court, I submitted the testimony to the US Atty. who ordered the witnesses to be summoned before the Grand Jury, now in session, in the United States Circuit Court at Parkersburg WV, and the Grand Jury have this day returned indictments against Hoover in both of the above cases for violation of section 5485 R.S. and a capias has been placed in my hands for his immediate arrest." (pension file)

11 Aug 1890 - Henry F. Stanley, age 50, resident of Murphy's Springs, Wood Co. WV, states that Asa was a stout able bodied man at the time he enlisted in the US service. He further states that he served with Asa in Co. K, and was present at Winchester, VA, when he (Asa) had his eye hurt. Henry worked with Asa after the war. (pension file)

14 Aug 1890 - C. C. Eckard, age 29, a resident of near Smithville, Ritchie Co. WV, states that he has known Asa Jenkins for 14 years, and that when he first became acquainted with Asa, he (Asa) was blind in his left eye and had said that he had lost his eye sight while in the army. Echard had worked with Asa Jenkins. (pension file)

12 Sep 1890 - George W. Silcott, Clerk of Calhoun Co. WV. states that a marriage took place on 8 Feb 1874 in said county between Asa Jenkins, age 32 and Nancy Nutter, age 31, both being widowed, both born in Ritchie Co. WV, both residents of Calhoun Co. Asa Jenkins parents were listed as John and Nancy Jenkins, the parents of Nancy were listed as George D. Lewis (Mother's name not listed), and Asa was listed as a farmer. They were married by Hiram Ferrel. (pension file)

6 Nov 1891 - David Deem, late Captain of Co. E, 11th WV Inf., states he was acquainted with William Deem of his Co. E, and that William was a teamster with Co. E, and that William died "in the latter part of July 1864 or near that time." (pension file)

21 Mar 1892 - Mary Susan (Deem) Jenkins, age 32, and George W. Deem, age 29, both residents of Smithville, Ritchie Co. WV, state they are the legitimate children of William Deem and Nancy Lewis. (pension file)

3 Jan 1898 - Nancy C. Jenkins, age 58, of Mellin, Ritchie Co. WV, states: "I did not remarry Asa Jenkins after December 15, 1875, or the date of the certificate sent to you." (pension file)

27 Jul 1898 - Asa Jenkins dies in Wood Co., WV. (pension file)

11 Aug 1898 - John A. Trader and Elvin J. Jenkins, residing at Rutherford and Mellin, Ritchie Co. WV, stated they had been acquainted with Nancy C. Jenkins for 30 years and 25 years, respectively, and that they were present when Nancy C. Jenkins made her mark on an application for a pension. (pension file)

29 Aug 1898 - L. N. Trippell, County Clerk of Calhoun Co. WV, certifies that Asa Jenkins and Nancy Nutter were married on 8 Feb 1874, by Hiram Ferell. (pension file)

12 Sep 1898 - Dr. F. P. Hatfield, age 44, resident of Leachtown, Wood Co. WV, states that he had treated Asa Jenkins at intervals for the last year for heart disease, and that, in his opinion, Asa died of heart disease on 27 Jul 1898. (pension file)

7 Oct 1898 - John A. Trader, age 42, and Elvin J. Jenkins, age 40, of the towns of Rutherford and Mellin, Ritchie Co. WV, both state that Nancy C. Jenikins has not remarried since the death of Asa Jenkins. (pension file)

26 Oct 1898 - Wm M. Jenkins, age 37, resident of Mellin, Ritchie Co. WV, states that he knows that Asa had not served in military service after 1865. (note: signature is signed as W. M. Jenkins) (pension file)

3 Dec 1898 - Eliza F. Jenkins (widow of Enoch) lists age as 80 and a resident of Mellin, Ritchie Co. WV. Eliza states that she raised Asa from the time that he was two years old until he married. Eliza state that Nancy was divorced from Jeremiah Deem, but not from Asa Jenkins. (pension file)

3 Dec 1898 - (date estimated) Mary S. Jenkins, age 39, of the town of Mellin, Ritchie Co., WV, states that Nancy C. Jenkins was divorced from Jeremiah Deem, but was never divorced from Asa Jenkins. She also states that Nancy has no property or income. (pension file)

3 Dec 1898 - A copy of a divorce record is submitted which indicates that Nancy Deem was awarded a divorce from Jermiah Deem on 23 Oct 1873 in Ritchie Co. WV. The two children of Jeremiah and Nancy are listed as James and Peregrine. (pension file)

20 Mar 1900 - James F. Jenkins, age 48, resident of Rutherford, Ritchie Co. WV, a nephew of Asa Jenkins, states that Asa and Nancy C. were married at Calhoun Co. WV at the home of "Uncle James Jenkins." James was present at the marriage. (pension file)

20 Mar 1900 - Jeremiah Jenkins, age 41, resident of Rutherford, Ritchie Co. WV, and a nephew of Asa, said that, in his presence, Asa and Nancy were married at his parents home in Calhoun Co. WV. He knew that Alpha Jane was formerly married to a Johnson and a Stanley, but he never knew them. He states that Samuel Nutter was killed in a "runaway." (pension file)

20 Mar 1900 - Nancy C. Jenkins, Mellin, Ritchie Co. WV, gives statement in which she indicates she has known her former husband, Asa Jenkins since he was a boy. Nancy states that the first wife of Asa was Alpha Jane Stanley, maiden name Marshall, and that Alpha Jane came from Tuchahoe VA. Nancy states that when she first knew Alpha Jane, she (Alpha Jane) was living with her first husband, Robert(?) Johnson at California, 3 miles East of Freeport and that her (Alpha Jane) father carried mail. Johnson was killed while helping built a tunnell at Eatons on B&O railroad. Nancy also states that Asa had been sentenced to the Penitentiary for stealing, in Ritchie Co. He escaped while at work and returned to Gilmer Co. After Nancy and Asa had been married about 5 years, Asa was recaptured and returned to the pen for another 15 months before he was released. Nancy states that she and Asa had two children, but the youngest is now past 21 years old.

Nancy C. Jenkins stated that her former husband, Asa Jenkins, died "between Walker and Kanawha, Wood Co. WV on 27 July 1898." Asa had gone to visit her daughter, Mrs Verdilla Leisure, wife of Frank, to be treated by Dr. Hatfield at Leachtown. Nancy states her maiden name was Nancy Clarinda Lewis and was born 14 July 1840 at the "mouth of Freeport creek, " in Wirt Co. WV. Her parents were George and Lytha Lewis. She states that William Deem and Jeremiah Deem were cousins. Her two children by William Deem are Mary Susan, wife of Elvin Jenkins and George Deem. She had one child by Samuel Nutter who died in infancy. Samuel Nutter was killed in a runaway, near Hughes river about 6 miles north of Freeport, in August 1867, about a year and half after their marriage, which took place in Parkersburg, WV, in December 1865. She divorced Jeremiah Deem because he "was running after other women." Jeremiah Deem was sent to the penitnetiary after they had divorced. (pension file)

220 Mar 1900 - Elvin J. Jenkins, age 42, residence of Mellin, WV, states he is a nephew of Asa Jenkins. He married the daughter of Nancy and William Deem, Mary Susan Deem. He states that Asa Jenkins had first been married to Mrs. Alpha Jane Stanley, whose maiden name was Marshall. He states that Alpha Jane had first married to a man aned Johnson, by whom she had several children. He state that Johnson died before Alpha Jane married Stanley. He states that Samuel Nutter, second husband of Nancy, was killed not long after their marriage by "his team running away with him, not far from here." He further states that Nancy had two children by her third husband, Jeremiah Deem. (pension file)

21 Mar 1900 - Daniel Eddy, age 69, resident of near Mellin, Ritchie Co. WV. Eddy states that Asa was raised near Oxbow, and was known to Eddy from 1848 until he died. Eddy states that he first knew Alpha Jane, who was a daughter of Green Marshall, upon her coming to the California house near Freeport as the wife of Thomas Johnson, and that they (Alpha Jane and Thomas) were the parents of 4 children. "They came from the East about Buckhannon, Wv." Green Marshall carried mail for years." Eddy also states that Thomas Johnson was killed during the construction of the Eastern tunnel in the B&O RR. He states that the widow, Alpha Jane, then married James Stanley, who died while a Union soldier. The widow, Alpha Jane, then married Asa Jenkins from whom she was later divorced. Daniel states that Asa had purchased some property from Mrs. Lamp, but that no deed was passed. Ayers states that he knew William deem, Samuel Nutter, Jeremiah Deem, James Stanley, and Thomas Johnson - all from childhood except for Johnson. He states that Nancy and Asa raised two daughters known as Jenkins. Daniel Eddy states that Asa Jenkins was his wife's uncle. (pension file)

21 Mar 1900 - Hiram P. Ayers, age 73, a resident of Ritchie Co. all his life, now living near Mellin, states that Asa Jenkins was raised at OxBow, and that he had known Asa from his childhood. He states that Asa was married only twice, to Alpha Jane, and to Nancy. He states that Alpha Jane is the daughter of Green Marshall and that he first knew Alpha Jane long before the war when she and her husband, Thomas Johnson, and their children, came from the eastern part of the state to the house at California. He states that Thomas Johnson was killed during the building of the Eastern tunnel on the B&O RR. Ayers states that Alpha Jane and her father both had said that Thomas Johnson was her first husband and that they had come from Buckhannon, WV. Alpha Jane next married James Stanley "my cousin." (pension file)

21 Mar 1900 - Lordamah Ayers, wife of Hiram Ayers, age 72, resident of Ritchie Co. since 1850. She stated that she had known Asa Jenkins since his childhood. Mrs. Ayers stated she knew Alpha Jane during the life timeof her first husband, Robert Johnson, who was killed during the construction of the Eastern Tunnel. She states that neither Robert Johnson or Alpha Jane had been married previously. (pension file)

21 Mar 1900 - Eliza F. Jenkins, age 82, living near Mellin, Ritchie Co. She states that she is the widow of Enoch, who was a brother of Asa Jenkins. She states that she knew Asa from his infancy, and that she raised him from the age of 2 until he joined the service. Eliza states she first knew Alpha Jane when she married James Stanley, but did not know her first husband, but understands that his name was Johnson. Eliza states that Asa and Nancy raised two daughters known as Jenkins until they married. (pension file)

29 Mar 1900 - J. A. Anderson, resident of Kanawha Station, Wood Co. WV, made funeral arrangements for the burial of Asa Jenkins. He states that Asa was found dead in the yard of Franklin Leasure in the morning of July 27, 1898. Asa died sometime during that night or in the early morning of the 27th of July. (pension file)

31 Mar 1900 - George M. Beckett, special examiner for the commissioner of pensions, sends a report to Washington DC, in which states that Asa Jenkins and Nancy were married before the date of the divorce of Alpha Jane Jenkins and Asa Jenkins. However, he states that Asa and Nancy had lived together as husband and wife, were recognized as such by their neighbors. He states that "Gilmer County is under quarantine because of smallpox, " but that he did not think it was necessary to consult the records of that county. He states that "Alpha Jane, first wife of soldier does not live in Petroleum, but between Cisko and Ox Bow and about 12 miles from a livery point." (pension file)

19 Apr 1890 - Nancy C. Jenkins, age 49, resident of Smithville, Ritchie Co. WV states that she is a widow of William Deem, whom she married 12 Feb 1858, at Ritchie Co. WV, and that William Deem volunteered at Kanawha Station, WV, 28 Aug 1862 in Co. E, 11th WV vols. and that he died of typhoid fever at Ritchie Co. WV on 8 Aug 1864. Her name before marriage was Nancy C. Lewis. She and William Deem had two surviving children: Mary S. Deem, born 15 Mar 1859, George W. Deem, born 13 July 1862. Witnesses were B. F. Ayres and Samuel Jenkins. (pension file)

25 Jun 1903 - Nancy C. Jenkins, age 63, resident of Beatice, Ritchie Co. WV, states that her former husband, William Deem, member of Co. E, 11th Regt, WV Vol. Inf., died 8 Aug 1864 by reason of disease contracted while serving as a private in the service. (pension file)

1 Mar 1904 - In a general affidavit, Nancy C. Jenkins, age 64, a resident of near Elizabeth, Wirt Co. WV, states: Her first husband, William Deem, died in the United States service in 1864; her next husband was Samuel Nutter, whom she maried in 1866 in Ritchie Co. WV; Samue Nutter was killed by a runaway team near Hugle Falls of Hughes River in Ritchie Co., WV in 1868; she married Jeremiah Deem in 1869, and was divorced from him by a degree of the Circuit Court of Ritchie Co. WV, entered of record therein on the 25 day of October, 1873; she married Asa Jenkins in 1875, and said Jenkins died on the 27th day of July 1898; neither Samuel Nutter nor Jeremiah Deem rendered any military or naval service; she states that she cannot furnish records as evidence of the death of either Samuel Nutter or Asa Jenkins, as the records of the state do not show either; Asa Jenkins drew a pension of $17.00 per month at the time of his death; she had no property of any kind, personal, real, or mixed, and no income from any source; she lives with her daughter, Mrs. Frank Leasure, on Standing Stone, near Elizabeth, WV. (pension file)

1 Mar 1904 - Ransom Foutty, age 80, his wife, Mary L. Foutty, age 76, both residents of Elizabeth, Wirt Co. WV, state that they saw the claimant (Nancy) and Jeremiah Deem going away to get married and that they returned they were considered as man and wife. They also gave information about William Deem who died after "returning from Hunter's raid sick with fever about the year of 1864." They stated that Nancy was married to Samuel Nutter about 1866, and that Samuel Nutter was killed by a runaway team near Hugle Falls of Hughes River in Ritchie Co. WV, about the year 1868. They stated that Samuel was killed near their house, but that they (the Foutty couple) had moved away from Hughes River after that time. (pension file)

17 mar 1904 - G. W. Twyman, age 75, a resident of near Elizabeth, Wirt Co. WV, gives information about the four marriages of Nancy C. Jenkins. (pension file)

22 Nov 1904 - A report dated 3 Dec 1904 indicates that Nancy C. Jenkins, who was last paid at a rate of $12 month on 4 Sep 1904, (based on record of William Deem) died on 22 Nov 1904. (pension file).