21 Aug 1862—Robert is mustered in as a private in Capt. Montgomery’s Co, 73esd Regiment of Illinois Infantry. His age is listed as 20 years; he enrolled July 20, 1862, in Logan County, IL, for a period of 3 years. Nov/Dec 1862—Under Remarks: On detached service in Battery G 1st MO Artillery since Dec. 12 ( he remains with the 1st MO Artillery for the remainder of his service) Mar/Apr 1863—stationed near Murfreesboro, TN May/June 1863—stationed at Rock Creek, six miles north of Tullahoma July/Aug 1863—stationed at Stevenson, AL June 3-Oct. 31, 1863—stationed at Chattanooga TN, where they stay until Sept 1864 Sept/Oct 1864—stationed at Atlanta, GA Nov/Dec 1864—stationed at Lookout Mountain, GA until the end of the war June 12, 1865—Muster-out took place in Nashville TN. Robert was paid $63 in wages and $25 in bounty money, with $75 still being owed him.
Descriptive Roll and Account of Pay and Clothing of Robert Weaver, Co. F, 73rd Regt. Ills. Volunteers
Robert Weaver, Private, age 20 years. Height—Five feet, six inches, Hair—light. Eyes grey, complexion light. Born in the State of Tenn. By occupation a Farmer. Enlisted July 20th 1862 in Logan Co Ills, by George Montgomery, for the period of three years. Last paid by Paymaster Maj. Freeman.
Reced one month’s pay, and $25.oo US Bounty. Rece’d of clothing the following articles:
I certificy that the above is a correct Transcript from the Records of Co F 73 Regt. Ills Vols Camp on Mill Creek
Dec 6 1862
Geo. Montgomery, Capt. Of Co F 73ed Reg Ill Vols (all the above hand written, probably by the captain himself)
Pension Records 15 Oct 1883--Adjutant General's Office Document
This form lists Robert’s military records, indicating that his middle initial, N, is not found on the records. It also indicates that the records do not list him as absent from duty in November 1862, when, apparently, he claimed he had been injured. The bottom of the form says:
No evidence of alleged injury Regimental, Hospital records of above named organizations not on file.
14 July 1890 Declaration for Invalid Pension
On this form, after stating name and dates of service, is the following:
That he is partially unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of a lump on his right shoulder giving trouble. Weakness. And Rheumatic trouble.
The form goes on to indicate that his pension application number is 490272, and that his claim for a pension is pending. He is living in Lincoln, IL, at the time he submitted this form, and makes a mark rather than signing his name.
24 October 1888 General Affidavit
This affidavit was made by a friend of Robert’s, one Eli J. Worley, who, at the time, was living at the National Military Home in Leavenworth, KS.
Claiment (Robert) and I were both members of said Co F 73 Ill Vol Infr. He was a private and so was I a private. I was Detailed to go into Bat. G. 1st MO Light Artillery before the Battle of Perryville KY and said Weaver was detailed same time after that Battle into the same Bat. With me . He and I were both in the Hospital at Nashville Tenn. At the Same time. I was suffering with Rheumatism and he with a sore on his shoulder. I don’t Remember which one nor do I remember dates it has been so long ago. I remember of Assisting him by putting medicine on his shoulder and after that we was both to gather and he always complained of his shoulder hurting him and he got Medicine from Dr. Goddard of the Battry and I bathed his shoulder several times after he came to the Battry.
I was well acquainted with claiment before we Enlisted he lived a Middletown and I at Broadwell Both in Logan Co Ills They are about ten miles apart.
9 May 1891 General Affidavit
This affidavit was made in Lincoln, Logan Co IL by David F. Klar
I am well acquainted the claimant. I have worked with him and seen him work. Claimant is broken in health. He complains of a tumor on his right shoulder which I have seen. Claimant is not able to do more than one half an able-bodied man’s labor. I believe he is incapacitated four Earning a support by Manual Labor to one half by reason of the above disability. In my judgment his disability are of a permanent nature and not the result of vicious habits.
15 January 1898 Pension Questionnaire
Certificate No. 804037
Name: Robert Weaver
Are you married? Yes. What is your wife’s full name and maiden name? Lorena Boyd Shaver
When, where, and by whom were you married?
August 29th 1891—Lincoln Ill—Rev. Wm. Turner-marriage certificate on file in county clerk’s office
Were you previously married? No
Have you children? State names and dates of birth.
Wm. R-Aug 3, 1892
Ethel M. –Nov 4, 1893
Paul-July 25,1895
Dewey-April 25, 1898
Robert again signs with his mark.
5 February 1901 General Affidavit
This comes from James H. Hammond of Lincoln, Logan Co IL.
I have known the claimant Robert N Weaver the claimant over 20 years and I know he had the rheumatism in June and July 1891. He was boarding with my mother’s home had come there to help in our hay harvest and he was taken with rheumatism and unable to help us harvest and was confined to his bed all during harvest about 4 weeks. And during the winter of 1899 and 1900 he was suffering from rheumatism to such an extent that he was compelled to the use of crutches in order to get about and was not caused by any vicious habits.
18 February 1901 General Affidavit
This comes from Joseph A. Davidson of Lincoln, Logan Co IL
That I have known Robert N. Weaver over forty years and I remember of him having the rheumatism in the spring of 1892. know this by coming back to Logan County from the west. And he was very much crippled up at this time from the alleged disability. And I have heard him complain Very Frequently since this time several times Each year. But the past four years more frequently, seeing him more often than prior years. And said disability was not caused by any vicious habits.
Undated General Affidavit
Although there is no date, it is of the same form as the others from 1901. This comes from Thomas Primeo of Corwin Township, Logan Co IL
I am acquainted with the claimant Robert N. Weaver. I am a farmer. Claimant has been at work for me on my farm this season. His is partially incapacitated from Earning a support by manual labor. He complains of a tumor. In my judgment he is broken in health. He can not do more than one half of the labor of a strong man by reason of the above disabilities. (Illegible) kinds of work he can not do at all (illegible) the tumor. I believe his disabilities are of a permanent nature and are not the result of his vicious habits.
March 1 1901 General Affidavit
This affidavit, too, has no date; however , there is a stamp dated March 1 1901 indicating the government received it. J. T. Woodward, MD, of Lincoln , Logan Co IL says:
I have treated the claimant Robert N. Weaver for sciatica a times for the past three years and know that he is partially incapacitated from earning support by manual labor.
20 May 1912 Declaration For Pension
This paper again lists Robert’s service record in a brief form; his pension number is 804037. What is interesting is that he lists his date and place of birth as:
Oct 19, 1843 at Shelby Co TN. (Note: The letters Und are written and crossed out just before the words “Shelby County”)
Again, Robert signs with his mark.
8 March 1915 Bureau of Pensions form
On this form, Robert lists his birth date as Oct. 18, 1844. He says he was born in TN, but doesn’t remember the county.
He lists his wife’s name as Lorena B. Shaner Weaver, and states they were married September 25, 1882 in Lincoln by Rev. Turner (note the discrepancies in the dates here and the ones in 1898. I have a copy of the marriage license ant the correct date is 29 Aug 1891)
Robert indicates his wife died January 12, 1901.
He lists his children as follows: (again, birth dates are way off)
William Ralph Weaver b. August 3, 1883-Deceased
Effie Weaver b. Nov 4, 1885 Living
Paul Weaver b. July 25th 1887 Living
Dewey Weaver b. April 25th 1889 Living
Roy Weaver b. Jan 9th 1892 Living
My thinking is that Lorna was the one who kept dates straight, and since she was no longer alive, Robert got everything mixed up.
14 January 1929 Application for Reimbursement
This application was made by Mrs. Ethel Bolle of Peoria, IL, aged 34( making her birth year 1895) She is Robert’s daughter.
She indicates Robert died 16 Oct 1928 in Lincoln, and was buried at Middletown.
She indicates that Robert’s wife, Lorna B. Shaner Weaver, died January 12th 1902
She indicates he had no estate when he died, and that he was killed by a freight train and died instantly.
She asks for reimbursement for the burial expenses, which were $271.75