Frederick H Lehman

After the war

His widow applied successfully for a pension on 30 April 1864 (9).

In 1870, Cora Gillen was living in the 24th ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (10). She was living with her husband, Michael Gillen, and with Mary and Whilmia [?] Gillen (presumably their daughters) (10).

His widow claimed she was 24 years old in 1864, and her residence was 720 Doak Street. She received a pension as his widow on 10 January 1864, beginning at $8 per month, on certificate 26161. She continued receiving it until March 1890. Unfortunately, she (under the name Cora E Lehman) was married to Michael Gillen (a machinist, born Philadelphia, about 1851, never married before), in a Roman Catholic ceremony, by Hugh Lane, on 23 September 1867. They had at least two children. And after he died (either about 1880 or before 1876), she was married to William T McGuire (a merchant, born Ireland, 49 years old, married before and a widower), on 26 February 1884, in St Teresa Catholic Church, by Rev Hugh Lane. Apparently, in March 1890, Sophia L Barber, who knew her as Cora Gillen, happened to see her at the Pension Agency, and heard her swear that she was still the widow of Frederick Lehman and had not remarried. When Sophia Barber approached her, she 'flew out'. Perhaps Sophia Barber contacted the Pension Office. For whatever reason, a special examiner, F H Sprague, investigated her. Besides Sophia L Barber, Mrs Mary Barber swore that Lizzie Lehman lived with and kept house for a single brother, named Harry Yeader [??], but presented herself as the wife of Michael Gillen, and had children she claimed as theirs. Four other witnesses (Susanna Bell, Harriet Brown, and Harriet's daughters Maggie Pedrick [widow of John Pedrick] and Lillie Vonphul [wife of George Vonphul]), who had witnessed Lizzie Lehman's statements at the Pension Agency, swore they hadn't known her well, had believed she had not remarried, and that she presented herself as Lizzie Lehman's widow. She admitted the facts in a deposition on 3 June 1890, when she was living at 2320 South Street. On 25 June 1890, Sprague found that Lizzie Lehman had knowingly committed perjury four times each year, had illegally drawn over $2300 from the US, and that her husband (Supt of the Public Market at 23rd & South St.) had no knowledge of her actions. He recommended that criminal charges be brought against her. Unfortunately, the file I received ends there. (all from 2; see also 8)