John Sellers was born about 1825 in Anson County, a son of Rolin Sellers and Margaret Eddins. John enlisted in August 1863 with Co. B. 31st Regiment North Carolina Troops and was killed in battle at Drury’s Bluff on 14 May 1864.
His Widow, Mary [Maiden Name unknown] Sellers filed, in Anson County, for a pension based on her husband John Sellers service in the Civil War. Her pension application was dated 7 September 1883.
North Carolina}
Anson County}
Mary Sellers being duly sworn says on oath that she is the widow of John Sellers, who served as a private in Co. B. 31st Regiment North Carolina Troops, and that her husband according to information derived from his comrades at or about that time, was killed in battle at or near Drewry’s Bluff in the month of May 1864.
Sworn to and Subscribed } Mary her X mark Sellers
Before me Sept. 7th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}
North Carolina}
Anson County}
Benjamin P. Liles being duly sworn says on his oath that he served as a private on Co. B 31st Regiment, N. C. Troops that on the___day of May 1864 the said company was engaged as skirmishes near Drewry’s Bluff in Virginia and that while so engages John Sellers was a few paces to the right of this affiant, we were firing upon the enemy and receiving as very destructive fire from them, in the midst of which John Sellers was shot in the head and killed instantly. We were lying down loading and firing and this affiant distinctly heard the thud of the ball when it struck Sellers. We advanced drove the enemy from our forces and afterwards fell back over the same ground, and while so doing this affiant saw the dead body of John Sellers lying upon the spot where he heard the thud of the ball which stuck him.
Sworn and Subscribed} B. P. Liles
Before me Sept. 7th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}
North Carolina}
Anson County}
James T. Bradley being duly sworn says on his oath that he was captain of Co. B 31st N. C. Troops from May 1863 until the close of the War, that on or about the 14th day of May 1864, said company he being in command of is, was engaged as skirmishes near Drewry’s Bluff in Virginia and exposed to a destructive fire from the enemy during the engagement this affiant was himself wounded, and came off the field, while being carried off the field or soon thereafter he was informed of the casualties that occurred in his company and among others that John Sellers was killed. Saw John Sellers enlisted in this company some time in the year 1863, and sworn in as a private up to the day of his death.
Sworn and Subscribed} J. T. Bradley
Before me Sept. 7th 1883}
John C. McLanchlin}
Clerk of Superior Court}
North Carolina}
Anson County} I, John C. McLanchlin, Clerk of Superior Court for said county of Anson hereby certify that I am well acquainted with Benj. P.Liles and James T. Bradley the above named affiants and know them to be men of good character and entirely trustworthy, and that they have no interest in this claim. Witness my hand and official seal.
At office in Wadesborough, this the 8th day of September 1885.
John C. McLanchlin
Clerk of Superior Court
In June 1901, She completed another Pension Application most likely to increase the stipend she was receiving.
John M. Sellers and Mary [Maiden name unknown] had 3 known children.
i. William R. "Todd" Sellers, born 13 Feb 1854, Anson County, North Carolina; married Rosa Elizabeth Ratliff, 1880; died 20 May 1924, Lilesville, Anson, North Carolina.
ii. Mary Sellers was born in 1854 in Anson County, North Carolina.
iii. Infant Sellers was born in 1856 in Anson County, North Carolina.
The above document dated June 1901 shows Mary still living at that time. In 1900, she was in the household of her son, William R. “Todd” Sellers and his wife Rosa Elizabeth “Lizzie: Ratliff.
1900 CENSUS: Morven, Anson County, North Carolina; Roll: 1181; Enumeration District: 0007; FHL microfilm: 1241181, Page: 4B/130 (Stamped); Line 91, Dwelling 76, Family 77; William R. SELLERS, male, age 48, born Apr 1852 in NC; Lizzie SELLERS, Wife, age 37, born Dec 1862 in NC; married 20 years, 6 children, 3 living; Aggie SELLERS, Daughter, age 15, born Aug 1884 in NC; John SELLERS, Son, age 13, born Jan 1887 in NC; Phillip SELLERS, Son, age 11, born Oct 1888 in NC; Jennie RATLIFF, Sister-in-law, age 33, born July 1866 in NC; Elijah RATLIFF, Nephew, age 17, born Jan 1883 in NC and Mary SELLERS, Mother, age 69, born July 1830 in NC, Widow, 3 children, 3 living.
I have no additional information on the Widow of John M. Sellers. If you have information about her I would love to hear from you. There's an e-mail link on this page or you can leave comments.
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[1] The Pension application was a 5 page PDF located on NC MARS. I could not find the document ion-line today and had to refer to my archives. The transcribed documents are from that 5 page PDF.
[2] State Archives of North Carolina .., NC Manuscript and Archives Reference System (http://mars.archives.ncdcr.gov/ : viewed 2 August 2014), digital Image of Pension Application, "Pension Bureau: Act of 1885 Pension Applications - John Sellers," MARS Id: 5.21.49.61 (Folder); Call Number: Box 6:162.
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