“Widow’s Claim for Pension
The state of Penna., County of Greene
On this 25th day of September, A.D., 1865, personally appeared before Mr. J. F. Temple, Prothy. Clerk, a Court of Record within and for said county, Phebe Fonner, aged 33 years, a resident of Alleppo [sic] Tp., in the county of Greene, and State of Penna, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress approved July 14, 1862: That she is the widow of Thomas Fonner, who was a private in Company I (?), command by Captain (illegible), in the 15th Regiment of W. VA Inf. Vols, commanded by Col. (illegible) Morris, in the war of 1861. That her said husband died at Clarysville, MD in Hosp, in the State of Maryland, on the 29th day of January A. D. 1865 of Chronic Diarrhea. while in the line of duty in the service of the United States.
She further declares that she was married to the said Thomas Fonner at Greene Co. Penna, on the First day of August A. D., 1833, by one William Fox, a justice of the Peace; that her name before her marriage was Phebe Grim, and that ever since the death of her said husband, she has remained a widow; as will more fully appear by reference to the proof annexed. Neither public or private record is known to exist of said marriage. The best and only proof is the annexed sworn certificate of two Respectable witnesses who have been 15 years acquainted with the parties. That during the existence of the aforesaid marriage there were born to her and her said husband the following named children, who are now under the age of sixteen years, viz:
Franklin, born the 19th day of December, 1854, Lucy born the 5th day of June AD 1857 Ellen born the 24th day of Sept. AD 1858 Stephen Douglas born the 21st day Sept AD 1860 Thomas born the 4th day of August AD 1862 & Rosabelle Fonner born the 22d day of July AD 1864, all of whom are still living, and reside in Alleppo [sic] Township, Greene Co. Pa.
She also declares that she has in no manner been engaged in, or aided or abetted, the Rebellion in the United States.
She further says that her Post Office address is Cameron Marshal Co W. Va.
Phebe Fonner (her signature)”930

“These papers were evidently filed by Phebe at the time of her remarriage to a George Weimer, as the papers asy that she married him on Sept. 25, 1865. The claim was filed on Sept. 28, 1865, and was completed May 8, 1874. It was #180,668. The papers also say that there was a minors’ claim #208,271 filed that day (evidently for the children, since Phebe could not receive any pension for the time after her remarriage), but Attorney James A. Woods, of Waynesburg failed to complete the claim and it was not recognized. The rate of Phebe’s pension was $8 a month for the time from Jan. 30, 1865 (Thomas’ death) until Sept. 25, 1865 (her remarriage).
There was an affidavit dated April 28, 1874. It says ‘Personally appeared before me the subscriber a Justice of the Peace in and for Greene Co., Pa., Phoebe Weimer who being duly affiremed says: that she was the wife of Thomas Fonner in his lifetime and was his widow after his death in the U. S. Service. That she has since remarried and is now the wife of George Weimer. Duponent further saith that her present Post Office address is Aleppo Post Office, Greene County, Pa. That the claim of guardian for pension of the children of my first husband Thomas Fonner is #208,271, and further saith not.’ It was signed by Phebe Weimer (formerly Fonner) and witnessed by Franklin Fonner and John T. Elbin.
Below this it says ‘I, John T. Elbin, the Justice of the Peace before whom the foregoing affidavit was made hereby certify that the contents of the forgoing was fully made known to witness and she subscribed the same in my presence after being duly affirmed thereto. I further certify that the post office address as therein stated is her true address and letters so directed will come directly to her. I have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. Witness my hand and seal this 28 day of April 1874.’ John T. Elbin, Justice of the Peace.”931

“December Term, 1867
Fonner, Franklin, Lucy, Ellen, Stephen D., Thomas & Roseabelle
And now to wit(?) Dec. 16, 1867
To the Honorable Judges of the Orphans Court of Greene County, Pennsylvania, the petitioner Phebe Weymer of Aleppo Township, Greene County, Penna., doth respectfully represent that she was the wife of Thomas Fonner who died in the Service of the United States while a soldier of the 15.these (?) Virginia Regiment, and she had eight children by the said Thomas Fonner, six of which are living with her and all under fourteen years of age & she married George Weymer in September last and the said George Weymer abandoned her some time in June last. She is in very delicate health and has no person take ? of me and my children. The names of my children that I had by the said Thomas Fonner is Franklin, Lucy, Ellen, Stephen D., Thomas & Rosebell, and they have no person to take care of their persons and estate, and she therefore requests your honor to appoint a suitable person as a guardian to take care of their persons and estate and she respectfully suggests J. G. Smith, Esq. as a suitable person, and so she is in duty bound, ? And now to wit Dec. 16, 1867, Johnson G. Smith appointed guardian by the Court.”932

1870 Census, Greene Co., PA, Aleppo Twp.928
Fonner, Phoeba, 37, head
Franklin, 16, b. PA
Lucy, 14, b. PA
Ellen, 13, b. PA
Stephen, 10, b. PA
Thomas, 8, b. PA
Rose Belle, 6, b. PA
Mensoda (sp.?), 2, b. PA (probably Minnie)

1880 Census, Greene Co., PA, Aleppo Twp.
Fonner, Phebe, 45, keeping house, widowed, b. PA, parents b. PA
Stephen, 19, son, works on farm, b. PA, parents b. PA
Thomas, 17, son, clerk in store, b. PA
Roseabelle, 15, dau., b. PA
Minnie, 12, dau., b. PA
Albert M., 8, son, b. PA257

Claire Giler wonders: Did Weimer die also? Are these last two Weimer’s children?931

There are discrepancies in the birth dates of some of the children. Henry has a birth date of April 9, 1855, while Lucy was born either ca. 1856 (Hennen), June 5, 1857 (Widow’s Claim) or 1855 (death certificate). 1855 can’t be correct if Henry was born in 1855. Also Ellen was born Sept. 24, 1858 (Widow’s Claim) or ca 1857, but Willie was born Dec. 24, 1858. Could Phebe have been confused regarding birthdates of her children, or were they transcribed incorrectly?