William Beaty, Co "B" 78th Illinois Infantry, mother Elizabeth (application #284,975) On June 9, 1881 Elizabeth Beatty aged 58 filed a mother's claim for Pension; she was a resident of Adams County, Illinois. She states that she is the mother of William Beatty who enlisted at Marcelline, Illinois on August 12, 1862 in Company "B" of the 78th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry in the war or rebellion and who was "killed at battle of Jonesboro Georgia, September 1, 1864 having received gun shot wounds or balls in breast or vitals, was carried off the field and died shortly afterward." She further states that she was married to the father of the soldier on August 8, 1841 at Marcelline, Illinois. Her husband was unable to support her family due to age and infirmity. At the death of William Elizabeth had two children under the age of 16: George Perry Beatty, born Dec. 3, 1849 and Frederick Beatty born Feb. 27, 1858. William Beatty and William Jenkins are witnesses to the signature of Elizabeth Beatty. In June of 1881, Rhoda Whitcomb states that "she is well acquainted with George Beaty and Elizabeth Beaty the father and mother of William Beaty who was a Private in Co B 78th Regt Ill Volunteer Infantry, affiant further states that she was personally present at the birth of the said William Beaty which occurred December 27th 1842." A certified copied of the marriage of George Beaty and Elizabeth Huberling shows that they married August 8, 1841 in Adams County, Illinois. William Jenkins and William Miller of Adams County state that they were in the same company as William and "saw the dead body of said William Beaty." Isaac Lee of Adams County, the attorney appointed by Elizabeth Beatty to prosecute her claim writes the following letter: Important Hon Commissioner of Pensions Washington D. C. Claim for Pension Elizabeth Beatty, mother Wm Beatty, Co. B. 78th Reg Ill Infantry. Dear Sir, I desire particularly that your attention be directed to this claim as one that after I had learned the facts I did not want sent to your office. The old Gentleman and Lady who made this claim I was informed, after the first paper was made out, is worth in property several thousand $10,000. I immediately wrote to these claimants stating what I had learned, told them I had withheld the claim, and requested them to call and get the papers, and the money they had paid me to cover expenses and that I could not send it if such was the fact. Beaty called on me denied his being worth so much and was angry that I had not "sent in the mother's claim." I then told him if he insisted I would send it but at the same time I would write also what I had been informed and that if it were true his or her claim would be rejected. I have since made inquiry from credible persons and do believe that he is worth from 3,00 to $15,000 and therefore do not think that he is entitled to a dollar of pension or the mother as a dependent. Of course I have no right to presume or Judge. But I want you to feel that I will not knowingly allow anything to leave this office that is not in every way worthy of your consideration and favor. The Bounty I think these claimants are entitled to but the pension as I told him I do not. I would not have sent the declaration had I been certain as now that they were not dependent in part. Most Respectfully, Isaac S. Lee William Hightower, Post Master at Marcelline, Illinois writes: Elizabeth Beaty and husband Mr. Beaty has a good farm the same farm he owned in 1864 and at that time as far as I know enjoyed reasonable good health and had a comfortable support for his family, it has always been about as it is now including 1864, good. He is a man in good standing here in comfortable circumstances and beyond want. 1850, Ursa, Adams Co., Illinois, p 314 George Beaty 34 TN Elizabeth 21 PA William 8 Ill Charles A. 5 Ill Rosealtha 3 Ill George P. 1 Ill 1860, Lima, Adams Co., Ill. p 377 Geo Beatty 43 farmer $4,000; $1,000, TN Elizabeth 36 TN William 17 Ill Charles 14 Ill Rosealtha 12 Ill George P. 10 Ill Frederic 2 Ill 1870, Lima Twp., Adams Co., Ill p249A George Batey 53 $4000, $1058 TN Eliz. 47 PA George 20 Ill Ford 12 Ill 1880 Lima, Adams Co., Ill p204D George Batey 63 TN, TN, TN Elizabeth Batey 56 PA, PA, PA Fredreic Batey 22 IL, TN, PA Laurel Baty, L252