Justus C. Wellington
Photo courtesy of John Banks.
Children of Apollios and Charlotte (Bigelow) Wellington:
15364.811 Nancy Maria Wellington, b 04 June 1836;
m Oliver Woodbridge.
15364.812 Justus Collins Wellington, b 13
Jan 1838; killed at the Battle of Antietam 17 Sept 1863. (see below)
15364.813 John Gardner Wellington, b 07 Oct 1841;
d 11 July 1866 of consumption at age 24;
15364.814 Maria Elizabeth Wellington, b 20 Feb 1843;
m Charles McMasters of Monson.
15364.815 Julia Amanda Wellington, b 21 March 1845;
m Charles F. Sampson.
15364.816 Charles Sumner Wellington, b 16 June 1847.
Sources:
Bigelow Society,The Bigelow Family Genealogy, Vol II, pg 103 child;
Howe, Bigelow Family of America.
From: http://www.nextech.de/ma15mvi/ma15mvi-p/p69.htm
Father: Appollos Wellington b. 11 Jun 1812, d. Jul 1893
Mother: Charlotte Maria Bigelow b. 6 May 1816, d. 17 Aug 1876
Company: F
Justus Collins Wellington was born on 13 Jan 1838 at North Brookfield, Worcester
County, Massachusetts, son of Appollos Wellington and Charlotte Maria Bigelow,
grandson of Eli and Margery Wellington, also of John and Betsey (Maynard)
Bigelow.
Justus Collins Wellington was enumerated in the household of Appollos Wellington
and Charlotte Maria Bigelow in the 1860 US Federal Census on 3 Jul 1860 at
West Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts, enumerated as follows:
Apollos Wellington, 48, shoemaker, b. MA
Charlotte M., 44
Oliver Woodbridge, 30, shoemaker, b. ME
Nancy Woodbridge, 30 (his elder sister)
**Justice C. Wellington, 22, shoemaker
John G. Wellington, 20, shoemaker
Marsha E. Wellington, 17
Julia Wellington, 15
Charles S. Wellington, 12
Theo T. Woodbridge, 2
child not named, 3/12 (f).
At the time of his enlistment in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry,
in 1861, Justus gave his occupation as shoemaker.
On 12 Jul 1861 Justus mustered into service with the 15th Massachusetts Volunteer
Infantry, being credited to the quota of West Brookfield, Worcester County,
Massachusetts. He was 23 years, 5 months and 29 days old. Justus was sending
his army earnings home to support the family, according to his pension file.
On 21 Oct 1861, at The Battle of Ball's Bluff, Leesburg, Virginia, Justus
was among those who swam the river. According to a general affidavit from
his sister, Nancy, in the pension file: "...he had some money ready to send
before the battle but lost everything (as he) swam the Potomac to save his
life." He died on 17 Sep 1862 at The Battle of Antietam, Washington County,
Maryland, killed in action. He was 24 years, 8 months and 4 days old.
In Nov 1862 Appollos Wellington applied for a pension to surviving family
member, based on Justus's service; and again in May 1869. These applications
appear to have been denied.
John Gardner Wellington, his brother, survived Justus Collins Wellington
and died of consumption on 11 Jul 1866 at age 24. After this son died, the
next day the mother became ill and was "bed-ridden 10 years and sick until
her death in 1876," according to an affidavit in the pension file.
Charlotte Maria Bigelow, his mother, survived Justus Collins Wellington and
died on 17 Aug 1876 at West Brookfield, Worcester County, Massachusetts,
at age 60.
On 17 Aug 1886 Appollos Wellington received a pension to surviving family
member, Massachusetts based on Justus's service; his father, who received
certificate no. 233216.
Apollos Wellington apparently was not well during and after the war. The
following quotation is from the Physician's Affidavit in the pension file
from his physician, George Forbes: "In 1862, I remember Appollos Wellington
as a weak, nervous man with constant pain in the side and back and trouble
with his kidneys. From above causes, he was unable at that time to perform
manual labor and was supported by his son, Justus C., prior to and during
the war.
I have seen and known, personally and professionally, Appollos Wellington,
and have prescribed for the above troubles several times each year since
1862 and know he has been unable each year since 1862 to perform manual labor
sufficiently to maintain himself and has been obliged to subsist upon charity.
And now, July 1887, he is a poor, broken down old man wholly unable to support
himself."
Several affidavits state Appollos never made more than $200 a year.
Appollos Wellington, his father, survived Justus Collins Wellington and died
in Jul 1893 at Monson, Hampden County, Massachusetts, having lived there
since 1880 at age 81.
rodbigelow@netzero.net 
\
