Based on 1894 land plats from both Cannon and Courtland townships and the information derived from neighbor affidavits during Esther Pennington's Pension Request, I've added new satellite views of James Pennington's 3 parcels: 20 acre homestead that sits on Big Brower Lake, 65 acre parcel directly south, and the 80 acre parcel due east one mile.  All parcels touch 10 mile road.

I have finished scanning all documentation pertaining to James Pennington found at the National Archives.  This information is now indexed under the "War" tab. 

I have yet to sort through, scan, and upload the documentation of Esther Pennington as James's widow.  There is just as much - if not more.  Look for this some time next week.   

I came home last night to a large over-sized envelope at my front door.  Was surprised to see it was from the National Archives.  Quicker than expected.  I spent my evening pouring over the vast amount of information contained within.  Inside were pension requests of both James and Esther (when widowed).   Next door neighbors were interviewed as well as former Army war buddies of James.  All in THEIR OWN HAND-WRITING complete with signatures. 

I will be posting soon to an updated Civil War page - word for word.  This is really good stuff.  I now know exactly what happened to James - how he was wounded and where.  I know who he berthed with as a Private.  And I know how he lived post-war. 

Still don't have a picture of James.  But the medical reports give a pretty thorough description of his post-war self.   And he still claims to be born in Scotland: father - William Pennington; mother - Ann Wallace.  

I've requested of the National Archives the complete file pertaining to James Pennington's pension request.  In order to request pension post-war it was required that the soldier be wounded by the war.  James was blinded in one eye - not certain which.  I am hoping these records will reveal that fact.

In order to request pension, much paperwork had to be submitted.  Any paperwork sent in by James or his wife Esther will be on file.  I have requested actual paper copies of all this material.  What new information will come to light?  I am anxious to receive the file.  Unfortunately, this can take months.  The National Archives site even suggested it may take up to 120 days to complete.  I guess the Archivists are in no hurry.  So we must wait.

It was a haunting experience - like stepping back into time - to see Oliver's house today.  The home - built some time in the 1880s - still looks very similar to the way it did back in the time of Esther, Edith and Oliver.  Though many of the structures remain, they are a bad state of decay from the passing years.

While taking pictures of the outside of the house, I could feel the memories visualizing in my mind Oliver sitting on his porch sipping tea with Edith on a warm Summer's day.  I had a lot of fun poking around the property.

And inside was a real treat.  The kitchen where Edith was found dead has retained much of the same look.  And Jessie Mae - the current occupant - was so kind as to give me a tour through the rooms of the old house.  This included a trip up the creeky stairs to the bedrooms.  How many times had Oliver and Edith climbed those stairs?  I was able to walk in the footsteps of my ancestors.

The upstairs main bedroom was rather large.  This is probably where Oliver and Esther (his mother) died.  There was in total four family deaths at this house: Esther (1925), Clarence (1930s), Oliver (1956), and Edith (1962).

I did not take any pictures of the inside of the house to protect the privacy of Jessie Mae and her family.

Finally, Jessie took us to the living room to view a painting she found of Edith.  My mother - who accompanied me - recognized Edith immediately as she had the privilege of having had met her.  Jessie Mae found the painting under the stairs in a closet.

All in all, it was a pleasure to view Oliver's home.  I am thankful to Jessie Mae for allowing me on the property.

A short time ago I wrote several letters to descendants of William W. Pennington - the first born son of James Pennington.  I heard back from Charles R. Pennington of Las Vegas, Nevada who shared a letter written by his Uncle Dewey (son of William).  I have posted this new information on site under William's section in the "Children" tab. 

Thank you Chuck!

Last week - on a nicer day - I went to take pictures of Oliver Pennington's house.  I was able to track down the present occupant who contacted me today via email.  She is allowing me on to the property and inside the house to take pictures this coming Sunday (weather permitting).  And what is more... she found an old picture which her landlord told her is of the lady who lived there long ago - was found dead on the kitchen floor during the winter - froze to death.  That would be Edith!!!  And she has the picture hanging on her living room wall. 

I am excited to see the house - and to see Edith.  Will be posting new information early next week.

I have begun the process of tracking down long lost relatives - descendants of the children of James Pennington.  And the children of these children.  I am looking for photos of the children as I am lacking quality photos for most of them. 

Most interesting to find would be a photo of James Pennington himself.