Person:Rachel Richards (3)

MILITARY RECORDS: Rachel applied for a widow's pension for Benjamin's service in the Navy during the Civil War on 6 Aug 1921. She stated that she was 79 years old and that she was born 7 Dec 1842 at Spotswood. She states that Benjamin enlisted 16 April 1863 and again on 17 Aug 1864. That he served on board the "U.S. Steamer Mack" and the "U. S. Steamer North Carolina" and was honorably discharged 8 May 1865. She states that Benjamin died 24 July 1921 at Old Bridge. Her daughter Kate Benson of Old Bridge and a Marguerite Scheer also of Old Bridge were the witnesses. Rachel had to make her mark by an X (She apparently could not write her own name.) She was dropped from the pension rolls because of death on Dec 4th, 1931. She had been receiving $40.00 per month.

She was murdered in her home by the boy who delivered her grocerys. The police did not find who murdered her until about 12 or 13 years later when he killed someone else and confessed to the murders in New Jersey. Her throat had been cut from ear to ear. (Told by Verna Fowler Beckstead)