John Barton
In the year 1845 John Barton left his home in Mechanicsville, Pa., to seek a home in Ohio. He came to Richland County and settled on a little farm about three miles southeast of Bellville. He had not lived there long until he made the acquaintance of Miss Eliza Gatton, a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Asa Gatton. Mr. Barton and Miss Gatton were married at the residence of the bride's uncle, Mr. Isaac Gatton, January 7, 1847, by 'Squire Reuben Evarts. But their married life was of short duration for on the night of June 10, of the same year, without a word of warning he disappeared. No news of the truant husband was heard, until one day in the year of '63, a letter came from him informing her, that he was then fighting for his country, having enlisted as a private in company I of the 58th. Pennsylvania Volunteers at the beginning of the Rebellion. The letter was a very pathetic one, stating that he had ever regretted leaving her. He intimated in the letter that he would return home, after his term of enlistment had expired. The war closed, still no letter came from the absent husband. Finally she wrote to the Adjutant General of Pennsylvania, and at last she received a reply. But that reply contained sad news -- John Barton was shot and mortally wounded at the battle of Cold Harbor, but a few days after he wrote the letter home. About three years ago, Mrs. B. made application for a pension. But more astounding developments awaited her. From the Pension Bureau she received intelligence that a woman claiming to be the widow of John Barton had made application for a pension, for herself and five children. Her claim was satisfactorily established and the pension was granted. When Mr. Barton left his home in Ohio, he wandered back to his native state. There he became acquainted with Miss Harriet Whitlock, to whom he was married in the year 1852, less than five years from the time he deserted his first wife. The department is withholding the pension from wife No. 2, and no doubt wife No. 1 will hereafter draw it.
From Bellville Star: 18 March 1886, Vol. 9, No. 25