DocumentA:1835~EmoryMethodistEpiscopal

ChurchBaptismRecords

Caption

This is a baptism record from the Emory Methodist Episcopal Church. Wimer
Bedfordwasbaptizedatfivemonthsold.

Analysis

This document is a baptism record from the Pennsylvania and New Jersey
Church and Town recordsfrom17081985.These recordswere taken from theEmory
Methodist EpiscopalChurch.Categories includeparents names,childrensnames,age,
date of baptism and ministers names.Bedfordoccupiesthespaceinthe firstrowofthe
document and Wimers parents are Isaac Bedford and Elizabeth Bedford. Wimerwas
fivemonths oldwhen hewasbaptizedon July12,1835.Theministerwhobaptisedhim
wasReverendMann.

From hisbaptismrecord,one can infer thathis family belonged tothemethodist

denomination since the records were from the Emory Methodist Episcopal Church. In
addition, the date of the baptism combined with his age at the time allows one to
confirm Wimers date ofbirth. His religious beliefs could perhaps helpinunderstanding
certain decisions he made throughout the course of his life. The document also
validatestheidentityofhisparentsandhisbirthday.

CitationsforDocument

Ancestry.com. "Pennsylvania, Church and Town Records, 17081985."

Ancestry
.
Ancestry.comOperations,Inc.,2011.Web.05Feb.2016.<
http://interactive.ancestry.
com/1616/31070_17122400342/106021?backurl=http%3A%2F%2Fperson.anc
estry.com%2Ftree%2F39772031%2Fperson%2F29552169503%2Ffacts%2Fcit
ation%2F155079347707%2Fedit%2Frecord
>.

DocumentB:1850~UnitedStatesFederalCensus

Transcription

Caption

AcensuscollectedbytheUnitedStatesFederalGovernmentin1850.

Analysis

This documentistheUnitedStatesFederalCensus,takenonAugust16th,1850.
The document lists Wimer Bedford, along with his father, Isaac Bedford, his mother,
Elizabeth Bedford, and his two siblings, William G. Bedford and Ann E. Bedford. The
document liststhe year the census wastakenalongwith stating thegender,age,race,
estimated birth year, birthplace and the house number ofeach personsurveyed.Atthe
time of this census, Wimer was fifteen years old and living in the Seventh Ward of
Philadelphia.

Based on this document, one can figure out the members of Wimers family in
the year 1850. His family life was rather simple, and his relationship with his brother
remained strong throughout his entire life. The document also helped to support the
belief that 1835 was the year of his birth, as the census record for his birth year
correlates withthe year listed on histombstone.In addition,itaidedinestablishingthat
his place of birth was Pennsylvania. There was contradictory information about his
birthplace,buttherethemajorityofthedocumentsstatedPennsylvania.

CitationsforDocument

"1850Census."Ancestry.N.p.,n.d.Web.06Feb.2016.

DocumentC:1854~ClassRankings

Caption

WimerBedfordsschoolrankingatUnitedStatesMilitaryAcademyin1854.

Analysis

ThisdocumentisWimerBedfordsschoolrecordforonesemesterin1854.
WimerBedfordjoinedtheUnitedStatesMilitaryAcademyonJuly1,1953whenhewas
18yearsold.ThedocumentshowsBedfordsgeneralrankinginhisclassaswellashis
rankinginindividualsubjects,suchasmath,englishandfrench.Outof61students,
Bedfordranked52overall.Heranked49thinmath,44thinenglishand49thinFrench.
ThedocumentalsotellshowmanydemeritsBedfordreceivedthroughoutthesixmonth
semester:83.

Basedonthisdocument,onecaninferthatWimerBedfordwasnotthebest
student.Hisrankingwasratherlow,especiallyconsideringthatofthe61studentsinhis
class,only57wereranked.Hisrankinginindividualsubjectswasnotverygoodeither.
Theamountofdemeritsheobtainedduringthissemestersuggeststhathewas
somewhatofatroublemakerinschool.However,consideringtheselectivityofthe
Academy,Bedfordhadtohavehadskillsinordertobeaccepted.Basedonhisage
whenhewasadmittedtotheAcademy,onecantellthathehadjustfinishedhigh
schoolandwastrainingforthearmy,whichmakessenseconsideringhisinvolvement
withthearmylaterinhislife.HisattendingtheAcademyalsosuggeststhatheresided
inWestPoint,NewYorkforfouryearsinbarracks.Thisdocumentprovideduswith
informationaboutBedfordsschoollifeafterhighschoolandshowedhisfirststepsto
earningrankingsinthearmy.

CitationsforDocument

Ancestry.com.U.S.,SchoolCatalogs,17651935[databaseonline].Provo,UT,USA:
Ancestry.comOperations,Inc.,2012.

DocumentD:1861~U.S.,AdjutantGeneralMilitary
Records,ScheduleG

Caption

These documents are the United StatesAdjutant General Military Recordsfrom

1861.

Analysis

These documents shows the schedule G of the Roster of the FortyEighth

Regiment Illinois Volunteers.Originallya staffmember,WimerBedfordwasanAdjutant
serving under Colonel Isham N. Haynie. His fellow Adjutant was William Prescott.
Prescottresigned onApril27, 1862. Following, inthenextdocument,Bedfordispartof
company D. He served as First Lieutenant under Captain Jos.T.Cormick.OtherFirst
Lieutenants in the same company included JohnG.Mansker, whowas killedin battle,
andChalonA.Towle.

From these documents, one can infer that Wimer Bedford was given the
opportunity to rise up through theranksafterthe deaths or resignations ofhis leaders.
For example, William Prescott resigned and immediately following Bedford took his
position.Similarly, whenJosT.Cormick was killed,BedfordbecameaFirstLieutenant.
Because there were alsoothers whocouldhadtooktheirvacant places,one can infer
thatBedfordwasabetter,moreskillfulsoldierwhodeservedthespots.

CitationsforDocument

Ancestry.com. U.S., Adjutant General Military Records, 16311976 [database online].

Provo,UT,USA:Ancestry.comOperations,Inc.,2011.
California State Library Sacramento Annual Report of the Adjutant General of the
StateofIllinois

DocumentE:1861~IllinoisStateArchiveCivilWar
Details

Caption

This document detailstheCivilWarReportonWimerBedfordwhenhewasa1st

lieutenantandservedasaU.S.agent,musteredin1861.

Analysis

This document is anIllinois CivilWarDetailreport.Althoughithasitslimitations,

the report highlights many facts on Wimer Bedfords life and involvement in the Civil
War. Bedford is listed as 5 10, light skinned, brown haired, with hazel eyes. Bornin
Philadelphia, he was single before enlisting in the war. When theCivil War struck, he
was mustered in on June 30th, 1861 at the age of 25. He rose to the rank of First
Lieutenantof the 18th IllinoisInfantryCompanyDashewasjoinedbyCaptainCormice
in BirdsPoint,Missouri.In addition,he wasmusteredin place inBirds Point, Missouri
before he resigned in November 17th, 1861. According to this database, he lived in
Centralia,Marion,Illinois.

From this document, Bedford seemstofitthedescription ofanaveragenorthern.

Nevertheless, because Bedford held a high military ranking, he probably was a
respectable soldier. One can infer that he moved to live inIllinois forabrief part ofhis
life.HeprobablyresignedbecausetheCivilWarwascomingtoanend.

CitationsforDocument

"Wimer Bedford in The Web: Illinois, Databasesof Illinois VeteransIndex, 17751995."

Web: Illinois, DatabasesofIllinoisVeteransIndex,17751995
.N.p.,n.d.Web.10
Jan.
2016.
<
http://search.ancestry.com/cgibin/sse.dll?rank=1&gss=angsc&new=1&mst=1&
gsfn=Wimer&gsfn_x=0&gsln=Bedford&gsln_x=0&msav=0&uidh=000&pcat=39&h
=99513&recoff=7%2B8&db=WebASM9759&indiv=1&ml_rpos=5
>.
"ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES."
Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls
Database
.
N.p.,n.d.Web.10Jan.2016.<
http://www.ilsos.gov/isaveterans/civilMusterSearch.do
?key=16115
>.

DocumentF:1862~IllinoisStateArchiveCivilWar
Details

Caption

The document details the CivilWarReportonWimerBedford when he was the

AdjutantGeneralandmusteredin1862.

Analysis

This document is anIllinoisCivilWarDetailreport.WimerBedfordwaspromoted

to Captain and Assistant Adjutant General of Volunteerson December 31st,1862.He
livedin Cairo, Alexander Co, Illinois whenhe was 28. Healsoworkedasaclerkduring
histimethere.Hewasstillsingle.

From this document, onecan inferthat Bedford wasawellestablishedmanwho

was knowninhiscommunityforbeingbothaclerkandawargeneral.Heprobablylived
in IllinoisafterhemovedfromhisnativehomeinPhiladelphia.Whenworkingasaclerk,
Bedford was probablyemployed inan officeor bankto keeprecordsandaccountsand
to undertake otherroutineadministrativeduties.Becauseherosethroughtheranksand
evenbecameAAGENLofVolunteers,hewasalsoarespectablemaninthearmy.

CitationsforDocument

"Wimer Bedford in The Web: Illinois, Databasesof Illinois VeteransIndex, 17751995."

Web: Illinois, DatabasesofIllinoisVeteransIndex,17751995
.N.p.,n.d.Web.10
Jan.
2016.
<
http://search.ancestry.com/cgibin/sse.dll?gss=angsc&new=1&rank=1&msT=1
&gsfn=Wimer&gsfn_x=0&gsln=Bedford&gsln_x=0&MSAV=0&uidh=000&pcat=FR
EEINDEXACOM&h=99514&recoff=7%2B8&db=WebASM9759&indiv=1&ml_rpo
s=2
>.
"ILLINOIS STATE ARCHIVES."
Illinois Civil War Muster and Descriptive Rolls
Database
.
N.p.,n.d.Web.10Jan.2016.
<
http://www.ilsos.gov/isaveterans/civilMusterSearch.do?key=16116
>.

DocumentG:1864~U.S.ArmyRegister

Caption

This document is the United States Army Register of 1864, as provided by the
United States Government Printing Office. It lists soldiers that were inthearmy atthe
time.

Analysis

Bedford is listed twice, once in the Assistant Adjutants General of Volunteers,

and once inthe alphabetical compilation ofofficers inthe United States. His birthplace
and the state where he was appointed are both listed to be Illinois. His date of
commission is the 11th of March. Many of his peers shared the same date of
commission.

From this document, one can infer that there might have been some
discrepancies or inaccuracies in the locationsof Bedfordsbirthplace becausein other
documents,he is commonly listedasbeingborninPhiladelphia,Pennsylvania.Bedford
was most likelyamajorofficerbecausehewaslistedinthisarmyregister,butnotevery
soldierwas.

CitationsforDocument

"U.S.ArmyRegister."GoogleBooks.U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice,1864,n.d.Web.
09
Jan.2016.
<
https://books.google.com/books?id=PZEaAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA122&lpg=PA122
&dq=wimer%2Bg%2Bbedford&source=bl&ots=FxvJuaQwEc&sig=LGXxxLlnOuu
ZCHon0X2SMdfg44E&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiW5Kvn1J3KAhUMGz4KHfg
BDAgQ6AEIHzAB#v=onepage&q=bedford&f=false
>.

DocumentH:1865~UnitedStatesCongressional
serialset,Issue3411

Caption

This collection of letters is from theUnitedStates CongressionalSerial Set and

were written by prominent soldiers in the Civil War such as MajorGeneral Sherman,
GeneralEason,andSecretaryofWarE.D.Townsend.

Analysis

The letter between Major General O.O. Howard and General E.D. Townsend,
addressedfromtheHeadquartersArmyoftheTennessee,talksabouttheresignationof
Wimer Bedford and other Captains. However, the letter does not mention the reasons
forresignation. O.O. Howard wrotetoTownsendtoinformhimof suchvacanciestosee
if they could possibly find replacements. In his other letters, Howard recommends
specificpeoplewhocouldpossiblyfillthespots.

From this document, onecan inferthat Bedford would havehadissuesgoingon

that caused him to resign from his respectfully ranked position. Possible reasons
includethat Bedford wanted to be withhisfamily.Also,sincetheletterswerewrittenon
March 30th, 1865, a couple of months before theofficialendof the Civil War, onecan
infer that Bedford had resigned knowing that Northerners were about to claim their
victory.

CitationsforDocument

"United States CongressionalSerial Set."

Google Books
. N.p.,n.d.Web.10Jan.2016.
<
https://books.google.com/books?id=6V83AQAAIAAJ&pg=PA61&lpg=PA61&dq=
wimer%2Bbedford&source=bl&ots=DyObyLw4vH&sig=EVgDjTm15wnUT3kPxC
T8pBOvFg&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj57buZzp3KAhXEyT4KHeDrDwo4ChDo
AQg1MAY#v=onepage&q=wimer%20bedford&f=fale
>.

DocumentI:1868~AnnualReportofthe
CommissionerofPatents

Caption

This document is the Annual Report of the Commissioner of Patents of 1868.

Thedocumentcontains an index ofpatents that werefiled in theyearaswellasabrief
explanationofsomesignificantinventions.

Analysis

Printedin1868,theyearofthepresidentialelectionandduringthepostCivilWar
era, the document lists inventors and their patent for their respective inventions.
Bedfordsbrother W.G.Bedfordiscreditedwithnumerousinventions,suchasthehorse
coupling, andstrap attachment that he invented in1867.HealsocollaboratedwithT.R.
Whitein Philadelphiaon variousoccasions. WimerBedfordworkedwithhisbrotherand
played a rolein the creating ofthe Well boring apparatus.TheWellboringapparatusis
adrillshaft that isconnectedtoablock,which allowsinaslotofitsoperatingdisk.This
wasoneofhismostsignificantworks.

From this document, onecan inferthat Bedford spent someofhis timeafterthe

Civil War dedicated to inventing. Additionally, he retained a closerelationshipwith his
brother, seeing as they collaborated on an invention. One can assume that Bedford
made money from the Well boring apparatus patent. This indicates that Bedford was
somewhatinnovativeandtalented.

CitationsforDocument

"Annual ReportoftheCommissionerofPatents."
GoogleBooks
.N.p.,n.d.Web.10Jan.
2016.
<
https://books.google.com/books?id=211GAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA240&lpg=PA240&
dq=wimer%2Bbedford&source=bl&ots=49uFwMS8wX&sig=0JNfKOrNs9kt37OIx
KnEWlz9ws&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj57buZzp3KAhXEyT4KHeDrDwo4ChD
oAQgvMAQ#v=onepage&q=wimer%20bedford&f=false
>.

DocumentJ:18701889~ThePhiladelphiaDirectory

1873

1878

1880

1889

Caption

PhiladelphiaCityDirectorylistingsfromseveralyearsbetween1870and1889.

Analysis

These series of documents state Wimer Bedfords address for different years.
Along with the address of his house, some of them also have his occupation and the
addressof any realestateheowned.In1870,Wimerlivedin1610BrownStreetandhe
worked as a builder. He owned real estate on 53 North 10th Street with his brother
William. In 1873, helivedinahouseon703 VineStreetandcontractorisstatedashis
occupation.In 1878, heislistedaslivingin2036CherryStreet,workingas arealestate
agent andowning real estateon 629 Walnut Street. In 1880, he still had realestateon
629 Walnut Street, but lived on 1623 Race Street. In 1889, the final documentin this
series,heisonlylistedasowningrealestateon2115ArchStreet.

These series of documentsallow oneto track the Bedford family to some ofthe
different places that they lived in as they give the specific address of the Bedford
familys houses. They are also very useful as they allow one to track thevarious real
estate houses that Wimer personally owned and worked on. This showcases how
hardworking of an individual he was and how he worked his way up in the housing
industry,givenallofhisjobs.

CitationsforDocument

"The Philadelphia Directory : Free Download & Streaming : Internet Archive." Internet
Archive.N.p.,n.d.Web.06Feb.2016.

DocumentK:1872~HouseDocuments,Otherwise
Publ.asExecutiveDocuments:13thCongress,2nd
Session49thCongress,1stSession

Caption

These House Executive documents,collected in 1872, lists names of those that

servedaswellastheirrespectiveclassesandstateofbirth.

Analysis

This document contains the list of the Officers, Professors, and Cadets in the
army. Bedford, listed as number 52, was part of the third class. There are 57 other
individuals in the same class as he is in. Because this documentwas written in1855,
before the Civil War, there are limited details on Bedfords rankings. However, this
documentdoesprovidethefactthathewasbothbornandappointedinPennsylvania.

Fromthisdocument,onecaninferthatBedfordwasstartingtogainarespectfully
ranked position. Because he was part of the third classand there weremanyclasses
belowhim, Bedford might haveobtained some power andauthority. Onecanalsoinfer
that Bedford might have been friends with those other 57 soldiers in his class. One
person he might have had personally known wasWilliam Bell,whoalso wasbornand
appointedinPennsylvania.

CitationsforDocument

"House Documents, Otherwise Publ. as Executive Documents."

Google Books
. N.p.,
n.d.
Web.
10Jan.2016.
https://books.google.com/books?id=QY0FAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA125&l
pg=PA125&dq=wimer%2Bbedford&source=bl&ots=cFKZvIr5tv&sig=_INz680Z22
L695CGtWde4GIJirE&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj57buZzp3KAhXEyT4KHeDr
Dwo4ChDoAQg7MAg#v=onepage&q=bedford&f=false
>.

DocumentL:1873~EuclidBedfordsGravestone

Transcription
Euclid
sonof
Wimer&Anna
Bedford
Died
July7,1873
Aged13months&3days
Sufferlittlechildrentocomeuntome

Caption

ThispictureisEuclidBedfordstombstoneinMurrayCounty,Georgiafrom1873.

Analysis

This photo document displays Euclid Bedfords tombstone. According to his

tombstone, Euclid Bedford died at the young age of 13 months on July 7, 1873. His
tombstone is located in Crandall, Murray County, Georgia atthe
Sumach Cumberland
Presbyterian Cemetery
. The inscription on his tombstone reads Suffer littlechildrento
comeuntome.

Based on this document, one can infer that Wimer and CordeliaAnna werenot
very successful with children. Euclid was their second child, but the first one to die
before passing two yearsold. After Euclids death,Wimer andCordeliaA.attempted to
have two more children,bothof whichdied at veryyoung ages. In1873,afterEuclids
death, WimerBedfordmovedhisfamilytoanewhouse,presumablytoescapethe grief
from Euclids death. The fact that he was buried in Georgia indicates that Wimerand
CordeliaA.sent himto Georgia to live withCordelia Annas parents.Theinscriptionon
his tombstone wasseeminglyplacedtherebyhisparents,whowereanguishedtohave
losetheironlysonatsuchayoungage.

CitationsforDocument

Find A Grave.com, digital images (

http://www.findagrave.com
: accessed 5 January
2009), photograph by kari, gravestone for Euclid Bedford (18721873), Find A
GraveMemorial#28543823,Crandall,Georgia.

DocumentM:1875~UnitedStatesGeneralIndexto
PensionFiles

Transcript
NameofSoldier:Bedford,Wimer
Service:Capt.&AAGVols.
Adjt.48Ill.Inf.
DateofFiling:1875May,12

Caption

ThisisthepensiongiventoWimerBedfordin1875.

Analysis

Wimer Bedford receivedapensionaftercompleting his duties intheUnionarmy

from 18611865. Although hefinished hisenrollment intheUnitedStatesarmyin1965,
he had not received the muchdesired pension until 1875. The document displays that
Wimer bedford was not onlyan adjutant for the 48th IllinoisInfantry,buthewas also a
captain.

With the help ofthisdocument, one can discover that WimerBedfordreceiveda

pensionin 1875.WimerBedfordwasabletoreceiveapensionduetothefactthatwhen
heresigned from the army, he resignedhonorably.Afteracquiringhispension,Bedford
was provided and guaranteed with a stable and generous income which helped him
supporthiswifeandchildren.

CitationsforDocument

GeneralIndextoPensionFiles,18611934.Washington,D.C.:NationalArchivesand
RecordsAdministration.T288,546rolls.

DocumentN:1878~AnnaTowneBedfordsDeath
Certificate

Caption

ThisisAnnaTowneBedfordsDeathCertificatefrom1887.

Analysis

This document explains thatAnna Towne Bedford diedatthe very youngageof

nine monthsold. The death of Annawas due to marasmus,whichisundernourishment
of an infant that causes the childs weight to go below the average weight
recommended. The reader is also told where Anna Towne residedbefore shepassed
away.Sheabidedin2034CherryStreetPhiladelphia,PA.

One can infer that Anna Towne Bedfords death was a tragic moment for the
Bedfords. Because she died of undernourishment,one can assume thatthe Bedfords
were not extremely wealthy and could not provide her with the needed foods and
nutrients. One can also infer that the Bedfords would share unfortunate memories that
would haunt them if they were to continue to live in 2034 Cherry Street Philadelphia,
PA, the same address where Anna abided in. Consequently, one can predictthat the
Bedfordsmightmovetostartanewlife.

CitationsforDocument

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City DeathCertificates, 18031915." Index. FamilySearch,

SaltLake City, Utah, 2008,2010.Fromoriginals housed at thePhiladelphiaCity
Archives."DeathRecords.".

DocumentO:1880~UnitedStatesFederalCensus

Caption

The1880 UnitedStatesFederalCensusshowstheinhabitantsinPhiladelphiaas
reportedonthe2nddayofJune,1880.

Analysis

Asof 1880, Bedford was47 years oldand lived inPhiladelphia. He was a white
male and the head of the house. During this time, he was married to Cornelia Anna
Bedford. They had two kids, Cornelia Bedford and Fannie A. Bedford. He was a
conveyancer, a specialist lawyer who specialises in the legal aspects of buying and
sellingrealproperty,orconveyancing.

From this document, one can infer that Bedford settled in nicelyduring hislate
adulthood years following the Civil War. Because he is a conveyancer, he probably
earned a respectful amount of money to support his family. In addition, since hiskids
were maturing into their teens, Bedford probably had to spend more time at home to
supportthem.

CitationsforDocument

"Wimer Bedford in the 1880 United StatesFederal Census."

Ancestry
. N.p., n.d.Web.
10
Jan.
2016.
<
http://search.ancestry.com/cgibin/sse.dll?gss=angsc&new=1&rank=1&msT=1
&gsfn=Wimer&gsfn_x=0&gsln=Bedford&gsln_x=0&MSAV=0&uidh=000&pcat=FR
EEINDEXACOM&h=258836&db=1880usfedcen&indiv=1&ml_rpos=1
>.
"1880 United States Federal Census for Wimer Bedford."
Ancestry
. N.p.,n.d.Web. 10
Jan.
2016.
<
http://interactive.ancestry.com/6742/424445800363?pid=258836&backurl=http
%3A%2F%2Fsearch.ancestry.com%2F%2Fcgibin%2Fsse.dll%3Fgss%3Dangs
c%26new%3D1%26rank%3D1%26msT%3D1%26gsfn%3DWimer%26gsfn_x%3
D0%26gsln%3DBedford%26gsln_x%3D0%26MSAV%3D0%26uidh%3D000%26
pcat%3DFREEINDEXACOM%26h%3D258836%26db%3D1880usfedcen%26indi
v%3D1%26ml_rpos%3D1&treeid=&personid=&hintid=&usePUB=true
>.

DocumentP:1881~FannieO.BedfordsDeath
Certificate

Caption

This death certificate from 1881 belongs to Fannie O. Bedford, Wimers

daughter,who passedawayless than a yearaftershe wasborn. Fannie isburiednext
toherfather,mother,andsister.

Analysis

This document is Fannie O. Bedfords death certificate. The top portion of the
document was filledoutbyaphysician,and categories include name, colour (orrace),
sex, age, marriedorsingle,dateofdeath,andcauseofdeath.FannieO.Bedfordwasa
white female whopassed awaywhenshewas nineteenmonthsandnineteendaysold.
The date of death was March 28th, 1881, and the cause of death, according to the
physician, was congestion of thebrain.The bottom halfof the documentwas filled out
by the undertakers, who were Wimer and Annie (or Cornelia Anna)Bedford, Fannies
parents.Additional information includes her birthplace, Philadelphia, and burial
information. Fannie was buried at the Woodlands Cemetery on the second of April,
1881.

Based on this document and knowledgeofthe Bedford family, wecaninferthat

the family was cursed with health complications. Fannie Bedford also had another
sibling whopassedawayatayoungageaswell.Inaddition,despiteherratherlonglife,
CorneliaE.Bedford,Fanniessister,alsodiedfromahealthrelatedcondition.Withallof
this information in mind, it is highly possible that Wimer and or Cornelia A. Bedford
passed due to health conditions as well. Also, the loss of two children could have
greatly affected Wimerslife andhis decisions, such as volunteering tofightin theCivil
War.

CitationsforDocument

"Pennsylvania,PhiladelphiaCityDeathCertificates,18031915,"databasewithimages,
FamilySearch(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:J6LGSQ3:accessed6
February2016),FannieO.Bedford,28Mar1881citing,PhiladelphiaCity
ArchivesandHistoricalSocietyofPennsylvania,PhiladelphiaFHLmicrofilm
2,047,759.

DocumentQ:18861891~BoydsPhiladelphiaBlue
Book

Caption

This is Wimer Bedfords listing in

Boyds
Philadelphia Blue Book in 1886 and
1891,respectively.

Analysis

These documents contain directory listings in two of the annual publications of

Boyds Philadelphia Blue Book
. These books were similar to city directories, but
especially for Philadelphias elite. They contained the names and addresses of only
35,000 people, 25,000ofwhichwerePhiladelphiaseliteand10,000ofwhichwerefrom
one hundred other towns. They were classified by street name and arranged in
alphabetical order. The book published in 1886 showed that Bedfords was living at
1623 Race Street with his wife, Cornelia A. Bedford, and his daughter, Cornelia E.
Bedford. The 1891 publication displayed Bedfords new address as 2323 Delancey
Place,wherehelivedwithhiswifeanddaughter.

These publications of
Boyds Philadelphia BlueBookprovideonewithaplethora
of information. Seeingasthebookwas strictly for Philadelphiaselite,one canassume
that WimerBedford classifiedasan elite. His previousendeavorsin inventing andreal
estatesupportthis,ashisinventionwassignificanttoPhiladelphiansandhewasableto
sell realestate.These documents alsoprovided Bedfordsaddressthroughout aseries
of years. One can presume that Bedford changed houses twice in that time period,
whichisasignificantamountforafiveyearspan.

CitationsforDocument

BoydsPhiladelphiaBlueBook.
Philadelphia,1886.Print
BoydsPhiladelphiaBlueBook.
Philadelphia,1891.Print

DocumentR:1890~JoiningtheArmy

Caption

This document is Bedfords memoir to his daughter, which he began in the

1890s.

Analysis

This document was written by Wimer Bedford, addressed to his daughter,who

frequently requested her father to write about his personal experiences from the Civil
War, in which he coined the Rebellion. He acknowledged that his dates might have
been inaccurate and that he might have omitted some incidents as a result of poor
memory. He praised Grant, calling him "the great conqueror of the Rebellion. Grant
was sentto muster in CaptainCormack'sregiment. Oncetheircompanybecame large
enough,theyearnedthetitle"CompanyD".

From this document, onecan inferthat Bedfordsdaughter was intriguedbyher

fathers history. Because Bedford says that hemightforgetto includesome facts, one
canassumethat thesefacts were probably toogruesomefora young girl tohear.One
caninferthatsomeof these omissions were intentional. Inaddition, it canbeassumed
thatBedfordwaspatrioticbecausehepraisesGrantveryhighly.

CitationsforDocument

Woodworth,StevenE."TheLoyal,True,andBrave."<i>GoogleBooks</i>.N.p.,n.d.
Web.10Jan.2016.
<https://books.google.com/books?id=R_LNWFdEjjIC&amppg=PA2&amplpg=PA
2&ampdq=wimer%2Bbedford&ampsource=bl&ampots=hvlSq6hLa&ampsig=3
1i7f1SS5q4OeJwXIXIgIR4Rlik&amphl=en&ampsa=X&ampved=0ahUKEwi3mq
e_4J3KAhXBbD4KHRhOARAQ6AEINTAE#v=onepage&ampq=wimer%20bedfor
d&ampf=false&gt.>


DocumentS:1900~TheUnitedStatesFederalCensus


Transcript


Caption

This document is the Twelfth United States Federal Census of the8thWard in

Philadelphia,takenin1900.

Analysis

Wimer Bedford was 65 years old at the time this census was taken. His wife
CorneliaA.Bedford, was58.This document showsthattheywerestillmarriedin1900.
They were both lodgersto the head of thehousehold.The census listsone livingchild
of Cornelia. There were many people in the census who were listed as married,
widowed,andsingle.Theiragesrangedaslowas2yearsoldtoasoldas69yearsold.

From this document, onecaninferthatBedfordskidshadpassedawaysincehe

only had one child reported to be still alive. In addition, because the census shows a
variety of relationships, one can infer that many wives lost their husbands in the Civil
War.This isa veryplausibleexplanationfor thenumberof widows. One can also infer
thatBedfordand hiswife were friends with theothereldersinthehouse, suchasLydia
L.SmithandMaryA.Moore.

CitationsforDocument

UnitedStatesofAmerica,BureauoftheCensus.TwelfthCensusoftheUnitedStates,
1900.Washington,D.C.:NationalArchivesandRecordsAdministration,1900.
T623,1854rolls.

DocumentT:1901~Confirmations

Caption

ThisdocumentisarecordofWimerBedfordsconfirmationfrom1901.

Analysis

This document is BedfordsconfirmationtotheHolyTrinityEpiscopalChurch.He

was part of theEpiscopal denomination. ThiseventtookplaceonApril3rd,1901,when
Bedford was 66 years old. Heand morethan 15others all receivedtheirconfirmations
in the same year. His Reverends initials were O.W., while others had a different
reverend.

From this document, one can assume that Bedford wasnotreadyto committo
anything when we was younger, seeing as he didnt receive his confirmation until a
much later age. Because he was 66, one can infer that he was closer to the upper
range of individuals who received their confirmations from his Holy Trinity Episcopal
Church. Since he ended up deciding to resort to religion, one caninfer thateitherthe
warordeathsinhisfamilystirredtheunderlyingreason.

CitationsforDocument

Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 17081985
[databaseonline].Provo,UT,USA:Ancestry.comOperations,Inc.,2011.

DocumentU:1901~CorneliaAnnaBedfordsDeath
Certificate

Caption

CorneliaA.BedfordsdeathcertificatestatesthatshediedonMarch21,1901
duetofattydegenerationsoftheheart.

Analysis

ThisdocumentisCorneliaAnnaBedfordsdeathcertificate.Thedeathcertificate
wascompletedbyaphysicianandanundertaker.Thecertificatehadallofthetypical
information,suchasherage,birthplaceandetc.However,italsoincludedherdateof
deathandcauseofdeath.ShereportedlydiedoffattydegenerationofheartonMarch
21st,1901.Thebottomportionofthedocumentwascompletedbyanundertaker,who
wasnotamemberofCorneliasimmediatefamily.Itsstatedthatshewasburiedatthe
WoodlandsCemeteryonMarch25th,1901.

CorneliaA.Bedfords death certificateprovided her birth yearandconfirmed her

marital status. In addition, it provided the date she passed, which was in 1901. This
meantthatshediedbeforeherhusband,Wimer.Inaddition,itsinterestingthatCornelia
died due to a healthrelatedissue, whichfurtherassertstheideathattheBedfordfamily
wasdestinedforpoorhealth,resultinginprematuredeaths.

CitationsforDocument

"Pennsylvania,PhiladelphiaCityDeathCertificates,18031915,"databasewithimages,
FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JDKJY6P:accessed6
February2016),CorneliaAnnaBedford,21Mar1901citingcn20068,
PhiladelphiaCityArchivesandHistoricalSocietyofPennsylvania,Philadelphia
FHLmicrofilm1,845,289.

DocumentV:1901~WoodlandsCemeteryBedford
FamilyLotCard

Caption

Wimer Bedfordsfamilys lot card fortheir graves in theWoodlandsCemetery in

Philadelphia,PAfrom1878.

Analysis

This document showsusallof the people buriedinWimerBedfordsfamilylotat

the Woodlands Cemetery in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.Itgives the date ofinterment
of each member buried there as well as their age when they were buried. For Wimer
andCornelia A. Bedford,the place theydiedandthenameoftheReverendthatburied
2
them are also listed on the lot card. The size of their lot was128 ft
. Thefamilys plot
was insectionL and lot 278E , 280 W atthe WoodlandsCemetery. It seems as
though another person, Sarah S. Barnes, was also buried in this lot in 1884,butwas
removedfromitlater.

Based on this document,one can infer that the majority oftheBedford familyis
resting together. With the exceptionof EuclidBedfordandCornelia E. Bedford,Wimer
Bedfords son and daughter,allof the Bedford family are accounted forin this lot. The
interment dates reveal that the Bedford family owned the lot ever since the death of
their second child, Anna Bedford, in 1878. The document also discloses that Wimer
Bedford passedawayinStamford,Connecticut,butwasbroughtbacktoPhiladelphiato
be buried with his family. It is assumed that Cornelia E. Bedford, the last survivor of
Wimer Bedfordsfamily, undertook Wimers funeralandburialarrangements.Reverend
BrinshurstwastheattendingfuneralministeratWimerBedfordsburial.

CitationsforDocument

[WoodlandsCemetery]Philadelphia,Pennsylvania.Lotcardanddeed.Photocopies
providedtoauthor.

DocumentW:19021906~WimerBedfordsWilland
Affirmation

Transcriptof1902Will
I, Wimer Bedford, of the city of Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and state of
Pennsylvania, being of proud mind,domakethismylastwillandtestament[ill].Afterpayingmy
[ill] debt and funeral expenses, Igive, domainandbequeathallmyproperty,[ill]andpersonalto
mybeloveddaughterCorneliaElizabethBedfordandIappointhersoleexecutiveofthiswill.
In sickness whereof I have beneath put my hand and seal this Twenty Eighth day of
FebruaryNineteenhundredandtwo(1902).
WimerBedford
Signed, acknowledged and declared by the paid Wimer Bedford as and for his last will and
testament in this personal of us both being present at this same time who at his request in his
[ill]andinthepresenceofeachother,handhereout[ill]overnamesasWint[ill].

LauraP.Elliot
ElizabethP.Elliot
1229SpruceStreet

1906Affirmation

1906Petition

Caption

Wimer Bedfords will was written in 1902. The affirmation of Bedfords will was
carriedoutonMay11,1906.Listedisalsothe1906Petitionandreceipts.

Analysis

These documents provide information on Bedfords will. In his will, Bedford

requested thatwhen hedies,hewantsallofhispropertyandpersonalbelongingstogo
to his beloved daughter, Cornelia Elizabeth Bedford. She was appointed the sole
executive of this will. He signed it on February 28th, 1902. The affirmation, signed by
the deputy registerandCornelia,confirmedthatCorneliawilltrulyadministerthegoods
andchattels, rights andcreditsofsaiddeceasedundertheprovisions ofthelawrelating
to Collateral Inheritance.She endeduppaying16dollarsfor theLettersTestamentary
and Certificate fees. Also, from the petition, it states that Bedford had owned mining
claimsinColorado,10lotsinMississippi,and1lotintheWoodlands,Pennsylvania.

From this document, onecan assume that Corneliawas the onlydaughteralive.

Thus, she was the only recipient of the will. Bedford was probably worried about his
health,whichis whyhesubmittedarequestforhis will.OnecaninferthatwhenBedford
did die, Cornelia paid for the funeral and expenses using money from hiswill. Also, it
can be inferred that Cornelia was able to receiveadecentamount of money from the
landsheinheritedafterBedfordsdeath.

CitationsforDocument

Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania, WillsandProbateRecords, 16831993[databaseonline].

Provo,UT,USA:Ancestry.comOperations,Inc.,2015.

DocumentX:1905~MicrofilmofPhiladelphiasPublic
Ledger

Caption

This death notice was published in Philadelphias Public Ledger on December

13, 1905,twodaysafterWimerBedfordsdeath,offeringinformationonBedfordsdeath
andfuneralservice.

Analysis

This document was taken from a microfilm of a newspaper titled the Public
Ledger.The newspaperwas basedin Philadelphia and this specificsectionisfromthe
Nov.1, 1905to Dec. 31, 1905edition. IntheDecember13,1905edition,underdeaths,
there was a death notice listed about Wimer Bedford. The notice states that Wimer
passed away on December 11th, in Stamford, Connecticut. Wimer was seventy one
years old at the time of his death. Funeral services was held at38 North 11thSt.,on
FridayDecember15th.

We can infer from this document, his death notice, about the specifics on
Wimers death. Thefamilymost likelywanted privacy andtime to grieve, for the notice
was short and brief. While it didprovide the day andlocation of hispassing, notmuch
else wasexposed tothepublic. Although thefuneral services werelistedandtherefore
not completely quite,the tone ofthewriter was coldand blatant.In addition,heorshe
stated minimal facts, which could hint that his relationship with his family was not
pleasant.

CitationsforDocument

"Deaths."
PublicLedger
[Philadelphia]13Jan.1905:n.pag.Microform.

DocumentY:1905~WimerBedfordsBurialRecords

Caption

Thisdocumentistheburialrecordsof1905.

Analysis

This document shows all the deceased, the date, their Christian name, their
surname, their age, their place of burial, and their minister. Bedfordwas buried in the
Woodlands Cemetery. His ministers name is not eligible because of the cursive
handwriting. Bedford wasburiedthe15thofNovemberof1905.Hewas70yearsold.In
the same month, many other people were buried too, but not int the same cemetery.
However,Wimerdidsharethesameministersastheydid.

From this document, one can infer that Bedfords death was notunreasonable.
He probablydied of age,sinceduringthistime,thelifeexpectancyisnotthathigh.This
canbeinferredbecause he isone ofthe oldestones tobe buried.Also,oncecaninfer
thatthereweremanypeoplewhodiedsincethepageswerefilledwithnames.

CitationsforDocument

Ancestry.com. Pennsylvania and New Jersey, Church and Town Records, 17081985
[databaseonline].Provo,UT,USA:Ancestry.comOperations,Inc.,2011.

DocumentZ:1905~Winonan(Wimer)Bedfords
DeathCertificate

Caption

WimerBedfordsdeathcertificatefrom1905.

Analysis

Although the name on this document wasWinonan Bedford, thetrue identity of

this deceased person is Wimer Bedford. The information presented in this death
certificate completely matches up with the details of Wimer Bedfords death. For
example, Winonan was a widowed seventy year old white male whopassed awayon
December 11th, 1905 in Stamford, Connecticut. Winonans estimated birth year was
1835 and was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. All of these facts match up almost
completely with Wimer Bedfords, withtheexception ofaone year mistakein terms of
hisage.

This death certificate, although covered with minor errors, reflects Wimer
Bedfords death notice. Although the cause of death was not included, this certificate
grants solid proof on the matter of Wimers death. However, one piece of information
stands out. His marital status is widowed, which helps us infer that his wife, Cornelia
AnnaBedford,passedawaybeforehim.

CitationsforDocument

"Pennsylvania, Philadelphia City DeathCertificates,18031915,"databasewithimages,

FamilySearch
(https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:JN1K5YX : accessed 6
February 2016), Winonan Bedford, 11 Dec 1905 citingcn27675, Philadelphia
City Archives and Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia FHL
microfilm1,022,653.

DocumentAA:1906~MemoirsofSomeGeneralsof
theCivilWar,McBride'sMagazine,Volume77(Pages
124128)

Caption

This documentwastakenfromtheMcBridesMagazine,publishedin1906.Itisa
collection of memoirs of some generals from the Civil War. The excerpt specifically
showsBedfordsmemoir.

Analysis

In Bedford's memoir, he wrote abouthisexperiencesinthewar.HewasGeneral

Dennis' assistant adjutantgeneral. In his memoir, he tells how they went through so
much trouble only to witness goods transported to the Rebel country and benefit the
Confederates. Believing General Dennis wasat fault,Bedfordbecamefuriouswhenhe
started defending his decisions. Consequently, Bedford asked to resign from garrison
duty and to report to anotherMajorGeneral to work with. During Sherman's march, he
was withGeneralHoward andkeptadiary ofeventswhileonthemarch.Intheend,he
resigned his commission because he knew that the war was practically over.General
Howard was originally mad at him but sent him a letter recognizing Bedford's
achievementandbraveselfsacrificingpersonality.

From this document, onecan inferthat Bedford enjoyed writing. Notonly didhe
write for General Howard to document events during the Sherman March of the Civil
War, but also he wrote memoirsand stories such as this one. Bedford probablywas a
good soldier who didnt tolerate mistakes or excuses. This is evident when General
DennismadeamistakeandBedfordrequestedtobereassignedthenextday.

CitationsforDocument

"McBride's Magazine."
Google Books
.J.B.LippincottandCompany,1906,n.d.Web.09
Jan.
2016.
<
https://books.google.com/books?id=T4YgAQAAMAAJ&printsec=frontcover&dq=
McBride%27s%2BMagazine%2C%2BVolume%2B77&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUK
Ewir4Oe20p3KAhWMOT4KHUHXCg0Q6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q&f=false
>.

DocumentBB:1918~GARMedal

Caption

This isthe GARmedal and shoulder strapswornby WimerBedford, receivedin

1918.

Analysis

Thedocumentis an imageof the GARmedalthatBedfordwasawardedandthe

shoulder straps that Bedford had worn onhis uniform. TheGAR isthe GrandArmy of
the Republic, an organization composed of veterans who servedontheUnionside of
various United States Military forces. The two artifacts were loaned to a museum by
CorneliaBedfordin1918.

From the document, one can infer thatWimers willwas properlycarriedout as

Cornelia did havetwoofher fathers personalpossessions. Also,onecan find out that
Wimer was an honorary member of the GAR and that he fought forthe Union. It also
allowsonetohaveaglimpseintowhatWimersuniformlookedlike.

CitationsforDocument

"CivilWarInsignia."CivilWarInsignia.N.p.,n.d.Web.07Feb.2016.

DocumentCC:1921~CorneliaE.BedfordsPassport
Application

Caption

ThisisthePassportApplicationforCorneliaE.Bedfordin1923.

Analysis

CorneliaE.Bedfordapplied forapassportandhaditapprovedandissuedtoher
bytheDepartmentofStateinWashingtononFebruary8th,1923.The applicationstates
thatCornelia wasbornin NewYorkCity,NewYork.Italsostatesthatherfather,Wimer
Bedford, was deceased. In addition, the document lists heroccupation as a translator
andwriter. During this time period,Corneliawaslistedashavingatemporaryresidence
atDresden,Germany.

Based on this document, one can infer that Cornelia, much like her father,
enjoyed traveling and could not stay in one place for too long. This can beinferred by
the document because it statesthat she hadresided invarious placesin Europe,such
as England, Italy and Switzerland. Thedocument also states thatCornelia desiredthe
passport to travel as it would help with her careerasa writer. Herbirthdayand city of
birtharelisted,whichhelpsclearupdiscrepanciesthatoccurredwithothersources.

CitationsforDocument

UnitedStates.Germany.
DepartmentPassportApplication
.N.p.:n.p.,n.d.Web.

DocumentDD:1935~ReportoftheDeathofan
AmericanCitizen

Caption

CorneliaE.BedfordsdeathwasreportedbytheAmericanForeignservicedueto
the circumstances of her death. Cornelia died at the age of sixty seven abroad in
Germany.

Analysis

This document is a report of Cornelia E. Bedfords death. Specifically, the file

was reported by the Americanforeignserviceaboutthedeathofanamericancitizen,in
the case Cornelia, abroad. ThefilewasdraftedinDresden,GermanyonApril24,1935.
Cornelia was sixty seven when she passed away on April 16, 1935 at 7:15 PM. She
died of a blood clot in the lungs and was residing at Hotel Westminster in Dresden
Germany at the time. Her remains were buried at Alter Annenfriedhof,
Chemnitzerstrasse, Dresden Germany (Section A, Row 11, Grave No. 17). Her only
relativeknownto the Consulate wasEuclid WaterhouseMcBride,her cousin wholived
in Florence,Italy.AnotificationwassenttotheGirardTrustCompanyinPhiladelphiaby
telegraph on April 17, 1935 and to Euclid Waterhouse McBride by mail on April 24,
1935.

From this document we can infer many things about Cornelia E. Bedford,
Wimers daughter. This document validates the fact that she moved to Dresden,
Germany towards the endof her life, perhaps forretirementorsimply forvacation due
to thefact that sheresided inahotel and not apermanentresidence.Comparedtoher
other siblings, she lived an extremely long life. Additionally,we caninferthatCornelia
livedarelatively lonelylife,forshedidnothaveanylivingsiblingsnorchildren.Thefact
thatheronly known relative was acousinwhowaslivinginadifferentcountrysuggests
thatshedidnothavecloserelationshipswiththepeopleinherlife.

CitationsforDocument

Ancestry.com."ReportsofDeathsofAmericanCitizensAbroad,18351974."
Ancestry
.
Ancestry.comOperations,Inc.,2010.Web.05Jan.2016.
<
http://interactive.ancestry.com/1616/31070_17122400342/106021?backurl=htt
p%3A%2F%2Fperson.ancestry.com%2Ftree%2F39772031%2Fperson%2F295
52169503%2Ffacts%2Fcitation%2F155079347707%2Fedit%2Frecord
>.