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- Mary divorced her first husband, William Tibbett. Her second husband, Samuel Davis, deserted and presumed dead. Mary married Cornelius Valentine, then a few years later, Samuel Davis returned. Mary had to divorce Cornelius, divorce Samuel, then remarry Cornelius Valentine.
Deposition of Mary E. Valentine, May 5, 1899, before M. J. Maloney, regarding her request for widow's pension in the case of her deceased husband, Cornelius Valentine. "I am 56, living at 368 Sussex Street, Paterson, New Jersey. Cornelius served in Company I, 70th NY Volunteers, and Co. H., 86th NY Volunteer Marine Corp. during the Mexican War. I became acquainted with him in 1876 or 1877 in Allegheny City, PA. I was working out in service in Allegheny City and his wife at the time was Alice Hardman, also living in Allegheny City, and he also being employed in the locomotive works, can't recall the name of the company. His wife died in February the year I can't recall. He returned to Paterson, New Jersey in the Spring of 1880, and before he left we were engaged. In summer of 1880 I came east and we were married November 1880, Jersey City, New Jersey by Rev. W. Tunsore, and I lived with him from that date until he died and was never divorced from him. "He died in the Marine hospital, Brooklyn, New York and was employed at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, from apoplexy. I have not married since he died. He was (?) at work while employed in the blacksmith shop. He died February 17, 1898. My maiden name was Branson. I was married twice previous to my marriage to Valentine."
"My first husband was William H. Tibbett. I was divorced from him 1872 at the Court of District of Columbia and I sent a copy of my divorce papers to Washington. Then I married Samuel Davis in Allegheny City, Pennsylvania July 18, 1872, lived with him two years, not steady. He deserted me and afterwards I saw a newspaper account that he died and I supposed he was dead and had no knowledge of him until 1893. I received a letter from him demanding I should send on his discharge papers. I can't recall now what company and regiment or service he was in. I was astonished to know he was still alive and at once consulted a lawyer who told me I would have to get a divorce and one was applied for and granted May 1896, and in (?) 1896 I was married over again to Mr. Valentine by a J. P. I wish to say that after Davis left me I learned he had a wife and children when he married me and that they are in Allegheny. I don't know his address."
"Mr. Valentine was married three times before he married me. His first wife was Mary E. Gardner. He was divorced in March 1866, then he married Catharine Montey who died in December 15 or 16 1867, then he married Alice Hardman who died February 1878, Allegheny City, PA. I gave these dates from papers that and other records I have in my possession and sent (?) evidence of the dates and facts of said events to Washington to be filed in my claim."
My knowledge of my husband Valentine having served in the Mexican War is based on information he gave me. He told me that when a small boy he was out of work and sent to see his mother who was in service and asked her for permission to enlist and she refused, and on the streets of New York he met a Sargeant who asked him if he wanted to enlist and he said he did and he took him to the Brooklyn Navy Yard and he enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1847. He told me that when he enlisted he did not know his age and he had been put away in a home when young and he said when the doctor examined him he laughed and said 'you are not 21 years.'. My husband never knew his correct age. He was born at a place called Split Rock, Morris County, New Jersey and at that time a boy working around on laboring work.
1900. Paterson, Acquachonock Township, Paterson, Passaic County, New Jersey Federal Census. Mary E. Valentine, (widow of Cornelius Valentine), age 50, born 1850 Washington, D. C., living alone.
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