Soldier’s Application for a Pension

 

Name of Applicant

G.D. Martin

Navarro County

 

Filed June 1^st 1914

Approved June 1^st 1914

Pension allowed from Sept 1^st 1914

Geo. W. Kyser

Commissioner of Pensions

 

Please acknowledge to Mr. Martin the receipt of this application at once

                                                            --Owen

FORM A                                                                                                                                                                                            2233-314-500

THE STATE OF TEXAS

County of Navarro

            I, G.D. Martin do hereby make application to the commissioner of Pensions for a pension to be granted me under the Act passed by the 33^rd Legislature of the State of Texas, and approved April 7, 1913, on the following grounds:

            I enlisted and served in the military service of the Confederate States during the war between the States of the United States, and that I did not desert the Confederate service, but during said war I was loyal and true to my duty, and never at any time voluntarily abandoned my post of duty in the said service; or (that I was in the service of the State of Texas during the war, to protect said State against the Indians and Mexicans for more than 7 months). That I was honorably discharged or surrendered at Chicago Ills. In Federal Prison in June 1865 account war closed  that I have been a bona fide citizen of this State since prior to January 1, A. D. 1900, and have been continuously since a citizen of the State of Texas. I do further state that I do not hold any National, State, city or county office which pays me a salary or fees of $300.00 per annum, nor have I an income from any other employment or other source whatever which amounts to $300.00 per annum, nor do I receive from any source whatever money or other means of support amounting in value to the sum of $300.00 per annum, nor do I own in my own right, nor does any one hold in trust for my benefit or use, nor does my wife own, nor does any one hold in trust for my wife, estate or property, either real, personal or mixed, either in fee or for life, of the assessed value of over one thousand dollars, exclusive of a home of the value of not more than $1000.00; nor do I receive any aid or pension from any other State, or from the United States, or from any other source, and that I am not an inmate of the Confederate Home, and I do further state that the answers given to the following questions are true:

1.      What is your age? Age 71—

2.      Where were you born? In Butler County Alabama.

3.      How long have you resided in Texas? Since 1867—

4.      In what county do you reside? Navarro County.

5.      How long have you resided in said county, and what is your postoffice address? Since May 1913. P.O. Purdon, Texas R.F.D. #1

6.      Have you applied for a pension under the Confederate pension law and been rejected? If rejected, state when and where: Never applied before.

7.      What is your occupation, if able to engage in one? Farmer What is your physical condition? Fair

8.      In what State was the command in which you served organized? George & Alabama.

9.      How long did you serve? Give, if possible, the date of enlistment and discharge: Spring 1862 to June 1865

10.  What was the letter of your company, number of battalion, regiment or battery? Co “H” Smith’s Regiment, Stevens Brigade, Walker’s Division, Hardee’s Corps of Tennessee Army.

11.  If transferred from one command to another, give time of transfer, name of command and time of service: not transferred.

12.  What branch of the service did you enlist in – infantry, cavalry, artillery or navy? Infantry.

13.  If commissioned direct by the President, what was your rank and line of duty? Private Soldier.

14.  If detailed for special service, under the law of conscription, what was the nature of your service and how long did you serve? Not so detailed.

15.  What is the assessed value of your home, if you own a home? Have none.

16.  What is the assed value of your other property? Have none.

17.  Have you transferred to others any property of any kind for the purpose of becoming a beneficiary under the law? No

Wherefore your petitioner prays that his application for a pension be approved and such other proceedings be had in the premises as are required by law.

            (Signature of Applicant.) G.D. Martin

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 8^th day of July, A.D. 1914.

                                    R. R. Owen

[Seal]                           County Judge Navarro County, Texas

_____________________________

AFFADAVIT OF WITNESSES

            [Note.] – There must be at least two credible witnesses.

THE STATE OF TEXAS
County of Navarro

            Before me R.R. Owen, County Judge of Navarro County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared the undersigned, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that that personally know G.D. Martin, the above named applicant for a pension, and that they personally know that the said G.D. Martin has been a bona fide resident citizen of the State of Texas since prior to January 1, A.D. 1900, and that they have no interest in his claim.

                                                (Signature of Witness) George Martin

                                                (Signature of Witness) G. R. Jay

            Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 8^th day of July, A.D. 1914

                                                            R.R. Owen

            [Seal]                                       County Judge Navarro County, Texas

_____________________________

AFFADAVIT OF WITNESSES

(If possible the two witnesses should have served with the applicant in the army, and if so, let them, or either, state it in their oath, their source of knowledge; also any information regarding applicant’s army service.)

THE STATE OF TEXAS

County of Navarro

            Before me, R. R. Owen, County Judge of Navarro County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared George Martin who personally known to me to be credible citizens, who being by me sworn, on oath state that they are personally acquainted with the foregoing applicant, and that the facts set forth and statements made in his application are correct and true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and that they have no interest in his claim, and said applicant’s habits are good and free from dishonor. And he further make oath to the following facts touching the applicant’s service in the Confederate army:

(State fully your source of knowledge.)

I was a member of Co “E” of 12 Louisiana Regiment. I know that G.D. Martin served in the Confederate army. I think he was a member of Co “H” of Smith’s Regiment of Stevens’ Brigade. He made a good slider so far as known. I was often with G.D. Martin. He never deserted so far as I ever heard knew or believed but made a good soldier and remained loyal to the end.

                        (Signature of Witness) George Martin

                        (Signature of Witness) G.R. Jay

            Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 8^th day of July, A.D. 1914

                                                                        R.R. Owen

                                                                        County Judge Navarro County, Texas

_____________________________

CERTIFICATE OF STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSOR

_____________________________

 

            I, J. H. Bates, State and County Assessor in the County of Navarro, State of Texas, do certify that G.D. Martin, or his wife, or his trustee, or trustee, for his wife, whose name is signed to the foregoing application for a pension, under the Act of the Thirty-third Legislature, approved April 7, 1913, is charged on the tax rolls of said county with a homestead of the value of no assessment and of other property, real or personal, or both of the value of no assessment Dollars.

            Given under my hand, this 18^th day of July A.D. 1914

                                                                        J.H. Bates

                                                                        State and County Asssessor

====================================================================================================

PROOF OF SERVICE IN THE CONFEDERATE ARMY OF G.D. MARTIN

Questions propounded to Mrs. Sarah Trump

1. What is your name, age, race and place of residence?
   Answer. Sarah Trump. I am 73 years old. White. Reside in Taylor, Williamson County, Texas

2. Did you ever serve in the Confederate Army? If so, give the letter of your company and the number of your regiment and the length of your service.
   Answer. No

3. Do you personally know whether G.D. Martin served in the Confederate Army? If so, give the letter of  his company and the length of his service; if possible, give the date of enlistment and discharge; give the name of his Colonel, Captain and name any battles in which he took part.
   Answer. Yes, G.D. Martin served in the Confederate Army. He was a private in Company H, Walker’s Division, Stevens’ Brigade, Tenn. Served about 1 ½ years. His Colonel was G.A. Smith, Captain Randolph Owens. Do not remember names of battles.

4. How do you know the facts you have stated in answer to question 3?
   Answer. From my personal recollection. I am his sister. We sent him clothing and other supplies while he was in the army.

5. Did you know any other solider by the name of G.D. Martin?
   Answer. No

6. What was the rank of G.D. Martin? How was he regarded as a soldier?
   Answer. He was a private. He was a good soldier.

7. Did you ever hear or know that G.D. Martin deserted or abandoned a post of duty? If no, state fully and in detail all you have heard.
   Answer. I never heard anything to his discredit as a soldier

Sarah Trump

Signature of witness

Witnesses: H.C. Mantor, Mrs Jas Loeafer (?)

            I, H.C. Mantor, a Notary Public, in and for Williamson County, State of Texas, do certify that the witness Sarah Trump who made and signed the above answers is known to me to be a credible person and worthy of belief, and I further certify that his answers were made and subscribed and sworn to by said witness before me this day.

            Witness my hand and seal of office, this 17^th day of July A.D. 1914.

                                                                                    H.C. Mantor

                                                                                    Notary Public in and for Williamson County, Texas