CIVIL WAR WIDOW'S PENSION APP. - EMMA (BASKINS) AVERA, WIDOW OF JOSEPH H. AVERA, SR. Alachua Co., FL File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Janet Steadham, (steaddanjan@earthlink.net) ******************************************************************************* USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or publication by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ******************************************************************************* CONTRIBUTOR'S NOTE: I have no relationship to anyone mentioned in the below file. ******************************************************************************* Application No. A00525 Claim For Pension By Joseph H. Avera, Sr. Of Alachua County Late Of Capt. Vallandingham's [sic] Company 7th Florida Regiment Filed In Executive Department Oct. 14 1898 Application For Pension State of Florida,} County of Alachua} On this 11th day of October, 1898, personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for the said County and State, Joseph H. Avers, Sr., aged sixty two years, by occupation a farmer who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Joseph H. Avera, Sr. who was, on the ____ day of ____, 1862, enrolled in Captain Zion Vanlandingham Company "D" of 7th Fla. Reg. Alachua County, State of Florida and that while serving as a private in ____ Company, D, Seventh Florida Regiment, Finley's Brigade, and in the line of his duty at Resacca in the State of Georgia, on or about the thirteenth day of April, 1864, I was wounded by gunshot the ball entered near the small of my back and came out near the hip. I have continuously suffered a great deal of pain; incapacitating me from doing manual labor and that as the result of said injuries I am now unable to earn a livelihood; that I am a citizen of said County and State, and have been a bona fide citizen of the State of Florida continuously since January 1st, 1880; that neither I nor my wife own property to the value of fifteen hundred dollars in this or any other State, and that I am not "otherwise enabled or in a position to earn a livelihood;" that I am not receiving a pension from the United States, or any other State; that I never deserted the Confederate service, and make this declaration for the purpose of being placed upon the invalid pension roll of the State of Florida, as provided by Act of the Legislature, approved June 8, 1889, as amended June 2, 1893 and June 15, 1897. Joseph H. Avera, Sr., Applicant Gainesville Florida, Postoffice Sworn and subscribed to before me this 11th day of October A. D. 1898. Robt. Davis Notary Public State of Florida at Large We do solemnly swear that the above applicant Joseph H. Avera, Sr. served with us in ____, and that he did not desert the Confederate service. F. V. Seag? Geo. J. Amom Sworn and subscribed to before me this 11th day of October A. D. 1898. Robt. Davis Notary Public, State of Florida at Large We do solemnly swear that we are familiar with the value of all the property owned by above Joseph H. Avera, Sr. and his wife, in this or any other State, and that the actual combined value thereof is less than $1,500, and that he is not physically or otherwise able or in a position to earn a livelihood. T. B. Ellis Geo. J. Amom Sworn and subscribed to before me this 11th day of October A. D. 1898. Robt. Davis Notary Public State of Florida at Large We do solemnly swear that we have carefully examined Joseph H. Avera, Sr. who is to us well known as the applicant for pension above described, and find that he has the evidence of severe ? at wound of pelvis as elsewhere described; also right ? hernia same limb in a ? no means of estimating disability from old wound but credit his statement and believe he should be pensioned. J. F. McKinstry, Sr., M. D. Residence Gainesville Florida J. F. McKinstry, Jr., M. D. Residence Gainesville Florida Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13th day of October A. D. 1898. Robt. Davis Notary Public State of Florida at Large I certify that the above affidavits are genuine, that all of the affiants "are persons of respectability and good reputation," and that their statements are worthy of belief; that the attesting officers are duly authorized to attest said affidavits, and that their signatures thereto are genuine. H. C. Denton Clerk of the Circuit Court We do hereby certify that Stonewall Camp No. ____. U.C.V's., at Gainesville, Fla., has carefully and fully investigated the above application for pension by Joseph H. Avera, Sr. and find that the facts alleged are correct in every particular, and therefore recommends that the pension be granted. J. D. Matheson Acty. Commander Attest: J. O. Andrews Adjutant We the undersigned members of the Stonewall Camp of United Confederate Veterans do certify that we have carefully investigated the application of Joseph H. Avera for a pension and find the facts alleged and set forth therein to be true in every particular and therefore recommend that he be granted a pension. This Oct. 11th 1898. H. C. Denton S. H. Wienges W. C. Matheson J. D. Matheson J. O. Andrews T. B. Ellis ******************************************************************************* Ferdinand Bayer, Attorney-at-Law, Office Over Wallace's Drug Store P. O. Box 222 Gainesville, Fla. Oct. 13th 1898 Hon. D. Lang Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sir: Enclosed I hand you the application for pension of Mr. Joseph H. Avera, Sr. of this place which please have filed and oblige. Yours truly, Ferdinand Bayer for Joseph H. Avera, Sr. ******************************************************************************* Widow's Pension Application to be Signed by Widow (FORM A) I, Mrs. Emma Avera, do hereby make application to the State Board of Pensions for a pension, to be granted to me under the act of 1907, Chapter 5600 of the Laws of Florida, on the following grounds: I am the widow of Joseph H. Avera, deceased, who departed this life on the 18th day of January A. D. 1900, in the county of Alachua in the State of Florida. I was married to him on the 19th day of August A. D. 1860, in the county of Alachua, in the State of Florida. I have not remarried since the death of my said husband Joseph H. Avera. My husband, the said Joseph H. Avera, enlisted and served in the military service of the Confederate States during the war between the States of the United States, and he did not desert the Confederate or State service. I have been a resident of the State of Florida for ten consecutive years prior to the date of this application, and that I am not receiving a pension from any other State. Emma Avera Gainesville, Fla. Post Office State of Florida,} County Alachua} Before me, S. H. Wienges Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County and State, personally came Mrs. Emma Avera who, being by me duly sworn, deposes and says that she is the applicant named in the foregoing petition, and that the statements therein made are true. Sworn to and subscribed before me, ____ this ____ day of ____, A. D. 19__. Questions to be Answered by Applicant (FORM B) State of Florida,} Alachua County} On this 23 day of June A. D. 1907 before me S. H. Wienges Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County and State, personally came Mrs. Emma Avera, who being by me first duly sworn, deposes and says that the answers written herein to the following questions, numbered 1 to 12, inclusive, are true: 1. What is your name, and where and when were you born? Emma Aver, Lancaster County South Carolina December 9th 1840. 3. [sic] Are your the widow of Joseph H. Avera? Yes 4. When and where were you married to Joseph H. Avera. 19th of August 1860 at Gainesville, Fla. 4. When and where did he die? Gainesville Florida January 18th 1900 5. Have you remarried since the death of your husband? No 6. When and in what company or organization did your husband enlist during the war between the States? 1862 in Company "D" Seventh Florida Regiment 7. Did he desert that service? No 8. Of what State and county are you a resident? State of Florida Alachua County 9. How long have you resided in this State? ever since 1857 10. From what date have you continuously resided in this State? ever since 1857 11. Have you lived in any other State than Florida? when a child in South Carolina 12. If you answer yes, give name of the State or States and when you resided there. I was born in South Carolina and resided there until 1857 when I came to Florida. Mrs. Emma Avera, Applicant Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 23 day of June A. D. 1907. S. H. Wienges Clerk of the Court Questions for Witnesses (FORM C) State of Florida,} County of Alachua} Before me, S. H. Wienges Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said county and State, personally came Alexander Avera who appeared as witnesses in support of the application of Mrs. Emma Avera for an annuity under the laws of the State of Florida providing for annuities for widows of deceased Confederate soldiers and sailors of the State of Florida, and said witnesses, after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, each for himself deposes and says: 1. What is your name and where do you reside? Alexander Avera Gainesville, Fla. 2. How long have you known the applicant? ever since 1859 3. Where does she reside and how long has she been a resident of this State? in Gainesville, Florida ever since 1859 4. Were you acquainted with her husband? Yes 5. Where and to whom was she married? Joseph H. Avera in Gainesville, Fla. 6. Is he dead? If, when and where did he die? Yes on 18th January 1900 7. Was he a solider or sailor in the State of Confederate service during the war between the States? soldier 8. When did he enlist, and in what organization? 1862 in Company "D" 7th Fla. Regt. 9. When was he discharged, and for what cause? April 1865 at the surrender 10. Where and in what campaigns did he perform regular military duty? in the Western Army in all the campaigns 11. Were either or both of you members of the same Company or Regiment with him? Yes 12. Did he desert the Confederate or State service? No 13. Were either of you with the command when it surrendered? Yes 14. Was Joseph H. Avera, the husband of the applicant, present when the command surrendered? Yes 15. If not, where was he? left blank 16. When did he leave his command? left blank 17. Have you any personal or financial interest in the granting of this annuity to the applicant? No Alexander Avera L. H. Bennett Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2d day of July, A. D. 1907. S. H. Wienges Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* (FORM D) State of Florida,} Alachua County} I, S. H. Wienges Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County and State, do hereby certify that the witnesses named in the foregoing affidavit are reliable and trustworthy persons, and their statements are entitled to full faith and credit. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and the seal of the Circuit Court this 3 day of July A. D. 1907. S. H. Wienges Clerk Circuit Court (FORM E) We, the undersigned members of the Board of County Commissioners in and for Alachua County, Florida, do hereby certify that at a meeting of the said Board of County Commissioners, held on the 3 day of July, A. D. 1907, the foregoing application for an annuity in behalf of Mrs. Joseph H. Avera was presented to the said Board and the same was thereupon duly investigated. We do further certify that in our opinion the said application is just, and should be granted. J. G. Dampier, Chairman F. F. Paulling W. J. Matthews J. F. Townsend C. C. Pedrick County Commissioners By the County Commissioners-Attest: S. H. Wienges Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* 8184 Claim For Pension By Emma Avera Of Alachua County Widow Of Joseph H. Avera Of D Company 7th Florida Regiment Filed In Pension Department Jul 6 1907 Approved Jan 11 1908 With pay from July 6 1907 At the rate of $150.00 per annum. Jefferson Bell Secretary of Board ******************************************************************************* Widow's Pension Claim Under The Act Of 1909 (FORM A) State of Florida,} County of Alachua} On this 19th day of July, A. D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and nine, personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for the County and State aforesaid Emma Avera a resident of Gainesville County of Alachua State of Florida, who being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain a pension under the provisions of Chapter 5885, Laws of Florida, approved June 7, 1909. That she is the widow of Joseph H. Avera who was enlisted under the name of Joseph H. Avera, on the ____ day of ____, 1862, in Company D 7th Fla. Regiment of the State of Florida and who was honorably discharged at near Greensboro, NC, 1865, on account of close of war. That she was lawfully married to the said Joseph H. Avera under the name of Emma Baskins in the County of Alachua, State of Florida on the 19th day of August, 1860, and that she was not divorced from him and that she has not remarried since his death, which occurred on the 18th day of January, 1900, in the County of Alachua State of Florida. That she is a resident of Alachua County, Florida, and has continuously resided in the State of Florida since the ____ day of ____. That she does not own property, including real estate, personal property, mortgages or other collateral securities, stocks or bonds in this or any other State to exceed in value the sum of Five Thousand Dollars. That the following is a true and correct statement of all property owned by me in this or any other State: Real estate, located at Gainesville, Fla., one house and lot . . . . . . $1500 Personal property. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $ 100 Total. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1600 That she has heretofore been granted a pension from the State of Florida under Certificate No. 5769. That she is not a pensioner of any other State. That her Postoffice address is Gainesville County of Alachua, State of Florida. Emma Avera Attest: (1) A. J. DaCosta (2) M. S. Cheves Sworn and subscribed before me this 19th day of July A. D. 1909; and I hereby certify that the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant before swearing; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. A. J. DaCosta Notary Public (FORM B) State of Florida,} County of Alachua} We, the undersigned citizens of Gainesville, Fla. County, State of Florida, do hereby certify that we personally know ____, who is an applicant for a pension under the Laws of Florida, and that from our own personal knowledge, and from the best information available, we believe that the applicant does not own property to exceed in value the sum of $5,000, and that the statements made by her relative to the value of her property are true and correct. H. H. McCreary R. B. Peeks Sworn and subscribed before me this 19th day of July 1909. A. J. DaCosta Notary Public ******************************************************************************* Report of County Commissioners We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for the County of Alachua, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this day, the foregoing application of Emma Avera for a pension under the Laws of Florida, was investigated by us; that we are satisfied that the applicant does not own property to exceed the value of $5,000, and that the representations made in the petition and affidavits are true and that a pension should be granted to the applicant. Witness our hands this 4 day of Aug., A. D. 1909. (1) J. G. Dampier, Chairman (2) C. W. Summers (3) J. F. Townsend (4) J. W. May (5) O. P. Connors County Commissioners By the County Commissioners. Attest: S. H. Wienges Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* Former Claim, No. 5769 Application No. 15554 Pensioner No. 4056 Claim For Pension By Emma Avera Of Gainesville, Fla. Postoffice Alachua County Widow Of Joseph H. Avera Of D Company 7th Fla. Regiment Filed In Pension Department Aug 11 1909 Approved Sep 9 1909 With pay from Jul 1 1909 At the rate of $120 per annum Secretary of Board This pensioner was increased to $150 per year on July 1st, 1913 a/c husband enlisted in Florida.