CIVIL WAR WIDOW'S PENSION APP. - MARTHA ANNE (POLK) BEACH, WIDOW OF DAVID C. BEACH, Alachua 
Co., FL

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I have no relationship to anyone mentioned in the below file.
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Application No. A01017

Widow's Application for Pension

State of Florida,}
County of Alachua}

On this 2nd day of March, 1899, personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for the 
said County and State aforesaid, Martha A. Beach aged fifty nine years, who being duly sworn
according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension provided by
act of the Legislature, approved June 8th, 1889, and amended June 2d, 1893 and June 15th, 
1897, for unmarried widows of deceased Confederate soldiers and sailors; I am the widow of 
David C. Beach who enlisted in Captain Rou Company, "F" 2nd Fla. Cavalry Brigade, and who at
____ in the State of ____, while in said service and in the line of duty, on the ____ day of
____ 189_.  Said David C. Beach died the 31st day of January A. D. 1897.

That I have been a bona fide citizen of the State of Florida continuously since January 1st,
1880, and am now a citizen of Alachua County; that I do not own property to the value of 
$1,500 in this or any other State, and 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; and 
have not remarried since the death of said David C. Beach and that he never deserted the 
service of the State or of the Confederate States.

Her X mark:  Martha A. Beach
Newberry Postoffice
Alachua County

Sworn and subscribed before me this 2nd day of March 1899.

Ira J. Carter
Notary Public

We do solemnly swear that we personally knew the said deceased David C. Beach that we served
with him in the Confederate war Co. "F" 2nd Fla. Cavalry that he died as above stated, and 
that he never deserted the service of the State or of the Confederate States.

W. B. Vinzant
E. D. Hodges

Sworn and subscribed to before me this 2nd day of March 1899.

Ira J. Carter
Notary Public

We do solemnly swear that we personally know the above applicant Martha A. Beach that she 
was the lawful wife of David C. Beach now deceased, that she has never remarried since his 
death, that she is a person of "respectability and good reputation," that she does not own 
property to the value of $1,500 in this or any other State, and that she is not physically 
or otherwise enabled to earn a livelihood & has continuously reside in Fla. since Jany. 1st 
1880.

A. E. Colson
W. F. Langford

I certify that I read the above affidavits to the affiants and acquainted them with the 
contents before the same was signed; I further certify that I am in no way interested in this 
claim and that affiants are known to me, and are credible persons.

Ira J. Carter
Notary Public

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 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 Martha A. Beach and find that the 
facts alleged are correct in every particular, and therefore recommends that the pension be 
granted.

Thos. F. King
Commander of the Campo

J. O. Andrews
Adjutant

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Claim for Pension
By
Martha A. Beach
Widow Of
David C. Beach
Late Of
Capt. S. F. Rou's Company
2nd Florida Cavalry
Filed In Executive Department
Mar. 6/99
Card

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Widow's Application for Pension

State of Florida,}
Alachua County}

On this 31st day of August 1903 personally appeared before me a notary public in and for 
said county and State, Mrs. Martha A. Beech aged 60 years, who being by me duly sworn 
according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension provided by
Act of the Legislature, approved June 6, 1903, for indigent widows of deceased Confederate 
soldiers and sailors:  That she is the lawful widow of David C. Beech who enlisted 17 day of
May 1862 in Captain Rowe's Company, "F" 2d Fla. Cavalry Regiment of the State of Florida and 
who was on the 17 day of May, 1865, at Gainesville in the State of Florida honorably discharged 
from said service, and died on the 31st day of January 1897 at his home in Alachua County 
Florida.

That she was legally married to said soldier prior to the first day of January, 1885, at 
Ichetucknee in the State of Florida; that she has been a bona fide resident of the State of 
Florida continuously, since the first day of January, A. D. 1890; that she does not own 
property, real and personal, to the value of $800 in this or any other State, and is not otherwise 
enabled or in a position to earn a livelihood, and has no income from any source sufficient 
for a livelihood; and that she has not purposely disposed of any property for the purpose of
availing herself of the provisions of this act.

Her X mark:  Martha A. Beech
P. O. Address:  Newberry

Sworn and subscribed before me this 31st day of Aug. 1903.

Tim Bailey
Notary Public

We do solemnly swear that we personally knew the said deceased David C. Beech, that we served 
with him in Company "F" of the 2nd Fla. Cavalry Regiment from the State of Florida, and know
of our own knowledge that he never deserted the service of his State, or of the Confederate 
States.

J. B. Dell, Lieut.
Late Co. F 2 Fla. Cav.
P. O. Address:  Gainesville, Fla.

Sworn and subscribed before me this 1st day of September 1903.

H. C. Denton
Clerk Circuit Court Alachua County
per S. H. Wienges

We do solemnly swear that we personally know the above applicant Martha A. Beech that she 
was the lawful wife of David C. Beech now deceased, that she has never remarried since his 
death, that she is a person of "respectability and good reputation," that she does not own 
property to the value of $800 in this or any other State, and that she is not possessed of a
sufficient income from any source, and has constantly resided in Florida since January 1st, 
1890.

Tim Bailey
A. W. Smith

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 31st day of August, 1903.

W. H. Tucker
Notary Public

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 Circuit Court
per S. H. Wienges

We, the undersigned County Commissioners of Alachua county, Florida, do hereby certify that 
we have carefully investigated the above application for pension made by Mrs. Martha Beech 
and are satisfied that the facts and conditions therein stated and alleged are true and 
correct and that she is legally and justly entitled to the pension provided by the act, 
approve June 6th, 1903.

T. F. Thomas, Chairman
J. G. Dampier
T. C. Bryant

By the County Commissioners, Attest:

H. C. Denton
Clerk Circuit Court
per S. H. Wienges

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Claim For Pension
By
Martha A. Beech
Of Alachua County
Widow Of
David C. Beech
Of F Company
2d Fla. Cav'y.
Filed In Executive Department
Sept 8 1903
Approved
Sept 9 1903
C. H. Dickinson
Secretary of Board
Pay from Sept 9 1903
At rate of $96.00 per annum

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Widow's Pension Claim
Under The Act Of 1909

(FORM A)

State of Florida,}
County of Alachua}

On this 20th 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 Martha Anne Beach a resident 
of Trenton 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 David C. Beach who was enlisted under the name of David C. Beach, 
on the 17th day of May, 1862, in Company F 2d Florida Calvary Regiment of the State of Florida 
and who was honorably discharged at Gainesville, Fla. May 17th, 1865, on account of close of 
war.

That she was lawfully married to the said David C. Beach under the name of Martha Anne Polk 
in the County of Columbia, State of Florida on the 7th day of October, 1860, and that she was 
not divorced from him and that she has not remarried since his death, which occurred on the 
31st day of January, 1894, 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 all my life and I am now 66 years old.

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:

No property

That she has heretofore been granted a pension from the State of Florida under Certificate 
No. 2350.  That she is not a pensioner of any other State.

That her Postoffice address is Trenton County of Alachua, State of Florida.

Her X mark:  Martha Anne Beach

Attest:

(1) J. S. Hardee, Jr.
(2) A. B. Moore

Sworn and subscribed before me this 20th 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.

Samuel B. Hardee
Notary Public State at Large

(FORM B)

State of Florida,}
County of Alachua}

We, the undersigned citizens of Alachua County, State of Florida, do hereby certify that we 
personally know Martha Anne Beach, 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.

J. S. Hardee, Jr.
A. B. Moore

Sworn and subscribed before me this 20th day of July 1909.

Samuel B. Hardee
Notary Public State at Large

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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 Martha Anne Beach 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) O. P. Cannon
(3) C. W. Summers
(4) J. F. Townsend
(5) J. W. May
County Commissioners

By the County Commissioners.  Attest:

S. H. Wienges
Clerk Circuit Court

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Pension File-B

November 13, 1909

Mrs. Martha Ann Beach,
Trenton, Fla.

Dear Madam:

Your pension claim under the Act of 1909 has been considered by the Board of Pensions and was 
not allowed for the reasons stated below.

Yours very truly,

Jefferson Bell, 
Secretary to the Board of Pensions

In re pension claim # 15497 - A further investigation of your husband's service has been 
ordered made by the Board of Pensions on account of a charge of desertion being made against
him.

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State Board Of Pensions                                     No. 15497
Governor
Comptroller
Treasurer

Department Of Pensions,
State of Florida
Tallahassee, November 13, 1909

Hon. F. C. Ainsworth,
The Adjutant General,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:

David C. Beach, who is an applicant for a pension under the laws of Florida, claims to have 
been a member of Company F, 2d Florida Cavalry, Regiment, ____ Confederate States Army.

Please furnish me with the record of this soldier.

Yours very truly,

A. C. Croom
Comptroller

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War Department,
The Adjutant General's Office
Washington

November 16, 1909

Respectfully returned to
Comptroller,
State of Florida,
Tallahassee.

The records show that David C. Beach, private, Company F, 2d Florida Cavalry, Confederate 
States Army, enlisted May 17, 1862, and that he was surrendered May 17, 1865, at Baldwin, 
Florida, and paroled there on that date.

F. C. Ainsworth
The Adjutant General

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State of Florida}
Alachua County}

I, Tim Bailey a notary public for the State of Florida at large do hereby certify that on 
account of the age and feebleness of the applicant Mrs. Martha A. Beech she is unable to take 
the trip to Gainesville to make the application and affidavit before the Clerk of the Court.

Tim Bailey
Notary Public 

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Gainesville, Fla.
Nov. 23, 1909

Hon. A. C. Croom
Tallahassee, Fla.

Dear Sir

Mrs. Martha A. Beach whose husband was David C. Beach and a soldier of the Confederacy 
Company F 2nd Fla. Calvary request me to write you regarding her pension.  She cannot 
understand why it is she has been refused. I new [sic] David C. Beach well and served with 
him three years.  I was 2nd Lieutenant in his company and new [sic] him to be a good soldier
and never deserted.  His widow is very poor and under the laws is intitled [sic] to her 
pension.  Please let me know what the trouble is.  Your earliest reply will be highly 
appreciated.

Yours truly,

Jno. B. Dell

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Pension file-B

November 26, 1909

Mr. John B. Dell,
Gainesville, Fla.

Dear Sir:

Replying to your letter of the 23rd with reference to pension claim 15497 Martha A. Beach I 
beg to say that it has been reported to this office that Mrs. Beach's husband deserted and 
her claim has been held for further investigation.

She will be advised when her claim is finally passed upon.

Yours very truly,

Comptroller

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Hardee Bros.
Dealers In
General Retail Merchandise
Rough and Dressed Pine Lumber
Building Material
Livery, Feed and Sale Stables

Trenton, Fla.

Dec. 7 1909

Hon. Jefferson Bell, 
Tallahassee

Dear Sir: 

After receiving your letter I wrote Col. John B. Dell who was my husband's 2 lieut. and he 
informed me that he wrote the board of pensions that my husband did not desert and he thought 
that it would be sufficient proof should it not be Mr. William O. Colson and others can 
testify to his faithfulness.  Please let us hear as to this matter at your earliest convenience.

Respt. Yours,

Martha A. Beach
per S. B. H.

In re pension claim #15497.

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Former Claim, No. 2350
Application No. 15497
Pensioner No. 5369

Claim For Pension
By
Martha Anne Beach
Of Trenton, Fla. Postoffice
Alachua County
Widow Of
David C. Beach
Of F Company
2nd Fla. Cavalry
Filed In Pension Department
Aug 11 1909
Approved
Dec 14 1909
With pay from July 1, 1909
At the rate of $120.00 per annum
This pensioner was increased to $150 per year on July 1st, 1913 a/c husband enlisted in 
Florida.

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Gainesville, Fla.
Jan. 4, 1910

Hon. A. C. Croom
Tallahassee, Fla.

Dear Sir:

Sometime ago I wrote you regarding the pention [sic] of Mrs. Martha A. Beach which letter 
you replyed [sic] to and I understand she is now getting her pention [sic].  I now write you 
regarding Ana C. Beach the widow of John L. Beach.  Her husband was also in Co. Fla. 2 Fla. 
Cavalry of which I was 2nd Lieutenant.  He was a good soldier and I know he never deserted.
Mrs. Beach lives at Newberry, Fla.  I suppose someone has misrepresented the facts in her 
case.  She is a very poor woman and is justly entitled to her pention [sic].  I am shure 
[sic] the board will send it to her as soon as they understand the situation.

Yours truly,

Jno. B. Dell