Dade County FlArchives Military Records.....HARPER, Cornelius 1909 Civilwar - Pension ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Betty Wilkerson wilkerbee@aol.com September 20, 2008, 3:53 pm Widow’s Pension Claim Under the Act of 1909 State of Florida County of Dade On this 27th day of July, A.D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and Nine, personally appeared before me Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, Elizabeth J. Harper , resident of Boynton, County of Palm Beach, 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 lawful widow of Cornelius Harper, who was enlisted under the name of Cornelius Harper, on the does not remember date refers to former claim No. 6729 day of ____________, 186__, in Company ________, Regiment of the State of ____________and who was honorably discharged at Appomattox C.H., 1865 on account of closing of hostilities. That he also served in That she was lawfully married to the said Cornelius Harper under the name of Elizabeth J. Battle, in the Craven County, State of North Carolina, on the first day of April, 1873, and that she was not divorced from him and that she has not remarried since his death, which occurred on the 2nd day of February, 1909, in the County of Dade, State of Florida. That she is a resident of Palm Beach County, Florida, and has continuously resided in the State of Florida since 13th day of October A.D.., 1894.. ************************************************************************ 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 $ ______________________________________________ $ ______________________________________________ $ ______________________________________________ $ Personal property $ Cattle, horses and other live stock $ Stocks $ Bonds $ Mortgages, notes and other securities $ Total $ That she has heretofore been granted a pension from the State of Florida under Certificate No. _6729_. That she is not a pensioner of any other State. That her Postoffice address is Boynton, County of Palm Beach (formerly Dade) , State of Florida. Elizabeth J. Harper Attest: ____________(?) Margaret West_______(?) Sworn and subscribed before me this 27th 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. E. Beyser, Clerk, Circuit Court Notary Public, State of Florida My Commission Expires: March 6, 1913 (Form B) STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF Palm Beach (formerly Dade) We, the undersigned citizens of Palm Beach County, State of Florida, do hereby certify that we personally know Elizabeth J. Harper, 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. E. T. Torode (To be signed by two citizens G. W. Hall Sworn and subscribed before me this 29th day of July, 1909. Charles T. Harper Notary Public State of Florida at Large My Commission Expires August 9th, 1909. *********************************************************************** REPORT OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for the County of Palm Beach, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this day, the foregoing application of Elizabeth J. Harper 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 3rd day of August, A.D., 1909. _________(?), Chairman C. W. McPherson E. F. Bowers ____________(?) ____________(?) By the county Commissioners . Attest: Fred E. __________(?) Clerk, Circuit Court By: ******************************************************************** Former Claim No. ____3125_________ Application No. 13464 Pensioner No. 3379 CLAIM FOR PENSION BY Elizabeth J. Harper Boynton Postoffice Palm Beach County WIDOW OF _____________ OF ______________. Company NC Regiment FILED IN PENSION DEPARTMENT Aug. 6, 1909 APPROVED AND FILED IN COMP- TROLLER’S OFFICE Sept. 6, 1909 With pay from Jul. 1, 1909 At the rate of $120.00 per annum ___________________________ Secretary of Board ******************************************************************* WIDOWS PENSION Application To Be Signed by Widow (FORM A) I, Elizabeth Jane Harper , 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 Cornelius Harper, deceased who departed this life on the 2nd day of February, A.D., 1909, in the county of Dade, in the State of Florida. I was married to him on the 1st day of April, A. D., 1873, in the county of Craven, in the State of North Carolina. I have not remarried since the death of my said husband, Cornelius Harper. My husband, the said Cornelius Harper, 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. Elizabeth J. Harper Applicant STATE OF FLORIDA, County of Dade Before me, Z. T. Merritt , Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County and State, personally came Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Harper, 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 10th, day of February, A.D., 1909. Z. T. Merritt Clerk, Circuit Court ********************************************************************* QUESTIONS TO BE ANSWERED BY APPLICANT (FORM B) STATE OF FLORIDA, Dade County On this 10th day of February, A.D., 1909, before me, Z. T. Merritt, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County and State, personally came Elizabeth R. Abernathy, who being by me first duly sworn, deposes and says that the answers written herein to the following questions, numbered from 1 to 12, inclusive, are true: 1. What is your name, and where and when were you born? Elizabeth Jane Harper 2. Are you the widow of Cornelius Harper. Yes. 3. When and where were you married? April 1st, 1873. Cravens County, North Carolina. 4. When and where did he die? Died Feby, 2nd, 19809 at Boynton, Dade County, Florida. 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? Do not remember but the proof is on file in the Office of Pension Board. His pensioner number is 6729. 7. Did he desert that service? No. 8. Of what State and county are you a resident? Florida. County of Dade. 9. How long have you resided in this State? 14 years. 10. From what date have you continuously resided in this State? Since October, 1894. 11. Have you lived in any other State than Florida? Yes. 12. If you answer yes, give name of the State or States and when you resided there. Lived from birth to 1890 in North Carolina. From 1890 to 1894, lived in Georgia. Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 10th day of February, Elizabeth J. Harper Applicant A.D. 1909. Z. T. Merritt Clerk, Circuit Court ***********************************************************************\ Questions For Witnesses (FORM C) STATE OF FLORIDA County of Dade Before me, Z. T. Merritt, Clerk, Circuit Court in and for said county and State, personally came Wm. R. Sanders, who appeared as witnesses in support of the application of Mrs. Elizabeth J. Harper 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: Wm. R. Sanders – Miami – Dade County, Florida 2. How long have you known the applicant? Twelve years. 3. Where does she reside and how long has she been a resident of this State? Boynton, Dade County, Fla. and has resided in this state about fourteen years. 4. Were you acquainted with her husband? Yes. 5. Where and to whom was she married? Cornelius Harper – married in North Carolina. 6. Is he dead? If so, when and where did he die? Yes. Died at Boynton Feb. 2nd, 1909. 7. Was he a solider or sailor in the State or Confederate service during the war between the States? I did not know him in the Civil War, but he was so referred to as a soldier and I am sure he was. 8. When did he enlist and in what organization? This proof can be found on file in the Pensions Office No. 6729. ********************************************************************** 9. When was he discharged and for what cause? This proof is also shown in proof for his pension. 10. Where and in what campaigns did he perform regular military duty? Same as above. 11. Were either or both of you members of the same Company or Regiment with him? No. I served in the Army of Tennessee. 12. Did he desert the Confederate or State service? As as No. Nine. 13. Were either of you with the command when it surrendered? I was at Greensboro, NC. 14. Was Cornelius Harper the husband of the applicant, present when the command surrendered? Can be found in proof for pension. 15. If not, where was he? 16. When did he leave his command? 17. Have you any personal or financial interest in the granting of this annuity to the applicant? None whatsoever. Only to assist a needy widow. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th Wm. R. Sanders day of March, A.D. 1909. Z. T. Merritt Clerk, Circuit Court. (The above questions must be answered by each witness, and the answers must so state.) ************************************************************************ (Form D) STATE OF FLORIDA, COUNTY OF DADE I, Z. T. Merritt , 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 19th day of March, A.D., 1909. Z. T. Merritt Clerk, Circuit Court (Form E) We, the members of the Board of County Commissioners in and for Dade County, Florida, do hereby certify that at a meeting of the said Board of County Commissioners, held on the 7th day of April, A.D., 1909, the foregoing application for an annuity in behalf of Mrs. Elizabeth J. Harper 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. W. R. Kellum Chairman Thos. Brewer R. H. ____________(?) W. M. Phenon County Commissioners By the County Commission. Attest, Z. T. Merritt Clerk, Circuit Court By T. E. ____________D.C. N O T E Forms “A” and “B” to be filled by Applicant; “C” by at least two witnesses; “D” by Clerk Circuit Court; “E” by County Commissioners ******************************************************************** 12133 6729 CLAIM FOR PENSION BY Elizabeth J. Harper OF Boynton, Florida WIDOW OF Cornelius Harper OF ___________________Company ___________________Regiment FILED IN PENSION DEPARTMENT April 12, 1909 APPROVED April 14, 1909 With pay from Feby. 2, 1909 At the rate of $120 per annum Jefferson Bell Secretary of Board FILED IN COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE ________________________, 19____ ********************************************************************** APPLICATION FOR PENSION UNDER LAWS OF FLORIDA (FORM A) FOR USE OF APPLICANT FOR PENSION I, Cornelius Harper , 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 the State of Florida, upon the following grounds: I enlisted and served in the Military service of Confederate States during the war between the States of the United States, and that I did not desert the Confederate or State service; that I am 71 years of age. I further represent to the State Board of Pensions that I am not receiving a pension from any other State. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 24th day of January, A.D., 1908. Cornelius Harper Post Office Palm Beach, Fla. Witness: J. A. Anthony, Sr. Z. T. Merritt ***************************************************************** (FORM B) STATE OF FLORIDA, DADE COUNTY On this 24th day of January, A.D., 1908, before me Z. T. Merritt, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County and State, personally came Cornelius Harper, who being by me first duly sworn deposes and says, that the statements made in the foregoing application for a pension in his own behalf are true. The deponent further says, that the answers written herein to the following questions, numbered from 1 to 12 inclusive, are true: l. What is your full name, and where do you reside? Cornelius Harper Palm Beach, Florida 2. In what State and county were you born and when? North Carolina = Lenoir Co. Jan. 5, 1837 3. How long have you been a citizen of the State of Florida: about 15 years 4. When and where and in what organization did you enlist during the War Between the States? May 18th, Deep Run, Co. D, 27th N. C. Vols. 5. Give the name of your Captain at time of your enlistment. Coleman Herring 6. Give the name of your Captain at time of your discharge from service. I was Capt. at time of surrender. 7. Give the name of your Battalion or Regimental commander both at time of your enlistment and discharge from service. 1st Col. Wm. Wootten 2nd Col. Coleman Herring 8. If you enlisted in the navy give name of your Commanding officer, date of enlistment and place of service. . 9. If discharged prior to termination of the war, state place and cause of discharge. Surrendered at Appomattox CH when Gen. A. P. Hills Corps surrendered. 10. If you lost an eye or limb during your service in the war, state when and where and in what engagement you sustained such injury. 11. If you received a wound during your service in the war, which permanently disables you, state when and where you received the wound. ********************************************************************* 12. Describe the wound and state how it affects you. Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 24th Cornelius Harper day of January Applicant A. D. 1908. Z. T. Merritt Clerk Circuit Court Dade County Postoffice Palm Beach, Fla. (FORM C) AFFIDAVIT TO BE MADE BY A COMMISSIONED OFFICER STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY OF LENOIR Before me personally came G. W. Jones, who being duly sworn deposes and says, that he was a Commissioned Officer in the 27 NC Regt. Co. D., the organization to which the within named applicant for pension under the laws of Florida belonged and in which he served during the war between the States. This deponent further says that the said Cornelius Harper rendered faithful service as a Confederate soldier or sailor during the war between the States, and that the disability claimed by the said Cornelius Harper to exist, does in fact exist and the same prevents him permanently from gaining a livelihood. G. W. Jones, Lieut.X (his mark) (late of Confederate Army). Sworn to and subscribed before me this 7 day of February, A.D., 1908 Wiley W. Rouse, J. P. STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA COUNTY Lenoir Superior Court I, Plato Collins, Clerk of the Superior Court in and for the County and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that Wiley H. Rouse, whose genuine signature appears to the within affidavit is and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for Lenoir County, and duly qualified according to law. I also certify that Lieutenant G. H. Jones is a man of good standing. Witness my hand and the seal of said court, this 8th day of Oct. 1908. Plato Collins, Clerk Superior Court. *********************************************************************** Confederate States during the war between the States, and that said ________________ was a member of said regiment; that he is acquainted with _______________________ _____________________________, the applicant named in the foregoing petition for a pension; that he knows of his own knowledge that the said _______________________ rendered the service as soldier or sailor for the Confederate States during the war between the States as set forth in the foregoing petition for a pension. That he did not desert the Confederate service, and that the disability claimed by him to exist, does in fact exist and prevents him from earning a livelihood for himself, and these deponents being further sworn true answer to make the following questions, deposes each for himself and answers as follows: 1. Where do you reside? 2. Are you acquainted with the within named applicant for a pension? If so, what is his name? Where does he reside? and how long has he resided in this State? 3. To what military organization did the within named applicant belong during the war between the States? 4. Did he render the service to the Confederate States during the war, as claimed in the foregoing answers by him? 5. Where were you when your organization surrendered? 6. Was the applicant present? 7. If not, where was he? and why was he not present? 8. When did he leave the command? For what cause? 9. What is the nature and character of the applicant’s wounds or disease? ************************************************************************ (FORM E) AFFIDAVIT FOR ADJUTANT OF A CAMP OF UNITED CONFEDERATE VETERANS STATE OF ______________ COUNTY OF _____________________ Before me personally came ____________________________, who being by me first duly sworn, deposes and says, that he is the Adjutant of Camp __________________ of the United Confederate Veterans of the County of ________________________in the State of _______________________. That he knows ______________________________________________________________, the within named applicant for pension under the laws of Florida, that he knows of his own knowledge or by documentary proof submitted to the Camp on application for membership, that the said applicant was a soldier or sailor in the service of the Confederate States during the war between the States, that he did not desert the same, and that he is a member in good standing of Camp ________________________________ of the United Confederate Veterans. _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ Sworn to and subscribed before me this _________ __________________________ day of ___________________________________, Adjutant Camp________________ A.D. 19____ ____________________________ United Confederate Veterans ********************************************************************* Physician’s Affidavit. STATE OF FLORIDA, COUNTY OF ______________ Before me personally came _____________________________________who Being duly sworn, deposes and says, that he is a physician, that he is a resident of the State and County aforesaid; that he personally knows ___________________________ the applicant named in the foregoing application for a pension. This deponent further says that he has carefully examined the said applicant’s physical condition and finds: _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ _____________________________________________________________________ This deponent further says that the said _______________________________ Is permanently _________________ disabled by reason of such _________________ From earning a livelihood for himself by manual labor. (Add “and totally,” if the facts are such as to warrant such statement.) (If the application for pension is based upon age, strike from the above last line the words by manual labor.”) Sworn to and subscribed before me this __________ Day of ____________________________________ ________________________ Physician A.D. 19_____. Certificate of Clerk of the Circuit Court I [certify that the above affidavits are genuine; that all of the affiants are persons of trustworthy character and their statements are entitled to full faith and credit; that the attesting officers are duly authorized to administer oaths; that their signatures are genuine, and] that the said applicant , Cornelius Harper, is a bona-fide resident and citizen of the State of Florida. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Circuit Court for Dade County, this 15th day of February, A.D., 1908. Z. T. Merritt Clerk, Circuit Court ********************************************************************** REPORT OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for the County of Dade, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this 15th day of February, 1908, the foregoing application of Cornelius Harper for a pension under the Laws of Florida, was investigated by us, 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 15th day of Feby., A.D., 1908. G. B. Baker A. Lee Allen R. L. Wall A. T. Carter Wm. C. __________(?) County Commissioners By the County Commissioners. Attest: Z. T. Merritt Clerk Circuit Court N O T E 1. Before any questions are answered the officer will swear the applicant or witness in the following words or to the like effect: “YOU DO SOLEMNLY SWEAR THAT YOU WILL MAKE TRUE ANSWERS TO THE QUESTIONS ASKED YOU, AND THE EVIDENCE YOU SHALL GIVE SHALL BE THE WHOLE TRUTH, SO HELP YOU GOD”. 2. Additional affidavits may be attached if blank spaces are insufficient. 3. The blanks must be filled. The information required must be accurately and fully given. 4. Forms “A” and “B” must be filled out by Applicant; “C” by Commissioned Officer; “D” by two soldiers or citizens of the County; “E” by Adjutant of Camp United Confederate Veterans; “F” by physician. 5. It is not necessary to fill out each form lettered “C”, “D” and “E”, one of them must be filled out. Either one will suffice. ************************************************************************ Application No. 10950 Pensioner No. 6729 CLAIM FOR PENSION BY Cornelius Harper OF Palm Beach, Fla. Postoffice Date County LATE OF “D” Company 27th N.C. Vol. Regiment FILED IN PENSION DEPARTMENT Feb 17, 1908 APPROVED Feb. 29, 1908 With pay from Feby 17, 1907 At the rate of $120 per annum Jefferson Bell Secretary of Board FILED IN COMPTROLLER’S OFFICE ________________________, 19____ O. R. Seymour (?) Co Atty ______(?) ********************************************************************** Additional Comments: NOTE: Words in [] are lined through in original. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/fl/dade/military/civilwar/pensions/harper34nmt.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/flfiles/ File size: 27.5 Kb