CIVIL WAR PENSION APP. - WILLIAM J. BARBER, DIXIE 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. ******************************************************************************* Former Claim No. 2541 Application No. 18170 Pensioner No. 8241 Soldier's Application for Pension State of Florida,} Hamilton County,} On this 5th day of October 1903 personally appeared before me, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said county and State, W. J. Barber who being by me duly sworn, declares he is the identical person who enlisted about the 3rd day of May 1863 in Captain Tom Lloyd's Company, county of Duval, in the State of Florida and that while in actual service in said company D 3rd Regiment of the State of Georgia and in line of duty as such soldier, at Coosahatchee, State of South Carolina on or about the ____ day of May, 1865, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his service on the 18th day of May, 1865 in Bibb county, State Georgia and that he received a wound through the right shoulder also a wound in the left leg above ankle and that both eyes are badly affected from the explosure [sic ]of a gun and that as the direct result of said injuries, thus received in line of duty during the war, he is now unable to gain a livelihood by manual labor; that he has continuously since January 1st, 1885, been a citizen of Florida; that neither he, nor his wife, nor both combined, own real and personal property to the value of $800 in this or any other State, and have not purposely disposed of any property for the purpose of availing themselves of the provisions of the pension laws of Florida; that he is not otherwise enabled or in a position to earn, and has no income from any source sufficient for a livelihood by manual labor, and that he never deserted the Confederate service, and that he receives no pension from any other source. His X mark: W. J. Barber P. O. Address White Springs, Fla. Sworn and subscribed before me this 5th day of October 1903. I. J. McCall Clerk Circuit Court Hamilton County ******************************************************************************* I do solemnly swear that I was born on the 10 day of June in Barnwell county, State of South Carolina and that I am now past the age of sixty-five (65) years; that I was a bona-fide citizen of this State on January A. D. 1885, and have continuously resided in this State since that date; that I do not own property, real or personal, or real and personal, to the value of eight hundred dollars ($800), and that I am by reason of age incapable of providing a living by manual labor for myself. His X mark: W. J. Barber P. O. Address White Springs, Florida Sworn and subscribed before me this 28 day of September 1903. J. B. Parnell, J. P. We do solemnly swear that we personally knew W. J. Barber the above applicant for pension during the Civil War of 1861 to 1865, that we served with him in Company D 3 Regiment, and know of our own knowledge that he did receive the injuries set forth in the above application at the time and place claimed, and that the disability therefrom claimed to exist, does exist, and that he never deserted the Confederate Army. W. M. Register Late of D Co. 3 Georgia Reserves Randall Skinner Sworn and subscribed before me this 2 day of October 1903. C. W. Cone, J. P. State of Florida,} County of Hamilton} We do solemnly swear that we are familiar with the value of all the property owned by W. J. Barber and his wife, directly or indirectly, in this or any other State, and that the actual combined value thereof does not exceed $800; that they have not disposed of any property for the purpose of availing themselves of the provisions of the pension laws of Florida, and that he is not physically or otherwise able, or in a position to earn a livelihood, by manual labor. S. D. Sistrunk P. O. Address White Springs, Fla. W. M. Register P. O. Address White Springs Sworn to and subscribed before me this 28 day of September, 1903. J. B. Parnell Justice of the Peace ******************************************************************************* We the undersigned physicians, residents of the State and county aforesaid, do solemnly swear that we have carefully examined W. J. Barber, who is personally known to us to be the person above applying for a pension under the laws of Florida, and find that he received a wound through the right scapula ball apparently remaining in the body also a wound in the left leg above ankle on third ref. The eyes are badly affected by a chronic irritation from powder burn by explosion of gun tube. Both eyes badly affected claim to be much deafness from his service in war. C. T. McMannen, M. D. H. ? Gaylor Residence White Springs, Fla. Sworn and subscribed before me this 28 day of September 1903. J. B. Parnell Justice of the Peace 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. I. J. McCall Clerk of Circuit Court We, the undersigned County Commissioners of Hamilton county, Florida, do hereby certify that we have carefully investigated the above application for pension made by W. J. Barber and are satisfied that the conditions and alleged facts therein stated are true and correct and that he is legally and justly entitled to the pension provided by the act, approve June 6th, 1903. ?. F. C? N. A. McLeod R. E. Connell C. W. Sharp J. D. McHigh County Commissioners By the County Commissioners, Attest: I. J. McCall Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* Claim For Pension By W. J. Barber Of Hamilton Co. Late of Tom Lloyd's Company D, 3rd Regiment Filed In Executive Department Oct. 15, 1903 Approved Oct. 29, 1903 C. H. Dickinson Secretary of Board Pay from Oct. 15, 1903 At rate of $96.00 per annum ******************************************************************************* Soldier's Pension Claim Under The Act Of 1909 (FORM A) State of Florida} County of Suwannee} On this 24 day of July, A. D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and nine personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, W. J. Barber who, being duly sworn according to law declares that he is 72 years of age, having been born on the 10 day of June, 1837, in the county of Barnwell, in the State of South Carolina. That he is a bona fide citizen of the county of Suwannee, State of Florida. That he has resided in the State of Florida continuously since the 20 day of October, 1845. That he is the identical person who enlisted at Baldwin, under the name of W. J. Barber, on the 20 day of May 1861, in Company A Second Regiment of the State of Florida in the service of the Confederate States Army and who was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Richmond, in the State of Virginia, on the 12 day of May, 1865, on account of the close of the war. That I served faithfully until HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the service of the Confederate War in the year 1865, and did not desert the service of the Confederacy nor take the oath of allegiance to the United States until after the surrender of the Confederate Armies. (Here state whereabouts at close of Civil War.) That I was at Richmond, Virginia. That I do not own property, including real estate, personal property, stocks, bonds, mortgages or other collateral securities of any kind in this or any other State, nor does my wife own with me jointly or separately, property to exceed in value the sum of five thousand dollars. That the following is a true and correct statement of all the property owned by me or by my wife, jointly and separately in this or any other State: Cattle, horses and other live stock. . 1 horse, 1 cow, 2 hogs . . . . $35.00 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $35.00 That I have heretofore been granted a pension from the State of Florida under pension certificate No. 2541, at the rate of $120.00 per annum. (Here state any disabilities, physical or mental.) I am paralized [sic] and deaf and my eyes are affected by an explosion during the war. (Here state any wounds received, or loss of limbs and eyesight.) Slightly wounded in the hand and hip. That my postoffice address is Branford, County of Suwannee, State of Florida. His X mark: W. J. Barber Attest: (1) T. L. Dorsett (2) Fred Phillips Sworn and subscribed before me, this 24 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. T. L. Dorsett Justice of the Peace of the 5th Justice District of Suwannee County, Florida (FORM B) State of Florida,} County of Suwannee} We, the undersigned citizens of Suwannee County, State of Florida, do hereby certify that we personally know W. J. Barber, 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 (including the property of his wife) to exceed in value the sum of $5,000, and that the statement made by him relative to the value of his property are true and correct. J. W. Kight J. H. B? Sworn and subscribed before me, this 6th day of September, 1909. J. W. Bryson Clerk Circuit Court (FORM C) Physician's Affidavit State of Florida,} County of Suwannee} Before me personally came T. G. Anderson, 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 W. J. Barber 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: He is suffering from paralysis, defected eyesight and hearing caused from explosion bursting of ?, slightly wounded in hand and hip. Because of above and old age is unable to labor or earn a living. This deponent further says that the said W. J. Barber is permanently totally disabled by reason of such disabilities from earning a livelihood for himself by manual labor. T. G. Anderson, M. D. Sworn and subscribed before me, this 6th day of Sept., A. D. 1909. J. W. Bryson Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* Report of County Commissioners We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for the County of Suwannee, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this day, the foregoing application of W. J. Barber for a pension under the Laws of Florida, was investigated by us; that we are satisfied that the applicant does not own property (including the property of his wife) to exceed the value of $5,000, and that the representation made in the petition and affidavits are true, and that a pension should be granted to the applicant. Witness our hands this 7th day of Dec., A. D. 1909. (1) A. M. Moseley, Chairman (2) H. A. Thompson (3) J. J. Dempsy (4) M. J. Cheshire (5) J. W. Carver County Commissioners By the County Commissioners. Attest: J. W. Bryson Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* State Board of Pensions No. 18170 Governor Comptroller Treasurer Department Of Pensions, State of Florida Tallahassee, December 16, 1909 Hon. F. C. Ainsworth, The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: W. J. Barber who is an applicant for a pension under the laws of Florida, claims to have been a member of Company D, 3rd Georgia, Captain Lloyd and in Company A, 2d Florida Infantry & F, 4th Ga. Cavalry, Confederate States Army. Please furnish me with the record of this soldier. Yours very truly, A. C. Crumn Comptroller ******************************************************************************* War Department, The Adjutant General's Office Washington December 27, 1909 Respectfully returned to the Comptroller, State of Florida, Tallahassee The name W. J. Barber has not been found on the rolls, on file in this office, of Company D, 3d Georgia Reserve Infantry, commanded by Captain Lloyd, of Company A, 2d Florida Infantry, or of Company F, 4th Georgia Cavalry, Confederate States Army, nor has any record been found of the capture or parole of a man of this name as of any of the organizations mentioned. F. C. Ainsworth The Adjutant General ******************************************************************************* Fletcher, Fla. Feb. 1, 1910 Mr. Jefferson Bell, Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sir I have been waiting to hear from any pension papers and have not as yet heard from them. I would like to hear from them to know whether they was right or not. I am in great need of any money. I am on sufference [sic] now I have not received any since July will you please let me hear about them and oblige. W. J. Barber ******************************************************************************* Pension file-3 Claim 18170 Mr. W. J. Barber, Fletcher, Fla. Dear Sir: Your pension claim has not been allowed: In the original claim you based your claim upon service in Company D 3rd Georgia. In the last claim you have made affidavit to service in Company A, 2d Florida. No record can be obtained of you in either company. The Board of Pensions cannot reconcile the two claims of service. Yours very truly, Secretary ******************************************************************************* J. M. Gornto Attorney At Law Mayo, Florida July 14, 1911 Miss Jefferson Bell, Secretary, Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Miss Bell: A friend of mine was this morning in my office asking information as to filling out a pension application, in behalf of one William Barber. It seems from the statement of the party who called on me that Mr. Barber was on the pension roll up to the Act of 1909, when a new application was sent to him to be filled out, but he thinking that he would have to make new proof, and failing to locate his former witnesses, never filled out and returned the blank; it seems that his former number was 2541. I understand that the old man has had two strokes of paralysis, and is in bad condition, physically and financially, and realizing that it was unnecessary for him to make new proof of service, as he understood the matter, I am now writing to ask you to kindly look up his case, and if he was dropped for no other cause, let me know and I will have him renew application. If I understand the matter correctly, he will not have to make new proof of service, if he was droped [sic] simply for not sending in new application under the new law, but will simply have to make formal application, with proof as to value of his and his wife's property. If this is not correct, or if any other proof is desired, kindly advise me. Your attention and kindness in the matter will be appreciated, and I will sure vote for you whenever you become a candidate for Governor. Yours very respectfully, J. M. Gornto ******************************************************************************* J. M. Gornto Attorney At Law Mayo, Florida July 18, 1911 Miss Jefferson Bell, Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Miss Bell: In sending me warrant for balance due to Mrs. Hollis you returned the voucher together with the copy of the will, and as it is my opinion that it was an oversight, I am herewith returning them to you. Kindly let me have reply to my letter of the 14th, relating to the pension of William Barber, as early as convenient. With very best regards, I am, Very respectfully, J. M. Gornto ******************************************************************************* July 21, 1911 Honorable J. M. Gornto, Mayo, Florida Dear Mr. Gornto: I received your letter enclosing the voucher which was sent out by mistake with the Hollis warrant. I had found that it had gone out and wrote you a letter which you have probably received since writing me. We have been busy with the quarterly payment or I would have replied sooner to your letter relative to Mr. William Barber's claim. Mr. Barber stated in his old claim that he served in Company D, 3rd Georgia Regiment. His proof was made in the 3rd Georgia Reserves. In the renewal of his claim he served in Company A, 2d Florida Regiment. I have not been able to get a record of him in any of the above mentioned organizations. Will you find out from him what he served in and if he was transferred to any other organization. Get him to give you his captain's name and I will try to get his record and we may be able to straighten out his claim. The man I am writing about is William J. Barber whose address I have as Mallory, Lafayette County, Florida. This man did make out a claim under the new law which was not allowed because of the discrepancies in his statements and lack of proof. ******************************************************************************* J. M. Gornto Attorney At Law Mayo, Florida Oct. 24th, 1911 Miss Jefferson Bell, Secy., Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Miss Bell: On July 21st, in answer to a letter from me relative to the pension application of William J. Barber you stated that you had not been able to locate him from the records in either 2nd Florida Regiment or in the 3rd Georgia Regiment, and I will state that according to a new application which he has made and which I have in my office he claims to have enlisted at Baldwin, Florida in May either in 61 or 62, but is not positive as to the year and that he enlisted in the 2nd Florida Regiment but was immediately transferred to the 3rd Georgia Regiment, Company D, Capt. Thomas Lloyd; he made out his application before me on the 21st of July but I have been unable to find any comrades who were in the same Company and have, therefore, been unable to complete the application, provided such proof is required. I would be pleased to hear from you on this point; that is whether or not, with the applications and proofs here-to-fore made and on file in your office, will it be necessary for him now to make such proof, if not I am ready to send in his application as soon as approved by the Board of County Commissioners, which I have delayed having done trying to find witnesses. Kindly let me hear from you as early as convenient, and oblige, Yours very truly, J. M. Gornto JMG/ERA ******************************************************************************* October 28, 1911 Honorable J. M. Gornto Mayo, Florida Dear Sir: In reply to your recent letter relative to Mr. W. J. Barber's claim: The proof on file can be used but the Board of Pensions did not consider it sufficient when the former claim was passed upon. The explanation of Mr. Barber's transfer from the 2nd Florida Regiment might account for his name not appearing on the rolls of that regiment, but it does not appear on the rolls of the 3rd Georgia Reserve Regiment, which appears to be the one he served in. Write me whether he was in the infantry or cavalry and whether in the regular or reserve service after his transfer and I will make another effort to locate his service. A new claim is not necessary if he can satisfy the Board about his service and it would be simpler to make an amendment to his former claim, supplying all the proof and information he can to be attached to the claim on file. Yours very truly, Secretary ******************************************************************************* J. M. Gornto Attorney At Law Mayo, Florida November 8th, 1911 Miss Jefferson Bell, Secy, Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Miss Bell: Answering yours of recent date with reference to the pension application of W. J. Barber will say, that I am just in receipt of a letter from him stating as follows: "In reply to your letter I will say I was in the Infantry. The statement I give you is correct. I was transferred to the Ga. Regiment from the Florida, my name must be on the rolls you know for I drawed [sic] my money four years, the last I got was two years ago last July. I am in hopes you will get it all right for me. Let me hear from you how your are getting along with it. I remain," Signed W. J. Barber, After further investigation kindly let me hear from you as to what you now think of the matter. Yours very respectfully, J. M. Gornto JMG/ERA ******************************************************************************* November 14, 1911 Honorable J. M. Gornto, Mayo, Florida Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your letter relative to Mr. W. J. Barber's claim. I do not see that the additional statement makes the matter any better. The present law requires more service and better proof than the old laws did and while Mr. Barber drew a pension from this state there was not a that time the means of verifying from records the affidavits and statements of service that there are now accessible to the Board of Pensions. Upon investigation I find no record of him in the organizations he claims to have served in and that the men who certified to his service did not themselves serve in the regiment he claims to have served in. Captain Lloyd commanded a company in the 3rd Georgia Reserves but his name does not appear upon the rolls of his company. Mr. Barber must surely have stated his service incorrectly for his name does not appear on the rolls of any of the organizations he mentions having served in. I would be very glad to assist in this matter but I am unable to get "a starting point". Yours very truly, Secretary ******************************************************************************* State Board of Pensions No. 18170 Governor Comptroller Treasurer Department Of Pensions, State of Florida Tallahassee Sep. 16, 1913 The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: W. J. Barber who is an applicant for a pension under the laws of Florida, claims to have been a member of Company "C" 3d Ga. Regiment Reserves, Confederate States Army, and to have been in following battles: Petersburg, Richmond, Chancelorsville, Shilo, Harpers Ferry. He might have been in 3d Ga. Infantry regulars. Please furnish me with the record of this soldier. Yours very truly, Park Trammell Governor ******************************************************************************* State Board of Pensions No. 18170-W Governor Comptroller Treasurer Department Of Pensions, State of Florida Tallahassee Sep. 16, 1913 The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: W. M. Register - a witness for one who is an applicant for a pension under the laws of Florida, claims to have been a member of Company "C" 3d Ga. Regiment Reserves, Confederate States Army, and to might have been Company "D". Please furnish me with the record of this soldier. Yours very truly, Park Trammell Governor ******************************************************************************* War Department, The Adjutant General's Office Washington September 20, 1913 2079669 Respectfully returned to the Governor, State of Florida, Tallahassee inviting his attention to communication from this office, dated October 1, 1909, in the case of this man. Geo. Andrews The Adjutant General ******************************************************************************* War Department, The Adjutant General's Office Washington September 22, 1913 2079791 Respectfully returned to the Governor, State of Florida, Tallahassee No record has been found of a man named W. J. Barber as a member of Company C, 3d Ga. Reserves, or of Co. C, 3d Ga. Inf., C. S. A. Geo. Andrews The Adjutant General ******************************************************************************* Bell, Fla. Sept-16-1913 Hon. W. V. Knott, Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sir: In reply to yours of 10th relative to Mr. W. J. Barbers pension claim, I wish to give you some of the facts that I have been able to obtain from Mr. Barber and others who personally know him, and did during his service in the War, first, In the summer of 1861 Mr. Barber, inlisted [sic] in one of the Florida Companys [sic] at Baldwin, Fla. but he is not able to recollect which, and was by his own request transferred to Capt. Thomas Loids [sic] Company D 3rd Georgia Regiment (not 3rd Ga. Reserves) in about a week or ten days after he enlisted in the Fla. Co. as stated above. The reason he ask for a transfer to the Ga. Company was, so that he could be in the same company that his father John Barber was in. Second, The following is a list of part of the battles that Mr. Barber, was present at and took part in, Battle of Petersburg, Battle of Richmond, Battle of Chanslerville, Battle of Shilo, Battle of Harpers Ferry and the Battle of Bull-Run and othes [sic] which shows that he was in active service in the regular Confederate army, and not in a mere state organization or in a state reserve company, as my understanding is that no state reserves were ever required to go out of the state to do service. Third, I am herewith enclosing you two affidavits of persons who personally knowed [sic] Mr. Barber during the time he was performing the service in Co. D 3d Ga. Regiment, and who was with him off and on during his service form 1861 to the close of the war in the spring of 1865. I would be pleased to have you carefully go over this statement and proof together with his former proof and fully advise me if the proof now at hand is not sufficient to have his claim allowed, and I will see if you will avise [sic] me what is needed I will see if I can't get it up for him, as I have stated in my former letter that his memory is very poor, thanking you in advance I am Yours very truly Chas C. Martin State of Florida} Alachua County} Before me the subscriber a notary public in and for State of Florida at large personally appeared William T. Hart of Bell, Fla. who being by me duly sworned [sic] did depose and say that he was personally acquainted with William J. Barber of Fletcher, Fla., and was so acquainted with him during the Civil War, and knows of his own knowledge that he is the identical William J. Barber who served in Company D 3rd Georgia Regiment during the Confederate War. His X mark: William T. Hart Sworn to and subscribed to before me at Bell, Fla. this 30th day of August A. D. 1913. Charles C. Martin Notary Public State of Florida DeSoto County Before me and [sic] officer duly authorized to take acknowledgements and oath, personally appeared Wm. Register of City of Wauchula, Florida, who being by me duly sworn did dispose and say that he knowed [sic] of his own knowledge, that William J. Barber of Fletcher, Florida, did serve as a soldier in Captain Thomas Loids Company D 3rd Georgia Regiment, and knows of his own knowledge that the said William J. Barber was released from said service on or about the 18th day of May A. D. 1865, having served in Company C 3rd Ga. Reg. with the said William J. Barber. William Register Sworn to and subscribed to before at Wauchula, Fla. this the 9th day of September A.D. 1913. H. ? ?field Notary Public State of Florida ******************************************************************************* Bell, Fla. Oct. 4, 1913 Dear Sir: Forward to me at Bell, Fla. all communications relative to my pension claim in care of C. C. Martin till further notice. Respy [sic] W. J. Barber ******************************************************************************* Application For Increase In Pension Bell, Fla. Nov. 2nd 1914 State Board of Pensions, Tallahassee, Florida I, W. J. Barber Pensioner No. 8241 of the State of Florida hereby make application for increase in pension because of being unable to earn a livelihood by manual labor. I am ____ year of age. His X mark: W. J. Barber Witness: H. P. Philpot J. W. Grimstead Physicians' Affidavit Before me an office duly authorized to take acknowledgements and administer oaths personally appeared Dr. I. P. Philpot and Dr. W. L. Lancaster, both well known to me to be reputable physicians and each for himself deposes and says that the above applicant for increase in pension has been examined by him and that said applicant by reason of disease, injuries or age is unable to earn a livelihood by manual labor. That the applicant is disabled by reason of age & rheumatism. I. P. Philpot, M. D. W. L. Lancaster, M. D. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 2nd day of Nov. A. D. 191_. Henry P. Philpot Notary Public ******************************************************************************* Claim For Pension By W. J. Barber of Mallory, LaFayette County Late of A Company 2nd Fla. Regiment Filed In Pension Department Dec. 13, 1909 Approved Dec. 19, 1913 With pay from July 1, 1913 At the rate of $120 per annum Secretary of Board