CIVIL WAR PENSION APP. - JAMES PINKNEY ABBOTT, LAYFAYETTE CO., FLORIDA File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Marilyn Reid Pollow, (pollowhistory@att.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 ******************************************************************************* A photocopy of the original application can be obtained from the Florida State Archives http://www.dos.state.fl.us/dlis/barm/PensionIntroduction2.htm ****************************************************************************** D23,808 _______________________________________________________________________ Soldier's Pension Claim Under General Pension Law of Florida as Amended by Acts of 1921 ============= (Form A) STATE OF FLORIDA, | County of Lafayette | On this 27th day of January, A. D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and Twenty- eight, personally appeared before me, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the county and State aforesaid, J. P. Abbott who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 79 years of age, having been born on the 8th day of Nov. 1849, in the county of Randolph, in the state of Alabama. That he is a bona fide citizen of the county of Lafayette, State of Florida. That he has resided in the State of Florida continuously since the ___ [blank] day of February 1857. That he is the identical person who rendered service in nursing the soldier that were wounded in the battle of Olustee, Florida and help make shoes for the soldiers that were serving in the Southern Army, and also help to gather provision for the for some[sic] soldiers, and clothing on the ___ day of ___. but was not regularly enlisted, but done general home guard work in Company took ***** from the hosp ******** of the State of ***** in the service of the Confederate States Service and was honorably discharged at ____ in the State of ____ on the ___ day of ___ 186__, on account of (Here state fully any other military service performed by applicant) Visited the *** furnished the soldiers clothing furnished their families supplies and other helps and took. That I served faithfully until HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the service of the ____ in the year 186__, and did not desert the service of the Confederate States 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 my home in Bradford County, Fla. That I have not heretofore applied for a pension from the State of Florida and refer to Claim No. ____ for the proof contained therein. (Here state any disabilities, physical or mental.) That my post office address is Mayo, County of Lafayette, State of Florida. [signed] James Pinkney Abbott (Claimant must sign name in full.) Attest: (2) [signed] W H Rhamsay [signed] Laura Chauncey Sworn and subscribed before me the 27th day of January, A. D. 1928; 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. [signed] Cullin W Edwards Clerk Circuit Court ************************************************************************************ Report of County Commissioners We, the undersigned County Commissioners in and for the County of Lafayette, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this day, the foregoing application of James Pinkney [last name omitted] for a pension under the Laws of Florida, was investigated by us, and we are satisfied 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 6th day of February A. D. 1928. (1) [signed] W. L. Howell (2) [signed] G. H. Carlton (3) [signed] O. M. Bartra (4) [signed] Robt Lauester (5) [signed] W. E. Henderson County Commissioners By the County Commissioners. Attest [signed] Cullin W. Edwards Clerk Circuit Court ********************************************************************************* Former Claim No. 26 23808 Appplication No. 23246 Pensioner No. +23808 CLAIM FOR PENSION BY J P Abbott OF Mayo Post Office Lafayette County. LATE OF _____________ Company, _____________ Regiment. ******************************************************************************* FILED IN PENSION DEPARTMENT: February 8 (8), 1928 + 6/19/31 APPROVED AND FILED IN COMP-TROLLERS OFFICE Special Act 19__ With pay from 1931 At the rate of Chapter 14783 per annum Secretary of the Board [Stamp] DENIED BY PENSION BOARD February 15, 192* [handwritten] Denied ******************************************************************************** [Postcard front] Sec of Pension Board Tallahassee, FLa [postmarked] Mayo Fla, August 4, 1931 2PM ******************************************************************************** [postcard back, handwritten] 8/4/31 Dear Ladie I thank you for your kindness and the information you have given me. I seeking further information. Please give me as much time as you can. I am seeking honest information. Yours very truly, J. P. Abbott Box 209 Mayo Fla. ******************************************************************************** [Postcard front] Sec State Pension Board Tallahassee, FLa [postmarked] Mayo, Fla August 8, 1931 *PM ******************************************************************************** [Postcard back] Dear Pension Board. " ****. My friends Judge Hal W. Adams, W. H. Chaney, and many others are anxious about my pension. Please give it to me if you can. your friend and Bro J P Abbott Box 209, Mayo [drawing on left side of postcard appears to be the outline of a paperclip with hashmarks in the inner part of the drawing] ******************************************************************************* [postcard front] Hon. Earnest Amos Tallahassee, Fla Controller [postmarked Mayo, Fl Aug **** ******************************************************************************* [postcard back] 8/11/*1 Dear Bro, I am sure that I rendered more servis to the cause than a good many that is ***ing pensions. But such is life. Dear Bro will you please get all applications, affidavits and all papers with the Bill as it passed both Houses and send them to me by Express (Col) and oblige J P Abbott, Mayo Fla ******************************************************************************* State of Florida County of Leon Before me the undersigned authority, personally appeared Mrs. M. S. Simmons, known to me and known to me to be the person described herein who first being duly sworn, deposes and says, That, she is 79 years old and that she is a citizen of the state of Florida and that she was a resident of the state of Florida during the Civil War, and that she was at that time personally and well acquainted with James Pinkney Abbott: that she has read the affidavit made by James Pinkney Abbott on [handwritten] Aug 7th, 1931, "in further support of his application for pension" and that the matters and things contained in said affidavit are substantially true and correct that affiant knows of her own personal[cross out ly] knowledge that the said James Pinkney Abbott did render the services which he claims to have rendered in the said affidavit and that the said James Pinkney Abbott did not desert the [crossed out Federal Army] Confederate Cause, but, that he remained true and loyal to the cause to the end of the war. [signed] Mrs. M. S. Simmons Sworn to and subscribed before me this Aug 7th, A. D. 1931 [signed] Stella Hart [handwritten] com expires Sept 3, 1933 [notary seal] ********************************************************************************* State of Florida County of Leon Before me the undersigned authority, personally appeared Abner Sessions, known to me and known to me to be the person described herein who first being duly sworn, deposes and says, That, he is 83 years old and that he is a citizen of the state of Florida and that he was a resident of the state of Florida during the Civil War, and that he was at that time personally and well acquainted with James Pinkney Abbott: that he has read the affidavit made by James Pinkney Abbott on July Aug [handwritten] 7, 1931, "in further support of his application for pension" and that the matters and things contained in said affidavit are substantially true and correct that affiant knows of her own personal[cross out ly] knowledge that the said James Pinkney Abbott did render the services which he claims to have rendered in the said affidavit and that the said James Pinkney Abbott did not desert the [crossed out Federal Army] Confederate Cause, but, that he remained true and loyal to the cause to the end of the war. [signed] Abner Sessions Sworn and subscribed before me, this Aug 5th A. D. 1931 [signed] Stella Hart [handwritten] Com expires Sept 3, 1933 [notary seal] ********************************************************************************** July ** (could be 31) 1931 Mr. James Pinkney Abbott Mayo, Florida Dear Mr. Abbott, With reference to the Special Law granting you a pension, I am sorry to inform you but the law of 1923 makes it the duty of the Pension Board to strike special pensioners from the roll who have not submitted such proof of their service or have deserted. It will be necessary for you to submit additional proof in substantiation of your claim if you can and the Board will be glad to render such assistance in enabling you to do so as they can, but unless you really enlisted the Board does not feel they have the authority to grant you a pension. At the present there are no soldiers on the pension roll who did not enlist [underlined] and serve. I am enclosing herewith copy of the law requiring such investigation. Yours very truly. [no signature] Secretary, Pension Board ________________________________________________________________________________ State of Florida County of Gilchrist Before me the undersigned authority personally appeared W. C. Lindsey of the State and County aforesaid, well known to me and known to me to be the person described herein who first being duly sworn deposes and says, that he is 82 years old, and that he was a citizen of Florida during the Civil War and that he is personally and well acquainted with James Pinkney Abbott and was during the Civil War and that James Pinkney Abbott entered the services of the war under Captain Hicks on or about May 10 the [sic] 1864, and that the said James Pinkney Abbott did serve as home guard and other general services to the end of the war. That the same James Pinkney Abbott did not desert the Confederate Army. That I have examined the bill or law providing a pension for James Pinkney Abbott and that in the order through typographical error or otherwise the name John Pinkney Abbott appears whereas it should be James Pinkney Abbott and that the person refered [sic] to therein is one and same person, being in person James Pinkney Abbott. [signed] W. C. Lindsay Sworn to and subscribed before me this 20th day of June of AD 1931 [signed] H E Hailee Notary Public, State of Florida at Large My Commission expires Sept 8, 1934 ******************************************************************************* State of Florida Lafayette County [handwritten] 23808 Abbott Before me, the undersigned authority, personnally appeared, James Pinkney Abbott, to me personnally well known, who being by me first duly sworn, upon his oath says, that in further support of his application for, and the Act of the Legislature at its 1931 session, in granting him a pension, he desires to say and make oath to the following state of facts: That at the time of the battle of Olustee he was sixteen years of age; that he then lived on a farm situate about eighteen miles from the scene of the above battle between Confederate and Union troops. On Febuary [sic] 20th, 1864, the Union troops commanded by General Seymore, as affiant was advised, was on line of march from Jacksonville to Tallahassee. When they reached Olustee they encountered the Confederate troops commanded by General Finnegan, who began at once a battle to prevent to [sic] advance of the Union forces toward Tallahassee. On above date, along in the forenoon thereof, the battle began. The word was flashed by courier and by other available means by General Finnegan to all persons who were loyal to the Confederate cause to come to the scene and render assistance. In answer to this call affiant left his home immediately, although a mere boy, and went at once to the scenes of the battle. On arrival among the Confederate troops at Olustee, affiant made known to an officer that he was there in answer to the call to do what he could in behalf of Confederate forces. Whereupon, this officer, whose name or rank affiant did not know, directed affiant to begin work helping care for the wounded Confederate soldiers in a large building, and affiant immediately began this work under the direction of an officer whom he later learned was named Captain Hicks, and remained at that duty for a considerable period of time, the exact length of which affiant does not remember exactly, but to the best of his reccollection [sic] it was until about the middle of March, 1864. At that time this same Captain Hicks told affiant that they would not need him longer to help with the sick and wounded soldier, but as affiant, although young, was quite proficient, largely from experience brought about by necessity, in repairing shoes, which fact had become known through work done at odd times for soldiers whose shoes needed repair, he was directed to do work in that line of endeavor and did so. Also one soldier who was so badly wounded as to be practically beyond hope of recovery, was taken by affiant in a wagon to the home of affiant and there cared for and nursed until he died, about ten days after. Affiant says that he was just a mere boy during the war, and that he stayed at home to help take care of it the best he could while the men of his family did service in the Confederate army. The country roundabout was infested with negroes and deserters bitter in their enmity to the Confederate cause. When the battle of Olustee was fought, the rumors of its impending imminence were broadcast among the people, and they were all, for miles around in a state of tension and anxiety for fear that the Union troops would devastate the country and burn their way through to Tallahassee. The desire to help the Confederate forces was manifested among every one loyal to the cause. Therefore, when General Finnegan sent out his appeal for help from every one able and willing to give it, affiant was among many others who answered promptly ready and willing to do whatever he could to help the Confederate cause. When he arrived among the Confederate troops he did not enlist through regular channels in any organization, for he had no thought of that. He was simply there in answer to a call for help in a cause to which he was loyal, and proceeded to do what he was directed to do in that effort, by the officers who were commanding and directing the activities, and Capt. Hicks, is the only one of those whose name he remembers. Affiant says that he now has a sworn statment[sic] on file with the Pension Board at Tallahassee, in which he stated that he was not regularly enlisted, and as a matter of fact he was not, but he performed the service as set out, in answer to the call of General Finnegan, and under the direction of other officers lesser in rank as aforesaid, and he gave no thought to the procedure of what is known as a regular enlistment. Until about the middle of February, 1928, affiant made no effort to secure a pension. He had always been able to make a living, and did not desire to seek aid by way of a pension as long as he was physically able to work for a livelihood, although he had performed service for the Confederacy, which was of benefit and help to sick, wounded, and helpless soldiers of the army. But now affiant says he has reached his eighty second year, or will be that age in about four months, and owing to infirmities he is unable to work but little and is largely dependent on others for help, and because of that he now seeks a pension on the basis of service rendered as herein stated, and the allowance of which has been granted by the Legislative Act aforesaid, if approved by the Honorable members of the Pension Board. For many years affiant has without promise of compensation, and without receiving recompense, has gone into the out of way places and held religious service and carried the gospel to men and women so situated that they were denied that privilige [sic], but now affiant says he is unable to longer work in that service, and has come to the point where he felt that he was justified in asking his State for help the pension applied for and authorized would give, and makes this affidavit in order that the Pension Board may have as clear and truthful picture of the situation as possible. [signed] J. P. Abbott Sworn to and subscribed before me this July 7th 1931 [unreadable] Notary Public State of Florida at Large My Commission expires Nov 11, 1931 ******************************************************************************* State of Florida County of Gilchrist Before me the undersigned authority personally appeared Catherine J. Dohe of the State and county aforesaid, well known to me and known to me to the person described herein, who first being duly sworn deposed and says, that she is 75 years old, and that she was a citizen of Florida during the Civil War and that she is personally and well acquainted with James Pinkney Abbott and was during the Civil War and that James Pinkney Abbott entered the services of the war under Captain Hicks on or about May 10th 1864, and that the said James Pinkney Abbott did serve as home guard and other general services to the end of the war. That the same James Pinkney Abbott did not desert the Confederate Army. That I have examined the bill or law providing a pension for James Pinkney Abbott and that in the order through typographical error or otherwise the name John Pinkney Abbott appears whereas it should be James Pinkney Abbott and that the person refered [sic] to therein is one and same person, being in person James Pinkney Abbott. [signed] Catherine J Dohe Sworn and subscribed before me this 20th day of June AD 1931 [signed] H. E. Hoslley Notary Public, State of Florida at Large My Commission expires Sept 8, 1934 ******************************************************************************** June 18th, 1931 Mrs. Sallie Mouring Mayo, Florida Dear Mrs. Mouring, Replying to your letter of the 18th, instant, I wish to advise that I am pleased to hand you herewith copy of the Law granting your father a pension by Special Act of the Legislature. You will note, however, that this law carried an Amendment requiring the Pension Board to investigate his war service and it will therefore be necessary for him to furnish proof of the service he rendered as a home guard. Senator Parker introduced the Bill which carries the repealing clause and if the amendment had not been made thereon the Board would not have been required to investigate but his name would have automatically gone on the roll but the House amended practically all of the Bills granting pension so that the Pension Board would have to investigate the service rendered. I would suggest that affidavits of parties who have personal knowledge of his home guard service be furnished this office, stating how they knew he served, and how long he served, etc. The affidavits of Mrs. H.E. Walker and Mrs. S.A. Korn merely state that they knew Mr. Abbott all during the war between the States and that his claim his[sic] honest and just. These affidavits should be more explicit and say just what home guard service they knew him to perform and when it was performed, etc. Respectfully, Secretary, Pension Board /S ******************************************************************************* [handwritten note] Mayo, Fla 6-16-31 Dear Miss Bowen My bro J.J. Abbott told me that he had talked to you concerning my Dads pension. Will pay you for any expense you have and thank you too if you will see that this goes thru. If you need any additional proof let us know. He was a home guard. Thanks for personal attention to this. Respt Mrs. Sallie Mouring ******************************************************************************** [written on top] 23808 AN ACT Granting a Pension to James Pinkney Abbott of the County of Lafayette, State of Florida WHEREAS, James Pinkney Abbott, who is now eighty-two years of age, having been born in the County of Randolph in the State of Alabama, and is now a bona fide citizen of the County of Lafayette, State of Florida, and has resided continuously in the State of Florida from the second day of February, 1857, and WHEREAS, the said James Pinkney Abbott rendered service in nursing the soldiers who were wounded in the Battle of Olustee, Florida, and took one of such soldiers from the Hospital to his home and cared for him until he died, and gave him a respectable burial, and WHEREAS, the said James Pinkney Abbott did tan hides, make shoes and clothing for the soldiers, and did home guard service, and furnished food and supplies to the Confederate Army, THEREFORE, BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA: SECTION 1. That the State Board of Pensions is hereby authorized and directed to place the name of John[sic] Pinkney Abbott of Lafayette County, State of Florida, on the roll of pensions, and that he be paid the the [sic] same amount of pension as other pensioners of the State are paid. SECTION 1-A. Provided that nothing in this Act shall be construed to prohibit the right of the State Pension Board under the General Law of 1923 to remove the name of the pensioner from the Pension Roll if after investigation such Board shall find that the alleged soldier upon whose service the pension is based did not render service during the war between the States such as would entitle him to receive a pension or that he deserted the service. SECTION 2. That all laws or parts of laws in conflict with this Act are hereby repealed. SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect immediately upon its becoming a law. [handwritten at bottom of page] Date filed 6/15/31 unsigned ******************************************************************************* Mayo Fla. June 13th, 1931 Miss Roumelle Bowen Secretary Tallahassee Fla. Re:- Pension for James P. Abbott Dear Miss Bowen:- I hand you herewith printed copy of Proff[sic] filed in this cause. I am informed by my Father that the original is on file in the pension office, having been filed there in February 1928. Thanking you Miss Bowen most heartily for your consideration in this matter I am With the kindest Raguards [sic] Very Truly Yours [signed] J. J. Abbott J. J. Abbott ********************************************************************************* May 8, 1929 [handwritten] J. P. Abbott Mr Edward C Sanders Mayo Florida Dear Mr Sanders With reference to your letter of April thirtieth, this office has been advised by Honorable Ernest Amos, Comptroller, that Mr Abbott's application was denied because the records failed to indicate that he had ever enlisted. The law requires an applicant to have enlisted to be eligible to pension under the General Pension Law. Very truly yours, Secretary to the Governor MN:ab ******************************************************************************** Letterhead -- Pension Department, State of Florida. Roumelle Bowen, Secretary. Pension Board Doyle E. Carlton, Governor, Chairman Ernest Amos, Comptroller W.V. Knott, Treasurer Tallahassee May 6th, 1929 Hon Doyle E. Carlton Governor Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Governor Carlton: With reference to the letter referred to Hon. Ernest Amos, Comptroller, on the 4th instant, I wish to advise that the records show J.P. Abbott applied for pension on the 8th of Feb. 1928 and same was denied by the Pension Board on Feb. 16th, 1928, on account of the fact that he has furnished no proof whatever of his war service. He does not appear to have been a regularly enlisted soldier but rendered services nursing the soldiers wounded in battle, helping to make shoes and did general home guard work. However, the law requires an applicant to have enlisted[underlined], to be eligible to pension under the General Pension Law. Yours very truly, [signed] Roumelle Bowen Secretary, Pension Board P. S. The letter is returned herewith. R. B. ***************************************************************************** Mayo, Fla. April 30th, 1929 Hon Doyle E. Carlton Tallahassee, Fla. My Dear Governor:- I write in behalf of a good friend of mine here at Mayo, Rev. J.P. Abbott. I m not trying to just get a pull or line of sentimental influence, BUT[sic] state a few reasons why Brother Abbott is worthy of the pension that the Representative from Dixie Co. will put before the Legislature as a motion to be acted on and signed by yourself. Now, the legal papers regarding this pension are in the office of the Comptroller of the State, BUT [sic] aside from what may appear in these papers there are other and as I see it more weighty reasons than just a form of application for the pension. THEY ARE THESE [sic]----- During the war between the states, Bro. Abbott was very busy about all kinds of help for the soldiers who were fighting, and also he was more than that PREACHING[sic] to their friends at the close of the war and all along in lumber camps and that too, without any salary but the liberality of the people to whom he preached, and you are aware that in these days and too to day,without somekind [sic] of pledge, a man is hardly likely to get some renumeration from the people. Bro. Abbott is a worthy man, much beloved by all and at this time - THE SUNSETING [sic] of his life he deserves more than he is getting and after ferriting [sic] out the matter I feel in[sic] honor bound to say, that there are the greatest reasons for him to get the penson [sic] as will be made a motion. I will esteem it a special favor to me as his pastor and too, his friends [sic] and YOURS [sic] will be happy if you can see your way to sign the motion granting his pension. I am very sincerely yours, [signed] Edward C. Sanders Edward C. Sanders (Pastor M. E. C. South) ******************************************************************************* 3/16/31 Hon Sir + Bro, Please send me a copy of my pension claim. If there are any charges, send C.O.D. and oblige Your friend and bro J. P. Abbott (Mayo, Fla) ********************************************************************************* February 5, 1929 Respectfully referred to Honorable Nathan Mayo, Commissioner of Agriculture, for his attention and consideration. By direction of the Governor. Very respectfully, Secretary to Governor MW:MER ********************************************************************************* February 5, 1929 Mr. J. P. Abbott Mayo, Florida Dear Mr. Abbott: Your letter of February 3rd is being referred to the Commissioner of Agriculture as it has reference to a matter that is directly under his jurisdiction. If at any time this office can be of service to you please advise. Very respectfully yours, Secretary to Governor MM:MER ********************************************************************************* February 7, 1928 Mr. J. P. Abbott Mayo, Florida Dear Sir: I regret very much indeed to advise you of the fact that your application for pension was considered by the Board and denied on account of the fact that you are not shown to have been enlisted during the war and the Law provides pension for only soldiers enlisting[underlined]. You do not furnish proof of your service also as required by law, but the fact that you did not enlist would bar you from pension even though you could furnish proof of your service by the affidavits of two comrades serving with you. Yours very truly, Secretary, Pension Board /S