CIVIL WAR WIDOW'S PENSION APP. - MARY EMILY (WALDRON) ERWIN, WIDOW OF HOLMES ERWIN, Martin Co., FL File contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Janet Steadham, (steaddanjan@earthlink.net) Copyright. All Rights Reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/fl/flfiles.htm ****************************************************************************************** CONTRIBUTOR'S NOTE: I have no relationship to anyone mentioned in the below file. ****************************************************************************************** Application No. A10581 Pensioner No. 10581 Widow's Pension Claim Under General Pension Law Of Florida FORM A STATE OF FLORIDA,} County of Martin} On this 13th day of February, A.D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and fifty-six, personally appeared before me a Mary Emily Erwin in and for the County and State aforesaid a resident of Stuart, County of Martin State of Florida, who being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain a pension under the provisions of the General Pension Laws of Florida. That she is the lawful widow of Lieut. Holmes Erwin who enlisted under the name of Holmes Erwin on the 1 day of July, 1861, in Company 3 Battery Regiment of the State of Maryland Artillery and who was honorably discharged at March 11, 1863, on account of condition of health. That she was lawfully married to the said Holmes Erwin under the name of Miss Emmie Waldron in the County of Putnam State of Florida on the 24th day of April, 1888, and that she was not divorced from him before nor has she remarried since his death, which occurred on the 29th day of May, 1906, in the County of Duval, State of Florida, except as hereinafter stated. That she is a resident of Martin County, Florida, and has continuously resided in the State of Florida entire life. That she was heretofore granted a pension from the State of Florida under Certificate No. ____. That she is not a pensioner of any other State. That her Postoffice address is P. O. Box 833, Stuart, County of Martin State of Florida. Mary Emily Erwin (Signature of Claimant) Attest: (1) Harry B. Donley (2) Myra Hearn Sworn and subscribed before me this 13th day of February, A. D. 1956; I certify that the above declaration, etc., was made known and fully explained to the applicant before swearing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. Harry B. Donley Notary Public ****************************************************************************************** Report of County Commissioners We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for the County of Martin, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this day, the foregoing application of Mary Emily Erwin for a pension under the Laws of Florida, was investigated by us; that we are satisfied that the applicant has been a bona fide citizen of the State of Florida for eight years just preceding the date of this application, and that the representations made in the petition and affidavits are true, and that a pension should be granted the applicant. Witness our hands this 14th day of February, A. D. 1956. (1) E. J. Arnold, Chairman (2) ? (3) Earl G. Knoll (4) Seymour Gideon (5) C. W. Lighton County Commissioners By the County Commissioners. Attest: Dorothy Prince Clerk Circuit Court ****************************************************************************************** Law Offices Harry B. Donley Oughterson Building 225 W. 1st Street Stuart, Florida Telephone 72 January 13, 1956 Comptroller's Office Att: Mr. W. C. Hoffman, Chief Auditor Confederate Pensions, Tallahassee, Florida Re: Lieutenant Holmes Erwin Dear Mr. Hoffman: Reference is made to your correspondence of September 6, 1955 addressed to Mr. Philip S. Fagen concerning application being made by Mary Emily Erwin as widow of a deceased Confederate Veteran. You were kind enough to offer assistance in verifying Mr. Erwin's war service record and I wish to advise you that his rank was Lieutenant, 3rd Battery, Maryland Artillery. If you will be kind enough to advise me of this verification receipt of same will be appreciated by Mrs. Erwin as Claimant. With best wishes, I remain Most sincerely, Harry B. Donley HBD:mh ****************************************************************************************** Jan. 16, 1956 General Services Administration National Archives Bldg. Washington 25, D. C. Gentlemen: The widow of Lieutenant Holmes Erwin, 3rd Battery, Maryland Artillery, C.S.A. is desirous of applying for a Confederate pension in this State and we would like to obtain an Official Transcript from your Department if possible. Thanking you for your attention to this matter, I am, Yours very truly By: W. C. Hoffman Chief Auditor Confederate Pensions WCH/RB CC to; Harry B. Donley 225 W 1st St. Stuart, Florida ****************************************************************************************** General Services Administration National Archives and Records Service Washington 25, D. C. January 27, 1956 W. C. Hoffman, Chief Auditor Confederate Pensions Comptroller's Office Tallahassee, Florida Re: Holmes Erwin Dear Mr. Hoffman: Your letter of January 16, 1956, requested information relating to the above-named soldier. Enclosed are negative photostatic copies of the record of Holmes Erwin, Lieutenant, 3rd Battery, Maryland Artillery, Confederate States Army. Very truly yours, Richard G. Wood For Dallas Irvine Chief Archivist War Records Branch Enclosures - 2 ****************************************************************************************** February 3, 1956 Mr. Harry B. Donley Oughterson Bldg. 225 West 1st St. Stuart, Fla. Re: Lieutenant Holmes Erwin Mr. Donley: I am enclosing herewith photostatic copies of the war record of Lieutenant Erwin just received from the General Services Administration, National Archives, Washington, D. C. in answer to my request of January 16, 1956. With best wishes, I am, Yours very truly Ray E. Green, Comptroller By: W. C. Hoffman Chief Auditor Confederate Pensions WCH/RB ****************************************************************************************** Feb. 20, 1956 Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin P. O. Box 833 Stuart, Florida Dear Mrs. Erwin: I wish to acknowledge receipt of your application for pension, which was filed in the Confederate Pension Department of this office for the attention of the State Board of Pensions. You will be advised immediately when action is taken thereon. With best wishes, I am, Yours very truly Ray E. Green, Comptroller By: W. C. Hoffman Chief Auditor Confederate Pensions WCH/RB ****************************************************************************************** February 27, 1956 Honorable Marvin Rowell Stuart, Florida Dear Mrs. Rowell: After Mr. Green called about the claim for pension of Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin yesterday afternoon, I looked over the claim again and believe that it would be better if Mrs. Erwin would furnish a statement that the war record filed with her application for pension is that of her husband, Lieutenant Holmes Erwin, Jr. 2nd Lieutenant, Third Battery Maryland Artillery, C.S.A. and that the disability shown in his record continued to the close of the war and he was not able to return to the service. I talked with Mr. Green this morning and he was under the impression that the application was in good shape and proof sufficient to entitle Mrs. Erwin to a pension and I believe it is but it might save time to have the affidavit or statement of Mrs. Erwin mentioned above in the event there should be some question to come up relative to his service being less than twelve months and his disability continuing to the close of the war. If you have proof of service other than the photostatic copy obtained from Washington, it would be well to furnish that also. With my very best wishes, I am, Yours very truly Secretary State Board of Pensions /RB ****************************************************************************************** Affidavit State of Florida} County of Martin MARY EMILY ERWIN, first being duly sworn, states that she is the Petitioner for Claim of Pension based upon the service of her late husband, Lieutenant Holmes Erwin, Jr., 2nd Lieut., 3rd Battery, Maryland Artillery, Csa; that Holmes Erwin entered the Confederate Service July, 1861 and was originally assigned to recruiting service; that he remained in the same until offered the position of Acting Assistant Quartermaster on the Staff of Gen. George B. Crittenden; that he remained acting in this capacity until after the Battle of Mill Spring, Kentucky, at which time he resigned this assignment and reported to General E. Kirby Smith at Knoxville, Tennessee. Affiant further states that at about this time the nucleus of a company consisting of approximately twenty men had arrived in Knoxville from Maryland styling themselves the Latrobe's Battery; that General Smith assigned Lieut. Erwin to the duty of recruiting men in numbers sufficient to make this Company a full complement of a six-gun battery of field artillery; that the husband was selected as Lieut. of this Company and acted as such until after the battle of Perryville, Kentucky. Affiant further states that Lieut. Erwin was taken sick on his return to Tennessee, was hospitalized in Lynchburg, Virginia and was unable for duty after that time; that he was advised by Dr. Owen, Chief Surgeon, to abstain from all work and severe exercise for several years; that upon Dr. Owen's written recommendation Lieut. Erwin forwarded the same with his resignation to the War Department at Richmond, Virginia. Affiant further states that this disability continued to the close of the war and because of said disability, Lieut. Holmes Erwin was not able to return to the service. Further affiant sayeth not. Mary Emily Erwin Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of March, 1956. Harry B. Donley Notary Public ****************************************************************************************** March 20, 1956 Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin P. O. Box 833 Stuart, Florida Dear Mrs. Erwin: With reference to your claim for pension, I would suggest that you execute an affidavit certifying to the fact that the photostat copies filed with your claim for pension is the record of your husband's war service to the best of your knowledge and belief, and that your husband and the Holmes Erwin shown on the photostatic copy received from Washington is one and the same person. With best wishes and looking forward to receiving this affidavit at which time your claim will be presented to the Pension Board, I am, Yours very truly Secretary State Board of Pensions /RB ****************************************************************************************** Law Offices Harry B. Donley Oughterson Building 22t W. 1st Street Stuart, Florida Telephone 72 March 26, 1956 Pension Department, Mr. Roumelle Bowen, Secy., State of Florida, Tallahassee, Florida Re: Confederate Pension of Mary Emily Erwin Gentlemen: I am enclosing herewith the affidavit of Mary Emily Erwin concerning the service of her late husband, Lieut. Holmes Erwin, Jr. together with photostatic copies of other documents relative to this service and not appearing in the archives at Washington. If you are in need of additional information I will be happy to furnish the same. With best wishes, I remain Most sincerely, Harry B. Donley HBD:mh Enc. ****************************************************************************************** State of Florida, Putnam County To Any Minister Of The Gospel, Or Any Officer Legally Authorized To Solemnize the Rite of Matrimony. WHEREAS, Application having been made to the County Judge of Putnam County, of the State of Florida, for a License for Marriage, and it appearing to the satisfaction of said County Judge that no legal impediments exist to the Marriage now sought to be solemnized. THESE ARE, THEREFORE, To authorize you to unite in the HOLY ESTATE OF MATRIMONY, Holmes Erwin and Miss Emmie Waldron and that you make return of the same, duly certified under your hand, to the County Judge aforesaid. WITNESS, T. S. Haughton County Judge, and the seal of said Court, at the Court House in Palatka, this Eighteenth day of April A. D. 1888. T. S. Haughton, County Judge I Certify, that the within named Holmes Erwin and Miss Emmie Waldron were by me, the undersigned, duly united in the Holy Estate of Matrimony, by the authority of the within License. Done this Twenty fourth day of April A. D. 1888. Francis R. Bridges, M. G. Filed for Record this 25th day of April A. D. 1888. T. S. Haughton County Judge ****************************************************************************************** State of Florida,} County of Putnam} I, CAUSEY S. GREEN, do hereby certify that I am the sole Judge of the County Judge's Court, in and for Putnam County, Florida, and that there is no Clerk in and for said Court; that said Court, under the Constitution and laws of the State of Florida, is a Court of record, exercising probate jurisdiction in said Putnam County; that as such Judge I have the custody of the seal, and all books, records, documents and papers appertaining to said Court; that the paper above is a true and correct copy of a certain paper appertaining to said Court, and that the original of the same is on file and of record in said office, to-wit: Marriage Record of Holmes Erwin and Emmie Waldron, License issued April 18th, 1888, Certificate dated April 24th, 1888, filed for record April 25th, 1888, and recorded in Marriage Record Book 1, Page 31 in the office of the County Judge in and for Putnam County, State of Florida. In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the said Court on this 19th day of January A. D. 1956. Causey S. Green (Seal) County Judge ****************************************************************************************** Department of Health Division of Vital Statistics Jacksonville, Florida Certified Copy of Death Certificate Registered No. 06-355 1. Place of Death: Duval County, Jacksonville 2. Usual Residence: State of Florida, Duval County, City of Jacksonville 3. Name of Deceased: Holmes Erwin 4: Date of Death: May 29, 1906 5. Sex: Male 6. Color or Race: White 7. Married, Never Married, Widowed, Divorced: married 8. Date of Birth: not given 9. Age: 70 10. Occupation: Not given 11. Birthplace: Not given Medical Certification Disease of Condition: Parolysis [sic] of Heart (cause unknown) Signature: James D. Love, M. D., Jacksonville, Florida Burial, Cremation, Removal: Removal Location: Pomona, Florida Funeral Director's Signature: Jacksonville Undertaking & Embalming Co. Registrar's Signature: C. H. Purdy I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of the certificate of death of Holmes Erwin filed with the Division of Vital Statistics of the Department of Health of the City of Jacksonville, Florida. C. H. Purdy Director, Division of Vital Statistics Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 16th day of January 1956. Kathleen F. Barber Notary Public ****************************************************************************************** Stuart, Florida March 27 1956 State of Florida County of Martin On this 27th day of March 1956, personally appeared before me a notary public in and for the County and State aforesaid, Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin, a resident of Stuart, Florida, who being duly sworn states that she believes that the photostatic copy of the war record received from Washington and filed with my application for pension in Tallahassee in the Pension Department, is one and the same person as my husband, Holmes Erwin, Jr. 2nd Lieutenant, 3 Battery, Maryland Artillery, Confederate States Army, and that he was never able to return to the service. Mary Emily Erwin Harry B. Donley Notary Public ****************************************************************************************** April 10, 1956 Honorable Richard W. Ervin Attorney General State of Florida Capitol Dear Mr. Ervin: As a member of the State Board of Pensions, I request you to examine the attached file and advise me whether or not the applicant is entitled to a pension as a widow of a Confederate veteran. Your particular attention is called to the photostatic copy of oath of allegiance to the United States of America, dated the 31st day of May, 1964. [sic] Please return the file with your opinion. Very sincerely yours, Ray E. Green, Comptroller By: Lewis H. Tribble General Counsel LHT:P Enclosure ****************************************************************************************** State of Florida Office of the Attorney General Tallahassee April 12, 1956 Honorable Ray E. Green State Comptroller Tallahassee, Florida Attention: Mr. Lewis H. Tribble Re: Application of Mary Emily Erwin for pension Dear Mr. Green: Replying to your request, as a member of the State Pension Board, that we examine the file concerning the application of Mary Emily Erwin for a pension as the widow of one Holmes Erwin, a Confederate veteran of the Civil War. The widow's pension claim appears to be in proper form and signed, sworn to and attested by two witnesses. The required report of the Board of County Commissioners also appears to be in proper form. Sufficient proof of the marriage of the applicant and the said veteran appears from the certified copy of the marriage license, its service and return. The marriage license appears to have been served on April 24, 1888. Copy of the death certificate of the veteran shows that he died in Duval County on May 29, 1906. There is evidence, in the form of Company muster rolls, that the veteran joined the "3 Battery Maryland Artillery" on May 1, 1862. Two muster rolls show service from May 1, 1862 to November 1, 1862, a pay roll receipt show service from November 1, 1862 to December 1, 1862. There is also a receipt, dated February 16, 1863 showing that the veteran turned in his horse to an officer of the said battery. These instruments tend to discredit another muster roll for October 31, 1862 to February 28, 1863, showing the veteran to be absent without leave. There also appears in the file a copy of the veteran's resignation from the said "3 Battery Maryland Artillery" dated March 11, 1863 and a medical officer's certificate certifying the health of the veteran was such that further military duty was hardly possible by reason of health, and recommending acceptance of the tendered resignation. Actual proof of the acceptance of the resignation does not appear from the file. We, therefore, have reasonable proof of military service from May 1, 1862 to March 11, 1863. There is in the file a copy of what appears to be a war service statement, evidently in the handwriting of the veteran showing three phases of such service. The first phase began in July 1861, with the Confederate recruiting service, which period of time is not shown, and ended with the beginning of the second phase, as acting assistant quartermaster on the staff of General George B. Crittenden, which phase ended with his joining "3 Battery Maryland Artillery" on May 1, 1862, under General E. Kirby Smith. This statement must have been made prior to May 29, 1906, the date of the death of the veteran, and may have been made long prior to that time. There is no record of any application for a Confederate pension by the veteran prior to his death. Although the said statement of the veteran is in the nature of a self-serving statement, we have no reason to doubt it, and its statement concerning service with "3 Battery Maryland Artillery," appears to be supported by the payroll receipts, muster records, etc., above referred to. What weight is to be given the said statement by the veteran under the circumstances outlined is a question for the Pension Board. This brings us to a consideration of an oath of allegiance to the United States made by the veteran at Nashville, Tennessee, on May 21, 1864. The Union army was in possession of Nashville from some time in 1863 until about the end of the war, and the Battle of Nashville was a result of an attempt on the part of the Confederate army to retake Nashville. We have no evidence of the veteran in question ever having joined the Union army. We are of the opinion that the said oath of allegiance was signed to avoid being interned until the end of the war. We do not think that the signing of the said oath of allegiance may or should be taken and considered as proof that the veteran deserted the Confederate cause. The fact that a member of the armed forces may have been listed as absent without leave is likewise not proof of desertion. If the written statement made by the veteran prior to his death, which we feel furnished the information for the affidavit of the applicant, is to be accepted as proof of service from July 1861 until the time the veteran joined the "3 Battery Maryland Artillery," on May 1, 1862, then the required service of the veteran is established. We leave to the Board the acceptance or rejection of this type of proof. Your file is returned herewith. Sincerely, Richard W. Ervin Attorney General RWE:Be encl. ******************************************************************************* P. O. Box 833 Stuart, Fla. April 24, 1956 Ray E. Green, Comptroller Att: W. C. Hoffman - Chief Aud. Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sir: On August 30, 1955, I wrote you regards Civil War pension for my aunt Mary Emily Erwin who is getting on to eighty-nine years old. You replied on Sept. 6th 1955, furnishing me with forms for Mrs. Erwin to make out. As I am totally and permanently disabled, I turned them over to a friend of mine, Harry B. Donley, attorney-at-law, Stuart, Fla.; he has had a lot of correspondence with your office, he thinks he has furnished all the proof necessary for Mrs. Erwin to get her pension, he advised me this morning there is nothing more he can do. He foolishly told the old lady, that she might get this pension- - result was on account of her age, she has been worrying Mr. Donley and myself every few days wanting to know when she would get it. I wish you would please advise me if there are any more papers you need and if you can, I wish you would let me know when she might get it. It has been almost eight months since I first wrote you. She has about a fifty dollar a month income, which is not enough to take care of her. Thanking you in advance, I remain Very truly yours, P. O. Box 833 Stuart, Fla. ****************************************************************************************** April 24, 1956 Honorable Marvin H. Rowell Stuart, Florida Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Dear Mr. Rowell: It gives me great pleasure to inform you that Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin's claim for pension was presented to the State Board of Pensions this morning and approved with pay from February 16th, the date of the filing of her claim for pension in the Confederate Pension Department of this office. Mrs. Erwin is being informed of the approval of her claim and check will be mailed to her for the amount of pension due her from February 16th through March 31st in the next day of two, and on the last day of each month hereafter she will receive Warrant for $85.00 [sic] covering the amount of pension due for said month. With my very best wishes, I am, Yours very truly Comptroller REG/RB ****************************************************************************************** April 25, 1956 Mr. Philip S. Fagen P. O. Box 833 Stuart, Fla. Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Dear Mr. Fagen: Replying to your letter of April 24th, I am very glad to advise that Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin's application for pension was presented to the Pension Board on April 24th and approved with pay from February 16th, the date of the filing of her application for pension in the Pension Department of this office. Warrant is being mailed to her for the amount of pension accrued from February 16th through March 31st and on the last day of each month hereafter she will receive a check for $85.00 in payment of pension for said month. With best wishes, I am, Yours very truly Ray E. Green, Comptroller By: W. C. Hoffman Chief Auditor Welfare Warrants WCH/RB ****************************************************************************************** Application No. 23315 Pensioner No. 10581 Claim For Pension By Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Of P. O. Box 833 Postoffice Stuart County Widow Of Lieut. Holmes Erwin Of Maryland Art. Company 3rd Battery Regiment Filed In Pension Department Feb 16 1956 Approved And Filed In Comptroller's Office April 24 1956 With pay from Feb 16 1956 At the rate of $1,020.00 per annum. Roumelle Bowen Secretary of Board ****************************************************************************************** June 17, 1957 Mrs. Mary Emil Erwin P. O. Box 833 Stuart, Florida Dear Mrs. Erwin: I am enclosing form which is for the purpose of making payment in case of your death to whom you choose to designate as beneficiary. Our records indicate that you have never filed this document which is required by law. Please fill in and return to this office at your convenience. With best wishes, I am, Yours very truly, Ray E. Green, Comptroller By: W. C. Hoffman Chief Auditor Confederate Pensions WCH/RB ****************************************************************************************** State of Florida Comptroller's Office Tallahassee Pursuant to the conditions and provisions of (Chapter 18045,) Section 291.32, Florida Statutes of 1953, I hereby designate Agnes E. Fagen of P. O. Box 833, Stuart, Fla. to receive from the State of Florida after my death, all amounts accruing to me as a Confederate pensioner of the State of Florida from the date of the last payment of my pension that may be made to me until the date of my death. This 18th day of June 1957. Mary Emily Erwin (Signature of Pensioner) Witness: L. F. Richman Harry B. Donley State of Florida County of Martin Before me, a Notary Public, or other officer authorized to take acknowledgements, personally appeared Mary Emily Erwin who acknowledge that she signed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein expressed. Dated at Stuart, Florida, this 17th day of June 1957. Harry B. Donley Notary Public ****************************************************************************************** Harry B. Donley Oughterson Building 225 W. 1st Street Stuart, Florida Telephone 72 June 18, 1957 Honorable Ray E. Green, Comptroller, Tallahassee, Florida Attention Mr. W. C. Hoffman Chief Auditor Confederate Pensions Dear Mr. Hoffman: Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin I am enclosing under this cover the form in duplicate, signed by Mrs. Erwin designating her beneficiary in case of her death. Trusting you find this in order, and with best wishes, I remain, Most sincerely, Harry B. Donley H Encls. ****************************************************************************************** June 20, 1957 Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin PO Box 833 Stuart, Florida Dear Mrs. Erwin: Thank you very much for your promptness in returning the blank mailed you several days ago, designating Agnes E. Fagan as beneficiary, which has been filed for future reference. With kind regards, I am, Yours very truly Ray E. Green, Comptroller By: W. C. Hoffman Chief Auditor Confederate Pensions WCH/RB ****************************************************************************************** Harry B. Donley Oughterson Building 225 W. 1st Street Stuart, Florida Telephone 72 September 23, 1958 Pension Department State of Florida Tallahassee, Florida Attention Mr. Roumelle Bowen Secretary, State Board of Pensions Dear Mr. Bowen: In order to qualify Mrs. Mary E. Erwin for federal benefits as the widow of a Confederate veteran it is necessary to furnish the Veterans Administration with a copy of Lieutenant Erwin's death certificate and his marriage license with Mrs. Erwin. My file indicates that sufficient proof was afforded your office at the time she qualified for the state pension. Would these documents be available to me for a similar purpose with the Veterans Administration? I would sincerely appreciate whatever help you can render in the matter. Thanking you for your cooperation, and with best wishes, I remain Most sincerely, Harry B. Donley HBD:H ****************************************************************************************** September 25, 1958 Mr. Harry B. Donley Oughterson Building 225 West 1st St. Stuart, Florida Dear Mr. Donley: I have your letter of September 23d, with reference to the marriage and death of Lieutenant Holmes Erwin and I am enclosing photocopies of the death certificate and marriage record furnished this office be Mrs. Erwin when she applied for pension from the State of Florida under Certificate No. 10581. Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin applied for a pension in this State on February 16, and her claim was approved by the State Board of Pensions on April 24, 1956, with pay from Feb. 16, date of filing. I am enclosing photostat of one Co. Muster roll, which shows that Erwin Holmes was a Junior Lieutenant in the 3rd Battery, Maryland Artillery, and enlisted May 1, 1861. With best wishes, I am, Yours very truly Ray E. Green, Comptroller By: Secretary State Board of Pensions /RB ****************************************************************************************** State of Florida Comptroller's Office Tallahassee Pursuant to the conditions and provisions of (Chapter 291,) Section 291.32, Florida Statutes of 1957, I hereby designate Mrs. A. E. Fagen of P. O. Box 833, Stuart, Florida to receive from the State of Florida after my death, all amounts accruing to me as a Confederate pensioner of the State of Florida from the date of the last payment of my pension that may be made to me until the date of my death. This 29th day of July 1959. Mary Emily Erwin (Signature of Pensioner) Witness: Harry B. Donley C. S. Fagen State of Florida County of Martin Before me, a Notary Public, or other officer authorized to take acknowledgements, personally appeared Mary Emily Erwin who acknowledge that she signed the foregoing instrument for the purposes therein expressed. Dated at Stuart, Florida, this 29th day of July 1959. Harry B. Donley Notary Public ****************************************************************************************** Law Offices Harry B. Donley Oughterson Building 225 W. 1st Street Stuart, Florida Tel. Atlantic 7-0767 P. O. Drawer 957 December 8, 1959 Mr. Ray E. Green, Comptroller Capitol Tallahassee, Florida Dear Mr. Green: Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Fun Code EXP 1 103 0200 33084 I wish to advise you that the claimant died on November 30, prior to the issuance of the warrant in the amount of $100.00 Will you be kind enough to advise me as to whether her estate is due any pro rated share of said warrant, or if the same should be returned to your office for cancellation. With appreciation for your cooperation in this matter, I remain Most sincerely, Harry B. Donley HBD:H ****************************************************************************************** December 11, 1959 Mr. Harry B. Donley Law Offices P. O. Drawer 957 Stuart, Florida Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Deceased Confederate Pensioner #10581 Dear Sir: This will acknowledge your letter of December 8, advising that Mrs. Erwin, Confederate Pensioner, passed away November 30, and that the warrant in payment for November is being held by you, and request information as disposition. In conformity with chapter 291.32 Florida Statutes of 1957, Mrs. Erwin designated Mrs. A. E. Fagen, P. O. Box 833, Stuart, Florida to receive from the State of Florida after her death, all amount accrued to her as Confederate Pensioner at the time of her death. It is required, therefore, that the warrant for November be returned for cancellation, and a replacement warrant will be issued in the name of Mrs. A. E. Fagen. As it is required that a statement of death be filed with the State Pension Board, I am enclosing blanks that are to be executed by the physician attending Mrs. Erwin in her last illness. Immediately upon receipt of the statement from the doctor, and the return of the November warrant, payment of this claim will be made. Please advise if this Beneficiary Payment should be sent direct to Mrs. Fagen, or in care of your office. Very truly yours, W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vmc ****************************************************************************************** Stuart, Florida December 23, 1959 (Certificate to be made by attending Physician of Mary Emily Erwin, Confederate Pensioner, Deceased.) Full Name of Pensioner: Mary Emily Erwin Certificate No. (If known): 10581 Date of Death: November 30, 1959 Place of Death: St. Lucie, Florida (To be Signed by Physician: Walter F. Davey, M.D. (Address): P. O. Box 365, Stuart, Florida ****************************************************************************************** Law Offices Harry B. Donley Oughterson Building 225 W. 1st Street Stuart, Florida Tel. Atlantic 7-0767 P. O. Drawer 957 January 11, 1960 State Board of Pensions State of Florida Tallahassee, Florida Attention Mr. W. C. Hoffman Secretary Re: Your File No. 10581 Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Deceased Confederate Pensioner In answer to your letter of December 11, I am returning under this cover the November warrant for cancellation and a replacement warrant to be issued in the name of Mrs. A. E. Fagen. I am also enclosing statement of death in duplicate, signed by Dr. Walter F. Davey. The Beneficiary Payment should be sent in care of this office. Trusting you find the enclosures in order, and with best wishes, I remain Most sincerely, Harry B. Donley HBD:H Encls. ****************************************************************************************** State of Florida Comptroller's Office Tallahassee January 12, 1960 Mr. Harry B. Donley Attorney At Law P. O. Drawer 957 Stuart, Florida Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Wt # 188151 - $100.00 11 24 59 Dear Sir: Please refer to my letter of December 11, 1959 in which I advised you as to the status of the above subject captioned warrant and requested that the warrant be returned for cancellation and re-issuance in the name of the designated agent, Mrs. A. E. Fagen, as to date and time of death of Mrs. Erwin. It will be appreciated if you will furnish this information in order that this claim may be cleared up and my files closed. Your assistance will be greatly appreciated. Very truly yours, Ray E. Green, Comptroller By: W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vmc ****************************************************************************************** Office of Ray E. Green, Comptroller Tallahassee, Florida January 14, 1960 To: Mr. Harry Guerry, Assistant General Auditor From: W. C. Hoffman, Secretary, State Board of Pensions Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin, Deceased Confederate Pensioner I have been informed that the above subject captioned Confederate Pensioner died November 30, 1959, and doctor certification of death is on file supporting this information. The November warrant was issued and mailed to Mrs. Erwin prior to her death, and has been returned for cancellation. The warrant requiring this cancellation is as listed Name: Date Wt. # Amount Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin 11/24/59 188152 $100.00 Please credit this cancellation to Confederate Pensions - Benefits Code Gr 1 103 0200 against which the warrant was originally drawn. A Supplementary Payroll is being writted [sic] authorizing payment of this Beneficiary Claim to Mrs. A. E. Fagen, P. O. Box 833, Stuart, Florida, the designated agent to receive accrude amounts due, and is in the full amount of $100.00 for the month of November, the amount of pension acrude. W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vmc ****************************************************************************************** State of Florida Comptroller's Office Tallahassee January 15, 1960 Payee: Mrs. A. E. Fagen, Designated Agent and Beneficiary of Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin, Confederate Pensioner, Deceased Amount: $100.00 Pensioner died November 30, 1959 as per doctors certification attached. Subject to payment of 30 days @$3.3333 = $100.00 based on total allowable of $100.00 per month Confederate Pensions - Benefits Account: GR 1-103-0200 W. C. Hoffman ****************************************************************************************** January 19, 1960 Mrs. A. E. Fagen P. O. Box 833 Stuart, Florida Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Deceased Confederate Pensioner Certificate # 10581 Dear Mrs. Fagen: I am enclosing the following State Warrant #267295, dated January 15, 1960 in the amount of $100.00 issued payable to you as designated agent and beneficiary of Mrs. Emily Erwin, deceased Confederate Pensioner. This payment is in conformity with designation made by Mrs. Erwin under date of Jul 29, 1959 naming you to receive any accrude proceeds due her account after her death, and fully covers any amount due in this instance. Very truly yours, W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vmc Encl. ****************************************************************************************** February 22, 1960 Mrs. A. E. Fagen P. O. Box 833 Stuart, Florida Re: Mrs. Mary Emily Erwin Deceased Confederate Pensioner Certificate #10581 Dear Mrs. Fagen: This will acknowledge your letter of February 12, requesting information as to organizations who furnish headstones for deceased Confederate Veterans. I am enclosing an application for headstones or markers for your use, and when you have completed the forms the proper mailing address is to the Department of the Army, Office of the Quartermaster General, Memorial Division, Washington 25, D. C., as shown on the form. From your letter I am not sure if you refer to a marker for Mrs. Erwin, or Mrs. Erwin's deceased husband. It is not believed that the Government will place headstones on the widow's grave, as this function is to furnish headstones or markers to be placed at the unmarked grave of a member of the Armed Forces of the United States, or the Confederate States of America who either died in the service or whose last discharge was honorable. The foregoing is a quotation from the back of the form under the section marked "Information". Very truly yours, W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vmc Encl.