CIVIL WAR WIDOW'S PENSION APP. - MARY (McSWEEN) BROWN, WIDOW OF ALEXANDER BROWN, OKALOOSA 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. ******************************************************************************* Application No. 20792 Form A State of Florida,} County of Okaloosa} On this 20 day of October, A. D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and Sixteen, personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for the County and State aforesaid Mrs. Mary Brown a resident of Laurel Hill County of Okaloosa State of Florida, who being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain a pension under the provisions of Chapter 6818, Laws of Florida, approved June 4, 1915. That she is the widow of Alexander Brown who was enlisted under the name of Alexander Brown on the ____ day of ____, 1863, in Company D 15 Confederate Regiment of the State of Florida and who was honorably discharged at __________, 186_, on account of _______________ (Here give complete statement of other service, in any.) That he also served detailed as blacksmith, repaired wagons and shod horses. Was encamped at Camp Lomax under Capt. Jos. Varn. (State here if husband drew a pension, and when.) Not from the States That she was lawfully married to the said Alexander Brown under the name of Mary McSween in the County of Walton, State of Florida on the 8th day of July, 1874, and that she was not divorced from him, and that she has not remarried since his death, which occurred on the 23rd day of Nov., 1914, in the State of Fla. State of Fla. That she is a resident of Okaloosa County, Florida, and has continuously resided in the State of Florida since the Sept. of 1871. That she does not own property, including real estate, personal property, mortgages or other collateral securities, stocks or bonds in this or any other State to exceed in value the sum of Five Thousand Dollars. That the following is a true and correct statement of all property owned by me in this or any other State: Real estate, located at Laurel Hill, Fla. House & lot. . . . . $800.00 Personal property household goods. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $200.00 Total . . . . . $1,000.00 That she has heretofore been 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 Laurel Hill County of Okaloosa, State of Florida. Mary Brown (Claimants must sign Christian name.) Attest: (1) Cortez Campbell (2) Oscar Steele Sworn and subscribed before me this 20th day of October, A. D. 1916; 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. Oscar Steele Notary Public Form B State of Florida,} County of Okaloosa} We, the undersigned citizens of Okaloosa County, State of Florida, do hereby certify that we personally know Mrs. Mary Brown, who is an applicant for a pension under the Laws of Florida, and that from our own personal knowledge, and from the best information available, we believe that the applicant does not own property to exceed in value the sum of $5,000 and that the statements made by her relative to the value of her property are true and correct. Daniel Campbell D. T. Finlayson Sworn and subscribed before me this 20th day of October, 1916. Oscar Steele Notary Public Report of County Commissioners We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for the County of Okaloosa, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this day, the foregoing application of Mrs. Mary Brown for a pension under the Laws of Florida, was investigated by us; that we are satisfied that the applicant does not own property to exceed the value of $5,000, and that the representation made in the petition and affidavits are true, and that a pension should be granted to the applicant. Witness our hands this 14th day of Nov., A. D. 1916 J. W. Baggett, Jr., Chairman ******************************************************************************* Letter Department of Pensions State of Florida Tallahassee The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: Alexander Brown whose widow is applying for a pension under the laws of Florida, claims to have been a member of Company D Regiment 15th Regt. Fla. Confederate States Army. Please furnish me with the record of this soldier. Yours very truly, W. V. Knott Comptroller ******************************************************************************* Letter War Department The Adjutant General's Office Washington Respectfully returned to W. V. Knott, Dept. of Pensions, State of Fla., Tallahassee with the information that Alexander Brown, Pvt. Co B 3 Batt. Fla. Cav. C. S. A. enlisted Sep. 24, 1862. This orgn. on consolidation became part of 15 Confed. Cavy. on Rolls of Co D. Sep. 12/63. Present E. D. service last muster, blacksmith 2 M. Dept. Oct. 1863 presence or absence not shown, on extra duty. Dec. 31/63 - absent without leave, on extra duty. Later rolls of Co. to June 30/64 last roll on file, shows him deserted Dec. 23, 1863. No record of capture or parole found. The Adjutant General ******************************************************************************* Letter Dec. 22nd, 1916 Mrs. Mary Brown, Laurel Hill, Fla. Dear Madam: Your application for pension has been presented to the Board and I have been directed to advise that the official records at Washington show that your husband deserted December 23rd, 1863, and for this reason the Board was compelled to deny your application for pension. Yours very truly, Sec'y State Board of Pensions ******************************************************************************* Letter Nov. 6, 1969 Dear Sirs, I would be most grateful if you could supply me any information on the military service record of Alexander Brown in the Confederate Army. I can give you this information to help track him down. Her served in a Florida unit. He was born in Alabama but during the Civil War lived in Okaloosa County, Florida. He served at the battle and siege of Mobile. I believe he was used as a blacksmith by the Army, which hints he might have been in the calvary or artillery. He was born Jan. 4, 1820. Any information on this man would be of great help to me. I will gladly pay for a photocopy of any information you find on Alexander Brown. Thanks muchly, David Brown 2623 Haverhill St. Houston, Texas 77008 ******************************************************************************* Letter November 17, 1969 Mr. David Brown 2623 Haverhill Street Houston, Texas 77008 Dear Mr. Brown: This will acknowledge receipt of your letter of November 6 in which you make inquiry about the service record of Alexander Brown, a Confederate soldier. We are in turn forwarding your correspondence to the Department of Administration, Division of Personnel and Retirement, Confederate Pension Benefits, for handling, since this is a matter that comes under their jurisdiction. I am sure you will be hearing from them in the near future. Sincerely, Robert Williams Director RW:eg Cc: Department of Administration w/letter ******************************************************************************* Letter November 19, 1969 Mr. David Brown 2623 Haverhill Street Houston, Texas 77008 Dear Mr. Brown: Your letter addressed to the Florida Archives seeking information on the military record of one Alexander Brown, has been sent this department for reply. In 1916, Mrs. Mary Brown of Okaloosa County, Florida, made application for a Confederate Pension but she failed to send any proof, such as his service record, marriage certificate or from a witness that attended their marriage. She stated on her application that she was Mary McSween, married Alexander Brown July 9, 1874, in Walton County, Florida. That he died November 23, 1914. To verify her husband's military record, a letter was written to the War Department for his record. A Xerox of their reply and a copy of the letter advising Mrs. Brown why her claim was denied is attached to this letter. Sincerely, Department of Administration Division of Personnel and Retirement CONFEDERATE PENSION BENEFITS Mildred F. Scott /mfs Enclosures 2