CIVIL WAR PENSION APP. - JAMES PINK LAWSON, 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. ******************************************************************************* Pensioner # 8670 War Department The Adjutant General's Office Washington In Reply Refer To A. G. 201 (Lawson, J. P. ) ORD October 8, 1920 Hon. John H. Smithwick, House of Representatives Dear Sir: Referring to your letter of the 2d instant, in which you enclose one, herewith returned, from Mr. R. D. Fryer, of Sumatra, Fla., who desires to be furnished with the military record of J. P. Lawson, who it is stated entered the service May 10, 1863, in the Junior Reserve Co. C (North Carolina troops), W. F. French, battalion commander; was wounded in the right leg by fragment of shell during artillery engagement not far from Gatesville and was in hospital at Smithville, N. C., and in response to your request to be furnished with the desired information, I have the honor to inform you as follows: It is shown by the Confederate records in this office that one P. Lawson (name not found as J. P. Lawson) served as a private in Company C, 7th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A., which battalion became Company I, 3d Regiment North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A. W. F. French was major and later lieutenant colonel of the organization. Lawson was enlisted June 1, year not shown, at Wilmington by Captain Landis for the war. He was reported present on a company roll covering the period from June 1 to August 31, 1864. The only other roll of the company on file is one for January and February, 1865, which shows him absent sick from September 1, 1864. No further record of him has been found. Very respectfully, P. C. Harris The Adjutant General 1 incl. ******************************************************************************* House Of Representatives Committee On Pensions Washington, D. C. October 9th, 1920 Mr. R. D. Fryer, Sumatra, Fla. Dear Mr. Fryer: I enclose herewith letter from the Adjutant General which gives Mr. Lawson's record in the Confederate Army. If I can serve you further in this matter or be of service here to you or your friends in any way in the future, do not hesitate to call on me. With best wishes, I am, Very sincerely yours, J. W. Smithwick JHS:SAS Encl: (I) ******************************************************************************* September 2nd, 1921 Messrs. Lewis & Lyon, Attorneys at Law, Whiteville, N. C. Gentlemen: I am writing you behalf of an old confederate Soldier who is an applicant for a pension from the State of Florida. His name is J. P. Lawson, or Pink Lawson, and now resides in Sumatra, Florida. He has resided in the State of Florida long enough to be entitled to the pension, provided he can make the proof required by the law of that state. This law requires the affidavit of two of his comrades in arms, or of one commissioned officer, who know of his service. Mr. Lawson's record as I have it from a letter to a friend interested in his behalf from the Adjutant General of the Army under date of October 8th, 1920, is as follows: "It is shown by the Confederate Records in this office (in Washington) that one P. Lawson (name not J. P. Lawson) served as a private in Company C, 7th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A., which battalion became Company I, 3d Regiment, North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A. W. F. French was major and later lieutenant colonel of the organization, Lawson was enlisted June 1, year not shown, at Wilmington by Captain Landis for the war. He was reported present on a company roll covering the period from June 1 to August 31, 1864. The only roll of the company on file is one for January and February, 1865, which shows him absent sick from September 1, 1864. No further record of him has been found." Mr. Lawson's home at the time of his entry into the army of the confederacy was at Fair Bluff, North Carolina, which I understand is in your county. Mr. Lawson, thro' his friend, states to me that W. H. Falk of Fair Bluff, if alive, could make the affidavit, and if he is dead that possibly some of his kins people or friends could suggest others living in the vicinity who could. I am writing to you, feeling quire sure that you would be willing to help this old man in his old and helpless old age, if within your power. Will you therefore give me any information you may have or any suggestion you might make, that will enable me to locate persons who could make the proper affidavits. It has occurred to me that possibly the Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy of your county might be willing to undertake the task of securing these affidavits. If this be so will you kindly inform me to whom I can write to secure this cooperation. As aforesaid, proof of Mr. Lawson's service and loyalty to the Confederacy, under the laws of Florida, must be made by affidavit of two comrades, enlisted men, or by the affidavit of one commissioned officer. This affidavit is very simple and is to the effect that the applicant was faithful to the Confederate cause until the close of the war. Thanking you in advance for any information you may give me, or any suggestion you may make, in this behalf, I am Very truly yours, I enclose addressed envelop for reply. M. S. P. S. I have the form of the affidavits required, and will, of course, be glad to prepare them in the event you can locate for me proper affiants. M. S. ******************************************************************************* September 2nd, 1921 Colonel Walker Taylor, Wilmington, N. C. My dear Colonel Taylor: I am writing to you in behalf of an old Confederate Soldier who is an applicant for a pension from the State of Florida. His name is J. P. Lawson, or Pink Lawson, and now resides in Sumatra, Florida. He has resided in the State of Florida long enough to be entitled to the pension, provided he can make the proof required by the law of that state. This law requires the affidavit of two of his comrades in arms, or of one commissioned officer, who know of his service, and that he was faithful to the close of the war to the Confederate cause. Mr. Lawson's records as I have it from a letter to a friend interested in his behalf from the Adjutant General of the U. S. Army under date of October 8, 1920, is as follows: "It is shown by the Confederate Records in this office (in Washington) that one P. Lawson (name not J. P. Lawson) served as a private in Company C, 7th Battalion North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A., which battalion became Company I, 3d Regiment, North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A. W. F. French was major and later lieutenant colonel of the organization, Lawson was enlisted June 1, year not shown, at Wilmington by Captain Landis for the war. He was reported present on a company roll covering the period from June 1 to August 31, 1864. The only roll of the company on file is one for January and February, 1865, which shows him absent sick from September 1, 1864. No further record of him has been found." I have the further information from Mr. Lawson that he was wounded in the right leg by a fragment of a shell during artillery engagement not from Gatesville, and was in hospital at Smithville, N. C. Mr. Lawson's home at the time of his entry into the Army of the Confederacy at Fair Bluff, Columbus County, N. C., but was enlisted at Wilmington. I am writing to you, feeling quite sure that you would be willing to help this old and helpless veteran of the Confederacy, if within your power. Will you therefore give me the benefit of any information you may have, or suggestion you can make, that will enable me to locate persons who could make the proper affidavits. It has occurred to me that possibly the Chapter of the Daughters of the Confederacy in Wilmington might undertake the task of procuring these affidavits. If so, I would very much appreciate your giving me the name of the proper person to whom I can write in regard to this matter, or, if you think well of it, you might turn this letter over to such person, and request her to communicate with me, for any further information desired. If Major (later Lieutenant Colonel) W. F. French is still living in Wilmington he could probably make the necessary affidavit. As stated before the affidavit of one commissioned officer would be sufficient. It will be noted also that Captain Landis enlisted Lawson. It is barely possible Captain Landis still lives in Wilmington, tho' I have not any information except that here given, not even knowing his initials. I have the form for the affidavits, both for the two comrades, or for the one commissioned officer, and will be glad to prepare the affidavit, in the event the proper affiants or affiant can be found. The form is simple, and to the effect that the affiant knew the applicant, that he served in the Confederate Army and was loyal to the cause until the close of the war. My efforts in this matter are prompted by a desire to help one who served faithfully, as I am informed, and has always refused a pension until now, when reverses have overtaken him in his old age. The matter comes to me thro' a friend of Mr. Lawson who is in our town for the summer, and who has done all he can to assist the old man in obtaining the pension. I have seen the forms etc. required by the State of Florida, and I feel quite sure that if the affidavits can be obtained, Mr. Lawson can get his pension from Florida notwithstanding he enlisted from North Carolina, and being long time a resident of Florida I do not believe he can obtain a pension from this state. This is a worthy appeal, and know if you can you will do what you can to aid it. With every good wish, and with great respect, I am Cordially yours, ******************************************************************************* September 6th, 1921 Mr. W. N. Harris, CSC, Wilmington, N. C. Dear Sir: Following up my letter of the 28th ultimo in regard to the service of the Confederate Army of Mr. J. P. (or "Pink") Lawson, I have to say that I have heard from Mr. Lawson's friend in Florida, Mr. R. D. Fryer, of Sumatra, Fla., and I am sending you herewith a copy of Mr. Fryer's letter, as it relates to the service of Mr. Lawson. I hope it will enable you to get the affidavits desired. The Mr. Nicholas Powell, referred to in letter quoted, I have ascertained lives at Fair Bluff, Columbus County, N. C., and I have written to Mr. Powell. I have not been able to hear from Mr. Powell, however; and he is doubtless an old man, I fear his action will be slow. Thanking you again for your interest in this matter, I am Very cordially yours, Encl. 1 ******************************************************************************* Lewis, Powell & Lewis Attorneys At Law Whiteville, N. C. Sept. 7, 1921 Mr. Micheal Schenk, Hendersonville, N. C. Dear Sir: We have your letter of the 2nd inst. with reference to pension for J. P. Lawson. We are turning your letter over to Mr. A. F. Powell, who is Commander of the local post of the Confederate Veterans and you may be sure that he will find the proper parties for you if they can be found in the county to make the affidavits. We suggest that you send the forms which you have to him at Vineland, N. C. and he will have them made. If we can be of any further service to you in this matter will be glad to do so. Yours very truly, Lewis, Powell & Lewis ******************************************************************************* Lewis, Powell & Lewis Attorneys At Law Whiteville, N. C. Sept. 16, 1921 Mr. Michael Schenk, Hendersonville, N. C. Dear Sir: Since writing you with reference to Pink Lawson we have talked with Mr. A. F. Powell and looked into the North Carolina Roster of Troops and find that Mr. Lawson was in the same Company with Nicholas Powell who now resides at Fair Bluff and he seems to be the only man in this county who was with Lawson. The company was made up of men from Bladen, Robeson and Cumberland Counties and if you will send the proper affidavit to Nicholas Powell we feel satisfied that he can find another party besides himself to make one of the affidavits. Yours very truly, Lewis, Powell & Lewis ******************************************************************************* Messrs. Lewis, Powell & Lewis, Attorneys at Law, Whiteville, N. C. Gentlemen: I have your favor of the 16th instant in regard to Mr. Pink Lawson, and telling me that probably Mr. Nicholas Powell of Fair Bluff, N. C., could give me the information desired to assist Mr. Lawson with his pension. I have written to Mr. Powell today, sending form for affidavit, as well as writing him at length, in an endeavor to explain to him what I wanted and giving him such information as I had. I hope this will enable me to get the pension for Mr. Lawson to give comfort to his old age. I thank you very much indeed for the information contained in your letter, and assure you that in the event I can reciprocate your courtesy I will be glad indeed to do so. With kind regards, I am Very truly yours, ******************************************************************************* W. C. Galloway, M. D. Eye, Ear, Nose & Throat Office 407-408 Southern Bank Bldg. Hours {9:00 A. M. To 2:00 P. M.} {3:00 P. M. To 5:30 P. M.} Office Phone 762 Residence Phone 2106 Wilmington, N. C. Sept. 19, 1921 Dear Sir, Col. Walker Taylor gave me your communication to answer, but my assistant, not knowing its importance, threw it in waste basket. Kindly write me just what information you wish and if I can, I'll furnish it for you. Yours truly, W. C. Galloway ******************************************************************************* September 20th, 1921 Mr. Nicholas Powell, Fair Bluff, N. C. Dear Sir: I am writing to you in behalf of one whom I am informed was a comrade in arms with you in the 60s. This man is J. P. (or Pink) Lawson. Mr. Lawson now resides in the State of Florida, and has resided there for many years. Under the laws of Florida, Mr. Lawson is entitled to a pension as a Confederate Soldier provided he can make the proof required by the law of that state. This law requires the affidavit of two of his comrade in arms who know of his service, and know he was loyal to the Confederate Service and did not take the oath of allegiance to the United States until after the close of the war. I am enclosing herewith two copies of the form of affidavit that have to be made. I am informed that you probably served with Mr. Lawson. He was known as Pink Lawson and enlisted as P. Lawson at Wilmington, N. C. by Captain Landis, tho' his initials were J. P. I quote below an extract from a letter written in October 20th, 1920, by the Adjutant General of the Army in Washington, who is the custodian of certain records of the Confederate Army, as follows: "It is shown by the Confederate Records of this office (in Washington) that one P. Lawson (not J. P. Lawson) served as a private in Company C, 7th Battalion became Company I, 3d Regiment, North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A. W. F. French was major and later lieutenant colonel of the organization. Lawson was enlisted June 1, year not given, at Wilmington by Captain Landis for the war. He was reported present on a company roll covering the period from June 1 to August 31, 1864. The only roll of the company on file is one for January and February, 1865, which shows him absent sick from September 1, 1864. No further record of him has been found." From the above I think you will be able to identify the man in whose behalf I write. As aforesaid I am enclosing two copies of the affidavit required. The blanks in these affidavits I am hoping you and another comrade can supply and make the affidavits and return them to me. The Laws of Florida require an affidavit from two comrades. I am in hopes that you can make one, and can find someone near you who will make the other. Or if there is no one nearer enough for you to see personally, could write and give me the name of some one else to whom I could write for the other affidavit. If you are put to any expense for notary's fee, or stamps, or other incidental expense in procuring these affidavits, I will be glad to refund these amounts. I am simply anxious to help an old man in his declining years to obtain a pension to which the State says he is entitled if he can make the proofs. Mr. Lawson has never asked pension heretofore as he never though he was justified in doing so in so long as he could make a comfortable living without it; but now that he is getting old he, and his friends, feel that he is entitled to it and should ask it. I have been interested in this matter by friends of Mr. Lawson in Florida who know him, and know of his worthiness, and I am doing my uttermost to secure these affidavits. Will you help me help an old comrade, who fought for the cause you loved so well, and for which all the world will ever hold you in admiration. No men ever had a cause so grand, and no cause soldiers so brave and loyal, as the men who followed Lee and Jackson!! I am enclosing herewith stamped addressed envelop for reply. Very truly yours, ******************************************************************************* September 21, 1921 W. C. Galloway, M. D. Wilmington, N. C. Dear Sir: I have your favor of the 19th instant. The matter upon which I was seeking information pertained to the Civil War record of one J. P. or Pink Lawson, who entered the Confederate Army in Wilmington, and served until the close of the war, and who now lives in the State of Florida. I have interested myself in this matter at the behest of one of Mr. Lawson's neighbors and friends in Florida. The laws of Florida will entitle Mr. Lawson to a pension if he can obtain two affidavits from the comrades who know of his service, and loyalty to the confederate cause until the close of the war; or, it will suffice if he can obtain the affidavit of one commissioned officer to substantiate the facts. Mr. Lawson, who was known as "Pink" Lawson, and who initials are J. P. lives at the time of the war in Fair Bluff, Columbus County, N. C., but enlisted at Wilmington, N. C. A letter written by the Adjutant General of the United States Army, who has custody of certain Confederate Records in Washington, written under date of October 30th, 1920, read in part as follows: "It is shown by the Confederate Records of this office (in Washington) that one P. Lawson (not J. P. Lawson) served as a private in Company C, 7th Battalion became Company I, 3d Regiment, North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A. W. F. French was major and later lieutenant colonel of the organization. Lawson was enlisted June 1, year not given, at Wilmington by Captain Landis for the war. He was reported present on a company roll covering the period from June 1 to August 31, 1864. The only roll of the company on file is one for January and February, 1865, which shows him absent sick from September 1, 1864. No further record of him has been found." As aforesaid, if Mr. Lawson can show his service by the affidavits of two comrade in arms, not commissioned officers, or by one commissioned officer, he can, according to his friends in Florida, obtain a pension under the laws of that state, where he has lived for many years. Seeing that he had enlisted in Wilmington, and seeing that W. F. French was his Major, I thought my friend Colonel Walker Taylor could suggest where I might procure the affidavits necessary to help this old man in his declining years. I accordingly wrote to him in substance what I am now writing you. I am enclosing herewith forms of affidavits as given me by the Florida friends, and if you could have them made by service, which I feel equally sure would afford you much pleasure and satisfaction. I am told that Mr. Lawson has been a worthy citizen and has refused to ask a pension until now, when he is old and his circumstances somewhat straightened. It is not much longer that the younger men can serve these soldiers of the 60s, not much longer that they will draw pensions, and for that reason I feel that we should do all we can now ere' it is too late. The forms of affidavits are exactly as given to me. However, I take it that in the event that all of the information called for in them might not be at hand by a prospective affiant, whereas he might have a greater part of it, the affidavit might be drawn so as to comply with the knowledge which the affiant may have, giving as much as he can of the information called for in the form enclosed. It may be that some concession may be made from the requirements of the forms as sent. Tho' as aforesaid I suggest that the affidavits follow as closely as possible the forms enclosed. If there should be any incidental expense incident to obtaining these affidavits, such as typewriting, notary public fees, postage, and the like, the friends of Mr. Lawson will pay them, and I will personally guarantee their payment. Thanking you in advance for anything you may do in this connection, I am Very truly yours, Encls. 3 ******************************************************************************* Postcard Addressed to: Michael Schenck, Esq., Hendersonville, N. C. Postmarked: Wilmington, N. C., Sep 23, 1921 Message reads as: Give me a day or two and I may be able to help you in matter of pension for J. P. or (Pink) Lawson. [Signed] C. N. Harriss, C. S. C. ******************************************************************************* W. N. Harriss Clerk Superior Court Clerk Recorder's Court Wilmington, N. C. Sept. 26th, 1921 Dear Sir Please write to Mr. Lawson if you have his address in Florida and see if he cannot give you further information as to his service in Confederate Army. Evidently he is mistaken in thinking that he served in Co? C? 7th Regiment as Capt Walter McRae of this City was in command of this Company and does not recall him. I have the record of this Company in my office and do not find Mr. Lawson's name. The record is incomplete and of course they missed the names of some of the men. I will take pleasure in continuing the search and in meantime if you will write Mr. Lawson he may be able to furnish such information that I can check up and have the affidavits signed. There are quite a number of veterans living here yet and many of them are over 80 years of age. Awaiting your favors and with my assurance that I will do everything possible to help this man. Yours truly, W. N. Harriss ******************************************************************************* September 28th, 1921 Mr. W. N. Harriss, Clerk Superior Court, Wilmington, N. C. My dear Mr. Harriss: I have your favor of the 26th instant in regard to information as to the service of one Mr. J. P. (or Pink) Lawson in the Confederate Army, and I am very grateful for the interest you display in this matter. The information that Mr. Lawson was in Company C, 7th Regiment, North Carolina Junior Reserves, you will note was quoted in my letter from a letter written by the Adjutant General of the Army last year. This letter was written to Mr. Lawson's Florida Congressman upon his request for information. I call your attention to the fact that this regiment was of the Junior Reserves. It has occurred to me that there might have been a 7th Regiment, Junior Reserves, and a 7th Regiment not of the juniors; and that possibly Captain Walter McRea was in the later and Mr. Lawson in the former, which might account for Captain McRea's not remembering or even knowing Mr. Lawson. I have written to Florida to try to get more detailed information as to the service of Mr. Lawson and when I receive it, I will write to you again. Mr. Lawson lives at or near Sumatra, Florida, and his friend who has interested me in this matter is Mr. R. D. Fryer of that town. I have written to Mr. Fryer. Thanking you for your interest in behalf of this old veteran, and trusting that we may yet procure the necessary affidavits, I am Very truly yours, ******************************************************************************* September 28th, 1921 Mr. R. D. Fryer, Sumatra, Florida Dear Mr. Fryer: I have been doing considerable writing in regard to the pension matter of Mr. Pink Lawson, since you were in my office but have not yet been able to get the affidavits necessary. I have several men interested in it, and am hopeful of getting the affidavits eventually. I have ascertained that Mr. Nicholas Powell of Fair Bluff, Columbus County, N. C., probably served with Mr. Lawson. I have written to Mr. Nicholas Powell, in the hopes that thro' him I may get the proper affidavit. I have not heard from him as yet. Of course, being an old man, you cannot expect quick action upon his part. I have also gotten Mr. W. N. Harriss, Clerk of the Superior Court, of New Hanover County, Wilmington, N. C., interested in the matter, and he is taking active steps to try to get the proper affidavits. He has located the Captain of Company C, 7th North Caroline Regiment, Captain Walter McRea, but he says Captain McRea cannot recall Mr. Lawson. The letter from your Congressman, Mr. Smithwick, enclosing letter from the Adjutant General gave Mr. Lawson's company as Company C, 7th Regiment, Junior Reserves. Therefore I think there must have been a 7th Regiment Junior Reserves and a 7th Regiment, not Junior. Mr. Harriss writes me that if I could get further detailed information as to Mr. Lawson's service he feels that he could find some of his comrades about Wilmington who could make the affidavits. I would suggest therefore that you see Mr. Lawson and have him write for you, or you have someone write for him at his dictation, all the details of his service that he can remember, giving companies, regiments, officers, place and time of enlistment and discharge, wounds, capture, surrender, etc., and send to me, and I will in turn send it to Mr. Harriss in Wilmington, who I feel sure will do all he can in this matter. I have already written a great number of letters but I will pursue the matter as long as I feel that there is any chance to get the desired affidavits. Trusting that I may have the pleasure of hearing from you soon, and seeing you next summer, I am Very truly yours, ******************************************************************************* September 28th, 1921 Messrs. Lewis, Powell & Lewis Whiteville, North Carolina Gentlemen: Recurring to your favor of the 16th instant in regard to pension matter of Mr. Pink Lawson, now of Florida, and formerly of Fair Bluff, N. C. I note your say "Since writing you with reference to Pink Lawson we have talked with Mr. A. F. Powell and looked into the North Carolina Roster of Troops and find that Mr. Lawson was in the same company with Nicholas Powell who now resides at Fair Bluff and he seems to be the only man in the county who was with Lawson." Will you be good enough to write me what company this was you found Mr. Lawson to have been in with Mr. Powell, giving me the volume and page of the N. C. Roster where the record appears. As I wrote you several days ago, I have taken this matter up direct with Mr. Nicholas Powell, at Fair Bluff, N. C., but have hardly had time to hear from him as yet. At least I have not heard from my first letter to him, but hope to soon. The Clerk of the Court in New Hanover has interest himself in this matter for me, and I want to give him the information I have here asked you for, and will appreciate your giving it to me. Thanking you for this additional courtesy, I am Very truly yours, ******************************************************************************* Owl Creek Farms R. D. Fryer & Son, Owners Sumatra, Fla. Canners of Pure Can Syrup Dealers in Tupelo Honey, and Fruits & Farm Products in Season Oct. 1st, 1921 Mr. Michael Schenck, Hendersonville, N. C. Dear Sir: Your letter of the 28th received last night and I am glad to know that you are taking so much interest in trying to get Mr. Lawson a pension and certainly hope will succeed as the old man is very feeble, and I feel sure he is entirely deserving. I had a long talk with him this morning and I am enclosing the information I have gotten from him. I would be glad to hear from you as you progress in the matter. Mr. Lawson was raised at Lumberton and entered the service at the age of sixteen. He enlisted under Capt. Henry Pope, who was soon succeeded by Capt. Carr; McFadden & W. D. Williamson were lieutenants, & Will French was major. He enlisted at Camp Lamb, Wilmington, N. C. John Stone, Mithuel Stephens, Quin Ivy, Jack Ivy, Miles Rice, --- Applewhite, Thompson Williams, Mem Gaines, Tom Cox, --- Michigan, Colin Britt, and Dock Williamson are some of the names of his officers and comrades. He was in battle near Smithville (Fort Fisher) and again near Seven Runs where he was wounded in the leg between the ankle and the knee by a fragment of shell. Was sent home on a 90 day furlough and was still sick when the war ended. He says there was only one other Lawson in the company whose name was Stephen and who deserted and was gone several months before the war closed. He was furloughed from the hospital at Smithville, went from Smithville to Wilmington on steamboat and had to stay at the Wayside hospital there for 21 days before going on home where he remained until his furlough was out. He then went in to report and was told to wait ten days and come back as the telegraph lines and railroads were in such condition that he did not know where his company was or how to get him to them. The war ended before time to report again. Mr. Lawson said that he know Nicholas Powell served with him and that he knew him well after the war. I believe if you can get in direct touch with Mr. Nicholas Powell you can get the information you need. Yours truly, R. D. Fryer ******************************************************************************* Owl Creek Farms R. D. Fryer & Son, Owners Sumatra, Fla. Canners of Pure Can Syrup Dealers in Tupelo Honey, and Fruits & Farm Products in Season Father, I saw Mr. Lawson and during the conversation I asked for Falks address. It is W. H. Falk Fair Bluff, N. C. Mr. Lawson thinks he is probably dead. Give my love to all. Richard ******************************************************************************* October 6th, 1921 Mr. Nicholas Powell, Fair Bluff, N. C. Dear Sir: On September 20th last I wrote you in regard to obtaining affidavits to enable me to help Mr. J. P. (or "Pink") Lawson to obtain a pension for his services in the Confederate Army. I hope you received the letter and will be able to help this man, who was evidently a comrade of yours in the 60s. I am enclosing a copy of a part of a letter received by me recently, which sets out a part of Mr. Lawson's service, and which I trust will help you make the affidavit required, and help you help some one else to join in making a similar affidavit. I am sure you will be glad to help one who served with you in the great struggle that made all the world proud of a Confederate Soldier. I will be glad to hear from you. Very truly yours, "Mr. Lawson was raised at Lumberton and entered the service at the age of sixteen. He enlisted under Captain Henry Pope, who was soon succeeded by Captain Carr; McFadden & W. D. Williamson were lieutenants. Will French was major. He enlisted at Camp Lamb, Wilmington, N. C. John S tone, Mithuel Stephens, Quinn Ivy, Jack Ivy, Miles Rice, --- Applewhite, Thompson Williams, Mem Gaines, Tom Cox, --- Michigan, Colin Britt, and Dock Williamson are some of the names of his officers and comrades. He was in battle near Smithville (Fort Fisher) and again near Seven Runs, where he was wounded in the leg between the ankle and the knee by a fragment of shell. Was sent home on a 90 day furlough and was still sick when the war ended. He says there was only one other Lawson in the company, whose name was Stephen, and who deserted and was gone several months before the war closed. He was furloughed from the hospital at Smithville, went from Smithville to Wilmington on steamboat and had to stay at the Wayside hospital there for 21 days before going on home where he remained until his furlough was cut. He went in to report and was told to wait ten days and come back as the telegraph lines and railroads were in such condition that he did not know where his company was or how to get to them. The war ended before time to report again. Mr. Lawson said that he knew Nicholas Powell, served with him and knew him after the war. ******************************************************************************* 803 E. Magnolia St. Arcadia, Fla. Aug. 10, 1922 Michael Schenck Hendersonville, N. C. Dear Sir, Will you please send me the papers of Mr. J. P. Lawson's, as I wish to try to get his pension for him, thru the Legislature? Very truly, R. D. Fryer ******************************************************************************* State Board of Pension No. Special Governor Comptroller Treasurer Department Of Pensions State of Florida Tallahassee, Fla. June 5, 1923 The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: J. P. Lawson is applying for a pension under the laws of Florida. Claims to have been a member of Company ____ Florida, Confederate States Army. Please furnish me with the record of this solider. Yours very truly, Ernest Amos Comptroller ******************************************************************************* War Department The Adjutant General's Office Washington June 11, 1923 Respectfully returned to Ernest Amos, Comptroller, State of Florida, Tallahassee, Fla. The name J. P. Lawson has not been found on the rolls on file in the War Department of any organization that served in the Confederate States Army from the State of Florida. It should be stated, however, that the file of Confederate records is far from complete, and failure to find the name of any person thereon is not conclusive evidence that such person did not serve in the Confederate Army. Benj. Alwood Acting Adjutant General ******************************************************************************* The Free Press R. H. Weaver, Editor & Owner Published Every Friday Morning Bristol, Florida July 13th, 1923 Hon. Ernest Amos, Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sir: I am enclosing you herewith papers in the matter of Pension of J. P. Lawson, this being one of the persons I got a Special act through for during the Legislature. Mr. Lawson, now resides with his son at Valpariso, Fla. instead of Sumatra, there is no question that Mr. Lawson is deserving of a pension, for years we tried to get him to make application, but he would not. Now he cannot get the proper affidavits, but the records in Washington shows one Pink Lawson served in this company and the roster in North Carolina shows the same. He went into service when 16 and naturally they called him by his name, Pink. His name is J. Pink Lawson. If you are on the Board to investigate these claims, I trust that you will go into the matter as fully as possible. Very truly yours, R. H. Weaver ******************************************************************************* 9012 S. Parkview Drive Baton Rouge, La. June 24, 1960 The Confederate Pension Board State of Florida Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sirs: I am interested in getting a grave marker for my grandfather John Pink Lawson who was buried in a cemetery near Sumatra, Florida. He served in the War between the States and I understand he drew a pension from the State of Florida for a number of years prior to his death. Presumably his service record is in his pension file. I need this record to get the marker. Will you please forward me a copy of his pension record and advise if there is a charge to that I can reimburse you. Sincerely, Charlton C. Lawson ******************************************************************************* June 28, 1960 Mr. Charlton C. Lawson 9012 S. Parkview Drive Baton Rouge, Louisiana Re: J. P. Lawson Confederate Veteran Certificate #8670 Dear Sir: This will acknowledge your letter of June 24, 1960 in reference to Military Record of the above subject captioned Confederate Veteran. Reference to our Confederate Pension File indicates that a Confederate Pension was awarded J. P. Lawson on the basis of information received in letter from the War Department, The Adjutant General's Office, Washington, D. C., October 8, 1920 and he was placed on the Confederate Pension Rolls by Special Act of the Florida State Legislature in conformity therewith. I am enclosing photostatic copies of letter dated October 9, 1920 from Honorable J. H. Smithwick, Congressman from Florida at that time, and with which he transmitted letter of October 8, 1920 from the War Department setting forth Military Record as indicated in photostatic copy of the original attached. These photostatic copies are furnished in duplicate. I am also enclosing form DA#1815 Application for Headstone or Marker that will be necessary for you to file with the Department of the Army as indicated on the instructions on the reverse side of this form. This form is furnished you in duplicate and is partially filled in with the information contained in the documents attached. This will certify that the photostatic copies attached are true reproductions from original records on file in the State Pension Department, Office of the State Comptroller, Tallahassee, Florida. Very truly yours, W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vmc Encl. ******************************************************************************* Headquarters Department of the Army Office of the Quartermaster General Washington 25, D. C. In Reply Refer To QMGME-H Lawson, J. P. (John Pink) 21 October 1960 Comptroller State of Florida Tallahassee, Florida Dear Sir: Our Office is in receipt of an application for a Government headstone for the grave of J. P. (John Pink) Lawson, said to have served as a Private, Company C, 7th Battalion, North Carolina Junior Reserve, C. S. A. The application shows he drew a pension from the State of Florida #8670. His dates of enlistment and discharge are 10 May 1863 and February 1865. His dates of birth and death are unknown. If you have any record of his military service, a transcript of such service will be appreciated. Sincerely yours, F. W. Held for B. E. Kendall Brigadier General, USA Director of Administration 1 Incl env ******************************************************************************* October 26, 1960 Mr. B. E. Kendall Brigadier General, USA Office of The Quartermaster General Department of the Army Washington 25, D. C. Re: QMGME-H Lawson, J. P. (John Pink) Dear Sir: This will acknowledge your letter of October 21, 1960 relative to information regarding Confederate Military Service of the subject captioned veteran, for the purpose of certifying an application for a Government headstone. The information we have on file runs parallel with that which was incorporated in your letter and which I quote as follows from records on file in this department: The subject captioned veteran received a Confederate Pension from the State of Florida under #8670, same being awarded by special act of the Legislature predicated on evidence of the following Military Service Record which indicates that he served as a Private in Company C, 7th Battalion, North Carolina Junior Reserve, C. S. A., which Battalion became Company I, 3rd Regiment North Carolina Junior Reserves, C. S. A.. Other information on file indicates that date of enlistment and discharge of May 10, 1863 and February, 1865 quoted in your letter to be correct. This is the only Military information of record on file, and there is no date of birth or death on the records in our possession. Very truly yours, W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vmc