CIVIL WAR PENSION APP. - WILEY J. GRIMES, SANTA ROSA 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. ******************************************************************************* Soldier's Application for Pension State of Florida,} Santa Rosa County,} On this 25th day of May 1904 personally appeared before me, Clerk of the Circuit Court I and for said county and State, W. J. Grimes who being by me duly sworn, declares he is the identical person who enlisted on or about the 21st day of March 1862 in Captain John W. Walston Company, County of Santa Rosa, in the State of Florida and that while in actual service in said Company F, First Fla. Regiment of the State of Florida and in line of duty as such soldier, at Shelbyville, State of Tenn. on or about the 15 day of August, 1862, and was honorably discharged at the expiration of his service on the 14th day of October 1863 in Floyd county, State Georgia, he contracted rheumatism in feet, legs and hips which totally disabled him from service and he is not totally disabled from earning a living by manual labor on account of rheumatism and right shoulder being broken. W. J. Grimes P. O. Address Milligan, Fla. Sworn and subscribed before me this 25th day day of May 1904 L. P. Golson Clerk Circuit Court Santa Rosa County Per A. L. Garrett Dept. Clerk I do solemnly swear that I was born on the 19th day of September 1843 in Wilcox County, State of Alabama and that I am not past the age of sixty-five (65) years; that I was a bona- fide citizen of this State of January A. D. 1885, and have continuously resided in this State since that date; that I do not own property, real or personal or real and personal, to the value of eight hundred dollars ($800), and that I am by reason of age incapable of providing a living by manual labor for myself. W. J. Grimes P. O. Address Milligan, Fla. Sworn and subscribed before me this 25th day of May 1904 L. P. Golson Clerk Circuit Court Santa Rosa County Per A. L. Garrett Dept. Clerk We do solemnly swear that we personally knew W. J. Grimes the above applicant for pension during the Civil War of 1861 to 1865, that we served with him in John W. Walstone Company F First Fla. Regiment, and knew of our own knowledge that he did receive the injuries set forth in the above application at the time and place claimed, and that the disability therefore claimed to exist, does exist, and that he never deserted the Confederate Army. His X mark: J. W. Grimes, Late of John W. Walstone Co., F. First Fla. Reg. Sworn and subscribed before me this 25 day of May 1904. A. L. Garrett, Notary Public We do solemnly swear that we are familiar with the value of all the property owned by W. J. Grimes and his wife, directly or indirectly, in this or any other State, and that the actual combined value thereof does not exceed $800; that they have not disposed of any property for the purpose of availing themselves of the provisions of the pension laws of Florida, and that he is not physically or otherwise able, or in a position to earn a livelihood, by manual labor. W. H. Gay, P. O. Address Milligan, Fla. J. K. King, P. O. Address Milligan, Fla. Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27 day of May, 1904. A. L. Garrett, Notary Public I the undersigned physicians, residents of the State and county aforesaid, do solemnly swear that I have carefully examined Mr. W. J. Grimes, who is personally known to us to be the person above applying for a pension under the laws of Florida, and find him disabled for the performance of manual labor by reason of chronic rheumatism and fracture of right clavicle. W. A. Mills, M. D. Residence Milton, Fla. Sworn and subscribed before me this 8th day of June 1904. A. L. Garrett, Notary Public I certify that the above affidavits are genuine; that all of the affiants are persons of respectability and good reputation, and that their statements are worthy of belief; that the attesting officers are duly authorized to attest said affidavits, and that their signatures thereto are genuine. L. P. Golson Clerk of Circuit Court. We, the undersigned County Commissioners of Santa Rosa county, Florida, do herby certify that we have carefully investigated the above application for pension made by W. J. Grimes and are satisfied that the conditions and alleged facts therein stated are true and correct and that he is legally and justly entitled to the pension provided by the act, approved June 6, 1903. County Commissioners. Clerk Circuit Court. ******************************************************************************* APPLICATION FOR PENSION Under Laws of Florida (FORM A) FOR USE OF APPLICANT FOR PENSION I, W. J. Grimes, do hereby make application to the State Board of Pensions for a pension to be granted me under the act of 1907, Chapter 5600 of the Laws of the State of Florida, upon the following grounds: I enlisted and served in the military service of Confederate States during the war between the States of the United States, and that I did not desert the Confederate or State service; that I was a bona fide citizen of this State for ten years prior to the date of this application and have been continuously since a citizen of the State of Florida, and that I am over 60 years of age. I further represent to the State Board of Pensions, that I am not receiving a pension from any other State. In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 9th day of Sept., A. D. 1907. W. J. Grimes Postoffice . . Milligan, Fla. Witness: ? P. T. Macarthy ******************************************************************************************* (FORM B) State of Florida} Santa Rosa County} On this 9th day of Sept., A. D. 1907 before me ? Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said County and State, personally came W. J. Grimes, who being by me first duly sworn deposes and says, that the statements made in the foregoing application for a pension in his own behalf are true. This deponent further says, that the answers written herein to the following questions numbered from 1 to 12 inclusive, are true: 1. What is your full name, and where do you reside? Wiley J. Grimes, Santa Rosa Co., Fla. 2. In what State and County were you born and when? Wilcox Co., Ala., Sept 18, 1844 (I think) 3. How long have you been a citizen of the State of Florida? Over 50 years 4. When and where and in what organization did you enlist during the war between the States? States? Mch. 1862, at Milton, Fla., Co. F, 1st Fla. Inf. 5. Give the name of your Captain at time of your enlistment. John Walston 6. Give the name of your Captain at time of your discharge from service. Isaiah Cobb 7. Give the name of your battalion or regimental commander both at time of your enlistment and discharge from service. William Miller 8. - 12. Questions left blank W. J. Grimes, Applicant. Postoffice Milligan, Fla. Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 9th day of Sept., A. D. 1907 Clerk Circuit Court Santa Rosa County FOR PROOF OF SERVICE SEE APPLICATION # 6742 ON FILE IN THE PENSION DEPARTMENT. Report of County Commissioners We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for Santa Rosa County, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this 10th day of Sept. 1907, the foregoing application of W. J. Grimes for pension under the laws of Florida, was by us investigated; that we are satisfied that the representations made in the petition and affidavits are true and that a pension should be granted to the applicant. Witness our hands this 10th day of September, A. D. 1907. County Commissioners Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* Former Claim No. 4924 Application No. 15941 Soldier's Pension Claim Under The Act Of 1909 Form A State of Florida} County of Santa Rosa} On this 27th day of July, A. D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and nine personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the county and State aforesaid, W. J. Grimes who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 66 years of age, having been born on the 19 day of September about 1842 in the county of Wilcox, in the State of Alabama. That he is a bona fide citizen of the county of Santa Rosa, State of Florida. That he has resided in the State of Florida continuously since the ____ day of about 1859. That he is the identical person who enlisted at Milton under the name of Wiley J. Grimes on or about the 21 day of March 1862, in Company F, Regiment First of the State of Florida in the service of the Confederate States Army and who was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at ____, in the State of ____, on the ____ day of October, 1864. That I served faithfully until HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the service of the Confederate States in the year 1864, and did not desert the service of the Confederate State 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 home near Milton on account disable for service. That I do not own property, including real estate, personal property, stocks, bonds, mortgages or other collateral securities of any kind in this or any other State, nor does my wife own with me jointly or separately, property to exceed in value the sum of five thousand dollars. That the following is a true and correct statement of all the property owned by me or by my wife, jointly and separately in this or any other State. Personal property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $100.00 Total . . . . . . . . $100.00 That I have heretofore been granted a pension from the State of Florida under pension certificate No. 4924, at the rate of $120.00 per annum. (Here state any disabilities, physical or mental.) Chronic rheumatism and shoulder that was broken some years ago, also kidney and bladder trouble. That my postoffice address is Holt, County of Santa Rosa, State of Florida. W. J. Grimes (Claimants must sign name in full.) Attest: (1) H. W. Fisher (2) J. D. Sanders Sworn and subscribed before me, this 27 day of July, A. D. 1909 and I hereby certify that the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and explained to the applicant before swearing, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. J. W. Armstrong, Justice of the Peace ******************************************************************************************* Form B State of Florida} County of Santa Rosa} We, the undersigned citizens of Santa Rosa County, State of Florida, do hereby certify that we personally know W. J. Grimes, who is an applicant for a pension under the laws of Florida, and that from our own personal knowledge, and from the best information available, we believe that the applicant does not own property (including the property of his wife) to exceed in value the sum of $5,000, and that the statements made by him relative to the value of his property are true and correct. (To be signed by two citizens.) H. W. Fisher J. D. Sanders Sworn and subscribed before me, this 27th day of July, 1909. J. W. Armstrong, J. P. Report of County Commissioners We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for the County of Santa Rosa, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this day, the foregoing application of W. J. Grimes for a pension under the Laws of Florida, was investigated by us; that we are satisfied that the applicant does not own property (including the property of his wife) to exceed the value of $5,000, and that the representations made in the petition and affidavits are true, and that a pension should be granted to the applicant. Witness our hands this 3rd day of Aug., A. D. 1909. Signed: County Commissioners Clerk Circuit Court ****************************************************************************** Letter Department of Pensions, No. 15941 State of Florida Tallahassee, Aug. 27, 1909 Hon. F. C. Ainsworth, The Adjutant General, Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: W. J. Grimes who is an applicant for a pension under the laws of Florida, claims to have been a member of Company F 1st Florida Regiment Infantry, Confederate States Army. Please furnish me with the record of this soldier. Yours very truly, Comptroller. ******************************************************************************* Letter War Department, The Adjutant General's Office, Washington, Sept. 7, 1909 Respectfully returned to the Comptroller, State of Florida, Tallahassee. The records show that Wiley J. Grimes, private, (New) Company F, 1st Florida Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted March 21, 1862. On the roll of the company for January and February, 1864, last roll on file, he is reported "Deserted Nov. 1, 1863, while on furlough in Florida." No later record of him has been found. The Adjutant General ******************************************************************************* Letter Holt, Fla. Oct 19, 1909 Hon. Jefferson Bell Sec'y. P. B. Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sir: Mr. W. J. Grimes wants to know what disposition the Board made of his application #15941. He fears that it has gone astray in the mail. Yours very truly, J. W. Armstrong ******************************************************************************* Letter 15941 Holt, Fla. Dec 1, 1909 Hon. A. C. Croom, Comp. Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sir: Mr. W. J. Grimes (claim #15941) says that ? Matthew Gurst & Wm. Crain - now pensioners - and served in his company are ready to swear that he was in several battles and was faithful in service. I notice that the law mentions - "service of at least one year." The old man is now in bad health and without means of support other than what work he can do. Also what was done with the claim of Mrs. Fanny Pitts, wid. David W. Pitts Clapton Co. 17th Ala. Reg. You will find she had no proof other than certificate showing that she drew pension in Butler County, Ala. She has no property and is in need of help. Yours truly, J. W. Armstrong ******************************************************************************* Letter Pension file - G December 10, 1909 Mr. J. W. Armstrong Holt, Fla. Dear Sir: Replying to your letter with regard to W. J. Grimes I beg to say that this applicant has been notified of the rejection of his claim on account of his desertion from his company. Kindly refer by number to any claim you may write about. Yours very truly, Comptroller ******************************************************************************* May 11, 19-Safety-4 Mr. James W. Meyer 3330 Sims Avenue St. Ann, Missouri Re: Confederate Veterans' Records Dear Mr. Meyer: Your letter of March 24, 1964, requesting Confederate Military Service Record and possibly photo static copies of same in relation to a list of nine men considered to be Confederate Veterans, is acknowledged. Reference to our available records has disclosed the information in relation to nine men having served with the Confederacy with similar names and other identification information that possibly identifies the veterans you are interested in. This information was taken from micro-film copy #253, roll #189, of consolidated indexes furnished by the National Archives of Washington, D. C. I have no other information that would amplify this other than the items listed of additional information in relation to this list which is shown on the bottom of the attached listing. I am also enclosing letter of July 6, 1955, and Aug 9, 1955, written to you by Miss Roumelle Bowen, then Secretary of the State Board of Pensions, which may be of further assistance in so far as information is concerned. Also enclosed is photo static copy of transcript from the War Department, The Adjutant General's Office, dated September 7, 1909, regarding service of Wiley J. Grimes. This veteran at one time received a pension from the State of Florida but was discontinued when this records was received from Washington when he was required to re-file new application under the Acts of 1909. You will note under additional information that I have indicated the number of pages contained in the Pension Certificate files as numbered, and should you require photo static copies of these documents same can be furnished you at the cost of .50 per sheet which is approximately the bare cost of the material used in making these photo static copies. Items listed below from 1 thru 9 have been transcribed from consolidated indexes furnished by the National Archives of Washington, D. C. and are shown on Micro Copy No. 253, Roll No. 189. 1. & 2. J. J. Grimes - Company B, 3rd Battalion, Florida & Cavalry, and crossed referenced with 15th Confederate Cavalry. (these are apparently the same person having served with two companies) 3. Thomas Grimes - New Company F, 1st Florida Infantry. 4. John W. Grimes - New Company F, 1st Florida Infantry (also shown is another John W. Grimes that served in Co. C, 5th Florida Infantry. Also is Confederate Pensioner #622, see letter attached. 5. James T. Grimes - New Company F, 1st Florida Infantry, Also is Confederate Pensioner #20126 - rejected, shown on attached copy of letter. 6. Jessie F. Grimes - New Company F, 1st Floridian Infantry. 7. George W. Grimes - New Company F, 1st Florida Cavalry. 8. Wiley J. Grimes - New Company F, 1st Floridian Infantry, also Confederate Pensioner #20922 - rejected, see letter attached. 9. John Grimes - Company I, 1st Florida Cavalry, also Confederate Pensioner #5444, see letter attached. ADDITIONAL INFOMRATION IN RELATION TO ABOVE. Above No. 4 Our Pension Certificate No. 622 - This soldier filed application in March 22, 1902, approved January 12, 1903, with pay from October 1, 1902. There are four pages to this application. His widow filed after his death which occurred April 3, 1908, there are six pages to this one. She re-filed in 1909 (by law) four pages to this one. Above No. 5 Our Pension Certificate No. 20126 - Rejected - There are eight pages to this application, record from Washington reveals that he deserted from Camp Pringle July 26, 1862. Above No. 8 Our Pension Certificate No. 20922 - Rejected - Application first filed by W. J. Grimes in 1909, four pates. He died April 28, 1911. Wife filed first in 1914, four pages. She re-filed in 1917, six pages. Information from Washington stated "Deserted November 1, 1863, while on furlough in Florida". Above No. 9 Our Pension Certificate No. 5444 - In this file you will find letter written to James W. Meyer, giving him history as we have from file of G. H., G. W., H. J., and J. J. Grimes, dated July 6, 1955, copy attached. First Application filed in 1902, four pages, second application filed in 1909 - four pages. Very truly yours, W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions