CIVIL WAR PENSION APP. - LEWIS F. GAY, UNION 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,} Bradford County} On this 3rd day of July, 1900 personally appeared before me, Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for said county and State Lewis F. Gay, age 61 years, who being by me duly sworn, declares he is the identical person who enlisted on or about the 15th day of May 1861, in Captain T. W. William's, afterwards Capt. Langford's Company, county of Bradford, in the State of Florida, and that while in actual service in said company F, 4th Infantry of the State of Florida, and in line of duty as such soldier, at Fort Delaware, State of Del., on or about the 15th day of July, 1862, I had typhoid fever while a prisoner of war in Fort Delaware, after recovering from fever, partially, I was exchanged and sent to Richmond, Virginia, and was in hospital at said place for more than a month from effect of fever, ? after returning to my regiment in Tennessee, ?, my kidneys became badly effected and gave me trouble, and has so continued since the war, such complaint has become chronic and that as the direct result of said injuries, thus received in line of duty during the war, I am now unable to gain a livelihood by manual labor; that I have continuously since January 1st, 1880, been a citizen of Florida; that neither I, nor my wife, nor both combined, own real and personal property to the value of $600 in this or any other State, and have not purposely disposed of our property for the purpose of availing ourselves of the provisions of the pension laws of Florida; that I am not otherwise enabled, or in a position to earn, and have no income from any source sufficient for, a livelihood, and that I have no children or other relation able so to do, and whose legal duty it is to support me, and that I never deserted the Confederate service, and that I receive a pension from no other source. Lewis F. Gay P. O. Address Providence, Fla. Sworn and subscribed before me this 3rd day of June, 1900. W. T. Weeks Clerk Circuit Court, Bradford County ******************************************************************************* We do solemnly swear that we personally knew Lewis F. Gay the above applicant for pension during the Civil War of 1861 to 1865, that we served with him in Capt. G. R. Langford's Company, F, 4th Fla. Regiment, and know 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 there from claimed to exist does exist, and that he never deserted the Confederate Army. John Osteen Late of same Co., 4th Fla. Reg. A. C. Odom Late of same Co., 4th Fla. Reg. Sworn and subscribed before me this 25th day of July, 1900. Chas. C. Odom Notary Public We do solemnly swear that we are familiar with the value of all the property owned by Lewis F. Gay and his wife, directly or indirectly, in this or any other State, and that the actual combined value thereof does not exceed $600; 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, and has no income from any source sufficient for a livelihood, and no children or other relation so to do, whose legal duty it is to support him. Thomas Fielder P. O. Address Providence, Fla. A. C. Odom P. O. Address Providence, Fla. Sworn and subscribed before me this 25th day of July A. D. 1900. Chas. C. Odom Notary Public We, the undersigned physicians, residents of the State and county aforesaid, do solemnly swear that we have carefully examined Lewis F. Gay, who is personally known to us to be the person above applying for a pension under the laws of Florida, and find him suffering from nervous prostration which he claims was brought on from diseases contracted while serving in Civil War. He is unable to obtain a living from manual labor and has no other way of obtaining a support for self and family. Theo. W. Ellis, M. D. Residence: Providence, Fla. Sol. Newsom, M. D. Residence: Providence Sworn and subscribed before me this 25th day of July A. D. 1900. Chas. C. Odom Notary Public I certify that the above affidavits are genuine; that all of the affaints 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. W. T. Weeks Clerk of Circuit Court We, the undersigned County Commissioners of Bradford county, Florida, do hereby certify that we have carefully investigated the above application for pension made by Lewis H. Gay 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 2, 1899. J. B. Crews, Pro Chairman R. W. Conner R. G. Ware W. W. ? County Commissioners By the County Commissioners, Attest: W. T. Weeks Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* Providence, Fla. Sept. 13th 1900 Attn: D. Lang Tallahassee, Fla. Dear Sir: Yours of Aug. 13th to ? to Lewis F. Gay. Mr. Lang we the undersigned do not claim at all that we was in prison with Lewis F. Gay when he had typhoid fever but we have a witness Mr. O. M. D. Weeks that was with and you will see his certificate Lewis F. Gay after returning from prison was put on duty too soon and on a forced march. So he was taken down with back and that has been his troubles since the same trouble that existed then exists now. We was members of the same Co. and Regt. with Lewis F. Gay, during the whole war and Lewis F. Gay claims he was in the last hand battle fought in North Carolina the close of the war. Yours very respectfully John M. Osteen A. C. Odom Sept. 15, 1900 Mr. Lewis F. Gay Providence, Fla. Dear Sir: In reply to above letter of the 13th inst. from Messrs. Jno. W. Osteen & A. C. Odum, inclosing [sic] an affirmation made by Mr. O. M. D. Weeks of Mason, Fla. as to the attack of typhoid fever at U. S. Prison, I respectfully call your attention to the requirements of the pension law, as shown in marked copy inclosed [sic]. The Board is not authorized to accept any but sworn evidence properly certified by the Clerk of the Circuit Court. Very respectfully D. Lang Secty. of the Board ******************************************************************************* State of Florida} County of Bradford} Personally came before me, O. M. D. Weeks, who being duly sworn, says he was in prison with Lewis F. Gay and that he had the spell of sickness he claims to have had and the Dr's. said it was typhoid fever. This the 20th day of Sept. A. D. 1900. O. M. D. Weeks Sworn to and subscribed to before me, a notary public for State at Large. The day and year above written. Chas. C. Odom Notary Public State of Florida} Bradford County} I, W. T. Weeks, Clerk of the Circuit Court do hereby certify that O. M. D. Weeks the subscribing witness to the above certificate is a creditable witness and of good reputation and that his testimony is worthy of belief, and the attesting officer is duly authorized to attest said proof and his signature thereto is genuine. W. T. Weeks Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* Pensioner No. 725 Claim For Pension By Lewis F. Gay Of Bradford County Late of Capt. Langford's Company 4th Fla. Regiment Filed In Executive Department Aug. 13, 1900 Approved by the Board Dec. 31, 1900 for pay from Sep. 30, 1900 At rate of $72.00 per year. D. Lang Secretary Filed In Comptroller's Office Dec. 31, 1900 ******************************************************************************* Soldier's Pension Claim Under The Act Of 1909 (FORM A) State of Florida} County of Bradford} On this 20th day of July, A. D. One Thousand Nine Hundred and nine personally appeared before me, a notary public in and for the county and State aforesaid, Lewis F. Gay who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 69 years of age, having been born on the 7th day of June, 1840, in the county of Jefferson, in the State of Georgia. That he is a bona fide citizen of the county of Bradford, State of Florida. That he has resided in the State of Florida continuously since the 10th day of January, 1858. That he is the identical person who enlisted at Lake Butler, Fla., under the name of Lewis F. Gay, on the or about 22 day of May 1861, in Company "F", Regiment 4th of the State of Florida in the service of the Confederate States Army. Paroled on or about 26th of April or May 1865 - somewhere near Greensborough, N. C. That I served faithfully until HONORABLY DISCHARGED from the service of the Confederate States Army in the year 1865, and did not desert the service of the Confederate States Army 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 with Johnson's Army at the surrender in the state of North Carolina. 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: Real estate, located at Pine Acres land . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $150.00 Cattle, horses and other livestock. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 75.00 Personal property . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40.00 Total . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $265.00 That I have heretofore been granted a pension from the State of Florida under pension certificate No. 723, at the rate of $120.00 per annum. That my postoffice address is Lulu, R. F. D. # 1, County of Columbia, State of Florida. Lewis F. Gay Attest: (1) C. C. Odom (2) Archibald C. Odom Sworn and subscribed before me, this 20th 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. Chas. C. Odom Notary Public (FORM B) State of Florida,} County of Bradford} We, the undersigned citizens of Bradford County, State of Florida, do hereby certify that we personally know Lewis F. Gay, 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. His X mark: Chas. F. Fredrick Archibald C. Odom Sworn and subscribed before me, this 20th day of July A. D., 1909. Chas. C. Odom Notary Public ******************************************************************************* Report of County Commissioners We, the undersigned, County Commissioners in and for the County of Bradford, Florida, do hereby report that at a meeting of the Board of County Commissioners held this day, the foregoing application of Lewis F. Gay 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 3 day of Aug., A. D. 1909. (1) C. L. Peek, Chairman (2) W. J. Epperson (3) C. J. Knight (4) J. D. Rosier (5) ? County Commissioners By the County Commissioners. Attest: W. L. Weeks Clerk Circuit Court ******************************************************************************* State Board Of Pensions No. 14114 Governor Comptroller Treasurer Department Of Pensions State of Florida Tallahassee Dec. 7, 1909 Hon. F. C. Ainsworth The Adjutant General Washington, D. C. Dear Sir: Lewis F. Gay who is an applicant for a pension under the laws of Florida, claims to have been a member of Company F, 4th Florida Infantry, Confederate States Army. Please furnish me with the record of this soldier. A. C. ?, Comptroller ******************************************************************************* War Department The Adjutant General's Office Washington December 11, 1909 Respectfully returned to the Comptroller, State of Florida, Tallahassee The records show that Lewis Gay, private, Company F, 4th Florida Infantry, Confederate States Army, enlisted May 23, 1861; that he was captured January 10, 1862, at Cedar Keys, and that he was paroled May 1, 1865, at Greensboro, North Carolina. F. C. Ainsworth The Adjutant General ******************************************************************************* Former Claim No. 725 Application No. 14050 Pensioner No. 1178 Claim For Pension By Lewis F. Gay Of Lulu R. F. D. # 1, Bradford County Late Of "F" Company 4th Fla. Regiment Filed In Pension Department Aug. 7, 1909 Approved Aug. 27, 1909 With pay from Jul. 1, 1909 At the rate of $120 per annum $150 per annum approved Jan. 1, 1912 ******************************************************************************* Application For Increase of Pension Under the Laws of Florida I, Lewis T. Gay Pensioner No. 1178 of the State of Florida under the laws of Florida do hereby make application to the State Board of Pensions for an increase in pension allowed me at the rate of $150.00 per annum. I am unable on account of the disabilities shown below and by attached affidavit of a reputable physician, to earn a livelihood by manual labor. (Here state fully and plainly the disability from which the applicant for increase is suffering, state any loss of limbs or eyesight and give age. Please avoid the use of technical terms.) June 7th, 1912, will be seventy-two years. Chronic rheumatism, wasting of right ankle, senility, failing eyesight, with a diseased nervous system. In witness where of I have hereunto set my hand this 16th day of January A. D. 1912. Lewis T. Gay Address Lulu, Fla., R. # 1 Witness: D. C. Williams C. C. Odom Physicians Affidavit State of Florida,} County of Bradford} Before me personally came Jas. W. Gaines, who being duly sworn, deposes and says, that he is a physician, that he is a resident of the State and County aforesaid, that he personally knows Louis F. Gay the applicant named in the foregoing application for a pension. This deponent further says that he has carefully examined the said applicant's physical condition and finds: chronic rheumatism with wasting of right foot and ankle, senility, and failing eyesight with a diseased nervous system. This deponent further says that the said Louis F. Gay is permanently ____ disabled by reason of such diseases from earning a livelihood for himself by manual labor. Jas. W. Gaines, Physician B. M. Tison, Physician Sworn to and subscribed to before me this 16 day of January A. D. 1912. Chas. C. Odom Notary Public ******************************************************************************* March 15, 1955 TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN: I, Roumelle Bowen, Secretary of the State Board of Pensions hereby certify that the records in the Comptroller's Office, Confederate Pension Department, show that Lewis F. Gay, received a pension from the State of Florida under Certificate No. 5195. Mr. Gay stated in his claim for pension that he was born on the 7th day of June, 1840, in Jefferson County, Ga., and that he enlisted at Lake Butler, Fla., about May 1st, 1865, in Company "F, 4th Florida Regt. C. S. A. He was a Corporal; imprisoned at Fort Delaware, and paroled somewhere near Greensboro, N. C., about April 26, 1865. He died on the 16th day of Oct. 1931. Secretary State Board of Pensions ******************************************************************************* September 27, 1963 Pension Department State of Florida Tallahassee, Florida Attention: Secretary of the Board of Pensions Gentlemen: I would very much appreciate your sending a copy of the military record of my father, Louis F. Gay, for the purpose of joining the UDC. It may be of help to know that he was in Company "F", 4th Infantry, Florida Regiment. Also, could you give me any information on his father and mother (name, place of birth, etc.) for the purpose of joining the DAR? Thank you very much for your information. Very truly yours, Mrs. J. W. Jordan P. O. Box 412 Hapeville, Georgia ******************************************************************************* October 1, 19-Safety-3 Mrs. J. W. Jordan P. O. Box 412 Hapeville, Georgia Re: Lewis F. Gay (Louis F. Gay) Confederate Veteran Pension #10336 Dear Mrs. Jordan: As requested in your letter of September 27, 1963, I am enclosing photostatic copy of your father's military service record with the C. S. A. The photostatic copy enclosed is taken from his Application for Pension which was filed in the State Board of Pensions' Office, August 13, 1900, and approved December 31, 1900, with pay from September 30, 1900, at the rate of $72.00 per annum. In the body of this application is set forth his military service record with the C. S. A., and which was the basis in the awarding of his pension. As a matter of information our records indicate that he died October 16, 1931, in Union County, Florida. This will certify that the above described and enclosed photostatic document is a true reproduction from the official records on file in the State Board of Pensions, Office of the State Comptroller, Tallahassee, Florida. Very truly yours, W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vm Encl. ******************************************************************************* November 21, 1963 Florida Department of Archives & History Tallahassee, Florida Gentlemen: Please send certified copy of service record, Confederate States of America, for Lewis F. Gay. Thanks, Yours very truly, Mrs. Iris Gay Jordan P. O. Box 412 Hapeville, Georgia ******************************************************************************* December 10, 19-Safety-3 Mrs. Iris Gay Jordan P. O. Box 412 Hapeville, Georgia Re: Lewis F. Gay, Confederate Veteran Pension #10336 Dear Mrs. Jordan: As requested in your letter of November 21, 1963, I am enclosing photostatic copy of the Pension Application filed by the above subject captioned soldier and which was the basis on which he was awarded his pension for his service with the C. S. A. In the body of this application will be found his statement in relation to his military service. This will certify that the above described and enclosed photostatic document is a true reproduction from official records on file in the State Board of Pensions, Office of the State Comptroller, Tallahassee, Florida. Very truly yours, W. C. Hoffman, Secretary State Board of Pensions WCH/vm Encl. ******************************************************************************* P. O. Box 412 Hapeville, Ga. 30054 Sept. 15, 1966 State Chamber of Commerce Tallahassee, Florida Dear Sir: Will you please see to it that this letter gets to the proper department. My name is James W. Jordan and I am the son-in-law to Mr. Lewis F. Gay (or Lewis Gay) by marriage to his daughter, Iris Lee Gay. Mr. Gay was born in the state of Ga. on June 7, 1840 and died in Providence, Florida on Oct. 16, 1931. Mr. Gay moved from Ga. as a young man to the state of Fla. and when the Civil War broke out he was one of the first to sign up and he joined for duty at Lake Butler, Fla. May 23, 1861 and enlisted Sept. 14, 1861 at Cedar Keys, Fla. under the command of Capt. Hunt's Command-Co. F, 4th Regiment Fla. Infantry, as a private, and fought in the last battle under the command of Gen. Johnson. Mr. Gay put in for a claim for pension: Claim for pension by Lewis F. Gay of Bradford County-filed in Comptroller's Office-Dec. 31, 1900. I have all the information I may obtain from Washington, but what I am trying to do is to pinpoint the birth of his place in Ga. Would you have this listed in any of his files, if any, that you may have on hand. Would deeply appreciate any and all information you may have on Mr. Gay and his place of birth in Ga. Thanking you for your time and troubles, I remin, [sic] James W. Jordan P. O. Box 412 Hapeville, Ga. 30054 ******************************************************************************* Office of the Secretary of State State of Florida Tallahassee 32304 September 26, 1966 Mr. James W. Jordan Post Office Box 412 Hapeville, Georgia Dear Mr. Jordan: Your communication was received in this office today and we find that it should have been addressed to: Honorable Fred O. Dickinson, Jr. Comptroller, State of Florida The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida By a copy of this letter we are forwarding your communication to the addressee shown above for their consideration. Any future correspondence you may have of a similar nature should be sent to that address. Assuring you that it is always a pleasure to be of service and with kind regards, I am Sincerely, Tom Adams Secretary of State By V. L. Whittier, Jr. Assistant Office Manager TA/jm gen-22 10-30-64 ******************************************************************************* September 28, 1966 Mr. James W. Jordan P. O. Box 412 Hapeville, Georgia 30054 Re: Confederate Pensioner Lewis F. Gay, #10336 Dear Sir: Your letter of September 15th, addressed to the State Chamber of Commerce was referred to the office of Secretary of State and then to this department. Our records show that this Florida Confederate Pensioner #10336 was born in Jefferson County, June 7th, 1840. His pension was a Special Act of Legislature of 1933. Also that he was married to Minnie Lee Nesmith April 19, 1919 in Bradford County, Florida. This will complete the information sent you and your wife in October and December of 1963. Happy we can be of additional service to you. Very truly yours Fred O. Dickinson, Jr., Comptroller By Charles V. Page, Secretary State Board of Pensions CVP/mfs