Military: MEXICAN WAR PENSION APPLICATION - THOMAS McCLAIN Contributed by: Marilyn Morgan (marilynmorgan1@home.com) ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation 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. http://www.usgwarchives.net *********************************************************************** 41678 Thomas McClain 1847 Private 2nd Ill. Vols. Certificate of DISABILITY and DISCHARGE, in case of a Volunteer soldier who may be discharged BEFORE the expiration of his term, in consequence of wounds received or sickness incurred in course of service, I hereby certify, That Thomas McClain a Private of company F of the Second Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, is incapable of performing the duties of a volunteer soldier, for the following reasons, to wit: (? looks to be Opthalinia) and I further certify, That in the opinion of the undersigned, the public interest requires that said Thomas McClain be discharged from the Volunteer service of the United States Given at General Hospital, New Orleans Bks. the Fifth day of July 1848 signed Wm J Sloon, Asst. Surgeon USA I certify, on honor, That Thomas McClain a Private of Captain___Company F of the Second Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, of the State of Illinois born in Nelson Co., State of Virginia, aged 25 years, five feet nine inches high; Fair complexion grey eyes, dark hair, and by occupation a Farmer, was mustered into the service of the United States at Alton on the sixth day of July 1847 to serve during the war with Mexico.... Honorably Discharged this seventh day of July 1848 Given New Orleans Barracks this seventh day of July 1848. AFFIDAVIT OF IDENTITY--United States of America STATE OF LOUISIANA, City and Parish of Orleans--Thomas McClain--ON THIS Eight day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight, personally appeared before me, the undersigned, GEORGE Y. BRIGHT, Second Justice of the Peace for the Parish of Orleans, State aforesaid. Thomas McClain who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Thomas McClain who was a Private in the Company commanded by Captain Berry known as Company F of the Second Regiment of Illinois Volunteers commanded by___That he enlisted and was mustered into the service of the United States at Alton state of Illinois on the sixth day of July eighteen hundred and forty-seven for the term of during the War and was honorably discharged at New Orleans on the seventh day of July eighteen hundred and forty-eight by reason of Surgeon certificate of disability. Thomas X (his mark) McClain.... New-Orleans, Louisiana, July 8, 1848 Sir:-I request that my claim to Bounty Land under the 9th section of the act of the 11th February, 1847, entitled "An Act to raise for a limited time an additional Military force and for other purposes," may be examined, and if I am entitled to Land, I wish to receive a Warrant for one hundred and sixty acres. I am respectfully, you obedient servant, Thomas X (his mark) McClain Witness signature-W. N. Walton To the commissioner of Pensions, Washington City New-Orleans, Louisiana, July 8, 1848 Sir:-I respectfully request that when my Land Warrant is issued, you will enclose it by mail to me at address below my Agent and Attorney in this City...(Direct to me at Henry County, Mount Pleasant P.O. State of Ioway MEXICAN WAR PENSION Act of January 29, A. D. 1887 DECLARATION OF SURVIVOR FOR PENSION State of Iowa County of Polk On this Second day of May, A. D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty-seven, personally appeared before me,Thomas A. McClain, a resident of Ridgedale, in the county of Polk, in the State of Iowa, who, being by me first duly sworn according to law, deposes and says: I am the identical Thomas A. McClain, who served under the name of Thomas A. McClain, as a Private in the company commanded by Captain Berry, in the Second regiment of Illinois volunteers, commanded by Colonel Collins, in the war with Mexico; that I enlisted at Alton- Illinois, on or about the day of in the Spring of 1847, for the term of five years or during the war and was honorably discharged at New Orleans, on the __day of July-I think a. D. 1848. That being duly enlisted, as aforesaid, I actually served sixty days with the Army of the United States in Mexico, or on the coast or frontier thereof, or en route thereto, in the war with that Nation, which service was as follows: From New Orleans to Vera Cruz with first battalion-went to National Bridges then returned to San Juan then to Julapa_ then to the City of Mexico, but I was left sick at Pueblo, from there I was taken to Julapa, then sent to Vera Cruz there taken to New Orleans on Hospital boat where I stayed until discharge. (a) That I am Sixty two years of age, having been born at Nelson County, Virginia on the Fourth day of December, 1824 (next paragraphs crossed out) That I am married; that the maiden name of my wife was Mary J. Duncan, to whom I was married at Jefferson Township-Polk Co., in the State of Iowa, on the 28th day of January, A. D. 1853; that my wife is now living. That in support and proof of my right I tender herewith, under the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior, the following evidence: I received a land warrant No. 41678 patent dated Sept. 5th, 1850-Recorded Vol. 40-page 75. also three months extra pay and the affidavits Isaac W. Griffiths and Mark B. Priestley hereunto annexed both of whom were Soldiers in the war with Mexico. That I have heretofore made application for pension or bounty land, which said claim is No. 41678. That I am not a pensioner of the United States. that since my discharge from said service I have resided as follows, to wit: Henry County-Iowa, about one year-since then I have resided at Polk co., Iowa. signed Thomas A. McClain... Mexican War-Pensioner Dropped U. S. Pension Agency, Des Moines, Iowa May 26, 1902 Certificate No. 5974 Class Widow Pensioner Mary J. McClain Soldier Thomas A. Service F. 2 Ill. SIR: I have the honor to report that the above named pensioner who was last paid at $8 to 4 Jan 1902 has been dropped because of death, 15 Feb. 1902