WILLIAM C. HERFORD Confederate Pension Record with Annotations Transcribed and annotated by Tassy Guenther. The annotations are noted with ** beginning and ending the note. ********************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://usgwarchives.net/la/lafiles.htm ************************************************ WILLIAM CROCKETT HERFORD was born in San Augustine County, Texas, abt 1841,to SAMUEL DREW PEARSE and ELIZA (Elizabeth) SANDERS. He lived his earlier years in San Augustine County, and after the Civil War migrated to Calcasieu Parish, LA. He went by the name of CROCKETT HEREFORD According to family history written down by Drew Dow Hereford **(Son of James Charles Hereford, bother to William Crockett Hereford)**: "SAMUEL DREW PIERCE HEREFORD became of legal age he, like others were summoned to work on the public roads, **(Hopkins County, KY)** which was the custom in those days so as to keep the highways in order for use. On one occasion while performing such road duty, some of his relations who resided in the State of Ohio passed to make a visit with his family. After the relations passed, one of his men who was working on the road made some unbecoming remark about one of his relatives, the remarks were resented by SAMUEL D. P. HEREFORD. As is usually the case, "one word brought on another" and finally HEREFORD knocked the man in the head with a mattox and was immediately incarcerated in the County Jail to await the result. During the first night of his imprisoment, his brother WILLIAM had taken an impression of the keyhole to the jail and made a key to fit the lock and with it released his brother from prison. While WILLIAM was making the key and securing the freedom of his brother, the parents had arranged all the clothing and effects of the two, furnished them with as good horses as the state afforded and hurried them off to Texas. The two brothers arrived in San Augustine County, Texas about the year 1825 *(the earlist that we can find this family arriving in Texas is late 1834 - early 1835)** where they spent the remainder of their lives. Soon after their locating in the lands of then Mexico, the parents and other children came from Kentucky to join them in this new home. On their arrival, they informed the boys that the man soon recovered from the injury or stroke on the head and that their acts were not necessary. Had they remained a few days no trip or move to Texas would have been made". After arrival in "Mexico" SAMUEL dropped the name of HEREFORD and took up the name of PIERCE. The changing of the name to Pierce has made it very difficult researching this family. SAMUEL signed his name SAMUEL PEARSE, but most documents found, show the name as PIERCE. After the Civil War ended, three of SAMUELS sons decided to take up the original family name HEREFORD, dropped by their father when he came to Mexico. The three brothers were JAMES CHARLES , LORENZO DOW and WILLIAM CROCKETT. The other two boys JOHN ANDREW and THOMAS BAILEY kept the name of PIERCE. If anyone is interested in this family or have additional information please contact: Tassy Guenther guentasa@flash.net 8818 Apple Mill Rd Houston, TX 77095 The following pension was requested and received from the State of Louisiana Secretary of State P O Box 94125 Baton Rouge, La 70804-9125 WIDOW'S APPLICATION FOR PENSION State of Louisiana Parish of Calcasieu On this, the 29th day of August, 1927, personally appeared before me, D.D. Herford Notary Public, within and for said Parish and State, Mrs. Rebeca Herford, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, declares she is the widow of William C. Herford, who entered the service of the Confederate States during the Civil War under the name of William C. Pearse, but after the war taken up old family name Herford, and that she claims the aid and benefit of Article 18 of the Constitution of 1921, and subsequent Acts of the Legislature of the State thereunder, as is futher shown by her answers to the following questions, which she swears to be true and correct: 1. Where were you born? Near Mobile Alabama When? August 3rd 1854 2. What was the date of your marriage to the above mentioned soldier? August 3rd 1874 3. How many times have you been married? Once Explain fully, giving dates and all other information married but once and then to Wm. C. Herford in Vernon Parish Louisiana 4. When did your husband enlist? Year 1862 Where? San Augustine Texas 5. Give the command in which he served? under the command of Capt Edwards and Colonel Waterhouse From the State of Texas 6. Did he serve until the close of the war? He was wounded at Mansfield - sent home and was never able to return to service, was brought home by Pete Herrin. 7. Where was he paroled, or discharged? Never returned to service after being wounded in battle of Mansfield - unable to return for service 8. How long have you been a resident of the State of Louisiana next preceding the date of this application? About Seventy years. Came to Louisiana when was very small. 9. When did your husband die? March 1904. Where? Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana 10. What was the cause of his death? Paralysis - Had been paralyzed for 5 years. 11. Are you salaried or otherwise provided for by the State of Louisiana, or by any other State or Government? No - Have no income whatever. 12. What is the value of your property, real and personal? Have none of value. 13. What is the amount of your total annual income? None 14. Have you ever made application for the pension before? No 15. Did your husband apply for the pension? No Was it allowed? Never made application 16. What is your postoffice address? Westlake, Louisiana Witness my hand on this 29th day of August 1927 Mrs. Rebeca X(her mark) Herford Applicant Witnesses: Mrs. Ellen L. Herford J. H. Jones Also personally appeared J.A. Rainwater, residing at DeQuincy, La and E.E. Hammock, residing at DeQuincy La, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn say that they were present and saw Mrs. Rebeca Herford, the claimant, sign her name to the foregoing declaration, and that they verily believe that the facts and declaration of said claimant are true and correct: that their acquaintance with her for 35 years and 20 years, respectively, justifies them in making this statement, and that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. J A Rainwater E E. E. Hammock Sworn to and subscribed before me on this, the 29th day of August, 1927, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration were fully made known and explained to applicant and witnesses, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. D D. D. Herford Notary Public ************************************************************************** The following are letters that were sent by the War Dept in reference to WILLIAM'S service in the Civil War and affidavits from WILLIAMS brother and sister. Alot of the records regarding various Texas regiments were not sent to the War Dept. as had been ordered. These records were kept in Texas, by the Texas Government due to not being very trusting of the new government. War Department The Adjutant General's Office Washington, Sept. 10, 1927 Respectfully returned to Board of Pension Commissioners, State of Louisiana, Baton Rouge, La. The name WILLIAM C. PIERCE has not been found on the rolls on file in this office of any Co. in the 19th Texas Inf. C.S.A., (Col. Richard Waterhouse, Jr.) nor has record been found of the service, capture or parole of a man of that name and organization. Capt. Edwards Co. has not been identified as of the above named Regt. The last rolls on file in this office for any Co. of the 19th Texas Infantry, C.S.A., cover the period Jan. and Feb. 1864. The records show that a number of men bearing the name of W.C. Pierce served in carious Texas Confederate States Army organizations, none of whom can, from the data furnished, be identified as the men whose record is desired. Lutz Wahl Major General, The Adjutant General by A.T.H. **************************************************************************** ******************* Sept 14th, 1927 Hon. D.D. Herford DeQuincy, Louisiana, Dear Sir: I regret to inform you that the Board could not allow the pension to Mrs. Rebecca HERFORD at the meeting yesterday, because the War Department reports no record of her husband's service (under the name WILLIAM C. PIERCE) in the command to which it is claimed that he belonged. A copy of the report is enclosed herewith. I assure you that if we are able at any future time to obtain a record of Mr. HEREFORD'S service, I will be glad to take the matter up again and will do all in my power to assist Mrs. HERFORD to obtain the pension. Yours very truley, State Auditor, and Member The State Pension Board. **************************************************************************** ********************* Mr. E. F. Lyons, State Auditor and Member of Pension Board. Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dear Sir: APPLICATION MRS. REBECCA HERFORD: Reference is made to your letter of the 14th day of September last advising about the above application for pension. I have tryed to get some personal evidence of the service of WILLIAM CROCKETT PIERCE (HERFORD) and have secured two affidavits, one of the brother and the other a sister, telling what they personally know of the service rendered by the veteran during the Civil War. You will observe from the affidavits that the husband of the applicant enlisten in the service, served till wounded at Mansfield and then returned home in charge of a comrade, where he remained till close of the war. The affidavits show he was never able to return to service before the war closed. I can say that I knew the soldier and knew him to be crippled, as he stated, from a wound received during the war. In my own mind, I am sure he served and would have been in service at the close of the war, had he not been wounded or killed. This applicant certainly needs the pension; she has resided here since youth; raised a large family; and one of the pioneers of this section of the State. If the Board can grant the pension on the proof furnished of the service, it will be a blessing to the applicant and a real deed performed by the State to one of its deserving pension applicants. Thanking you in advance to do what you can in the interest of this applicant and at the same time, serving the State in the capacity for which you are selected, be to remain, Yours very truly, D.D. Herford **************************************************************************** ********************* State of Louisiana, Parish of Beauregard Before me the undersigned authority, personally appeared Mrs. LOUISA DICKERSON, born PIERCE, who being duly sworn says; that she is seventy-five (75) years old and resided in San Augustine County from the time of her birth till the close of the Civil War; that soon after the close of the said war, she moved to Louisiana, where she has resided every since. That she knows of her own personal knowledge, that her brother, WILLIAM C. (CROCKETT) PIERCE, enlisted in the service under Capt Tom Edwards and served in the war till he was wounded at the fight of or the battle of Mansfield, Louisiana; that during this battle her said brother, the husband of Mrs. REBECCA HERFORD, was wounded in the said battle and sent home in charge of one PETE HERRING, where he remained until close of the war. That he never recovered or got able to return to service before the close of the war. That the widow, MRS. REBECCA HERFORD, who has made an application for a pension to the Pension Board of Louisiana, has raised a large family, resided in this State for many years, and no has no means of support. Affiant states that she has no interest in the claim for pension, other than wanting to see the applicant rewarded during her old days, for the service rendered by her said husband and brother of the Affiant. Her LOUISA X DICKERSON Mark Sworn and subscribed to before me, Notary, on this 22 day of November, A.D. 1927, at my office in the Town of Merryville, Louisiana Jas. C. Meadows Notary Public, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana **************************************************************************** ********************* State of Louisiana Parish of Calcasieu Before me, the undersigned Notary Public, in and for the Parish of Calcasieu and State of Louisiana, personally appeared T. B. Pierce, who being duly sworn says; That he is Seventy Three years of age; that he was born in San Augustine County, Texas and resided there until shortly after the close of the Civil War, when he and other members of the family moved to Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, where he has resided every since; that he is a brother to WILLIAM C. PIERCE (HERFORD) whose widow, Mrs. REBECCA HERFORD has filed an application for pension, which application is now pending with the Pension Commission for the State of Louisiana; That he believes his said brother enlisted in the name of CROCKETT PIERCE; that he enlisted under TOM EDWARDS and served until wounded at Mansfield; that after being wounded, he was sent home and was brought home by PETE HERRING where he remained till the close of the war. That his said brother and deceased husband of REBECCA HERFORD served honorable from time of enlistment till wounded and sent home, and from which wound he was never able to return for service before the close of the war. Affiant further states, that his father went under the name of PIERCE before the war and that after the close of the war some of his brothers taken up the name of Herford, which was the name of the family prior to assumption of the name of Pierce by his said father. That his brother, CROCKETT, taken up the name of HERFORD after close of the war and was wearing that name at his death. That he has no interest in the claim, only to see the applicant paid a pension for the reason, her said husband served honorably from time of enlistment till close of war and that the applicant has raised a large family and now has no means of support. T. B. PIERCE Sworn and subscribed to before me at DeQuincy, Louisiana, on this 21st day of November, A.D. 1927 **************************************************************************** ********************* February 7th, 1931 Board Pension Commissioners, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Gentleman: RE: APPLICATION OF MRS. REBACA HERFORD On or about the 8th day of last December, Mr. WILLIAM DONAHOO was in your office in the interest of securing a pension and would have given you information relative to the above named applicant's application, but on account of the Board not meeting was unable to do. I have this day secured an affidavit of Mr. DONAHOO, stating that at the battle of Mansfield, Louisiana, he was present and assisted in removing the bullet from the wound received by WILLIAM C. HERFORD, possibly known as enlisted as PIERCE, the deceased Confederate Soldier; and from this affidavit, seems no doubt could exist, as to his service. You will noted from the affidavits now in your possession, the soldier was never able to return to service. You advised that the Board failed to meet and to act as I am now preceeing, as I remember. Will thank you to attach this affidavit to application and give it your earnest consideration when you can get to it. Please acknowledge receipt and oblige, Yours very truly, D. D. Herford Box 866, DeQuincy, La. **************************************************************************** ********************* Mr. W. W. Stribling, Secretary, Board of Pension Commissioners, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Dear Sir:- Complying with your suggestion under date 10th inst. have got the new application blank signed by Mrs. REBECA HERFORD and am handing it to you herewith. Mrs. HERFORD is unable to furnish marriage and birth certificates, but will secure an affidavit of one of her brothers and mail you before the meeting of the Board. I have been knowing Mrs. HERFORD since 1886 and know she was married to the said WILLIAM C. HERFORD at that time and has a son living at Westlake now more than 53 years old. You will note J. A. RAINWATER has signed this as well as the first application and states he has known her for the last forty years. Mr. RAINWATER is an old citizen here and knows the deceased soldier and applicant well. For the information of the Board, will state; the father of the deceased Confederate Soldier, came to San Augustine County in the early thirties of 183? and went by the name of PIERCE. After the war and during to war some of his boys taken up the correct name of HERFORD and for that reason, it is possible the soldier could have enlisted as WILLIAM C. PIERCE or W. C. HERFORD. The applicant having married the soldier after the war does not know under what name he enlisted. It is possible, he came to Louisiana and joined the forces. We just dont know. The affidavits of his brother and sister show that he entered the services and returned home wounded and was never able to return. The affidavit of Mr. DONAHOO shows he was in the service and was present when his wound was dressed and sent home in care of PETE HERRING. Have tried to get the affidavit of Mr. HERRING, but find that he, also is dead. If any suggestions you can make, I will try and do so as I am anxious to see this old lady get the help. She deserve it for the reason her husband served in the Army and again she has raised a large family and none of them are able to do as they would like for their mother. Awaiting your acknowledgement of this application etc., beg to remain, Yours very truly, D. D. Herford Box 866, DeQuincy, La **************************************************************************** ********************* State of Louisiana, Parish of Calcasieu. Before me, the undersigned Notary Public in and for Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana, appeared WILLIAM DONAHOO, a resident of Beauregard Parish, Louisiana, who being duly sworn says: That he is now being paid a pension by the State of Louisiana for services rendered in the Confederate Army and; That while engaged in the Battle of Mansfield in the said State of Louisiana, during such services, he was present when W. C. (William C. Herford) HERFORD was wounded. That the soldier received a wound in the foot and was sent home in charge of one PETE HERRING. That he affiant, assisted in removing the bullet from the wound of the said soldier and that he has no recollection of the soldier returning to the service. That he has no interest in the matter other that seeing the applicant, Mrs. REBECA HERFORD, widow of the said deceased soldier, receive the pension she has applied for and who he believes is justly entitled to receive the pension. HIS William X DONAHOO Mark Witnesses: ALSEN RAINWATER ELLEN L HERFORD Sworn and subscribed to before me at DeQuincy, La, On this 7th day of February, A. D. 1931, D. D. Herford Notary Public, Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana **************************************************************************** ********************* State of Louisiana ) Parish of Beauregard ) Before me JAMES C. MEADOWS, a notary public in and for the Parish of Beauregard and State of Louisiana, duly commissioned and Sworn on this day personally came and appeared W. M. HINSON who being sworn deposes and says that he was born Jan. 15th, 1851 and is now Eighty Years of age that he is a brother to Mrs. REBECCA HERFORD, wife of WILLIAM C, HERFORD deceased, who is now applying for a pension, and that his said sister was married to said WM. C. HERFORD on the 3d day of August A. D. 1874, with whome she lived until his death and has never married since and is till a widow. W. M. HINSON Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21st day of Feb. A.D. 1931. JAS. C MEADOWS **************************************************************************** ********************* ** The following is the second pension application that Rebeca Herford completed. Notice that some of the dates are different than what was written on the first application.**** WIDOW'S APPLICATION FOR CONFEDERATE PENSION State of Louisiana, Parish of Calcasieu On this, the 16th day of February, 1931 personally appeared before me D. D. HERFORD, Notary Public, within and for said Parish and State, Mrs. REBECCA HERFORD, who being by me first duly sworn according to law, declares she is the widow of WILLIAM C. HERFORD (PIERCE), who entered the service of the Confederate States during the Civil War under the name Wm. C. PIERCE or HERFORD, and that she claims the aid and benefit of Article 18 of the Constitution of 1921, as amended, and subsequent Acts of the Legislature of the State thereunder, as is further shown by her answers to the following questions, which she swears to be true and correct: 1. What is your maiden name? Rebecca Hinson 2. Where were you born? Near Mobile, Ala When? Aug 3rd 1854 3. What was the date of your marriage to the above mentioned soldier? Aug 3rd 1873 4. How many times have you been married? Once Explain fully, giving dates and all other information to William C. Herford on August 3rd 1873 with ??? I was living when he died. 5. Where was your husband born? San Augustine County, Texas When? Dec 4th 1841 6. When did your husband enlist? about 1864 or 1863 Where? San Augustine County, Texas 7. Did he serve in the Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, Navy, or Marines? Infantry 8. Give the letter of his company and the number of his regiment Don't know - nor can not find out. 9. In what State was his command organized? He was mustered in from Texas 10. Where did your husband reside at the time of his enlistment? San Augustine County, Texas 11. Give the names of your husband's commanding officers- I am told General Walker 12. Did he serve until the close of the war? Was wounded at Mansfield, never able to return 13. Where was he paroled, or discharged? Went home wounded from Mansfield, La. When? at end Mansfield Battle. 14. How long have you been a resident of the State of Louisiana next preceding the date of this application? About Seventy - One years 15. When did your husband die? March 4, 1905 Where? Bluett, Beauregard Parish, Louisiana 16. What was the cause of his death? Paralytic Stroke 17. Are you salaried or otherwise provided for by the State of Louisiana, or by any other State or Government? No 18. What is the value of your property, real and personal? Have none 19. What is the amount of your total annual income, from all sources? Have no income. 20. Have you ever applied to this State for pension? Yes If so when? Now on file 21. Have you ever applied to any other State for pension? No 22. Did your husband apply for a pension? No 23. What is your postoffice address? Route 1 Westlake, Louisiana Witness my hand on this 16th day of February, 1931 Her Mrs. Rebecca X Herford Mark Witnesses Joseph C. Shaw Mrs. Ray Durio Also personally appeared J. A. Rainwater, residing at DeQuincy, La and J. H. Jones, residing at DeQuincy, La Persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn say that they were present and saw Mrs. Rebecca Herford, the claimant, sign her name to the foregoing declaration, and that they verily believe that the facts and declaration of said claimant are true and correct; that their acquaintance with her for 40 years and 20 years, respectively, justifies them in making this statement, and that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim J A Rainwater J H Jones Sworn to and subscribed before me on this, the 16th day of February, 1931, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration were fully known and explained to applicant and witnesses, well known to me to be the persons whose names are subscribed to the foregoing application, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. D. D. Herford Notary Public **************************************************************** Now for the last sheet on the pension Parish of Calcasieu Application Number Pension Number 19025 13788 WIDOW'S APPLICATION FOR CONFEDERATE PENSION ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- The Board Reserves the Right to Call for Additional Testimony ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------- Mrs. Rebecca Herford Widow of William C. Herford (or Pierce) Company and Regiment ___________________ (blank) Street Address Route 1 P. O. and State Westlake, La Filed Feb 24 1931 Allowed Mar 10 1931 Monthly Allowance ______________ (blank) Pension Allowed from Mar 10 1931 Rejected _______________(blank) Date of Marriage Aug 3, 1874 Date of Birth Aug 3, 1854 Cause of Death of Widow's Husband Paralytic Stroke When Did He Die? March, 1905 Where? Bluett, La Beauregard Parish Date of Granting Pension? _________________(blank) Monthly Amount? __________________(blank) Age? ___________(blank) Date of Application? Feb 16, 1931