YANCEY COUNTY, NC - MILITARY - Application for CW Pension, George Newton Edney ----¤¤¤¤---- Background: George Newton Edney of Mars Hill (born 27 Jun 1842 Cane River, Yancey County; died 1 March 1923, Prices Creek, Yancey County while visiting family) was a son of Calvin J. Edney of Edneyville, Henderson County and Lucinda Wilson of Cane River, Yancey County. He served with Company A, 25th North Carolina Infantry, CSA. His brother James Henry Edney also served with that regiment, and was awarded a Soldier's Pension for that service. Another brother was Lt. William Jasper Edney, CSA. George Newton Edney was married to Elizabeth Caledonia Merrill, daughter of Madison County sheriff Ransome Powell Merrill and Dorcas Anna Metcalf. His brother William Jasper Edney married Rachel Brejetta Merrill, another daughter of Ransome and Dorcas Merrill. Beginning March 1885, the state of North Carolina provided pensions for Confederate Veterans who were wounded in the war or who became at least 50% disabled afterwards. The pension act was amended several times afterwards. Soldier's Application For Pension, County of Madison. On this 6th day of June, A.D. 1901, personally appeared.. G.N. Edney, age 60 years, and a resident of Mars Hill.. who, being duly sworn makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension under the provisions of an act entitled, "An Act to amend chapter 198 of the laws of 1889, for the relief of certain Confederate Soldiers and Widows," ratified March 2, 1901: That he is the identical G.N. Edney who enlisted in Co. A 25th Reg. N.C. State Troops, on or about June 1862, to serve in the armies of the late Confederate States..." George N. Edney's statement: "Never wounded. Served in the war till the end and made as good a soldier as I could. Had a bad spell of fever and contracted a bad cough that has followed ever since. It affected my eyes and I am generally broke down till I ain't able to do more than one half the work I aught to do. I never deserted my ranks under [Colonel] T.L. Clingman. {signed} G.N. Edney" Also personally appeared James Anders, who resides at Barnardsville and James Edney who resides at Cane River, says they are acquainted with G.N. Edney, the applicant for pension, and has every reason to believe that he is the identical person he represents himself to be... {signed} James Anders, James Edney. Also personally appeared Dr. J.H. Baird a physcian in good standing... and finds such disability for manual labor as is described below." Dr. Baird's statement: "I have examined G.N. Edney carefully, he has chronic bronchitis, his eyes are badly affected; he also has rheumatism. He is not able to perform more than 1/2 the labor of a sound man of his age from above disabilities." The Madison County review board recommended approval and forwarded the application to the State Pension Board at Raleigh. After review, he was approved for a $30 annual pension. On 2 March 1903 North Carolina amended its pension laws. On 2 June 1906, George applied for continuation of his pension, "...claims for total disability.. not able to do manual labor, never deserted his post, was under Lee and Jackson during the War." James Anders again came to certify his statement. Dr. Frank Roberts stated "This applicant is totally disabled to do manual labor owing to general and senile debility." George Edney was approved by the State Pension Board for a fourth class pension. Shortly afterwards, George and several of his sons took an extended vacation to Green River, Utah for hunting and fishing. George remained there just long enough for the state of North Carolina to decide he was no longer a resident, and suspended his pension rights. So, he returned to Mars Hill in Madison County to re-establish his residence and re-qualify for his pension, which he did in 1908. "Soldier's Application for Pension. State of North Carolina, County of Madison. On this 30 day of May, A.D. 1908, personally appeared G.N. Edney, age 65 years, and a resident of Mars Hill post office... who being duly sworn, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension under the provision of an act entitled "An act for the relief of certain Confederate Soldiers, Sailors and Widows," ratified March 8, 1907; that he is the identical G.N. Edney who enlisted in Co. A 25 Reg. N.C. State Troops, Spring 1861, to serve in the armies of the late Confederate States." His statement: "Applicant was on the pension roll and took a trip west, and at the time of making the reports was absent, and ask the board to place him back on the roll, as his leave was temporary. Applicant is back. Not able to do one fourth labor. {signed} G.N. Edney." James Anders of Barnardsville appeared on his behalf. Dr. Baird, who had examined him on the occasion of his application in 1906, made this statement: "G.N. Edney is not able to perform more than 1/4 the labor of a sound man of his age. He has rheumatism and kidney disease. Is badly broken down." Approved. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Marshall Styles marshallstyles@yahoo.com ----------------------------------------------------------------------