GIBSON COUNTY TN - PENSIONS - Pension Application File for Peter Daniel Mason ******************************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Donna Davenport ******************************************************************************** Roll 58, Confederate 8214, Tennessee State Library and Archives (Cover) No 8214 ACCEPTED (stamp) STATE OF TENNESSEE Soldier’s Application for Pension Under Class “5” Home Jul 13.26 P. D. Mason Filed May 18.06 Allowed READ SPECIFICATIONS ON BACK Statement May 25.07 SPECIFICATIONS{ Dec 7.07 Dec 3.08 Jan 29.09 President Secretary Board of Pension Examiners Gibson Co Humboldt To Applicants for Pension The material facts to be proven in a pension claim under the laws of the State of Tennessee, are as follows: 1. Service in the Army. 2. Present Disability. 3. Indigency. 4. How you got out of the Army. 5. Character as a Soldier and Citizen. 1. May be prove by officers or comrades. 2. May be proved by physician’s certificate. 3. May be proven by neighbors and by certificate of County Trustee. 4. May be proven by filing parole or discharge, or in case these have been lost or destroyed, by officers and comrades who know the facts. 5. May be proven by comrades and neighbors. John Ingram Bivouac is satisfied that applicant was a good and true soldier but finds no explanation of how he got out of Thirty Eighth Infantry into 12th Ky Cavalry or Forrest’s Scouts. G R ???? Sec D T Turner President Soldier’s Application for Pension Under the Class “5” I, P.D. Mason a native of the state of Tennessee and now a citizen of Tennessee, resident at Humboldt in the County of Gibson in said State of Tennessee, and who was a soldier from the State of Tenn in the war between the United States and the Confederate States, do hereby apply for aid under the Act of the General Assembly of Tennessee, entitled “An Act for the benefit of the indigent and disabled soldiers of the late war between the States, and as to fix the fees of attorneys or agents for procuring such pensions, and fixing a penalty for the violation of the same.” And I do solemnly swear that I was a member of Comp F (?), thirty eight Tenn afterward in cavalry in Forrests Scouts in the service of the Confederate or United States, and that by reason of disability and indigence I am now entitled to receive the benefits of this Act. I further swear that I do not hold and National, State, or County office, nor do I receive aid or pension from any other State, or from the United States, and that I am not an inmate of any soldiers’ home, and that I am unable to earn a reasonable support for myself and family. I do further solemnly swear that the answers given to the following questions are true: In what County, State and year were you born? Answer Madison County Tenn, 23 day of May 1838 When did you enlist and in what command? Give the names of the regimental and company officers under whom you served. Answer thirty eight Tenn Col Looney Capt. F remphlett (?), afterward joined Forrest’s Scouts served with them from March until July, captured at Hunington capt in July 63 in prison until May 1865 In what battle or battles were you engaged, and, if not wounded, state what disabilities did you receive, if any? Answer Shilow (sic) Mumfordsville Cannol and Parkers Cross Roads What was the precise nature of your wound or disability, if any? Answer None Were you incapacitated for service by reason of said wound or disability incurred. Answer no wounds Were you discharged from the army by reason of said wound or disability? Answer No If discharged from the army, where were you when and what did you do until the close of the war? Answer not discharged What was the name of the surgeon who attended you? none Answer How did you get out of the army, when and where? Answer let out of Prison, 16 Day of May, 1865 Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government? Answer no If so, when and under what circumstances? Answer Are you married or have you been married? Answer Yes If so, what is the size of your family living together? Answer myself and wife we live with our children What are the respective ages of your wife and the children living with you? Answer my Wife is 64 years my Son is 27 To what sex do your children belong? Answer 2 Boys & 2 girls Are not some of your children able to support you? Answer no In what business are you now engaged, if any, and what do you earn? Answer do what I can on Farm What estate have you in your own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer no Estate What estate has your wife in her own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer no Estate How have you derived support for yourself and family for the last five years? Answer by Farming Do you use intoxicants to any extent? Answer to some Extent do not get Drunk How long have you been an actual resident of the State of Tennessee? Answer all of my life Have you an attorney to look after this application? Answer no If so give his name and address Answer none Witness my hand, this 3 day of March, 1906 PD Mason Witnesses J E Adkinson, Physician Alex Thompson, Witness W F Burns, Witness PD Mason served with Co D 12 Ky Cavalry in 1863 and was captured near Huntingdon, Tenn by Col Hotetsis (?) while on duty. RH Hensuiedy (?) Sargent of Co D 12 KY Cav STATE OF TENNESSEE Gibson County Personally appeared before me, R Caldwell (?) Notary Public of said County, the above named P D Mason the applicant with whom I am personally acquainted, and having the application read and fully explained to him , as well as the statements and answer therein made, made oath that the said statements and answers are true. Witness by my hand and seal of office, this 3 day of March 1906 R Caldwell (?) STATE OF TENNESSEE Gibson County Personally appeared before me, R Caldwell Notary Public of said County, the above named J E Adkinson one of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, and who is a physician of good standing, and being duly sworn says that he has carefully and thoroughly examined P D Mason, the applicant, and finds him laboring under the following disabilities: Disability proven old age and work. He is not able to do hard work for a living such as he will want to do for support. Witness my hand and seal of office, this 24 day of Jul 1906 J E Adkinson R Caldwell Notary Public (If possible the two witnesses as to character should have served with the applicant in the army, and if so, let them, or either, state it in their oath; also any other information regarding applicant’s army service.) STATE OF TENNESSEE Gibson County Personally appearing before me, R Caldwell Notary Public of said County, the above named Alex Thompson and W T Barnes, two of subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, with whom I am personally acquainted, and known to me to be citizens of veracity and standing in this community, and who make oath that they are personally acquainted with the foregoing applicant, and that the facts set forth and statements made in this application are correct and true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and that they have no interest in this claim, and that said applicant’s habits are good and free from dishonor. And we further make oath to the following facts touching the applicant’s service in the Confederate army: Alex Thompson I was in the army with P D Mason from the first of Nov 1861 to the year of 1862. W T Barnes I was with Mr Mason from Aug 1861 until Sept 1862. He made a good soldier and I heard no complaint of him at all. Witness my hand and seal of office this 3 day of March 1906 R Caldwell I J. W. Stovall Trustee of Madison County Tenn do certify that P. D. Mason has no real estate nor personal property, neither has his wife any assets to her on my tax book. J. W. Stovall Trustee of Madison Co. Tenn HEADQUARTERS TENNESSEEBOARD OF PENSION EXAMINERS BOARD MEETS LAST TUESDAYS IN JANUARY, APRIL, JULY AND OCTOBER Nashville, Tenn. Aug 29 1906 P.D. Mason No. 8214 (Must give number when writing) Humboldt, Tenn. Dear Sir- Let me know what prison you were in at the close of the war. I want to get a record of your release for proof in your application for pension. Yours truly Frank A. Moses Special Examiner 8214 Norwood Tenn May 18 1907 Mr. Jno. P. Hickman Dear Sir As I have never heard any thing from my case no. 8214 if there is any defect in my papers send them back to me and I will have them fixed up for I know I can get any kind of a Recommendation as a soldier you want. They is men here that is drawing that has got better good forms of their own. I am nearly blind and has got no way to make a living but to work for it and I would be glad to hear from you. So thanking you for any favor you may do for me or any thing you have done. I remain your friend P.D. Mason P. D. Mason No. 8214 (Give number when writing.) Norwood Nashville, Tenn. May 25 1907 Dear Sir: The Board of Pension Examiners have considered your application, and it stand disallowed, with these endorsements by the Board on the specifications following: Service in the Army. Endorsed Proven Wound received, injury sustained, or disease contracted while in service and in line of duty. Endorsed Proven Extent of disability arising from such wound, injury, or disease. Endorsed Proven Indigency. Endorsed Proven How applicant got out of the army. Endorsed Not proven What prison were you released from? Must know so we can get the proof. Character as a soldier and citizen. Endorsed Proven The specifications not satisfactory to the Board may be corrected by proof, but no proof will be considered unless taken before an officer using a seal. Board meets second Tuesdays in February, May, August, and November. Respectfully JNO. P. HICKMAN, Secretary. MUST RETURN THIS STATEMENT WITH PROOF State of Tennessee Madison County Personally approved before me W. T. Blackard County Court Clerk of said County P.D. Mason who makes oath that he was confined in Camp Morton Prison, Indianapolis, Ind from Aug 1863 to May 16 1865 This June 1/1907 PD Mason Sworn to (??) before me June 1/1907 W.T. Blackard Clerk No 8214 HEADQUARTERS TENNESSEE BOARD OF PENSION EXAMINERS Nashville, Tenn. June 4 1907 GEN. F. G. AINSWORTH MILITARY SECRETARY WASHINGTON, D.C. Dear Sir: P.D. Mason who is an applicant for Pension under the Tennessee Pension law claims to have been a member of Company E. Thirty eighth regiment Tenn Infty C.S.A. and to have been later in Forrests Scouts or 12th Ky Cav Co D and released from prison at Camp Morton, Ind. in May 1865. Jany 1.1908 This man states claim that he remained in prison at Camp Morton Ind until May 1865. Do the records show this to be a fact? Please give us the records of this soldier. Respectfully, George B. Guide Office of W. T. Blackard 8214 County Court Clerk Madison County Thomas McCorry County Judge Jackson, Tenn. Dec 5 1907 Hon. Jno. P. Hickman Secty Board of Pensions Nashville Tenn Dr Sir Please advise me what disposition has been made of my application no 8214 for Pension which was filed prior to Jany 14/1907 - Respt P.D. Mason Norwood Tenn State of Tennessee Madison County Personally appeared before me W. T. Blackand Clerk of the County Court of Said County RH Hammialy who makes oath that he was the First Sargent (sic) of Co D 12th Reg Kentucky Calvary (sic)- and that P D Mason was in my company and that said Mason was captured while on duty about August 1st 1863. And he made a good soldier during the war and is a good citizen RH Hammialy Sworn to subscribed before me Dec 21, 1907 WT Blackand County Court Clerk WAR DEPARTMENT THE ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE WASHINGTON January 7, 1908 Respectfully returned to the President, Tennessee Board of Pension Examiners Nashville A reexamination of the records of prisoners of was has been made, but nothing has been found in the case of P. D. Mason, 38th Tennessee Infantry, C. S. A., in addition to the information contained in the indorsement from this office of June 8, 1907, hereon. FC Animoth The Adjutant General 12511 ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE WASHINGTON June 9, 1907 Respectfully returned to the President, Tennessee Board of Pension Examiners, Nashville. It is shown by the records that P.D. Mason was a private in Company C (also called Company E), 38th Tennessee infantry, C.S.A. He was enlisted August 20, 1861, at Jackson, Tennessee, and on the rolls of his company to December 31, 1862, and on the roll for January and February, 1863, he is reported absent, at home in Madison County, Tennessee. On subsequent rolls to August 31, 1863, he is reported absent without leave. His name does not appear on the subsequent rolls of the company. It is also shown by the records that one P. ___ Mason (not found as P.D. Mason) was a private of Company D, 12th Kentucky Cavalry, C.S.A. He was enlisted December 20, 1863 (also reported enlisted January 1, 1863), in Carroll County, Tennessee. On the muster roll of the company for the months of May and June, 1864 (latest on file), he is reported absent, captured in West Tennessee August 1, 1863. The name P.D. Mason, private, Company C, 38th Tennessee Infantry, C.S.A., appears on a roll, dated November 15, 1863, of prisoners of war at Camp Morton, Indiana, ‘the desire to take the oath of allegiance.” His name also appears on a roll, not dated, which shows him captured July 29, 1863, in Huntingdon County, Tennessee, and bears the remark: “Was conscripted at Huntingdon, Tenn., May 15, 1863. Desires to take the oath and remain north as a loyal citizen.” FC Animoth The Adjutant General Received A.G.O., Jun 6, 1907 P. D. Mason No. 8214 (Give number when writing.) Norwood Nashville, Tenn. Dec 7 1907 Dear Sir: The Board of Pension Examiners have considered your application, and it stand disallowed, with these endorsements by the Board on the specifications following: Service in the Army. Endorsed Proven to Aug. 1.63 Wound received, injury sustained, or disease contracted while in service and in line of duty. Endorsed ~ Extent of disability arising from such wound, injury, or disease. Endorsed Proven Indigency. Endorsed Proven How applicant got out of the army. Endorsed Not satifactory War records report: Captured in West Tenn. Aug 1. 63 - conscripted at Huntingdon, May 15.63 - Imprisoned at Camp Morton desires to take the oath, and remain North of Ohio River Character as a soldier and citizen. Endorsed Proven The specifications not satisfactory to the Board may be corrected by proof, but no proof will be considered unless taken before an officer using a seal. Board meets second Tuesdays in February, May, August, and November. Respectfully JNO. P. HICKMAN, Secretary. MUST RETURN THIS STATEMENT WITH PROOF 8214 Jackson Tenn Sept 1st, 1908 Col Jno. P. Hickman Please let me hear from you in Regard to PD Masons application No. 8214 He says that he can’t get any word from you. Please write me as soon as you can. Yours in last D.T. Turner P. D. Mason No. 8214 (Give number when writing.) Nashville, Tenn. Sept 2 1908 Dear Sir: The Board of Pension Examiners have considered your application, and it stand disallowed, with these endorsements by the Board on the specifications following: Service in the Army. Endorsed Proven to Aug. 1.63 Wound received, injury sustained, or disease contracted while in service and in line of duty. Endorsed ~ Extent of disability arising from such wound, injury, or disease. Endorsed Proven Indigency. Endorsed Proven How applicant got out of the army. Endorsed Not proven. War report, “captured in West Tenn., Aug 1. 63 - conscripted at Huntingdon, May 15.63 - Imprisoned at Camp Morton - desires to take the oath, and remain North of Ohio River.” No record of his release at end of war. Must have been released before, Character as a soldier and citizen Endorsed Proven The specifications not satisfactory to the Board may be corrected by proof, but no proof will be considered unless taken before an officer using a seal. Board meets second Tuesdays in February, May, August, and November. Respectfully JNO. P. HICKMAN, Secretary. Have put you two notices before. Know you received them, because they were returned with proof. MUST RETURN THIS STATEMENT WITH PROOF State of Tenn. Gibson County P.D. Mason Application for Pension No. 8214 Personally appeared before me E/N/Stone an acting Notary Public in and for said County and residing in the town of Milan. P.D. Mason who made the following statement under oath. I was in prison in Camp Morton, Indiana from Aug 1863 to the 16th day of May 1865. Through the influence of my Uncle Abner Mason who was resident of Nashville, Tenn. I was discharged from Prison. There was a prisoner in the same Prison (Confederate soldier) who was sick and down with Consumption and I waited on him. The Prison officials allowed this man’s wife to visit him. His name was James Goodloe and resided in Nashville, Tenn. His wife Mrs. Goodloe asked my name. I told her and she wanted to know if I had any relatives in Nashville by that name. I told her I had an Uncle by the name of Abner Mason who was a resident of Nashville she remarked that she knew him and that he was a close neighbor. She says that if you will write him (Mason) he will get you released from Prison. I could not write and I requested her to write which she did for me and with in ten days I had my release, and in a few days he came to Indianapolis Ind. after me before he or rather before we left Indianapolis in two or three days all of the Prisoners were discharged. My uncle said that there was not much use in getting me released as I would not have stayed only a few days longer. I think that if you can get at the records of General Stephens you find that they will show that President Johnson ordered my discharge. Of course through the influence of my Uncle Abner Mason Sept 21st 1908 P.D. Mason Sworn to and subscribed before me this September the 21st. 1908 EM Stone Notary Public 8214 Jackson, Tenn Jan. 23 1909 Board of Pensions I have heard nothing from my Pension papers yet. My address is changed to Rout no 6 Humboldt, Tennessee. Please let me hear from you as soon as you can. I remain as ever yours P.D. Mason P. D. Mason No. 8214 (Give number when writing.) Humboldt R6 Nashville, Tenn. Jany 29 1909 Dear Sir: The Board of Pension Examiners have considered your application, and it stand disallowed, with these endorsements by the Board on the specifications following: Service in the Army. Endorsed Proven to Aug. 1.63 Wound received, injury sustained, or disease contracted while in service and in line of duty. Endorsed ~ Extent of disability arising from such wound, injury, or disease. Endorsed Proven Indigency. Endorsed Proven How applicant got out of the army. Endorsed Not satisfactory. War report, “captured in West Tenn., Aug 1. 63 - conscripted at Huntingdon, May 15.63 - Imprisoned at Camp Morton - desires to take the oath, and remain North of Ohio River.” Can’t take your unsupported testimony on any material fact, Character as a soldier and citizen Endorsed Proven The specifications not satisfactory to the Board may be corrected by proof, but no proof will be considered unless taken before an officer using a seal. Board meets second Tuesdays in February, May, August, and November. Respectfully JNO. P. HICKMAN, Secretary. State of Tennessee Gibson County We the undersigned Citizens of said County & State do make the following statement to regard to P.D. Mason. We have known him for a number of years say so or do and regard him to be a man of truth & veracity. We could not believe he would make a misrepresent any facts committed with his application for a state Pension. W.J. Birdsong D.B. Rowlett D.W. Nevill J.M. Nelson Sworn to & subscribed befor eme on this 4 Feby 1909 S.H. Boswell The name signed to this taxes are men of fine Ref as any in that community and I will vouch for any thing they say Yours in host D. T. Turner Humboldt R 6 I W.T. Barnes depose and say that I was a Confederate soldier and was at Greensboro North Carolina at the Surrender and immediately started for home and arrived home on the 28th day of May 1865 and after being at home I went to P.D. Masons Mothers to see a wounded brother of said P.D. Mason and I inquired of his Mother if P.D. Mason had got home and she said he had not but they were looking for him. his W.T. X Barnes mark S.H. Boswell Sworn to and subscribed before me this March 2/ 1909 S.H. Boswell Notary Public STATE OF TENNESSEE _____________COUNTY I, P.D. Mason state under oath that I am a pensioner of the State of Tennessee, that I was born in Madison County, State of Tennessee, on the 23rd day of May 1837, and that I am therefore entitled to receive the increase of Five Dollars per month, from the 23rd day of May 1917, for pensioners of eighty, under Chapter 104, Acts of 1915. P.D. Mason Humboldt P.O. Address Gibson County Tenn. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 11th day of May 1917 WM Dunlap Chancery Court Clerk Humboldt Tenn (Officer must attach seal, unless taken before the County Court Clerk.) June 22, 1917. P. D. Mason 8214 Mr. P. D. Mason, Humboldt, Tenn., My Dear Sir: In your application for pension you swear you were born in 1838. In your application for increase you swear you were born on May 23, 1837. Which is right. The date of your birth must be satisfactorily proven before you can be paid anything under the eighty year old law. Very truly yours, Special Examiner. Humboldt State of Tenn June 28 1917 Hon. Frank A. Moses Nashville Dear Sir, Replying to your favor of June the 22nd in which you ask for a correction of the conflicting statements made by me concerning date of my birth. Will state that when I made application for pension I confidently believed the date of my birth to have been May the 23rd 1838. While on a visit here some two years ago my brother who was a resident of Texas who is my senior two years and some months insisted that I was mistaken in my age and convinced me beyond doubt that the date of my birth was 1837 instead of 1838. Our family record was destroyed by fire when I was a small boy. Therefore this is all I can possibly do in the way of proving my age. It was not until satisfied beyond doubt that I was eighty years old the 23rd day of last May that I made application for the increase allowed under the eighty year old law. I hope this will be satisfactory and accepted as the facts in the case and that you will grant the increase for it wont be long until my name will fall from the list. Thanking you in advance for this favor (which would be much help to me in my helpless condition) Should you see proven to do so. I beg to remain yours truly P.D. Mason RFD 6 Humboldt Tenn STATE OF TENNESSEE Gibson COUNTY I, P.D. Mason of Humboldt, Gibson County, Tenn, state under oath that I am a pensioner of the State of Tennessee, that I was born on the 18th day of May 1838, and that I am entitled to receive the increase of Five Dollars per month, under the Act of 1919, for pensioners on the roll of eighty years, or over, of age. P.D. Mason PO Address Humboldt Gibson County Tenn. Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 15th day of Sept 1919 WM Dunlap Notary Public (Officer must attach seal, unless taken before the County Court Clerk.) Humboldt Tenn Aug 25. 1920 Hon John P. Hickman Secty Pension Dept - Nashville Dear Sir I desire to spend six months on Oklahoma beginning the 1st of Sept. Will you kindly advise me how we can arrange for me to draw my pension during my absence from the state. Thanking you I advance for the information. Am yours very truly P.D. Mason Humboldt Tenn RFD #6 August 28, 1920 P.D. Mason, 8214. Mr. P. D. Mason Humboldt, Tenn. RFD. My dear sir: Under the law you cannot be outside of this State more than six months in any twelve months, and in case you are you must be dropped from the Pension Roll. Neither can you draw any money nor certify to your vouchers outside of the State. On your return to Tennessee you must send an affidavit in stating the date you left and the date of your return. Very respectfully, By order of the Board, Secretary. HEADQUARTERS TENNESSEE BOARD OF PENSION EXAMINERS Nashville, Tenn August 28, 1920 P.D. Mason, 8214. Mr. P. D. Mason Humboldt, Tenn. RFD. My dear sir: Under the law you cannot be outside of this State more than six months in any twelve months, and in case you are you must be dropped from the Pension Roll. Neither can you draw any money nor certify to your vouchers outside of the State. On your return to Tennessee you must send an affidavit in stating the date you left and the date of your return. Very respectfully, By order of the Board, Jno. P. Hickman Secretary. JPH:M I hereby make oath that I left the State on Sept. 1, 1920 and returned to the state on Oct 19, 1920. P.D. Mason Subscribed and sworn to before me this Nov. 1, 1920 My commission expires April 1, 1922 WH Keartery Notary Public COMPTROLLERS OF THE TREASURY STATE OF TENNESSEE NASHVILLE EDGAR J. GRAHAM June 18th 1926 Col. Jno. P. Hickman, Pension Office, Dear Col: I am advised the following pensioners have been admitted to the Soldier’s Home: 8214 P.D. Mason Gibson County, June 9th/1926 Jun 20 (handwritten) 15045 T. M. Smith Davidson County, June 5/1926 M. N. Fry, formerly at home, has been granted a discharge. Very truly, Cockrill. Civil War Questionnaire of Peter Daniel Mason. (Handwritten) Gibson Co 38th T.I. (Tennessee Infantry) The chief purpose of the following questions is to bring out facts that will be of service in writing a true history of the Old South. Such a history has not yet been written. By answering these questions you will make a valuable contribution to the history of your State. In case the space following any question is not sufficient for your answer, you may write your answer on a separate piece of paper. But when this is done, be sure to put the number of the question on the paper which the answer is written, and the number of pages of the paper on which you write your answer. Read all the questions before you answer any of them. After answering the questions here given, if you desire to make additional statements, I would be glad for you to add just as much as you desire. 1. State your full name and present postoffice address Peter Daniel Mason Humboldt Tenn 2. State your age now Will be 84 years old May 23 - 1922 3. In what State and county were you born? Madison County, Tenn 4. In what State and county were you living when you enlisted in the service of the Confederacy, or of the Federal Government? Madison County, Tenn 5. What was your occupation before the war? Farming 6. What was the occupation of your father? Farming 7. If you owned land or other property at the opening of the war, state what kind of property you owned, and state the value of your property as near as you can Owned none 8. Did you or your parents own slaves? If so, how many? No 9. If your parents owned land, state about how many acres 180 acres 10. State as near as you can the value of all the property owned by your parents, including land, when the war opened $900 to $1000.00 at that time 11. What kind of a house did your parents occupy? State whether it was a log house or frame house or built of other material, and state the number of rooms it had Hewed Log House with 3 rooms 12. As a boy and young man, state what kind of work you did. If you worked on a farm, state to what extent you plowed, worked with a hoe, and did other kinds of similar work. (Certain historians claim that white men wouldn’t do work of this sort before the war.) Plowed hoed and every other work that came to hand. 13. State clearly what kind of work your father did, and what the duties of your mother were. State all the kinds of work done in the house as well as you can remember - that is, cooking, spinning, weaving, etc. Regular farmer Cooking spinning weaving washing and ironing 14. Did your parents keep any servants? If so, how many? No 15. How was honest toil - as plowing, hauling and other sorts of honest work of this class - regarded in your community? Was such work considered respectable and honorable? Yes 16. Did the white men in your community generally engage in such work? Yes (Underlined three times) 17. To what extent were there white men in your community leading lives of idleness and having others do heir work for them? No idle men. All worked stayed at home and attended to business. 18. Did the men who owned slaves mingle freely with those who did not own slaves, or did slaveholders in any way show by their actions that they felt themselves better than respectable, honorable men who did not own slaves? Very few slaveholders felt themselves better than those who did not own slaves 19. At the churches, at the schools, at public gathering in general, did slaveholders and non-slaveholders mingle on a footing of equality? All went alike and treated the same 20. Was there a friendly feeling between slaveholders and non-slaveholders in your community, or were they antagonistic to each other? Generally freely feeling 21. In a political contest in which one candidate owned slaves and the other did not, did the fact that one candidate owned slaves help him any in winning the contest? It did not 22. Were the opportunities good in your community for a poor young man, honest and industrious, to save up enough to buy a small farm or go in business for himself? Yes provided he would save and work which was usually done 23. Were poor, honest, industrious young men, who were ambitious to make something of themselves, encouraged or discouraged by slaveholders? Encouraged 24. What kind of school or schools did you attend? Small country school with one teacher. Very few school buildings throughout the county 25. About how long did you go to school altogether? 6 or 7 months 26. How far was the nearest school? 3 miles 27. What school or schools were in operations in your neighborhood? Neson’s (?) School 28. Was the school in your community private or public? Public 29. About how many months in the year did it run? 4 to 7 months 30. Did the boys and girls in your community attend school pretty regularly? Yes all they could 31. Was the teacher of the school you attended a man or a woman? Man 32. In what year and month and at what place did you enlist in the service of the Confederacy or of the Federal Government? May 1861 33. State the name of your regiment, and state the names of as many members of your company as you remember 38th Tennessee General Thompson several Boones, Masons, Bakers. Do not remember first names 34. After enlistment, where was your company sent first? To Jackson Tenn to drill 35. How long after your enlistment before your company engaged in battle? First battle was the Battle of Shiloh 36. What was the first battle you engaged in? Battle of Shiloh 37. State in your own way your experience in the war from this time on to close. State where you went after the first battle - what you did, what other battles you engaged in, how long they lasted, what the results were; state how you lived in camp, how you were clothed, how you slept, what you had to eat, how you were exposed to cold, hunger and disease. If you were in hospital or prison, state your experience here. After first battle went into Mississippi. Camped there till they run us over into Ala, Ga and then (?) to Ky. Other battles fought in Ky at Perryville. I was captured there. Was then paroled and sent home until I was legally exchanged. Fairly good clothes, poor sleeping quarters. Beef & mule meat and some time some pork. Exposed to cold & hunger & disease. Was in hospital. 38. When and where were you discharged? Out of prison at Indianapolis, Ind. Stayed there 18 months. Discharged May 16, 1883 (Note: That is the date given, not a typo.) 39. Tell something of your trip home Traveled home on train. Was funded money by my Uncle Abner Mason 40. What kind of work did you take up when you came back home? Farming 41. Give a sketch of your life since the close of the Civil War, stating what kind of business you have engaged in, where you have lived, your church relations, etc. If you have held any office or offices, state what it was. You may state here any other facts connected with your life and experience which has not been brought out by the questions. Farming, lived in Madison County, Tenn, Missionary Baptist Church 42. Give the full name of your father Syon Mason born at (now RFD) Humboldt in the county of Madison state of Tenn. He lived at there all his life. He came from North Carolina while young. Give also any particulars concerning him as official position, war services, etc., books written by, etc. none 43. Maiden name in full of your mother Peggy Baker. She was the daughter of Joshua Baker and his wife Beckie Baker who lived at Madison County Tenn. 44. Remarks on Ancestry. Give here any and all facts possible in reference to your parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, etc., not included in the foregoing, as where they lived, offices held, Revolutionary or other war service; what country the family came from to America; where first settled, county and state; always giving full names (if possible), and never referring to an ancestor simply as such without giving the name. It is desirable to include every fact possible, and to that end the full and exact records from old Bibles should be appended on separate sheets of this size, thus preserving the facts from loss. Both grandfathers came from England to North Carolina. All farmers. Tennessee State Library and Archives, Civil War Questionnaire, Madison County, Roll Number 484-6