War of 1812: Pension of Agnes, widow of James WHEELER; Jackson Co., TN Contributed to the USGenWeb Archives by Mary Lu Nelson Johnson http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ********************************************************* WHEELER, Agnes & Elijah War 1812 pensions 1812 WHEELER, AGNES, #4622, wid of James Wheeler, Pvt VA Militia, War of 1812, Extracted by Mary Lu Johnson [NOTE: Agnes Wheeler's husband James was the s/o Thomas & Elizabeth Wheeler of Bedford Co., VA. Agnes is on the 1840 USC of Jackson Co., TN. Thomas and Rowland Wheeler were brothers. Thomas Wheeler mentioned 'heirs of my deceased son James' in his will. Agnes was the sister of Charlotte McCormack m 6 July 1809 in Bedford Co. to Elijah Wheeler (remained in Jackson co., TN). Agnes was the cousin of Sukey (Susannah) McCormack m 14 Sep 1807 in Bedford Co., VA to John Wheeler, on census in Jackson Co., TN 1820; Franklin co, AL 1840; Taney Co, MO 1850 & 1860; Susannah Wheeler an apparent widow Boone Co., AR 1870]. “Pay slip” confirming service in Capt. Goggins Co., VA Militia, allowed $3.50 per month, states soldier “Died in Service 10 January 1815 in the State of Tenn”. Under Act of June 3, 1853 and July 27, 1868. Widow inscribed on roll of Jackson Co., Nashville office, living Gainsboro, TN. 1 Aug 1853: Deposition of Agnes Wheeler, Jackson co, TN, age about 63 years [b c1790] states she was the widow of James Wheeler who was a private in Capt. Goggin’s Company of the Virginia Militia; they were married ___ day of January 1812 in Bedford County, VA and that her husband died on/about January 1813 at Norfork, Virginia while in service of the United States. States she was a widow at the time of passage of the act [June 3, 1853] and is still a widow. Had by the said James Wheeler “only one son named James Wheeler who is now aged about Forty years [b c1813] and who was over the age of sixteen years at the passage of said act. Further states that about the year 18__[blank] while a resident of Bedford County, State of Virginia, she as the widow of said James Wheeler under a former act of Congress received a pension for five years...service & death of her said husband as above stated. About 1852 received Bounty Land Warrant for 80 acres of land for said service. 30 July 1853, Elijah Wheeler of Jackson County, Tennessee & Ann Hopkins made oath that Agnes Wheeler is widow of James Wheeler, and that she was married to James Wheeler about the year 1812 in Bedford co, VA, and that she had by the said James Wheeler one son only, James Wheeler who is now about forty years. s/s Elijah Wheeler s/s Ann Hopkins Affidavit apparently in official capacity stated Elijah Wheeler and Ann Hopkins are credible, reaffirming she is widow of James Wheeler who died in service about 1835 in the line of duty; further her only child by James Wheeler was James Wheeler. 20 Oct 1853: Letter from U. S. Treasury Dept. to Commissioner of Pensions stating James Wheeler died in service 10 January 1815, widow received half pay pension under the Act of 16 April 1816 at the rate of $4 per month. 6 Mar 1854: Agnes Wheeler, Jackson co., TN, widow of James , requests her pension be made payable at Nashville, TN instead of Jackson, TN where it is now being received [apparently City of Jackson, Madison co, confused with Co of Jackson]. That she has made out her papers to draw from the agent at Jackson Tenn... that Jackson County is in the Middle Division ...much more convenient...Nashville. She is still the widow of said James Wheeler. Agnes [X] Wheeler 22 Jan 1869: Agnes Wheeler’s pension certificate apparently was lost or mislaid during Civil War, pension interrupted [or USA stopped paying pensions to residents of states that seceded. mlj]. Reapplied 22 January 1869, aged 80 years [born c1779]; deposition of Agnes Wheeler states she resided since 1 Jan 1861 in Jackson County, TN. During this period, subsistence been “such as she could do for herself assisted by relatives & friends. States has not borne arms against the Government of the United States and has not in any manner encouraged the rebels or manifested a sympathy with their cause, and that she was last paid her pension 4 March 1861 as well as she can remember. Application for purpose of being restored to pension rolls. Appoints W. W. Fergusson of Carthage, Tennessee, ...attorney to prosecute this claim. Wit: Terrell Byrne, James Hargis Agnes (her X mark) Wheeler Affidavit of James M. Williamson and J. R. Williamson, residents of Jackson co, TN stating she is credible. 19 February 1869, Claim for Renewal & Increase of Widow’s Pension to $8.00 per month. Agnes Wheeler, widow of James Wheeler, living Granville, Jackson County, TN. 4 Oct 1869: Dept. of the Interior letter stating Agnes Wheeler received pension under acts of 3 Feb 1853 and 3 June 1858, the latter act making her a pensioner for life. Does not appear when dropped, nor if discontinued by action of the Secretary under law of February 4, 1862, providing for dropping the names of those who gave aid and comfort to the rebellion; or whether law of July 27, 1868, providing that the failure to claim pension for three years should be presumptive evidence of legal termination. [Notations in file - no detail - indicate at some point Agnes Wheeler appealed for arrears covering period she was dropped from roll, and reinstated in 1869. Denied]. 7 February 1870: Smith co, TN, W. W. Fergusson, attorney handling Agnes Wheeler’s claim, stated he gave the pension certificate to Abel Smith on/about 15-18 Oct 1869 to take to Agnes Wheeler. Abel Smith signed affidavit that he lost the certificate and papers between his house in Smith Co. and Agnes Wheeler’s house in Jackson co., TN. 21 Dec 1870: Form application re lost pension certificate, signed by Agnes (X) Wheeler. The interesting part of this is what appears to read where a witness would sign, “Test ___ B. Upchurch. 1812 WHEELER, ELIJAH SC #19749, War of 1812, Act of Congress 14 Feb 1871. By Tammy Brown Elijah Wheeler, aged 83, a resident of Flynn's Lick co of Jackson state of TN. He is married, that his wife's name was Charlotte McCormack to whom he was married at Bedford Co, VA 7/1808 [Lic 6 July 1809]. Drafted in Capt. A. Dudney's co, Col. Raulstons regiment, Carroll's Brg of TN militia at Jackson co TN 1814, discharged 1815. He was in the battle of N.O. that he made application and received bounty land warrants. s/Elijah Wheeler. Wit: Wm C Anderson and Pickney McCarver Affidavit: Lieutenant was Henry Sadler, affiant served with John Brown, Thomas Brown, James Vinson. John Brown is living. Thomas Brown & James Vincen are dead. Affiant arrived home, 4/2/1815, liked 2 days being six months, received land warrants, two for 80 acres, affiant let Russell M. Kiniard have the first one and James H. Lee have the last one. Affiant is 83 or 84, his record got burned up. Juble Anderson, Larkin Ferell, Myles Spurlock, Joel Spurlock, John Gamble, Elijah Price, Hal McDaniel, KY Hardcasel and Barn Hardcasel were in the same company affiant was in under Capt. Cowen. All are dead or moved off except Larkin Ferell, John Brown, Jubel Anderson, they are alive and live in the same county Jackson. That we lived when we went to the battle of NO. Affiant has lived in the same county ever since we returned from the war in the year 1815 within 5 miles of each other. Affiant now lives in the same neighborhood now that affiant lived when afiant went to the battle of N.O. Signed: Elijah Wheeler AFFIDAVITS George M. Petty, Postmaster, at Gainsboro, known affiant 30-35 years. John Brown, age 76. Soldier of the war of 1812, served with Elijah in the Battle of NO. Said Elijah Wheeler is the same Elijah Wheeler who served with him. S/John Brown. Juble Anderson: age 80 on 8/26/1872 William C. Anderson, no age, affiant of good character Pinckney McCarver, no age, affiant of good character WITNESSES [various docs]: James M. Richmond, Acting J.P., Charles Hopkins, Acting J.P.