MCNAIRY COUNTY TN - MILITARY - Civil War Pension for Willis I. Sweat ********************************************************************************************************** Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Pamela Pearson ********************************************************************************************************** Civil War Pension Papers for Willis I. Sweat Sergeant, Company G, 6th Regiment, Tennessee Cavalry Application # 926.241; Certificate # 769.578 Declaration for an Invalid Pension dated 15 Jul 1890 Willis I. Sweat, age 49 and a resident of Falcon, TN, declared that he enrolled on 15 Dec 1862 in Company G, 6th Regt. Tenn Cav Vols. He was discharged at Pulaski, TN on 26 Jul 1865. He also declared that he was partially unable "to earn a support by reason of rheumatism and piles and general debility". Dr. J. L. Smith and A. J. McCullen were witnesses to his declaration. [Note: It appears that Willis I. Sweat entered the service as a Private and at some point was promoted to Sergeant.] Neighbor's Affidavits dated 13 Dec 1890 Z. D. Lewons, age 58 and a farmer, testified he lived about 4 miles from Willis I. Sweat and had known him for 30 years. He also testified that "he complains a great deal from rheumatism and piles, I don't think he could do the work of an able bodied man by _ , and I am satisfied his disabilities are of a physical permanent character and not due to his own vicious habits. He has to depend upon his daily labor for support, consequently his earnings are short, and his wages for labor would not command more than half price if that in comparison to an able bodied man's labor." John A Floyd, age 60 and a farmer, testified he lived about 3 miles from Willis I. Sweat and had known him for 10 years. His testimony was similar to that of Z. D Lewon's. In addition, he testified "Some days he is better than at other times. The rheumatism seems to come and go. Some days he can do part of a day's work very well and other days he can not work at all." Surgeon's Certificate dated 3 Jun 1891 Willis I Sweat, age 50, stated he was suffering from rheumatism, piles and general debility incurred in the service. "I contracted rheumatism in the war. It affects the muscles of my right arm mostly and at times the muscles of my back. I am worse off in damp, cloudy weather. In a bad attack, my arm, hand, shoulder, back and shoulder blade all suffer. I also have piles. I can do , labor." The doctor described him as being 5'11" and 135 lbs. The doctor found that he suffered from neuralgia and hemorrhoids. General Affidavit dated 25 Jan 1892 W. I. Sweat swore he had contracted neuralgia and rheumatism in 1864 while in camp in Nashville, TN, and had been afflicted with them every since. They were caused from exposure while on a food raid, which was during a very cold and freezing time in Dec 1864. He also said that his neuralgia and its results were not the result of vicious habits and were permanent. Invalid Pension Award dated 16 May 1892 Willis I. Sweat was awarded an invalid pension of $8 per month effective 2 Aug 1890. Declaration for Increase of an Invalid Pension dated 20 Jun 1892 W. I. Sweat filed a petition stating that his $8 pension was "too low and not in proportion to degree of his disability which is rheumatism, hemorrhoids and indigestion." His request was denied. General Affidavit of Dr. J. R. Smith dated 20 Jun 1892 Dr. J. R. Smith, age 40 and a resident of Falcon, testified to the disabilities of W. I. Sweat. In addition to rheumatism and hemorrhoids, the doctor noted that Willis "has smothering spells and shortness of breath caused from indigestion." Pension Agency Questionnaire dated 4 Aug 1898 W. I. Sweat responded to a questionnaire from the Pension agency; his response included the following: .) He was married to Ibby Jane King on 27 Jan 1866 in McNairy County, TN, by W. H. D. Maxedon; the record of their marriage was recorded at the County Court Clerk's office at Selmer, TN. .) Their five living children were: George T. born 13 Jan 1867; Ephraim T. born 8 Sep 1871; Winfield born 4 Feb 1874; Malinda born 23 Aug 1879; and William E. born 23 Aug 1881. Surgeon's Certificate dated 15 Nov 1899 W. I. Sweat, age 58, stated "I have rheumatism of my back and hips. I also have disease of rectum and piles. I don't know whether I have neuralgia or not. My digestion is not good and I am not able to do manual labor at all." The doctor described him as being 5'5" and 145 lbs. The doctor found that he suffered from rheumatism and rectal disease; he did not find any indication of neuralgia or indigestion. Declaration for the Increase of an Invalid Pension dated 22 Aug 1903 W. I. Sweat, age 62, filed another petition stating that he was "totally disabled for the performance of manual labor on account of old age and general debility, rheumatism much greater." He also indicated that he was suffering from a "spinal affection (sic) causing great pain and rendering him almost helpless." The declaration was witnessed by J. H. King and A. L. King. Surgeon's Certificate dated 21 Oct 1903 W. I. Sweat, age 62, stated he "had the rheumatism ever since the war and that it has affected his joints making them sore and stiff and that he has suffered from piles for a long time." The doctor described him as being 5'10" and 132 lbs., and as having a fair complexion, blue eyes, and light hair. The doctor found that he suffered from rheumatism, senility, curvature of the spine, and general debility. In an amendment dated 18 Apr 1904, the doctor noted that Willis was emaciated and nervous, and that he had sallow skin. [Note: His request for a pension increase was denied.] Declaration for Pension dated 6 Mar 1907 W. I. Sweat, age 66 and a resident of Selmer, submitted a Declaration for Pension under the Act of February 6, 1907. He stated that at enlistment he was 5'10" and had a fair complexion, blue eyes, and sandy hair. He was a farmer, and he was born on 5 Mar 1841 in McNairy County, TN. J. C. Leonard and R. A. Carothers, who had known him for 30 years and 25 years respectively, were witnesses to his declaration. [Note: His pension was increased to $12 per month on 9 Mar 1907.] Declaration for Pension dated 6 Mar 1911 W. I. Sweat, age 70 and a resident of Selmer, submitted a Declaration for Pension under the Act of February 6, 1907. He gave the same description of himself as on 6 Mar 1907. He stated he also lived in Hardeman County since leaving the service. R. A. Carothers and J. B. Graham, who had known him for 15 and 20 years respectively, were witnesses to his declaration. [Note: By reaching the age of 70, his pension was increased to $15 per month on 9 Mar 1911.] Special Examiner's Certificate dated 13 Dec 1911 Charles P. Jacobs, Special Examiner, interviewed W. I. Sweat and prepared the following: .) Where born: McNairy Co, Tenn. .) Age at enlistment: About twenty-one years old. .) Name under which served: Willis I. Sweat. .) Date of enlistment: Fall 1861. .) Date of discharge: July 1865. .) Any prior or sub[sequent] service: No .) Battles: No .) Hospital: No .) Name of Captain, Lieut and Sgt: Capt Chandler, 1 Lt Boatman 2 Lt Ray, Sgt Hannah .) Name of wife: Jane King (maiden name) she died June 12, 1911 at Selmer, McNairy Co, Tenn. .) Any prior marriages: No other marriages. .) Name comrades: W. A. Grant, F. A. Barnes, J. H. Ferguson .) Personal description: Height five feet & ten inches, hair sandy, eyes gr blue, complexion fair. .) Signature: Willis I. Sweat Declaration for Pension dated 18 May 1912 W.I. Sweat, age 71 and a resident of Selmer, submitted a Declaration for Pension under the Act of May 11, 1912. Noah Prince and T. B. Whitehurst, who had known him for 25 and 30 years respectively, were witnesses to his declaration. [Note: His pension was increased to $24 per month on 22 May 1912] Letter to Commissioner of Pensions from W. I. Sweat dated 1916 W. I. Sweat requested an increase in his pension for reaching the age of 75 years on 5 Mar 1916. A response was sent on 9 May 1916 indicating that his claim was under review. Letter to Commissioner of Pensions from Malinda Naylor dated 1 May 1916 "Dear Sir, My father Willis I. Sweat who was a Pensioner under Certificate No. 769.578 died April 30th 1916. Please send me a blank application for accrued pension. Yours Resptly, Malinda Naylor, Daughter of Willis I. Sweat" © Compiled and contributed by: Pamela Pearson Extracts prepared by Pamela Pearson; November 2003