John C. Whitson Pension Application 05 Dec 1881 A: Declaration for Original Invalid Pension "A" State of Tennessee County of Perry On this 5 day of Decm A. D., one thousand eight hundred and Eighty one personally appeared before me J. E. Dodson Circuit Clerk; the same being a Court of Record of the county and State aforesaid John C. Whitson, a resident of County of Perry State of Tenn.. who being be me duly sworn according to law, on this solemn oath, deposes as follow, to wit: I am the identical John C. Whitson who was enrolled on the 2nd day of Nov 1863 in company H of the 2 Reg't of Tenn.. Mtd. Inf.. Vol's. commanded by Captain J. W. Taylor and I was honorable discharged at Gallatin Tenn.. on the 19 day of July 1865 and my age is now 47 years. While in the service aforesaid, and in the line of my duty I received the following disability, to wit: At Dept 49 on N. W. RR while camped, about the month of ____ 186_, I was struck by lightning and have never recovered from its effects. I am disabled thereby more than one half the time and claim a pension. Treated by reg't surgeon. I have never been employed in the Military or Naval service of the United States otherwise than set forth above since leaving the Service, I have resided at Tenn.. and my occupation has been farming before my entry into the Service aforesaid I was of good sound physical health, being at enrollment a farmer and I am not very much disabled from obtaining my subsistence by manual labor by reason of my above stated, received in the service of the United States, and I make this Declaration for the purpose of being placed on the Invalid Pension Roll of the United States. I hereby appoint and empower, with full power of substitution, N. W. Fitzgerald & Co.. of Washington, D. C. my true and lawful attorney to prosecute my claim.. My post office address is Cedar Creek Landing, County of Perry, State of Tenn.. John C. Whitson Witness: W. C. Whitwell J. A. Watson ________________________________________________________ CLAIMANTS AFFIDAVIT State of Tennessee County of Perry Comes now John C. Whitson claimant for Original Pension No 135962 who being first duly sworn, on his solemn oath deposed as follow: I am the claimant above named: for three years prior to my enlistment in the U. S. service my place or places of residence were as follows: County of Perry State of Tennessee. My occupation during said time was Farming. My occupation since discharge has been Farming. Since my discharge to the present time have resided at the following place or places: Perry Co.., Tenn.. The following is a full and complete history of my disability and its incurrence, from the time it first appeared to the present: While camped on N. W. R. R. 49, I was struck by lightning. I still suffer from its effects in my right side and head at times. The following is a complete statement of all the treatment I have received for said disability, together with the names and places of residence of all the Doctors who have treated me: I have received treatment from the following Drs. to wit: Dr. T. T. Barry, Perry Co.., Tenn.. Treated by a Regimental Dr. do not no where he resides but hear that he resided at Birmingham Ky Dr. Ellis State on these lines which of your doctors if any, are now dead: If any is dead I don't no it. If you suffered from any attacks of disease of any kind since your disability was incurred you must state here when such attacks ocurred, stating their character and violence, and also state when and by whom your were treated for the same: I had a spell of Fever it lasted about three days it was tverry severe also was Treated by Dr. McDugal for the same about the year 1875. Also state here on these lines, whether you have performed any manual labor since discharge, if so what kind, and state whether at any time and for what period or periods giving dates as near as possible, you have been prevented from following you usual occupation: I hav farming is my occupation. it is impossible to state the times it is so of (off) and on that I can work. And I further declare that my present P. O. address is Cedar Creek Ldg, Perry Co.., State of Tennessee. John C. Whitson Sworn and subscribed to, before me this 6th day of Feby 1882. I have no interest whatever in the prosecution of this Claim. J. E. Dodson seal Circuit Clerk, Perry Co.., Tenn. ________________________________________________________ CLAIMANT'S TESTIMONY State of Tennessee County of Perry In the matter of the application for Original Envilid Pension No 435920 John C. Whitson personally comes the claimant, who being first sworn on oath , says: That on or about the 3rd night in August 1864 while camped on the Nashville & NW RR Section 49 There Arose a Storme and the Lightning struck the tent Kiling two men in the tent where I was lying and wounded my inasmuch that I was not able to do duty for a considerable time and that I am still suffering from the effect of said stoke of lightning and my disease is growing worse every year and I claims "a pension" My Post Office Address is Cedar Creek landing State of Tennessee County of Perry John C. Whitson Subscribed and sworn to before me, the 2nd day of April 1883. The affiant is the person he represents himself to be, and a credible witness. I am not interested in this claim. Witness my and seal the day and year above written J. W. Lewis seal Circuit Court Clk of Perry County ________________________________________________________ WAR DEPARTMENT Adjutant General's Office Washington, June 25, 1883 Respectfully returned to the commissioner of Pensions John C. Whitson, a Private of Company F, 2nd Regiment Tenn. Mtd. Inf.. Volunteers, was enrolled on the 20 day of November 1863 at Perry Co.., TN 1 year and is reported: on roll for March & April 64 (first on file) present sick; May & June 64 Present, no remark; Same report to Aug 31/64; Sept. & Oct. 64, name not found; Nov. & Dec. 64, Present; Mustered out with Detachment at Gallatin Tenn. Jan 19/65. A Private Returns not on file. No evidence of alleged injuries. Nature of sickness not stated. Books of Organization not on file M. Barling, Assistant Adjutant General ________________________________________________________ AFFIDAVIT FOR NEIGHBORS AND GENERAL PUBLIC State of Tennessee County of Perry In the matter of john c. Whitson, Claimant for original Pension No 4357926 On the 6 day of August A. D. 1883, personally appeared before me Clerk of Circuit Court in and for the aforesaid county, duly authorized to administer oaths John w. Grooms aged 40 years, a resident of Perry Co..; Geo. W. Ward, aged 48 years, a resident of Perry Co.., well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows: We was present at the time that the aforesaid J. C. Whitson received a stoke of lighting which occurred an or about the 3rd night in August 1864 the said John C. Whitson was lying down at the time he received sad stroke of Lighting and was Knocked senseless at the time. Said J. C. Whitson's hair and beard were swinged off by the lightning also was verry sick and was vomiting more or less for three months. I do not know if anything was done for him. There were 3 of his command killed by said stoke of lightning two of them were in the same tent with said J. C. Whitson and 14 others badly shocked said J. C. Whitson was unable to do duty for on or about 3 months and was excused from duty. After three months he was able to do duty about half of the time up to his discharge. We have both lived Near the Claimant ever since we were discharged. We do not think he is able to do any hard labor of any kind at any time. We were privates of Co.. F, 2 Reg., Tennessee. Our Post office address is Linden, Perry Co.., Tennessee. We further declare that We have not interest in said case, and We are not concerned in its prosecution; John W. Grooms G. W. Ward ________________________________________________________ DEPARTMENT of the Interior, Pension Office Southern Div E. R. Ex'r. Orig.: inv.: no 435925 John C. Whitson Co.. F, 2nd Reg't, Tenn.. Mtd. Vols: Return this letter with you reply, Washington, D. C. January 15th, 1884 Sir: Referring to your affidavit filed in the case cited above, please kindly furnish this office, by endorsement upon the back of this letter, with the time when, place where, and circumstances under which the claimant was struck by lighting, as alleged, in the Summer of 1864. An early reply will be esteemed a favor. Very respectfully, O. P. G. Clark Acting commissioner Lieut.: Alfred Kelly Qulin,Butler Co.., MO: ________________________________________________________ DEPARTMENT of the Interior, Pension Office Southern Div E. R. Ex'r. Orig.: inv.: no 435925 John C. Whitson Co.. F, 2nd Reg't, Tenn.. Mtd. Vols: Return this letter with your reply, Washington, D. C. January 15th, 1884 Sir: Referring to you affidavit fined in the case cited above, please kindly furnish this office, by endorsement upon the back of this sheet, with the time when, place where, and circumstances under which the claimant was struck by lightning, as alleged, in the Summer of 1864. Please state, further, to what extent the soldier has been disabled for manual labor by the effects of said stroke of lightning during each year, sine his discharge in January 1865 up to the present time. Have the kindness, also to describe, as closely as you can, the symptoms of his complaint, and give your means of knowing the facts to which you testify. An early reply will be appreciated. Very respectfully, O. P. G. Clark, Acting Commissioner John W. Grooms, Esq.: Linden Perry Co.., Tenn..: ________________________________________________________ Linden Tenn..: March 2nd 1884 Sir: Yours of Jan 16th at hand. In the matter of J. C. Whitson, Co.. F, 2 Rg't, Tenn. Mtd Inf. Vol. will say that it was on or about August 4th, 1864 the said J. C. Whitson was struck by lightning while camped on the Nashville J. N. W. RR section 49 in the State of Tennessee. the soldier has not been able to perform any manual labor since his discharge in January 1865 up to the present time. The symptoms of the soldiers disability are Nervous. I know the facts to which I testify by being in the camp with him and seeing him frequently since his discharge. Yours Respectfully, A. P. G. Clark G. W. Ward Washington D.C. Linden Tenn. ________________________________________________________ AFFIDAVIT FOR NEIGHBORS AND GENERAL PURPOSE State of Tennessee County of Perry In the matter of John C. Whitson late Co.. F 2 Reg't Tenn. Mtd If. Claimant for original Pension No 435926 On the 3rd day of March A. D. 1884, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid county, duly authorized to administer oaths William Wilson aged 47 years, a resident of Perry Co.. Tenn.. Z Groom aged 43 years, a resident of Perry Co. Tenn. well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows: We have known the claimant ever since we were boys and know that he was sound and healthy and free from any nervous or febrile disease before his enlistment the United State Army. The soldiers condition after discharge was very bad. he frequently complained of his right side and head. We know these facts to which we testify by seeing him frequently and being personally acquainted with him ever since we were boys. Our Post Office address is Cedar Creek Ldg Perry Co. Tennessee. We further declare that we have no interest in said case, and we are not concerned in its prosecution. Z Groom William Wilson. ________________________________________________________ DEPARTMENT of the Interior, Pension Office Southern Div E. R. Ex'r. Orig.: inv.: no 435925 John C. Whitson Co.. F, 2nd Reg't, Tenn.. Mtd. Vols: Return this letter with your reply, Washington, D. C. January 18th, 1884 Sir: Referring to your affidavit filed in the case cited above, please kindly inform this office, by endorsement upon the back of this sheet, as accurately as you can, upon what date you commenced, and when you ceased, treating the claimant for the nervous malady to which you refer; stating whether, in you opinion it was caused by a lightning stroke received during his army service or was, possible, due to some other or more recent cause. Please also rate his disability during the years in which you attended him professionally, and during any other years, before or since the period indicated, in which you may have had a distinct knowledge of the soldier's physical condition. An early reply will be esteemed a favor. Very respectfully, O. P. G. Clark Acting Commissioner Dr. T. T. Barry Peter's Landing Perry Co.., Tenn..: ________________________________________________________ Birmingham, KY April 8 1884 To the Comm. of Pensions Dear Sir Your note of inquiry in relation to the pension claim of John c. Whitson No 435.936 duly rec'd. I reply that I very well recollect that several soldiers were struck by lightning at the time and place as stated two was killed three were considerably shocked one of whom was blistered slightly from his neck to his foot on one side. They were all sent the next day to Nashville The dead for burial, the others to the Hospital. I do not remember the names of any. I saw the one that was blistered after his return to his company think He was well. Very Respectfully J. Ellis MD late assistant surgeon, 2nd Tenn. Mtd Infantry ________________________________________________________ State of Tennessee County of Perry T. T. Barry M. D. whose post office address is Webb County of Perry and State of Tennessee and whose age is now 39 years being duly sworn says that he is a regular practicing physician of 21 years standing and that he has given medical advice and treatment occasionally for 18 or 20 years to Mr. John C. Whitson late of Co.. F of the 2nd Regiment of Tenn. Mt'd Inf.. Vols and that he has been gradually growing worse ever Since he has known and treated him and that owing to Physical debility and general bad health together with the condition of his eyes he is unable to travel any distance to be examined and would suggest that an examining Surgeon be sent to examine him at his own home. I further Swear that I am not interested in this claim for pension. T. T. Barry, M. D. Subscribed and Sworn to be fore me this the 8 day of April 1889 The affiant is the person he represents himself to be and is a credible witness. In am not interested in this claim. Witness my hand and seal the day and year above written. D. D. Mays JP ________________________________________________________ State of Tennessee, Perry County, I, C. L Pearson, Clerk of the County Court of said County do hereby certify that D. D. Mays whose genuine signatures is affixed to the foregoing certificate was at the date thereon a duly commissioned Justice of the Peace for the said County and that full faith and credit is due to his official acts a such Witness my hand and Seal of Office at Linden this 19th day of April 1889 C. L. Pearson Co.. Court Clerk ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. 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