PUTNAM COUNTY, TENNESSEE - MISC - PENSION APPLICATION, SAMUEL M. MESSENGER 4 AUGUST 1903 File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Mitzi Freeman SETraveler@tngenes.net ************************************************************************ USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. ************************************************************************ SOLDIER'S APPLICATION FOR PENSION1 I, Samuel M. Messenger a native of the State of Tennessee and now a citizen of Tennessee, resident at Cookeville in the County of Putnam in said State of Tennessee, and who was soldier from the State of Tennessee, 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 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, while in the discharge of my duty in the service of the Confederate States, as a member of Captain Thos E. Taylors Company Colonel J Murray's Regiment - Donelson Brigade I was wounded twice in the battle or battles of Murfreesboro in left hand and left thigh by a shots from the enemy and from the effects of such wound or wonds I was disabled as follows: the muscle of the thigh was torn up and are contracted upon healing in such a manner that I was unable to walk for a long time, and my left hand was permanently disabled and that by reason of such wound and disability I am now entitled to receive the benefits of this Act. I further swear that I do not hold any 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 give to the following question are true: In what County, State, and year were you born? Answer: Born in Patrick County Virginia in the year March 25, 1831 When did you enlist and in what command? Give the names of the regimental and company officers under whom you were serving at the date of wound or wounds? Answer: Enlisted in 1862 in Capt Taylors Company Colonel Murray's Regiment In what battle or battles were you wounded, and, if not in battle, state under what circumstances you received the injury or injuries? Answer: Wounded twice in the Battle of Murfreesboro - first wound in left hand - Second wound in left thigh. Bones of two fingers broken in left hand - flesh wound in thigh just above knee What was the precise nature of you wound or wounds? Answer: Bones of 2 fingers of left hand broken - Flesh wound in thigh just above knee - passing through muscle and back (?) of thigh What limb, if any, did you lose by reason of said wound or wounds, and if no limb, state fully the disability caused by said wound or wounds, and is said disability permanent? Answer: lost no limb. Use of left hand and left leg nearly destroyed and the disability resulting from said wounds is permanent Were you incapacitated for service by reason of said wound, wounds, or service? Answer: I was entirely incapacitated for further service Were you discharged from the army by reason of said wound, wounds, or service? Answer: I was not able to get back to my command till the spring of 1865 If discharged from the army, where were you and what did you do until the close of the war? Answer: I was in the hospitals till close of war What was the name of the surgeon who attended you? Answer: They were Federal Surgeons and I don't remember their names How did you get out of the army? Answer: I was paroled and sent home May 8, 1865 Do you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government? Answer: I got a parole and took no oath more than what was in it (?) If so, when and under what circumstances? Answer: I got parole May 8, 1865. Are you married, or have you been married? Answer: I am married. If so, what is the size of your family? Answer: Have a wife and four children - 1 boy and 3 girls What are the respective ages of your wife and children? Answer: Second wife 50 years youngest child 9 years - oldest child 18 years Had five other children from 1st wife - 2 of them are dead - 2 boys - 2 girls and one boy living To what sex do your children belong? Answer: one boy and three girls. Are not some of your children able to support you? Answer: no. Those who are with me are too young to help me In what business are you now engaged, if any, and what do you earn? Answer: I work as much as I can on my land. I earn nothing scarcely. What estate do you have in your own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer: Sixty acreas - assessed value $300.00 - Taxes paid $2.00 2 mules and one mare - 2 cows and 1 calf - 9 head of hogs What estate has your wife in her own right, real and personal, and what is its value? Answer: nothing How have you derived support for yourself and family for the last five years? Answer: By labor on my place and what the children could do to help me Do you use intoxicants to any extent? Answer: no. How long have you been an actual resident of the State of Tennessee? Answer: Ever since Sept 15, 1859 Have you and attorney to look after this application? Answer: Yes. If so give his name and address? Answer: Thos A Head, Cookeville Tenn Witness my hand, this 4th day of August 1903. Samuel M Messenger (his mark) WITNESSES: M. R Chilcutt M.D. Physician. D. C. Gussage Witness G. P. Duncan Witness STATE OF TENNESSEE, Putnam County Personally appeared before me D. C. Gossage Clerk of the County Court of said County, the above named Samuel M Messenger the applicant, with whom I am personally acquainted, and having the application read and fully explained to him, as well as the statements and answers therein made, made oath that the said statements and answers are true. Witness my hand at office, this 24th day of August 1903. D. C. Gussage Clerk STATE OF TENNESSEE Putnam County Personally appeared before me, D C Gossage Clerk of the County Court of said County, the above named M K Chilcut one of the subscribing witnessses to the foregoing application, and who is a physician of good standing, and begin duly sworn says that he has carefully and thoroughly examined Samuel M Messenger, the applicant, and finds him laboring under the following disabilities: 1. Kidney trouble often has to have water drained from him 2. His constitution has gone down and I don't consider him able to perform manual labor not at any time 3. I have know applicant ever since before the war ??????? in his ?????. I know him to be a disenout (?) soldier. Witness my hand at office, this 24th day of August 1903. D. C. Gussage Clerk (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 Putnam County Personally appeared before me, D C Gossage Clerk of the County Court of said County, the above named D C Gossage whom I am personally acquainted, and know 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 they further make oath to the following facts touching the applicant's service in the Confederate army. G. P. Duncan swears that he served in the same company with applicant Samuel P Messenger and know that all his statements are correct and true, and D C Gossage certifies that he knows applicant as a citizen and believes his statement to be true and correct. Witness my hand at office, this 24th day of August 1903. D. C. Gussage Clerk Note: Samuel Messenger was rejected for his claim for a pension. The reasons were illegible.