Mexican War Pension: William Washington Durham, Alto, Cherokee County, Texas Contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Lillie Ruby switw@aol.com ************************************************************************ USGENWEB ARCHIVES 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. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. Record and Pension Office War Department Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions The rolls show that William W. Durham Capt. Lane and Lewis' Co. Co. A Battle Texas Cav. Mexican War was enrolled February 1, 1847 mustered in February 19, 1847 in San Antonio, Texas and M. O. with Co. A Private June 30, 1848 at Camargo, Mexico and that the stations of the Company between muster-in and the last-named date were as follows: Apr 20, 1847, Monterrey, Mex June 30, 1847 Encartado, Mex Aug 31, 1847 same Dec 31, 1847 same Feb 29, 1848 same Apr 30, 48 Gruridua, Mex No further record found. signature F. Ainsworth Colonel U. S. Army Chief of Office Oct 24th 1893 Department of the Interior Bureau of Pension Washington, D. C. Oct 27, 1893 I have to request that you will please furnish a statement of the service of William W. Durham who it is alleged enlisted Feby 1, 1847 in A Company of Battln, Texas Cav and was discharged July 1, 1848. Very respectfully D. Murphy Acting Commissioner To all to whom if may concern. Know ye, that William W. Durham a private of Capt. G. R. Lewis' Company (A) Battalion Texas Cavalry who was enlisted in the first day of February Eighteen hundred forty seven to serve during the War with Mexico is hereby honorable discharged from the Army of the United States, this first day of July 1848 at Camargo, Mexico by reason of having served to expiration of the war. No objection to his being uninlisted is know to exist. Said William W. Durham was born in Monroe County in the State of Georgia, is 20 years of age; five feet then in his high, fair complexion, blue eyes, light hair, and by occupation when unlisted a farmer. Given this first day of July 1848 at Camergo, Mexico. R. K. Lewis, Capt. Mexican War Pension Act of January 29, A. D. 1887 Declaration of Survivor For Pension State of Texas County of Cherokee on the 18th day of Dec A. D. 1887 personally appears before me William W. Durham, a resident of Alto in the county of Cherokee in the state of Texas, who being by me first duly sworn according to law deposes and says: I am the identical William W. Durham who served under the name of William W. Durham as a private in the company commanded by Captain Walter P. Lane Texas Mt Vol commanded by Maj M. H. Ch _____ in the war with Mexico, that I enlisted at San Antonio on or about the 22 day of Feby A. D. 1847 for the term of the war and was honorable discharged at Camargo, Mexico on the 4th day of July A. D. 1848. First group of facts which will entitle to pension: A private in Lewis' Co. A _______Battl Texas Mt Vols from Camargo to Monterrey Saltillo Paras Vicinstus (sp?) That I am 61 years of age having been born at Monroe Co., GA on the 8th day of Feby 1827. I was actually engaged in battle with the enemy in the war with Mexico to wit: In the battle of South? Indians date not ___________1847. that I am dependent on others than those legally bound for my support from my livelihood. that I have been so dependent since 1884 and that the persons upon whom I depentent is J. W. Durham of Cherokee Co., who has afforded me the following support: provisions and clothing That is am disabled by reason of rhumatism which said disability was not incurred while in any manner voluntarily engaged in aiding or abetting the late rebellion against the authority of the United States but that said disability was incurred in Cherokee Co., Texas on or about the 15th day of Septm 1884 General Affidavit State of Texas County of Cherokee In the matter of Mexican War Increase Claim, certificate no 15827 of Cherokee Co. State of Texas On this 17th day of October A. D. 1893 personally appeared before me a Notary Public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths, William W. Durham aged 66 years, a resident of Alto in the County of Cherokee and State of Texas well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid: I disabilities are of rheumatism of back and hips. I have been suffering since 1884 so as to render me totally unable to perform manual labor. My present means of substance is my 8 dollar pension. I own 50 acres of land value $150.00 located in Cherokee Co., TX disse____from Tommy Wood land. Some improvement on it, horse, none in cultivation The foregoing affidavit was written by A. E. Harrison from the actual statements just made to him without the aid or ________of my oath _________or any written or furnished statement or recital. Signature William W. Durham Also personally appears John W. Teague M. D. who being duly sworn declare in relation to paragraph 2 as follow: That owing to old age and general disability William W. Durham is physically unable to perform manual labor and has been (since January 5, 1873 and that since William W. Durham has been afflicted with rheumatism since 1884. Signature: John W. Teague, M. D. Mexican War Pension Act of January 20, 1887 Declaration of Survivor William W. Durham Capt Lewis' Co. Battl Texas Mtd Vol. Reg Alto Cherokee Co., TX Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions Dec 17, 1901 William W. Durham Co. A. Battl Tex Cav. Are you are a married man? yes, Mary Jane Durham, Mary Jane McKinnon When, where and by whom were you married: Jan 17, 1849 Attala Co., Mis;E. M. Wells County Judge Attala Co., Mis What record of marriage exists: All records have been destroyed by fire although here are living witnesses. Were you previously married? No Have you any children living: Shelman A. Durham Apr 30, 1850; William S. Durham Jan 16, 1852; Susanna Rhodes nee Durham Feb 13, 1848; Jms W. Durham Dec 3, 1860; Daniel K. Durham Feb 20, 1862; Josephine Burke nee Durham June 11, 1864; Jennie McGill nee Durham March 1, 1866; Walter Durham April 21, 1868; Hector Mc Durham Jan 28, 1879; Sallie McGill nee Durham Nov 15, 1872 Date of reply Dec 23 1901 signature William W. Durham That I am married that the maiden name of my wife was Mary J. McKinnon whom I was married in Attala Co., in the State of Miss on the 1st day of Jany 1849 that my wife is now living. that in support of my right to pension I tender herewith under the regulations prescribed by the Secretary of the Interior the following evidence I ___my discharge in New Orleans in July 1848 & 3 mos extra pay was drawn. 15th day of December 1887 Case of William W. Durham Priv Co. A Battle. Texas Cav. Regarding Mex War Sworn and subscribed before me this 23 day of Jan 1903 at Forest in the County of Cherokee State of Texas and I hereby certify that the content of the foregoing affidavit were fully made known and explained to the affant before swearing there to, including the words The word and............... erased and the words to incerted added that the affant is to me well known and as respectable person and I fully certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim given under my hand and seal of office this Jan 13, 1903 signature A. M. Starling Notary Public for Cherokee Co., TX I hereby certify that William W. Durham appeared before me and made affidavit to the charge made in the above and foregoing affidavit this Feb 4, 1903 signature A. M. Starling Notary Public for Cherokee Co., TX Mexican War Increase Act of Jan 5, 1893 Additional Evidence Claim of William W. Durham Co. A Battle Texas Cav. Affidavit of Claimant et al. Also personally appeared Jesse Hill and John Anderson residents of Cherokee County, Texas who being also duly sworn declare in relation to paragraph 4 as follows: The forgoing statement made by William W. Durham. We know to be true our means of knowledge of same is knowing of the applicant's character to be good for trust and ____________having been personally acquainted with him _______ _______ but __________ ________him many years. signature Jesse Hill John Anderson Signature A. C. Harrison Notary Public Cherokee Co., TX State of Texas County of Cherokee This day personally appeared before me D. W. Tittle an acting Notary Public in an for State and County aforesaid William W. Durham who hold pension certificate No. 15827 and being well known to me to be a creditable citizen of the State and County aforesaid and being duly sworn by me upon oath do say that he owns fifty acres of land in Cherokee County, Texas description of said land is as follows poor piney woods land, very hilly and is worth one dollar and fifty cents per acres amounting to seventy five dollars improvement on said land are as follows one double log house, smoke house, crib and ______ about eight acres cleared land which is old worn and worked in gullies and only fit for pasturage value of improvement seventy five dollars also he owns one pony worth thirty dollars and that he has no income except his eight dollar per month pension which is insufficient to precure for him the necessaries of life. this testimony was all written in my presence and only from my oral statement made at Alto, Texas Feby 17th 1894 to Jns. F. Noell and in making the same I did not use and was not aided or prompted by any written or printed statement or recital, prepared or dictated by any other person and not attached as an exhibit to my testimony signature: William W. Durham Sworn and inscribed to before me this the 17th day of Feby 1894 L. W. Tittle J. P. No Pub Ch Co, Tex State of Texas County of Cherokee This day personaly appeared before me L. W. Title J. P. and acting notary public in and for the afore said State and County William W. Durham who hold Pension Certificate No. 15827 who is well known to me and state on oath that he owns fifty acres of land discription of land is as follows: Viz the land is poor piney woods and very broken and is worth one dollar and fifty cents per acres, aggregate value sevety-five dollars and that the following improvements on said land Viz. one double log cabbin and smoke house with crib and stables, about eight acres of clear land which is all worn and washed in gullies and fit only for pasture the above discribed improvements is worth seven five dollars and that he also owns one house worth thirty dollars and that he has no other income except this eight dollars per month pension and that it is insufficiant to procure for him the necessaries of life. signature William W. Durhaam Sworn and subscribed to before me this the 22 day of Jany AD 1894. Geor Tittle J. P. State of Louisiana Parish of Orlean On this twenty first day of July in the year one thousand eight hundred and forty eight personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace for the Parish and State above mentioned William W. Durham who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical William W. Durham who was a Private in Company A commanded by W. P. Lane that he enlisted on the first day of February 1847 San Antonio for the term of duration of war and was discharged at Camargo on the first day of July 1848 by reason of expiration of service and that he is the identical person mentioned in the annexed discharge which is the only one he has ever received Signature William W. Durham. Sworn to and subscribed before me this day and year above written George Y. Bright Justice of the Peace I Thomas Gilmore Clerk of the Fourth District Court of New Orleans do hereby certify that George Y Bright whose name is subscribed to the attestation of the handwriting of Wm. W. Durham and to the above affidavit of said Durham was on the day of date of said, attestation and the date of said affidavit, a Justice of the Peace in the City of New Orleans duly commissioned and authorized to take the same. And further, that I am well acquainted with the handwriting of the said George Y. Bright and verily attest that the signature to the said attestation and affidavit is genuine. Intestimony whereof, I have unto set my hand and affixed the said of said court this 21 day of July 1848. Thomas Gilmer Clerk General Affidavit State of Texas County of Cherokee In the matter of the claim for Mexican War Rerating of William W. Durham, Priv, Co. A Tex Cavy Personally came before me a S. M. Starting notary public in and for the County and State aforesaid William W. Durham of Forest, Cherokee County, Texas I owned at the time Jan 5, 1893 to Oct 17, 1893 fifty acres of poor land and one house, and my wife owned no property real or personal and no one was legally blamed for my support and I was wholly disabled for manual labor during that period. As you will see report of examining board phiscians apointed by the department in 1894. I had no income except the $8.00 per month pension and that was not suffient for the necessarys of life. I never served in the Army or Navy of the United States other than Prv Co. A Tx Cavalry War with Mexico. Theward and is her by changed to $20.00. The 50 acres of land is about 18 miles south of Rush in Cherokee County State of Texas, William W. Durham preemption, valued at $150.00 one hundred fifty dollars. I lived on the land during that period from Jan 5th 1893 , to Oct 17, 1893 and there was no income derived from the land during the above period there was non of my land in cultivation during that time. stamped by the U. S. Pension Office Feb 12, 1903 Act of February 6, 1907 Declaration for Pension State of Texas County of Cherokee On this 18th day of February A. D. one thousand nine hundred and seven personally appreaed before Notary Public ___Baily within and for the county and State aforesaid William W. Durham who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is 80 years of age and resident at Forest county of Cherokee, State of Texas and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at San Antonio under the name of Wm. W. Durham on the __ day of January 1847 as a Private in Co. A Battalion Texas Cavalry in the service of the United States in the Mexican War and was honorable discharged at Camargo on the 4th day of July 1848. That he was not employed in the military or navel service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height five feet ten inches complexion fair; color of eyes blue; color of hair dark; that his occupation was a farmer; that he was born February 8th 1827 Forsthe, Monroe, GA. That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: until 1870 Attalla Co. Miss 1870 and 71 Limestone Co., Texas from 1871 to present in Cherokee Co., Texas. That his post-office address is Forest county of Cherokee State of Texas Signature William W. Durham Attest: H. H. Wallace D. C. Wallace Also personally appeared H. H. Wallace residing in Cherokee Co., Texas and D. C. Wallace residing in Cherokee Co., Texas persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Wm W. Durham, the claimant sign his name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the claimant and their acquaintance with him of 25 years and 35 years respectfully that he is the identical person he represent himself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. signature H. H. Wallace D. C. Wallace Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18 day of February 1907. _______Bailey J.Peace. Ex Offico W. 19554 (Mex) Drop Order and Report Department of the Interior Bureau of Pension Washington, D. C. May 14, 1910 William W. Durham 15827 Mexican War Survivor A Battln Texas Cav. Knoxville Sir: You are hereby directed to drop from the roll the name of the above- described pensioner who died April 25, 1910. signature: J. L. Davenport Report Sir: The name of the above-described pensioner, who was last paid at $20 per month to Feb 4, 1910 has this day been dropped from the roll of this agency. signature: Wm Rule May 17, 1910