Eastland County, TX - Civil War Pension - Mrs. L. A. Brashears, widow of W. C. Brashears **************************************************************** Contributed by Veda Mendoza Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm **************************************************************** 50072 Form B. WIDOW'S APPLICATION FOR A PENSION The Comptroller of Public Accounts reserves the right to call for additional testimony if he deems it necessary Name of Applicant: Mrs. L. A. Brashears Eastland County R. F. D. or Street No. 2 Postoffice Eastland, Texas Filed August 14th, 1931 Approved August 14th, 1931 Pension allowed from Sept. 1st, 1931 Comptroller of Public Accounts Geo. H. Sheppard ===================================================================== ========================== Widow's Application for Confederate Pension The State of Texas, County of Eastland I, Mrs. L. A. Brashear, do hereby make application for a pension pursuant to the provisions of Articles 6204 to 6227, inclusive, of the Revised Civil Statutes of 1925 as amended by H. B. No. 150, passed by the Forty-second Legislature at its Regular Session and all other laws of this State relating thereto. I am a widow of W. C. Brashears deceased, who departed this life on the 24th day of May, A. D. 1923, in the county of Carter, in the State of Texas. I have not remarried since the death of my said husband; (or in case of remarriage that I am now a widow; and I do solemnly swear that I was never divorced from my said husband, W. C. Brashear and that I never voluntarily abandoned him during his life but remained his true, faithful and lawful wife up to the date of his death. I was married to him on the 12th day of June A. D. 1912, in the county of Eastland, in the state of Texas. My husband the said W. C. Brashears, served as a Confederate soldier (or sailor) in the war between the States of the United States; or (that he was a soldier who, under special laws of the State of Texas during said war, served in organizations for the protection of the frontier against Indian raiders or Mexican marauders); or (that he was a soldier of the militia of the State of _____ who was in active service during said war.) That my said husband served honorably from the date of his enlistment until the close of the war, (or until he was discharged or paroled in some military organization regularly mustered into the army or navy of the Confederate States until the surrender). He was honorably discharged or paroled June 30, 1865 as private of Co. "D"/ That I have been a bona fide resident of this State continuously since the Spring of day of A. D. 1876. 1. What is your age, and date of birth? 86: January 19, 1846. 2. How long have y9ou resided in the county of your present residence? 71 years 3. What is your postoffice address? Eastland, Texas, R. F. D. # 2. 4. Have you applied for a pension under the Confederate pension law and been rejected? No. 5. If rejected, state when and where _____________ 6. Did your husband draw a pension? No If so, give his file number 7. Give, if possible, the postoffice address of your deceased husband at the time of his enlistment Weatherford, Parker County, Texas. 8. What was your husband's full name? William Colonel Brashears 9. In what state was your husband's command originally organized? Texas 10. How long did your husband serve? 3 or four years 11. If known to you, give date of enlistment and discharge April 21, 1862 12. What was the name or letter of the company, or number of the regiment in which your husband served? If he was transferred from one branch of service to another, give time of transfer, description of command and time of service. (If applicant's husband was a pensioner give his file number, which is evidence sufficient for proof of service.) 11th Battalion 21st/Regiment Texas Infantry 13. Name branch of service in which your husband served, whether infantry, cavalry, artillery, or the navy, or if commissioned as an officer by the President, his rank and line of duty, or if detailed for special service, under the law of conscription, the nature of such service, and time of service Infantry 14. To what race do you belong? Caucasian (White) Wherefore your petitioner prays that her application for pension may be approved and such other proceedings be had in the premises as required by law. (signature of Applicant) Mrs. L. A. Brashears Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of August A. D. 1931. C. L. Garrett County Judge Eastland, County, Texas [Seal] * Where applicant has remarried it is necessary that she state facts covering particulars of last marriage, date, to whom married, and date of last husband's death. She must also state that she is now a widow. ===================================================================== ========================== AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES [Note - There must be at least two creditable witnesses.] THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Eastland Before me, C. L. Garrett, County Judge of Eastland, County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared P. G. Wright and W. C. McFadden, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that they personally know that Mrs. L. A. Brashears, applicant for pension as the widow of W. C. Brashears deceased, is in truth and fact the widow of W. C. Brashears deceased; that they personally know that she has not remarried since the death of her husband, for whose services in the army she claims a pension, and that they have no interest in this claim.* (Signature of Witness) P. G. Wright (Signature of Witness) W. C. McFadden Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 12th day of August, A. D. 1931. C. L. Garrett [Seal] County Judge Eastland, County, Texas *Where applicant has remarried it is necessary that she state facts covering particulars of last marriage, date, to who married, and date of last husband's death. She must also state that she is now a widow. AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES [Note - There must be at least two creditable witnesses] THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Eastland Before me, C. L. Garrett, County Judge of Eastland, County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared P. G. Wright and W. C. McFadden, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that they personally know that Mrs. L. A. Brashears, applicant for pension as the widow of W. C. Brashears deceased, is in truth and fact the widow of W. C. Brashears deceased; that they personally know that she has not remarried since the death of her husband, for whose services in the army she claims a pension, and that they have no interest in this claim.* (Signature of Witness) P. G. Wright (Signature of Witness) W. C. McFadden Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 12th day of August, A. D. 1931. C. L. Garrett [Seal] County Judge Eastland, County, Texas ===================================================================== ========================== WAR DEPARTMENT The Adjutant General's Office In reply refer to O. R. D. Washington July 21, 1931 Respectfully Returned to Grover Jones, Goree, Texas The records show that one W. C. Brashears, name also found as William C. Brashears, private, Company E, Griffin's Battalion Texas Infantry, Confederate States Army, enrolled April 21, 1862, at Houston, also shown as enlisted April 21, 1862, in Parker County, Texas, age 23 years. Company Muster Roll for September and October, 1863, last on file, shows him present. This battalion was broken up in November, 1864, four of the companies being consolidated with six companies of the 11th Battalion Texas Infantry, to form the 21st Regiment Texas Infantry. He was paroled at Houston, Texas, June 30, 1865, as a private of Company D. Residence shown as Parker County, Texas C. H. Bridges Major General, The Adjutant General by H. L. T. 50072 ===================================================================== ========================== APPPLICATION FOR MORTUARY WARRANT THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Eastland I, Mrs. Dora Drake, do hereby certify that I am the person to whom is entrusted the paying of the accounts of the late Mrs. L. A. Brashears, who was pensioner of the State of Texas, and whose file number was 50072 and whose original county was Eastland. The said pensioner Mrs. L. A. Brashears, died on the 21 day of Nov, 1933 in the town of Eastland Route 2 County of Eastland, Texas. The pensioner died in the home of Mrs. Dora Drake who was related to the pensioner as Daughter. That the warrant, which application is hereby made for, shall be applied to paying all or part of the funeral expenses incurred by the said pensioner Mrs. L. A. Brahsears. I further certify that the warrant for the current quarter has not been cashed by the pensioner, to the best of my knowledge and belief. I am related to the pensioner as (Friend) Daughter that my postoffice address is Eastland, Route 2, Box 32, Eastland Texas Signed Mrs. Dora Drake Sworn to before me this 30 day of December, 1933 J. F. Killingsworth Notary Public in and for Eastland State of Texas _____________________ CERTIFICATE OF UNDERTAKER I, K. C. Edmonds Jr. do certify that I am undertaker in the town of Ranger, County of Eastland, State of Texas that I had charge of the body of Mrs. L. A. Brashears, who died in the town of Eastland R# 2, County of Eastland, State of Texas on the 21 day of November, 1933. That said body was prepared for burial by me on the 21 day of November, 1933, and that I am of the opinion that warrant herein applied for should be issued to the said Mrs. Dora Drake who makes the foregoing application Signed K. C. Edmonds, Undertaker ______________________ CERTIFICATE OF PHYSICIAN I, A. K. Wier, do certify that I am a practicing physician and that I attended Mrs. L. A. Brashear in his her last illness, and am of the opinion that his ailments were Pneumonia I further certify that I am of the opinion that the Mortuary Warrant above requested should be issued in the name of the aforementioned applicant, in accordance with Act passed by the Thirty-eighty Legislature and approved Mar 2, 1923. Signed A. K. Wier, M. D. Physician's address 1181/ Main St. Ranger Texas 22963 Nov cancelled Nov 25, 1933 ===================================================================== ========================== Form B. WIDOW'S APPLICATION FOR A PENSION The Comptroller of Public Accounts reserves the right to call for additional testimony if he deems it necessary Name of Applicant: Mrs. L. A. Brashears Lubbock County R. F. D. or Street No. __ Postoffice Abernathy, Tex Filed Jan 26 - 1926 Approved ______ Pension allowed from _____ Rejected Feb 2 - 1926 Comptroller of Public Accounts S. H. Terrell acct date of marriage ===================================================================== ========================== Widow's Application for Confederate Pension The State of Texas, County of Lubbock I, Mrs. L. A. Brashear, do hereby make application for a pension, to be granted me under the Act passed by the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Texas, and approved April 7, A. D. 1913, on the following grounds. I am a widow of W. C. Brashears deceased, who departed this life on the 28th day of May, A. D. 1923, in the county of Parker, in the State of Texas. I have not remarried since the death of my said husband*, and I do solemnly swear that I was never divorced from my said husband, and that I never voluntarily abandoned him during his life but remained his true, faithful and lawful wife up to the date of his death. I was married to him on the 9th day of June A. D. 1912, in the county of Eastland, in the State of Texas. My husband the said W. C. Brashears, enlisted and served in the military service of the Confederate States during the war between the States of the United States, and that he did not desert the Confederate service. I have been a resident of the State of Texas since prior to January 1, A. D. 1900, and have been continuously since a citizen of the State of Texas. I do further state that I do not receive from any source whatever money or other means of support amounting in value above the sum of $300.00 per annum, nor do I own in my own right, nor does anyone hold in trust for my benefit or use, estate or property, either real, personal or mixed, either in fee or for life, of the value of one thousand dollars, exclusive of the home of the value of not over $2000; nor do I receive any aid or pension from any other State, or from the United States, or from any other source, and I do further state that the answers given to the following questions are true:. 1. What is your age? 79 years 2. Where were you born? Jones County, Georgia. 3. How long have you resided in the State of Texas? since 1856 4. How long have you resided in the county of your present residence? six months 5. What is your postoffice address? Abernathy, Texas 6. Did your husband draw a pension? No If so, give his file number xx 7. What was your husband's full name? William Colonel Runnells Brashears 8. In what state was your husband's command originally organized? Texas 9. How long did your husband serve? 5 years If known to you, give date of enlistment and discharge Cannot give them 10. What was the name or letter of the company, or number of the regiment in which your husband served? If he was transferred from one branch of service to another, give time of transfer, description of command and time of service. (If applicant's husband was a pensioner give his file number, which is evidence sufficient for proof of service.) I do not know either of them above 11. Name branch of service in which your husband served, whether infantry, cavalry, artillery, or the navy, or if commissioned as an officer by the President, his rank and line of duty, or if detailed for special service, under the law of conscription, the nature of such service, and time of service My husband as sargent and enrolling officer during his service 12. Have you transferred to another any property of any kind for the purpose of becoming a beneficiary under this law? No Wherefore your petitioner prays that her application for pension may be approved and such other proceedings be had in the premises as required by law. (signature of Applicant) Mrs. L. A. Brashears Sworn to and subscribed before me this 12th day of December A. D. 1925. Chas Nordyke County Judge Lubbock, County, Texas [Seal] * Where applicant has remarried it is necessary that she state facts covering particulars of last marriage, date, to whom married, and date of last husband's death. She must also state that she is now a widow. ===================================================================== ========================== AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES [Note - There must be at least two creditable witnesses.] THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Eastland Before me, J. S. Grisham, Notary Public, County Judge of Eastland, County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared W. C. McGough and J. R. Higgins, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that they personally know that Mrs. L. A. Brashears, applicant for pension as the widow of W. C. Brashears deceased, is in truth and fact the widow of W. C. Brashears deceased; that they personally know that she has not remarried since the death of her husband, for whose services in the army she claims a pension, and that they have no interest in this claim.* (Signature of Witness) W. C. McGough (Signature of Witness) J. R. Higgins Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 9th day of January, A. D. 1926. J. S. Grisham [Seal] County Judge Notary Public Eastland, County, Texas *Where applicant has remarried it is necessary that she state facts covering particulars of last marriage, date, to who married, and date of last husband's death. She must also state that she is now a widow. AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES [Note - There must be at least two creditable witnesses] THE STATE OF TEXAS, County of Eastland Before me, Frances Cotton, a Notary Public County Judge in and for Eastland, County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared W. c. McGough and J. R. Higgins, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that they personally know that Mrs. L. A. Brashears, applicant for pension as the widow of W. C. Brashears deceased, is in truth and fact the widow of W. C. Brashears deceased; that they personally know that she has not remarried since the death of her husband, for whose services in the army she claims a pension, and that they have no interest in this claim.* (Signature of Witness) P. G. Wright (Signature of Witness) W. C. McFadden Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 19th day of January, A. D. 1926. Frances Cotton [Seal] Notary Public County Judge Eastland, County, Texas ===================================================================== ========================== AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES (If possible the two witnesses should have served with the applicant's husband in the army, and if so, let them, or either of them, state it in their oath; also any information regarding the army service of applicant's husband) THE STATE OF TEXAS County of Eastland Before me Frances Cotton, Notary Public County Judge of Eastland County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared W. C. McGough & J. R. Higgins, who are personally known to me to be creditable citizens, who being by me sworn, on oath state that they are personally acquainted with the foregoing applicant, and that the facts set forth and statements made in her application are correct and true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and that they have no interest in this claim. And further make oath to the following facts touching the service of applicant's husband in the Confederate Army: (State fully your source of knowledge) He went from Parker County in about 1862 or 1863. He fought at the recapture of Galveston, think McGruder was in Command. Were both close neighbors at the time he went away in the army and when he returned. (Signature of Witness) W. C. McGough (Signature of Witness) J. R. Higgins Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 19th day of January, A. D. 1926 Frances Cotton [Seal] Notary Public County Judge Eastland County, Texas ============================================================= CERTIFICATE OF STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSOR I, R. C. Buirns State and County Assessor in the County of Lubbock State of Texas, do certify that Mrs. L. A. Brashear whose name is signed to the foregoing application for a pension, under the Act of the Thirty-third Legislature, approved April 7, 1913, is charged on the tax rolls of said county with a homestead of the value of none none Dollars, and of other property, real or personal or both, of the value of none dollars. Given under my hand, this 22 day of Jan A. D., 1926 R. C. Burns State and County Assessor ===================================================================== ========================== Feb. 2nd, 1926 Hon. R. N. Grisham, Eastland, Texas Dear Sir: I am in receipt of your favor of January 29th enclosing application of Mrs. L. A. Brashears for confederate pension. This application cannot be approved since Mrs. Brashears states that she was married to Mr. W. C. Brashears Jun 9th, 1912. The pension laws of this State require that widow applicants be married prior to January 1, 1910 to veteran on whose service record pension is applied for. I regret that I cannot approve this application at this time but same will be kept on file in this office and should the pension laws for this State be amended so as to permit the approval of same, application may be given consideration later. Yours very truly, Comptroller KR/ms ===================================================================== ========================= GRISHAM BROS. ATTORNEYS AT LAW Texas State Bank Buldg Eastland, Texas R. N. Grisham J. S. Grisham R. C. Grisham January 29, 1926 Hon. S. H. Terrell, Comptroller, Austin, Texas Dear Sir: Your letter of January 26, 1926, in-re application of Mrs. L. A. Brashears for Confederate Pension is at hand. Higgins and Bill McGough do not remember the company or the Regiment. They were neighbors of Bill Brashears in Parker County when he went off to the War and when he returned, but Higgins was not in the war and Bill McGough was one of the Rangers from Parker County, who, like my father, fought in that service, but McGough remained in it and Father joined the Confederacy the last year of the war. My parents were neighbors of Bill Brashears and I remember him well, but of course his service was before my day and time. Bill McGough thinks that the re-capture of Galveston, in which he knows that Brashears fought, was under the command of McGruder. I am writing Mrs. Brahsears today to look into her old papers and see if she can find a discharge or anything else relating to his service. There are other witnesses living who will testify that Brashears went off with the Army and years later returned, and McGough has given me the name of them, but I am doubtful if they will be able to locate the Company and the Regiment, as I find these old people as a general thing have a very poor recollection except as to their own service and that they generaly remember in great detail. Of course, I have no interest in this except one of the sons of the Confederacy. I know Bill Brashears served in a general way, and out of that interest I will look further into the matter and see if the necessary proof can be furnished you. Very Truly Yours, GRISHAM BROS., by R. N. Grisham RNG FLC.. ===================================================================== ========================== January 26, 1926 Grisham Bros, Eastland, Texas. Gentlemen: I am in receipt of application of Mrs. L. A. Brashears for confederate pension but cannot approve same on account of her failing to furnish sufficient proof of her husband's service and her failure to furnish more definite information concerning company and regiment in which her husband served. Before application may be approved it will be necessary for the applicant to submit more definite proof of her husband's service and she must show company and regiment in which her husband served in order that investigation may be made of his record. On receipt of additional affidavit and information, application will be given further consideration. Yours very truly, Comptroller KR/wpm