HUNT CO., TX - Mexican War Pension Application - Simon Odell Contributed by: Mary Lu Johnson [hellomlu@bellsouth.net] ******************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES(tm) NOTICE All documents placed in the USGenWeb Archives remain the property of the contributors, who retain publication rights in accordance with US Copyright Laws and Regulations. In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, these documents may be used by anyone for their personal research. They may be used by non-commercial entities so long as all notices and submitter information is included. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit. Any other use, including copying files to other sites, requires permission from the contributors PRIOR to uploading to the other sites. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ******************************************************************************** ODELL, SIMON; Widow BELINDA [nee CRABTREE], Mexican War App #6823, Cert 5989, Bounty Land #53989-120-50 Transcribed/Extracted by Mary Lu Johnson 8 October 1847: State of Texas, County of Hunt, Certified Copy of Marriage Certificate #2: Marriage license issued to Simon Odell and Malind [sic] Crabtree, both of the county of Hunt, and of lawful age. 9 October 1847: Marriage performed by Joshua Hodges, Ordained Minister of the Gospel. 24 June 1888: Grayson Co, Texas, Declaration of Widow for Pension, Belinda Odell age 62, states she is the widow of Simon Odell in Company commanded by Benjamin Hill, Colonel Ball Regiment. "He served twenty-three or twenty-four months and was engaged in a Battle in said war and was honorably discharged at close of war". Belinda [her X mark] Odell Wit: R. L. Hayter, Ella F. Tucker Undated [?1888]: State of Texas, County of Grayson, General Affidavit of Malinda Odell...declares that by reason of age and infirmaties she is unable to go to the County Court or any court of record to acknowledge her declaration for claim of service pension, it being distant Twenty five miles." Malinda [her X mark] Odell Wit: Ella Tucker, Sallie Rodgers [Both signed] Undated [1888]: Claimants Affidavit, State of Texas, County of Grayson. Belinda Odell, widow of Simon Odell, Col. Bell's Regt. Capt. Hill's Co. Belinda Odell, age 62, residing Gordonville, Grayson Co, TX. "...her husband Simon Odell enlisted in Hunt Co Texas on or about the 15th day of Nov 1862 for the term of two years that she was married under her name of Belinda Crabtree to my said husband on or about the 9th day of September A.D. 1861 at Hunt Co. Texas in the State of Texas and lived with her said husband from the date of her said marriage until the day of his death to wit the 17th day of March A.D. 1873 when my said husband died at Gordonville in the State of Texas and that she has not remarried; that there was never any legal impediment to said marriage." That she is now 62 years old, being born on the 13th day of September A.D. 1825. That her name as appears in the body of her Declaration Belinda Odell is her right name and the affidavit is filed for the purpose of correcting the same. Belinda [her X mark] Odell Wit: John Sullivan, D. S. Conrad 9 July 1888: Certificate of Pension, Belinda Odell age 62, Gordonville, Grayson Co, Texas, widow of Simon Odell. 19 July 1888: John C. Black, Commissioner Bureau of Pensions, Department of the Interior. "Simon Odell enlisted May 1 1847 and served as private in Co. Hill's Reg't Tx Vols and was discharged at San Antonio, June 15, 1847...Place of Enrollment, waive to rendezvous, and from place of discharge home." [Signed] John C. Black 27 July 1888: R. C. Drug, Adjutant General, War Department, confirms service. Mustered in and was enlisted on 14 April 1847 in San Antonio for 6 months, mustered out 3rd June 1847 at San Antonio. Travelling from place of discharge home 350 miles. Place of residence not stated. 1 September 1888: State of Texas, County of Grayson, affidavit of R. H. Crabtree. Before me J.P. Hayter JP and Exofficio Notary Public in and for Grayson County this day personally appeared R. H. Crabtree who being duly sworn according to Law declares in relation to the Claimant of Mrs. Belinda Odell to Pension of Mex. War as follows: That the applicant for pension Mrs. Belinda Odell is the identical widow of Simon Odell. That I witnessed said marriage in Hunt County Texas in the summer or fall of 1847. That her real name is "Belinda" Odell. That she has frequently been called Malinda as a nickname. He further declares that he has no int in the prosecution of this claim. Wit: [Both Signed] W.E. Rodgers, M.G. Crabtree R. H. [his X mark] Crabtree 8 September 1888: [Date stamped] State of Texas, County of Grayson, Claimant's Affidavit of Belinda Odell age 63, Gordonville, said county and state, declares that "Her correct name is Belinda Odell and the reason of my name being frequently called Malinda is the close comparison of names "Malinda" and "Belinda" and have been called Malinda as a "nic name". "She also declares that she is hard of hearing and in reading the affidavit of her marriage she did not understand it to be in 1862. That her proper time and place of marriage is October the 9th 1847 in Hunt County Texas. She further declares that the reason the improper date of marriage was dated was from the fact that she told J.P. Hayter the "Notary" who taken her affidavit that she was married just after the war, and never stated to said J.P. Hayter what war." Belinda [her X mark] Odell Wit: M. G. Crabtree, R. Crabtree 9 November 1888: Grayson County, Texas [date stamped by Pension Office] Rhease Crabtree age 48 states he became acquainted with applicant Mrs. Belinda Odell in the year of 1850; that she has not remarried since her husband Simon Odell's death; that he has lived near her both in Hunt Co. Texas when she married said Simon Odell and in Grayson Co Texas when Simon Odell died. [Signed] Rhesa Crabtree Undated [probably late 1888]: Grayson Co, Texas, affidavit of A. J. Roberts states he became acquainted with Belinda Odell in 1858, that she has not remarried since her husband's death; that he has lived near her since first becoming acquainted. A. J. [his X mark] Roberts Wit: W. J. Rich, G. W. Moore Undated [probably late 1888]: Grayson Co, Texas, affidavit of M. G. Crabtree aged 30 of Gordonville, Grayson Co, Texas, declares Mrs. Belinda Odell is totally dependant for support on and before 29 Jan 1887 and is still dependant. [Signed] M. G. Crabtree 1 December 1888: Grayson Co, Texas [date stamped by Pension Office] S. E. Rodgers, aged 33, states she resides in Gordonville, Grayson County, Texas, and she was present when Belinda Odell's husband Simon Odell died on the 14th day of March 1869. [Signed] S. E. Rodgers 1 December 1888: Grayson Co, Texas [date stamped by Pension Office] Belinda Odell aged sixty-three years, Gordonville, Grayson County, Texas, declares she was born on the 14th day of September A.D. 1825. Belinda [her X mark] Odell Wit: J. G. Moss, R. C. Edelen Undated [probably December 1888]: Affidavit of Belinda Odell states: "Simon Odell died on the 14th day of March 1869. She further affirms that if she had previously made a different statement she did not so understand it she further declares that she is very hard of hearing. Wit: W. E. Rodgers, D. S. Conrad Belinda [her X mark] Odell 29 December 1888: [Date stamped by Pension Board] State of Texas, County of Grayson, affidavit of B. Perry, Jr. aged 37, who lives in Gordonville, said county/state, acquainted with Mrs. Belinda Odell and she is dependant for her support. [Signed] B. Perry, Jr. 11 January 1889: Widow's Brief by Pension Department. Simon Odell, Private, Hill's Co., Col. John C. Hayes' Regt, Texas Vols. Enlisted 14 April 1847, discharged 3 June 1847, 50 days service and 18 days travel, total 68 days. Claimant born 13 September 1825 age 63 years; married soldier 9 Oct 1847; soldier died 14 March 1869. Record evidence of service: Report of Adjutant General. $8.00 per month, commencing 29 January 1887. Admission Jan 11, 1889, "For Dependence". Declaration filed July 9, 1888. Submitted under Commissioner's Ruling #217. 25 January 1893: Declaration of Pensioner for Increase, Act of January 1893. Mrs. Belinda Odell of Gordonville, Grayson Co., TX, Cert #5989 believes she is wholly disabled for manual labor; partially blind and disabled by reason of age. Appoints Alex M. Kenaday of Washington, D.C. her attorney. Belinda [her X mark] Odell Wit: W. E. Rodgers, S. E. Rodgers [both signed] [NOTES]: Enlistment card of Odell, Simon, Pvt., Cansler, Marcus H. & Featherston, Chas. H., Co. H, 3rd Texas Reg. Cav., Col. Wm. C. Young comdg., TST, DSA Enlisted Je 12-61 at Greenville, Texas for 12 months. Discharged July 29-61 on account of disability. Remarks: Col. Wm.C. Young; Co sta. at Camp Reeves, Tex. 0.2-61; Disc. Instr., Mil.App.,Arms & Accoutrs. Ordinary; clothing good; Co.served as Inf. Until July 25-61, as Cav.from that date until 9.2-61, Co.trans.to CSA - 0.2-61; 1 roll dtd. Je 12-61 The Odells were Mercer Colonists. Simon Odell, Jr.'s exact burial place is unknown. His wife Belinda is interred at Bolivar Cemetery, Denton County, Texas.