Re: James Abner
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In reply to:
James Abner
8/20/01
Mary RICH--
I have capitalized entire last names; spelling is as written (unless I messed up), and where I paraphrased the data, I used the state abbreviation…TN…and dates as day:month:year.Words in parentheses are generally mine.
This information is taken from James ABNERs Civil War pension file #1152205 and, later, as #899304.It is not clear whether he was able to write his responses.In some places, it seems that he was able to write though to a great extent he had trouble with his spelling.In other instances, he made his mark with “X”.
James ABNER applied for pension in Roane Co TN on 30 June 1893; he was aged 49 years; resident of Lawnville PO, Roane Co TN; he enrolled on 25 February 1864 as private in Co. H, 12th Regiment TN Volunteers Cavalry; discharged at Nashville TN on/about 24 October 1865.Not able to earn support by manual labor by reason of rheumatism and heart disease and was 27 June 1890.He appointed T. W. TALLMADGE of Washington, D. C., as his attorney.Responses to questions were witnessed by Richard DRISKILL and Katie DRISKILL.
Another form shows that James enlisted 25 February 1864 and served as a private in Co H 12 Regt TN Cav.; he was discharged at Nashville TN 24 October 1865.It bears #1152205
In Roane Co. TN on 8 September 1894, James appeared before a notary public to make oath…he is age 51 years, a resident of Roane Co TN; his PO is Lawnville, Roane Co. TN.He says that “I became affected with Rheumatism which affected me in arms & shoulders.Also with Heart Deseas for about Three years which affects me with smothering and shortness of Breath.I realize the affects as often as once or Twice a weak and I know the same is not from vicious habits on my part….”It is witnessed by J. A. FRITTS and T. L. ROBERTS and certified by G. M. GRAHAM, Notary Public.This affidavit shows #1152205.
On 30 April 1895, Nancy and Bety ABNER of Lawnville, Roane Co. TN, appeared before G. M. GRAHAM, Notary Public, to make a general affidavit.“Bety & Nancy ABNER have known James ABNER 2 & 16 years and that he has been affected 8 years are longer with disease of heart & rhumatism which resulted from exposure in the late war and that rhumatism & disease of the heart was not caused by any viscious habits on his part (James ABNER).James ABNER has not been able in 8 years to perform manuel laborThese affedavits was ---- by me (G. M. GRAHAM) in the presence of the affiants from their oral statement at Lawnville on the 30th day of Apr 1895 and the affiant was not aided or prompted by any writted (sic)or printed statement or recital prepared or dictated by any other person and not attached as an exhibit to their testimony.”
Signed by Bity ABNER and Nancy ABNER
These witnesses are James ABNER wife & Daughter.S/G. M. GRAHAM
Another set of questions answered by James ABNER, certificate #899304 (not written by James…very legible)
First.Are you married?If so state wife’s full name and her maiden name.
Answer.I am.My wife’s name is Nancy Elizabeth ABNER; Nancy Elizabeth HOUGHLAND.
Second.When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer.31 years ago, Muddy Creek, TN.Squire FOUTS.
ThirdWhat record of marriage exists?
AnswerMarriage license filed in office of Roane Co. Court Clerk.
Fourth.Were you previously married?Etc?
Answer.No.
Fifth.Have you any children living?If so, please state their names and dates of their birth.
Answer.John Francis ABNER-30 years old; Mary Elizabeth ABNER-25 years old.
Witness:J. T. MCEWEN
James (his X mark) ABNER
Date of reply4 Aug 1898
In his “Proof of Birth of Soldier Applicant”, on 27 June 1904, James swore before G. M. GRAHAM, Notary Public, that he resides at Lawnville, Roane Co. TN.Further, he states that “I James ABNER state under oath that I honestly believe I was borned on April the 8th 1835.The rreason I believe it, is my mother told me so, and thaat my birth was in the family Bible, and the record of births has been last.”
In her “Proof of Birth of Soldier Applicant”, on 27 June 1904, Vina MILLER swore before G. M. GRAHAM, Notary Public, that she resides at Lawnville, Roane Co. TN.She says that “I state under oath to the best of m (sic) knowledge that ABNER is about 70 years old.The reason I believe it is I have known him about 30 yearshe worked for my father about 30 years agohe was an old man then.”
On 31 August 1911, James wrote a letter to the commissioner of pensions as follows:
Lenoir City Tenn. R.F.D. #3.Aug. 31. 1911
To U. S. Pension Commissioner.
Washington D.C.
Dear Sir:I was a private in Co. H. 12th Tenn. Voluntary Calvary.
I am drawing a pension of $10.00 per month
Pension Certificate No 899304.
My discharge was destroyed by fire.I do not know my age, but I think I am past 70 years.And think I ougt to have an increase of pension on my age.Will you please look up my record and see whether I am intitled to any more pension or not/
Respectfully yours.
James ABNER
Another form identified as AGENCY INQUIRIES dated 2 Oct. 1911 says:
Name:ABNER, James;
Pen ctf. shows
Certificate No. 899304;
Rank, etc.:Pvt. H. 12 Tenn. Cav.
Date of Certificate 29 May 1905;
Remarks:Discharge ctf. Lost
P.O. Address:Rt #3.Lenoir City, Loudon Co Tenn.
On 4 April 1915, James was living at Wheat, Roane Co Tenn.He is answering lots of questions on a Bureau of Pensions form.He says that
#1)Date and place of birthAnswerMiddle ten
The name of organization in which you served?Answer12 TN Cavalry.
#2)What was your PO at enlistment?AnswerGainesboro/Gainesbourn/Jackson Co.
#3)State your wife’s full name and her maiden name.AnswerNancy E. HAUGHFLAND.
#4)When, where and by whom were you married?Answerconsists of two words that are illegible.
#5)Is there any official or church record of your marriage?If so, where?AnswerKingston ten
#6)Were you previously married?If so, state the name of your former wife, the date of the marriage, and the date and place of her death or divorce.If there was more than one previous marriage, let your answer include all former wives.Answerdied feb (or July…not really clear) 17 1906 at Popular Springs
1-Nancy E. ABNER
2-Ellizebeth tomas
#7)If your present wife was married before her marriage to you, state the name of her former husband, the date of such marriage, and the date and place of his death or divorce, and state whether he ever rendered any military or naval service, and, if so, give name of the organization in which he served.If she was married more than once before her marriage to you, let your answer include all former husbands.AnswerYess.
NameJohn tomas address Coal Creek
Died July 18 1892 Sail Creek ten
Never Served in War
#8)Are you now living with your wife, or has there been a separation?Answeri am a Living w her.
#9)State the names and dates of birth of all your children, living or dead.Answerall liveing
J. F. ABNERBorn may 27 1868
Marryan Nincy ABNER was Born may 27 1873
DateAprile 4
(Signature)James ABNER
In his “Application for a New Certificate”
State of TennCounty of Roane
On this 30th day of March, 1921, before me a notary Public for said county, personally appeared James ABNER who on oath declares he is 84 years old, and the James ABNER who belonged to Company “H.” 12” Regiment 12th Tenn Cav in the service of the United States; that he received a pension certificate numbered 899,304 and dated Don’t remember that he was paid at the Washington DC. Agency, to the 4th of February 1921, that he has not bartered, sold, assigned, or pledged his pension certificate or any interest therein; but that on or about Oct. 10, 1916, at or near Kingston Roane County Tenn. He lost his certificate from his pocket.
My post-office address is now Edgemore, Anderson County Tenn
(Signature of applicant) James (his X mark) ABNER
Also personally appeared Noah RUSSELL & Bill TUCK, who on oath declares that they well knows James ABNER, who has executed the foregoing affidavit, to be the identical person named therein.
(Signature of witness)s/Noah RUSSELL s/Bill TUCK
Subscribed and sworn to before me the day and year aforesaid, the contents being first made known, and I certify the affiants are persons of veracity.
All erasures made before signed & executed
H. C. SCRUGGS
Notary Public
James was dropped from pension rolls 3 June 1921 due to death on 5 May 1921.At that time he was living at Edgemore (Edgemoor), Anderson Co TN.He was being paid $50 per month.His pension certificate was #899304.