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John W. Peters was my third great grandfather. He was the son of Henry Peters Jr. and Jane England. John was much older than the typical Civil War soldier, having been born about 1822. He was an East Tennessee man who had to go to Kentucky to join the Union army. He died in camp in Kentucky almost immediately after reporting. In fact, he died so soon after reporting that he did not even receive his first pay check. Because John died during the war, he obviously did not file for a pension. Rather, the pension papers were filed by his widow Ruby Smith, and after Ruby died there were additional pension papers filed by their children. |
(cover page)
Box 33814
Cert. 168.935
Sarah E. &
Amanda J.
minors of John W. Peters
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Sarah E. Peters was born about 1855, and Amanda J. Peters was born about 1859. The 1860 census lists Amanda's middle initial as B. |
(certificate of medical history for Charles Nelson Peters, requesting disability pension based on the Civil War service of his deceased father John W. Peters.) Increase Pension claim file No. 168935 (original, increase, or restoration) Name: Chas. N. Peters, minor of John W. Peters Company G, 1 Reg't, Tenn Vol Inf. Post Office of Board: Rockwood, Tenn. Claimant's PO address: Elverton PO, Tenn., Roane County April 6, 1898 We do hereby certify that in compliance with the requirements of the law we have carefully examined this applicant, who states that he is suffering from the following disability, incurred in the service, viz: Alleged total helplessness from deformed feet and that he receives a pension of _________ dollars per month. He makes the following statement upon which he bases his claim for Increase: I ask for an increase or restoration because I am unable to earn a support by manual labor. Upon examination we find the following objective conditions: Pulse rate, 106 respiration, 22; temperature, 99; height, 5 feet 4½ inches; weight, 105 pounds; age 48 years. On examination of claimant we find deformity of lower extremities, with atrophy of all muscles and tendons of both lower extremities and feet. We find contraction of all tendons and muscles, flexors in both legs - fixing legs as far as extension is concerned at about an obtuse angle of 120 degrees. We find contraction of muscles & tendons, flexors of both feet fixing feet at an acute angle of 60 degrees. Lower limbs of claimant are not developed, not being any larger than boy's of ten years of age. Claimant is not able to perform any manual labor on account of the deformity and general debility of lower extremities & feet, is very feeble physically, can't get about without sticks. It is the opinion of this board that claimant's disabilities are permanent and that they totally disqualify him from performing any manual labor, and is entitled $30 dollars per month. Aucians? habits do not exit. (signed) J. H. Dail, Pres. T. F. Bowers, Sec'y. J. E. George, Treas. |
(This certificate to filled in and signed by the secretary when full board is present.)
"I hereby certify that Dr. I. A. Dail, Dr. T. L. Bowers, and
Dr. J. E. George, were personally present and actually participated in the
examination of Chas. N. Peters, the claimant in this case, on 6 day
of April, 1898."
Signature T. L. Bowers, Sec.
(This certificate to be filled in by the member of the board acting as secretary, and signed by the
applicant, when a full board is not present.)
"I, _________________, the applicant for (increase or original) pension referred
to in this medical certificate, hereby consent to be examined by Dr. ___________ and
Dr. _______________, the examining surgeons here present (waiving examination by
full board), on this ______ day of ___________, 18 ."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
US Pension Office, Apr 11 1898
Surgeon's Certificate
in case of
Charles N. Peters, miner, John W. Peters
Co. G, 1 Reg't, Tenn Vol Inft
Applicant for Increase
No. 168935
Date of Examination
April 6, 1898
I. A. Dail, Pres.
T. L. Bowers, Sec'y,
J. E. George, Treas.
Post office, Rockwood
County, Roane
State, Tennessee
P.S. - Write your Post-office address plainly and in full
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Single surgeons will use this blank, changing "we" to read "I", and "our" to read "my".
They will erase the words "Pres.", "Sec'y", "Treas.", and "Board" where the words appear, and
sign at the foot of the certificate, and also on the back of the same.
Provided further, That all examinations shall be thorough and searching, and the certifi-
cate contain a full description of the physical condition of the claimant at the time, which shall
include all physical and rational signs and a statement of all structural changes. [Ex-
xtract from Section 4, Act of Congress approved July 25, 1882.]
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Two of the physicians were Ira A. Dail and James E. George. I have not been able to identify T. L. Bowers, and I'm not certain that I have transcribed his name correctly. |
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
Before executing this affidavit, the claimant is requested to read carefully and
conform to every particular, so far as the facts will allow.
Published by CHARLES & WILLIAM B. KING, No. 918, F Street, Washington, D.C.
STATE OF Tennessee
COUNTY OF Anderson
In the Pension claim of Charles N. Peters
late of Col. G. first Reg't Tenn Vols., personally came
before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the aforesaid County and State,
J. A. Samsel & S. E. Roberts, who, I hereby certify, is a respectable and
credible person(s). and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim as follows:
We was Well and personally acquainted with Mrs.
Ruby M. Peters ever since 1865
and on the 4th day of Sept 1869 Mrs. Ruby Peters
took sick and on the 5th day of Sep 1869
Mrs. Ruby Peters died. We was present when
she died. We seen her after she was dead
and was present when she was buried.
She died at Scarbrough, Anderson County, Tenn.
our Statements was written by Wm. Chiles
as we sine it without and printed or
written instrument or any person to
dictate for us about our personal
knowledge as above stated.
Mrs. Ruby Peters was the mother of Charles N. Peters.
They further declare(s) that (they) post office adders is Oliver Springs, County of
Anderson, State of Tennessee, and that they are not interested in said claim or
concerned in its prosecution.
James A. Samsel
S. E. Roberts
(widow dead)
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James A. Samsel married Mary J. Peters, daughter of my third great grandparents John W. Peters and Ruby M. Smith. As such, he was the son-in-law of Mrs. Ruby M. Peters, and he was the brother-in-law of Charles N. Peters. James A. Samsel witnessed and/or signed a great many affidavits and other documents associated with the Peters family. I haven't figured out who S. E. Roberts was, nor what his connection was to the Peters family. I suspect that his name was Samuel E. Roberts, but I haven't even been able to verify that information for sure. |
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above-named affiant(s)
and I certify that the foregoing affidavit was read over to said affiant(s)
and its contents fully explained before execution. I am not interested
in this claim or concerned in its prosecution.
WITNESS my hand and seal this 18th day of Nov, 1893
Wm. Chiles
J. P.
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Robinette 1/19/94
CLAIM OF
Charles N. Peters
child of
John W. Peters
Co. G. 1st Tenn Inf
FOR
Pension
Ctf. No. 168935
AFFIDAVIT OF
J. A. Samsel
S. E. Roberts
Pension Office Nov 22 1993
----------------------------
FILED BY
CHARLES & WILLIAM B. KING,
Attorneys for Claimant
No. 918, F Street, Box 593
WASHINGTON, D. C.
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ACT OF JUNE 27, 1890
INCOME OF CHILD
State of ______________
County of _____________
In the pension Claim of C. N. Peters, crippled child of
John W. Peters, Co. G, 1st Reg't, Tenn. Vols.
personally came before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the aforesaid County and
State, R.S. Davis, who I herby certify is a respectable and
credible person and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim that he has
been acquainted with the above-named claimant since 1875.
C. N. Peters the above named claimant
was a bad and permanent cripple twelve
years ago, he married a woman by the name
of Gan shortly after my first acquaintance with
him. She had three children at the time of marriage.
His wife had some worthless old bedding &
they have nothing better now. Peters owns
no property of any description but a pig
worth about $2.50. He has no regular
income. His support is derived principally
from his wife's washing. He gets some
charity from the neighbors, and the
County give him some support two years
ago. He is a fit subject for a Pauper
now and has been for several years.
His wife's little boys raised a few bushels
of corn this tear and the neighbors
took it to mill free, but it is
now gone. Said Peters is in great
want of food & clothing for him self
and family most of the time.
He further declares that is post office address is Oliver Springs, County of
Anderson, State of Tennessee, and that he is not interested in
said claim or concerned in its prosecution; that his knowledge of the foregoing facts was derived from
living in 1/4 mile of Peters for several years and
being an eye witness to the above facts.
December 22nd, 1890
(signed) R. S. Davis
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Sworn and subscribed before me this day, by the above-named affiant; and I certify that I read the fore-
going affidavit to said affiant, and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I am in no wise
interested in this claim, or concerned in its prosecution.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, this 23 day of Dec, 1890
(signed) Wm. Chiles
J.P.
Act of June 27, 1890
PENSION CLAIM OF
C. N. Peters
Crippled Child of
John W. Peters
Co. G, 1" Reg't, Tenn. Vols.,
Ctf. No. 168935
R. S. Davis
INCOME OF CHILD
Filed by
Charles & William B. King
Attorneys for Claimant,
No. 906, F Street, Box 593
Washington, D.C.
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ACT OF JUNE 27, 1890
INCOME OF CHILD
State of Tennessee
County of Anderson
In the Pension Claim of C. N. Peters, crippled child of
John W. Peters Co. G, 1" Reg't, Tenn. Vols.
personally came before me a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County and
State J. W. Mead, who I hereby certify is a respectable and
credible person and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim that he has
been acquainted with the above-named claimant since 1880.
I have known C. N. Peters
for the last ten years. He owns no prop-
erty but one Pig worth about three dollars.
He has no property to derive an income
from. Peters has been a bad cripple
ever since I first knew him is not
a fit subject for employment on account
of his crippled condition. The said C. N.
Peters has a very poor and ragged
support. The County approprated (sic) Ten
dollars to him last July two years ago.
his wife has two boys. They work and get
a little bread & wheat for the family. Their
name is Gan. They raised some patches of
corn this year with the hoe and the neighbors took
it to mill for him. his principal support is
derived from his wife's washing. he lives
from place to place any where he
can get shelter. I live about three
fourth of a mile from said Peters & know the
fact by personal knowledge.
He further declares that his post office address os Oliver Springs, County of
Anderson, State of Tennessee and that he is not interested in
said claim or concerned in its prosecution; that his knowledge of the foregoing facts was derived from
Personal knowledge and being an
eye witness. December 22nd 1890
J. W. Mead
Signature of affiant
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Sworn and subscribed before me this day, by the above-named affiant; and I certify that I read the fore-
going affidavit to said affiant, and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I am in no wise
interested in this claim, or concerned in its prosecution.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, this 23 day of Dec, 1890
(signed) Wm. Chiles
J.P.
Act of June 27, 1890
PENSION CLAIM OF
C. N. Peters
Crippled Child of
John W. Peters
Co. G, 1st Reg't, Tenn. Vols.,
Ctf. No. 168,935
J. W. Mead
INCOME OF CHILD
Filed by
Charles & William B. King
Attorneys for Claimant,
No. 906, F Street, Box 593
Washington, D.C.
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GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF Tennessee )
COUNTY OF Anderson )
In the pension Claim of C. N. Peters
before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the aforesaid County and State,
A. K. Shelton, who I hereby certify is a respectable and
credible person and, who, being duly sworn, declares in relation the aforesaid claim as follows:
That I have this day examined C. N. Peters &
find him suffering of wanting of the development
of the muscular tissues of both legs from the knees
down. He has also partial Anchylosis of his
knees, ankles, and toes. This want of development
of the muscular tissue and partial anchylosis
render him unable to perform manual
labor. This disease I consider is permanent.
I further certify that I have no interest in
the prosecution of his claim, and am in nowise
related to him. I am a regular practicing
physician, and have been practicing my profession
for about ten years. I graduated at the Vanderbilt
University of Nashville, Tenn.
He further declares that his post office address is Oliver Springs, County of
Anderson, State of Tenn., and that he is not interested in said claim
or concerned in its prosecution.
A. K. Shelton, M.D.
(signature of affiant)
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Sworn to and subscribed before me this day, by the above-named affiant; and I certify that the foregoing
affidavit was read over to said affiant, and its contents duly explained before execution. I am in nowise interested
in this claim or concerned in its prosecution.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, this 18 day of Nov, 1890
(signed) Wm. Chiles
J.P.
CLAIM OF
C. N. Peters
Child of
John W. Peters
Co. G, 1st Reg't, Tenn. Vols.,
FOR
Pension Act Jun 27, 1890
Ctf. No. 168 935
AFFIDAVIT OF
A. K. Shelton, M. D
Filed by
Charles & William B. King
Attorneys for Claimant,
No. 906, F Street, Box 593
Washington, D.C.
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GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF Tennessee )
COUNTY OF Anderson )
In the Pension Claim of C. N. Peters crippled child
of John W. Peters No 168935 late of Co. G Reg't 1st Tenn Vols, personally came
before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the aforesaid County and State,
Nancy P. Coker, who I hereby certify is a respectable and
credible person and, who, being duly sworn, declares in relation the aforesaid claim as follows:
I am personally acquainted with C. N. Peters
the above named applicant for pension
he is about forty years old; he has been
a bad cripple ever since he was a small
boy. he is permanently crippled from his knees
down, in both of his legs. said Peters is not
able to travel to perform any manual labor.
his Father John W. Peters died in the late war
and his Mother died about September 1879
said C. N. Peters crippledness was about
the same before his Parents death that it
is now. I know the above facts by living
near said C. N. Peters and seeing him
often. I live about one mile of him
now. his mother drew a pension
before her death.
She further declares that her post office address is Oliver Springs, County of
Anderson, State of Tenn, and that she is not interested in said claim
or concerned in its prosecution
witnesses:
W. N. Barnes her
Jas. R. Davis Nancy P. x Coker
mark
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Sworn to and subscribed before me this day, by the above-named affiant; and I certify that the foregoing
affidavit was read over to said affiant, and its contents duly explained before execution. I am in nowise interested
in this claim or concerned in its prosecution.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, this 7th day of Jan, 1891
(signed) Wm. Chiles
J.P.
CLAIM OF
C. N. Peters crippled child
of
John W. Peters
Co. G, 1" Reg't, Tenn. Vols.,
FOR
Crippled Child Pension
Act of June 27, 1890
Cetf. No. 168935
AFFIDAVIT OF
Nancy P. Coker
Filed by
Charles & William B. King
Attorneys for Claimant,
No. 906, F Street, Box 593
Washington, D.C.
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GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF Tennessee )
COUNTY OF Anderson )
In the Pension Claim No 168935 of C. N. Peters crippled child
of J W. Peters, late of Co. G Reg't 1st Tenn Vols, personally came
before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the aforesaid County and State,
Caroline Samsel, who I hereby certify is a respectable and
credible person and, who, being duly sworn, declares in relation the aforesaid claim as follows:
I have seen the above named C. N. Peters
and known him from a boy. he is about
forty years old and has been a bad cripple
ever since I first seen him. I live near
him and see him frequently. he has
been permanently crippled from his
knees down in both of his legs.
Said C. N. Peters was a cripple before
the Death of his Father and mother.
his Father died in the late war and
his mother died since the war. his mother
drew a Pension after the war
until her death.
his lameness is fully as bad now as
it ever was. he is not able to do any
manual labor, on account of his lameness.
she further declares that her post office address is Oliver Springs, County of
Anderson, State of Tenn., and that she is not interested in said claim
or concerned in its prosecution.
Caroline Samsel
signature of affiant
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Mary J. Peters, daughter of John W. Peters and Ruby Smith, married James A. Samsel. I'm guessing that Caroline was related some how or other to James. James had daughers Asberine C. Samsel born 1878 and Nancy C. Samsel born 1880. They were both too young to have filed an 1891 affidavit. Plus, the affidavit says that Caroline had known Charles Nelson Peters "since a boy", and Charles was born in 1850. |
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day, by the above-named affiant; and I certify that the foregoing
affidavit was read over to said affiant, and its contents duly explained before execution. I am in nowise interested
in this claim or concerned in its prosecution.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, this 7th day of Jan, 1891
(signed) Wm. Chiles
J.P.
CLAIM OF
C. N. Peters crippled child
of
John W. Peters
Co. G, 1" Reg't, Tenn. Vols.,
FOR
Crippled Child Pension
Act of June 27, 1890
Cetf. No. 168935
AFFIDAVIT OF
Caroline Samsel
Filed by
Charles & William B. King
Attorneys for Claimant,
No. 906, F Street, Box 593
Washington, D.C.
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GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
STATE OF Tennessee )
COUNTY OF Anderson )
In the pay of minor Claim of Charles N. Peters minor
child pr, late of Co. G first Reg't Tenn Vols, personally came
before me, a justice of the peace, in and for the aforesaid County and State,
Charles N. Peters, who I hereby certify is a respectable and
credible person and, who, being duly sworn, declares in relation the aforesaid claim as follows:
Ruby Peters my mother died on the night
of the 5 of Sept. 1869.
The witnesses Stat the 5 as it was so
near midnight and I Stated it on the
6 of Sept 1869 in my declaration.
So you will See that either of us
is not much wrong I wrote this
affidavit my Self.
Charles N. Peters
He further declares that is post office address is Kreis Roane, County of,
State off Tenn, and that he is not interested in said claim or
concerned in its prosecution.
Charles N. Peters
Signature of Affiant
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Charles is making reference to an earlier affidavit where he stated that his mother died on 6 Sep 1869. However, there were affidavits from other witnesses that said that his mother died on 5 Sep 1869. Like all good bureaucrats everywhere, the ones in Washington at the time were not about to allow him to receive a pension if there were such a discrepancy in the facts. All the t's had to be crossed and all the i's had to be dotted, irrespective of the underlying truth of the situation. So this new affidavit was Charles' attempt to satisfy the bureaucrats. This affidavit ended with boilerplate language that said that Charles had no interest in the claim. This language is blatantly false, because the whole point of the claim is to benefit Charles. If the Justice of the Peace had completed this affidavit rather than Charles completing it himself, no doubt the J.P. would have crossed out the "no interest" boilerplate. But because Charles completed the affidavit himself, he was not aware of the need to correct the boilerplate language. |
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day, by the above-named affiant; and I certify that the foregoing
affidavit was read over to said affiant, and its contents duly explained before execution. I am in nowise interested
in this claim or concerned in its prosecution. I have known the witness
for the last 10 years. his Reputation is good.
he is a school teacher.
WITNESS my hand and official seal, this 8 day of Jan, 1894
(signed) D. A. Baker
Justice of the Peace
certificate on file for general purposes
CLAIM OF
Charles N. Peters
minor of
John W. Peters
Co. G, 1" Tenn. Inf.,
FOR
Pension
Ctf. No. 168.935
AFFIDAVIT OF
Claimant
Filed by
Charles & William B. King
Attorneys for Claimant,
No. 248, F Street, Box 679
Washington, D.C.
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DECLARATION FOR PENSION FOR CHILDREN UNDER SIXTEEN
STATE OF Tennessee )
COUNTY OF Roane )
On this 26th day of August, 1893, personally appears before me,
the undersigned authority, in and for the County and State aforesaid, Charles N. Peters,
who, being duly sworn according to law, makes the following
declaration, in order to obtain the pension provided by the acts of Congress for children under sixteen years of
age: That he is the only legal child of John W. Peters
who enlisted under the name of John W. Peters in Co. G
1st Reg't, Tenn Vols., on the 9 day of Aug, 1861,
in the war of 1861, and died of in service, at
Somerset Ky, on the 4 day of Dec, 1861,
that his death was the result of his military service aforesaid; that he left a widow surviving him how
died on the 6 day of Sept, 1869; that the following named
are the only surviving legitimate children of said soldier who were under sixteen years of age at the time of his
death; that said children were the issue of said soldier, the dates of their birth being as hereinafter stated:
Charles N., born on the 10 day of Aug, 1854, by Ruby Smith
That the father was married under the name of John W. Peters
to Ruby Smith, at Scarborough, State of Tenn
on the 9th day of June, 1840, by Henry Childs, Esq.
that the said children have not aided or abetted the rebellion; and that a prior application for pension
has been filed by widow Ctf #168.935
and he hereby appoints Charles & William B. King, of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful attorneys, with
the full power of substitution and revocation, and authorizes them to present and prosecute this claim, and to receive
the pension certificate; that is residence is
in the Town of Kreis, County of Roane, and
State of Tenn; and that his post-office address is same (Oliver Springs,
Anderson County, Tenn. was written and then struck through).
D. A. Baker Charles N. Peters
B. L. Hendrickson (Signature of claimant)
(witnesses)
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There are numerous strange aspects of this affidavit:
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Also personally appeared D. A. Baker, residing at No. ______
in ______ street, in Roane Co., and B. L. Hendrickson
resided at No. _____, in ________ street, in Roane
both of whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they
were present and saw Charles N. Peters, the claimant, sign his name
(make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of
said claimant and their acquaintance with him that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and
that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
D. A. Baker
B. L. Hendrickson
signature of witnesses
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26 day of August, A.D. 1893;
and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, etc., were fully made known and
explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words _______
_____________________________________________________ erased, and the words _______
________________________________________________________ added; and that I have no interest, direct
or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
J. C. Pope
Clk Roane County
MINORS' DECLARATION
minor of Ref. 168.935
PENSION
----------------------
CLAIM OF
Charles N. Peters
GUARDIAN OR MINOR OF
John W. Peters
Co. G, 1st Reg't, Tenn. Inf. Vols.
Filed by
Charles & William B. King
Attorneys for Claimant,
No. 18, F Street, Box 593
Washington, D.C.
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