Transcribed by Bailey
Francis
Originally sent to the
Campbell County Mailing, Bailey gave permission for reprint
here.
I obtained copies of the nearly
400 pages of my second great grandfather,
Joseph Abraham BROWN's (JAB) Civil
War Pension file. There is extensive hand-written
testimony in multiple affidavits. In many instances,
the deponents revealed aspects of their own life and
Civil War experiences.
Freeling H. COX appeared
on 17 October 1884 at Coal Creek, Anderson
County, TN, before D. G. COLSON,
a Special Examiner of the Pension Office. He was listed
as age 42, farmer, residence near Coal Creek.
He was a member of Company B, 3rd Tennessee Infantry
(Union). He was a boyhood friend of JAB and
raised in the same neighborhood. He attended
("waited on") JAB for about 3 months after an injury
in a railroad accident near Murfreesboro, TN, February
1863. Mr. COX left Murfreesboro for Carthage,
TN, with his Company about May 1863. He mentioned
that his company "fell back" from Strawberry Plains,
TN, and went to Sweetwater, TN, the next day.
He says that he "left the company next morning and
went home and did not go back for some time".
Mr. COX signed his name to the affidavit with an "X"
mark.
Joseph W. DAVIS first appeared
before J. F. CHAPMAN, JP for AndersonCounty, on 10
December 1881. He testified that he was 53 years
of age and a resident of Hinds or Hines Creek, Anderson
County, TN. He testified for the 2nd time
8 November 1882 before William CARDEN, JP for Anderson
County. He appeared for the final time on 17
October 1884 at Coal Creek, Anderson County, TN, before
D. G. COLSON, Special Examiner of the Pension Office.
On this last occasion, he stated that he was 56 years
of age, his occupation was farmer, and that his residence
and PO addresses were Andersonville, Anderson County,
TN. He was also a member of Company B, 3rd Tennessee
Infantry. He was also a boyhood acquaintance
of JAB. He stated, "He and I were boys together
and resided on a creek and sometimes in a swimming
together two or three times a day..." He was
at Murfreesboro with his company in February 1863.
He stated, "We went to Carthage from Murfreesboro".
He was also in Marietta, GA, in the fall of 1863 "on
Sherman Campaign through Georgia", and had just returned
from a "Sherman raid". He stated that he and
JAB were discharged together in Nashville, TN.
John C. SLOVER was the
son of Aaron and Nancy (Burton) SLOVER.
John C. SLOVER first appeared
before D. L. HALL, Clerk of the Circuit
Court, on 7 June 1881. Secondly,
he appeared before J. F. CHAPMAN, JP on 3 February
1882, and lastly, he testified in an Q&A fashion
before D. G. COLSON, Special Examiner of the Pension
Office, on 5 January 1884.
The testimony 5 January 1884 contains
the following: age 52, farmer,
residence and PO address are Coal
Creek, Anderson County, TN. He was also a boyhood
acquaintance of JAB. John C. SLOVER was originally
in Co. C, 2nd TN Infantry from 1 August 1861 to 7
February 1862, where he attained the rank of Sgt.
From 12 February 1862 to March or April 1865, he was
Captain of Company E, 3rd TN Infantry. He stated
that he was commissioned as Capt. of Co. E at Flat
Lick, KY 12 February 1862. Subsequently, he
was asked about when he saw JAB suffering with his
ankle injury, and he stated, "It was while LONGSTREET
was about Knoxville - no it while he was advancing
on Knoxville the 2nd time. I was captured Feb.
24, 1864, at Love's Creek, Knox Co, Tenn., and I think
it was just before my capture."
William S. REYNOLDS appeared
19 September 1884 before D. G. COLSON, Special Examiner
for the Pension Office. He stated, "I am sixty-eight
years of age, am a farmer, and my place of residence
and p. o. address is Andersonville, Anderson County,
Tenn. I was a member of Company A, 1st Tennesse
Infantry - was a Sergeant and acting Captain in said
company. I was at Nashville in 1863 or 1864
when I saw (JAB)......"
Q. "Who was present when
you saw him.....?"
A. "Joe DAVIS, Hind's Creek,
Tenn. and Howe (? hard to be sure of correct spelling)
OVERTON, whereabouts unknown".
John J. LOWE testifed the
first time on 23 November 1882, in Clinton,
Anderson County, TN, before Henry
Clay SLOVER, Clerk of the Circuit Court of Anderson
County, TN.
John J. LOWE appeared a second
time 15 November 1884 at Hind's Creek, Anderson County,
Tennessee before D. G. COLSON, Special Examiner of
the Pension Office.
He stated, "I am about forty-eight
years of age, am a farmer, and my place
of residence is near, and p. o.
address is Hind's Creek, Anderson County,
Tennessee. I enlisted in
Company C, 2nd Tennessee Mounted Infantry in
August 1861, prior to which date
I was acquainted with Joseph BROWN for
about two years and resided within
one and one half miles of him. I
worked for his father and mother
(William and Malinda K. OVERTON BROWN) and labored
with Joseph BROWN. I was captured in 1862 and
was kept a prisoner by the rebels until May 1865 at
which time I was turned loose."
<clip> (talking about JAB)
"...we worked together, fished together, and
played together - went to school
together."
Q. "Did you work with (JAB)
in 1865?
A. "No, Sir, I did not work
with him but I was with him a great deal,
fishing and did not live far from
him -- yes, I did work some with him. I
helped his mother cut a field of
corn and (JAB) help me cut the corn."
<clip>
Q. "Who were in swimming
with you in 1865 - when you saw (JAB)'s injury?"
A. "Hain HAYS and Foster
BROWN and somebody else I have forgotten."
Q. "Where are Hain HAYS and
Foster BROWN?"
A. "They went west.
I don't know where." (JAB then stated that Hain
HAYS and Foster BROWN were dead)
John J. LOWE signed all of his
testimony with an "X" mark.
Elvis WALLACE was born
about 1837 in Anderson County, TN. He married
8 Sept 1857 in Anderson County, TN, Rebecca CORUM.
Elvis WALLACE was the oldest child of Enoch Ball "Eke"
WALLACE and Elizabeth "Betsey" UNDERWOOD.
Elvis WALLACE signed an affidavit
on 10 December 1881 before J. F.
CHAPMAN, JP, of Anderson County,
TN, certified by T. J. PROCISE, Deputy Court Clerk
for Anderson County. He appeared for the second
time on 18 October 1884 in Coal Creek, Anderson County,
TN, before D. G. COLSON, Special Examiner of the Pension
Office.
He stated, "I am forty seven years
of age, am a farmer, and my place of
residence near Faust's Ferry, Anderson
County, Tenn., and my p. o. address is Hinds Creek,
Anderson County, Tenn. Knew (JAB) from boyhood
to the date I enlisted in the army August 8, 1861.
Have known him since discharge June 1865. He
used to come to my father's mill before the war."
William Richard HICKS,
born 6 Dec 1842 in Anderson County, TN, died 23 Aug
1910 in Anderson County, TN, was the oldest child
of John Henson HICKS and Elizabeth "Betsy" DAIL.
He married 19 March 1868 in Anderson County, TN, Mary
Luraney DUNCAN, born 6 June 1846, in Anderson County,
TN, died 2 March 1929 in Anderson County, TN.
William Richard HICKS was a first cousin once removed
of JAB, as his mother, Elizabeth "Betsy" DAIL, was
the daughter of William Riley DAIL, Sr. and Nancy
OVERTON. Nancy OVERTON was JAB's Aunt and a
sister to JAB's mother, Malinda K. OVERTON.
Mary Luraney DUNCAN was a younger sister to my second
great grandmother, Talitha Caroline DUNCAN, who married
JAB. Hence, William Richard HICKS was also a
brother-in-law to Joseph Abraham BROWN's wife.
William Richard HICKS appeared
12 November 1884 in Clinton, Anderson
County, TN, before D. G. COLSON,
Special Examiner of the Pension Office.
He stated, "I am forty-two years
of age, am a lawyer, and reside in and my p. o. address
is Clinton, Anderson County, Tenn. I have known
(JAB) ever since our boyhood; we were schoolmates.
Resided near (JAB) prior to and at the date of my
enlistment August 6, 1861. Saw (JAB) often before
my enlistment and also saw him a very few days before
he enlisted. he was
then going to Flat Lick, Kentucky,
and I was at Flat Lick, Kentucky, when
he enlisted. Saw him but
few times during our service... I was discharged
in February 1865." <clip> I have resided
near (JAB). Most of our intimacy (obviously
a different connotation than it has today) was brought
about by the fact that he has been a public officer
a great deal; in fact from 1868 or 1869 to August
1884." (JAB was High Sheriff and Register of Deeds
for Anderson County, TN, as well as in 1886, a State
Representative for Anderson and Morgan Counties.
Callaway BEETS appeared
on 14 November 1884 at Andersonville, Anderson County,
TN, before D. G. COLSON, Special Examiner of the Pension
Office.
He stated, "I am forty one years
of age, am a farmer and I reside near and
my p.o. address is Andersonville,
Anderson County, Tennessee. I have
known (JAB) since boyhood.
Knew him when enlisted, and he and I mustered into
the service together at Flat Lick, Kentucky, in early
part of 1862. He and I served together in Company
B, 3rd Tennessee Infantry. I do not know whether
we were discharged right together but we came home
from Nashville to Knoxville, Tennessee together."
(This was probably James Fulton
HICKS, born 2 August 1844 in Anderson
County, TN, died 12 February 1925
in Westpoint, Clay County, MS. He was the son
of John Henson HICKS and Elizabeth "Betsy" DAIL.)
James F. HICKS appeared
17 November 1884 at Clinton, Anderson County, TN,
before D. G. COLSON, Special Examiner of the Pension
Office.
He stated, "I am forty one years
of age, am a farmer, and my place of
residence and p.o. address is Bull
Run, Knox County, Tennessee. I knew
(JAB) prior to my enlistment in
August 1861. Had known him from childhood having
been raised with him." <clip> "I saw (JAB) once
or twice while in the Army."
<clip>
Q. "Have you been associated
with (JAB) since 1870; if so, in what
capacity?"
A. "Yes, I trade in stock
a good deal and he has been riding a great deal
and have stayed all night with
each other and have consulted together in
elections."
Isham N. GUY appeared 17
November 1884 at Dutch Valley, Anderson County, TN,
before D. G. COLSON, Special Examiner of the Pension
Office.
He stated, "I am about fifty-seven
or -eight years of age, am a farmer,
and I live five miles from, and
my p.o. address is, Clinton, Anderson
County, Tennessee. I was
a member of Company B, 3rd Tennessee Infantry.
<clip> I was put into
the pioneer corps and was in it for nearly two
years...."
