Cocke County, Tennessee
Rachael L (William) M Bible
Civil War Widow's Pension

Names mentioned: William M Bible, Rachel L Ottinger, Florence S Ottinger, Mary J Ottinger, Joel Ren, Joseph Woods, William H Wood, Abraham Dawson, Elizabeth Ren, Jane Dawson, James M Hale, Alfred Knisley, James C Beeks, James D Carlisle, John M Baer. Original records may be found online through various genealogy databases, or by requesting copies of military records in government archives.
Abstracted and submitted by Bruce Price

William M Bible served as a private in Co D, 8th Tenn Volunteers. He was a resident of Cocke County with a Greeneville post office box. He enrolled 4/14/1863 and died at Andersonville prison 10/06/1864, having been captured by the enemy on 6/12/1864.

William M Bible and Rachel Ottinger married 7/25/1860. They had two children: Florence S, born 9/26/1861, and Mary J, born 8/13/1864.

On 8/19.1865, Rachael L. Bible, aged 25 years, a resident of District #4 of Cocke County, filed for a pension in Greene County. She was married to William M Bible on 7/25/1860 by Joel Ren, a JP. Joel Ren and Joseph Woods, also residents of District #4, testified that they knew Rachael and William were married and lived together.

On 10/01/1866, William H Wood, Cocke County Court Clerk, certified that Rachael L Bible was a resident of the 3rd Civil District and that she was the widow of William M Bible. William died of fever while in the rebel prison at Andersonville, GA. He stated that Joel Ren was a minister rather than a JP. But he alsop stated that both daughters were born in 1861 in Cocke County.

Joel Ren and Abraham Dawson, both residents of Cocke County, witnessed Rachael's signature and stated that they had known her five years and that she was the widow of William M Bible.

A certified copy of their marriage license is included in the file.

Elizabeth Ren and Jane Dawson testified that they were present at the births of Florence L and Mary J Bible, children of William and Rachel Bible. James M Hale and Alfred Knisley witnessed their signatures.

On 10/11/1869, Rachel L Bible, a resident of Parrottsville District in Cocke County, aged 29 years, renewed or reapplied for her pension. She revoked the power of attorney she had previously set up and asked that all communication come to a Greenville PO box. James C Beeks and James D Carlisle witnessed her signature. Elizabeth Ren and Jane Dawson also testified that they saw Rachael sign her name. John M Baer and James D Carlisle witnessed their signatures.