Cocke County, Tennessee
Martha (John) Bird
Civil War Widow's/Minors Pension

Names mentioned: John Bird, Martha M Click Bird, David S Templin, Andrew Jackson Bird, Nancy Ann Bird, YJ Morris, Alexander McNabb, William V Hartsell, Catherine Murrell, WC McClanahan, D Ward Stuart, Nancy Murrell.

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

John Bird served in Co C, East Tenn Cavalry [2nd Reg Tenn Cavalry]. He enrolled 9/16/1862 and died of typhoid fever at Murfreesboro, TN 2/13/1863. He married Martha M Click on 8/31/1856. Martha remarried to David S Templin on 9/04/1865. John and Martha had two children: Andrew Jackson Bird born 8/17/1857 and Nancy Ann Bird born  8/01/1862.

By 2/16/1867 David S Templin was guardian of the minor children of John Bird. He stated that John Bird and Martha M Click were married in Cocke County by YJ Morris, MG.  There is a transcript of the marriage license in the file. David S Templin and Martha Bird were married in Cocke County by Alexander McNabb, JP.

Martha filed a claim on 6/13/1864 in Sevier County. She lived in the 9th Civil District of Cocke County and was twenty-five years old.

David S Templin and William V Hartsell, residents of Cocke County, swore that they were acquainted with John Bird and Martha Bird and knew that the couple was married. This document was dated 6/13/1864.

Catherine Murrell of Cocke County swore that she was present at the birth of Andrew J Bird. WC McClanahan and D Ward Stuart witnessed her signature. Nancy Murrell swore that she was present at the house of John and Martha Bird when Nancy Ann was born.