Also called 1st Eakin's Tenn Battalion: Cooke's REgt: 59th Tenn. Mtd. Inf. Regt.
Organized May, 1862, caputred Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 1863: served in
Vaughn's Brigade in East Tenn. and Western Va. thereafter. Field Officers:
Colonels: James B. Cooke and William L. Eakin. Captains Josiah I Wright and John
W. Stratton. Mustered in at Madisonville, Monroe Co., Tenn., Feb 12, 1862.
Taken from roll no 334, Confederate, Tennessee State Library and Archives.
VICKSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, JULY 6TH, 1863
To all Whom it May Concern, Know Ye That:
I (David Gaston) (personally signed) a Sergt, of Co 'G' 59th Reg't Tennessee
Vols. C.S.A. being a prisioner of War, in the hands of the United States Forces,
in virtue of the capitulation of the city of Vicksburg and its Garrison, by
Lieut. Gen. John C. Pemberton, C.S.A. Commanding, on the 4th day of July 1863,
do in pursuance of the terms of said capitulation, give this my solemn parole
under oath---------
That I will not take up arms again against the United States, nor serve in any
military, police, or constabulary force in any Fort, Garrison or field work,
held by the Confederate States of America, against the United States of America,
nor as guard of any prisons, depots or stores nor discharge any duties usually
performed by Officers or soldiers against the United States of America, until
duly exchanged by the proper authorities.
(personally signed) DavidGaston
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sworn to and subscribed before me at Vicksburg, Miss., this 15the day of July
1863. (personally signed) John C. Fry, 20th Reg't, Major, Ohio Vol. and paroling
officer.
Distinctive notes taken from copies of military records are:
September 4, age 41
Mustered in at Madisonville on March 15, 1862 by JI Wright for 3 years
Paid on April (?), 1862 by S (?) Stakely
Paid on May 15, 1862 by SS Stakly
Paid on October 15, 1862 by SS Stakly
Paid on Dec 31, 1862 by SS Stakely
Paid February 22, 1863 by SS Stakely
Paid March 15 by SS Stakely
Died at Pearl River, Miss. 20 July, 1863
Roll of Prisioner of War
In hospital, paroled at Visksburg, Miss, according to the terms of capitulation
entered into by the commanding Generals of the United States and Confederate
forces July 4, 1863.
Roll dated----not dated.
Paroled at Vicksburg, Miss., July 15, 1863
Where captured Vicksburg, Miss
When captured July 4, 1863
These are all quotes from David's military service records. David was the eldest
son of James Gaston and Mary Sheets/Gaston. Grandson of James Gaston and
Isabella Bigham. Great-grandson of John Gaston, Jr and Jannett Knox. Great,
Great Grandson of Justice John Gaston and Esther Waugh
James and Mary are probably interred at St Paul Evanglical Lutheran Church (old)
Cemetery. We do not know exactly where David is interred. Very possibly in the
Byrum, Mississippi area near the home of Mr. M.E. Jackson who was caring for him
when he passed.
LETTER CONCERNING DEATH OF DAVID GASTON
Cooper's Well
September 12th, 1863
Mrs. David Gaston,
Dear Madam,
As hard as it may be for me to pen these few lines to you it is best you should
know in relation to your husband, he is of this world no more. Let it be a
comfort to you to know that he died believing in his God. His prayers to God
were that he might see his wife and children before he died. He said he was
happy and ready to go.
He was a paroled prisoner from Vicksburg and was on his way home but being too
ill to travel, he stayed at my house in Byrum (Mississippi) about 10 miles below
Jackson, Miss. It may be gratifying to you to know that his last wants were
attended to and everything was done to prolong his life, but of no avail.
Some letters and paper which he had and a piece of his hair I cut, and if I ever
have a chance I will send to you. It is a sad office I have had to perform but
when you reflect how much better off he died than many a poor soldier in the
battle fields with no one to give them even a little drink of water, I know you
will be comforted.
Hoping Madam, that you will receive this, I am yours respectfully,
Mr. M. E. Jackson
P.S. Should you feel disposed to write me a few lines, direct to the case of Mr.
I. Williams, Cooper's Well, Hinds County, Miss.
David died August 22, 1863.
Joyce Gaston Reece, g-g-g grandaughter of David and Mary Gaston
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Submitted By: Ray Ezell
DECLARATION FOR PENSION
State of Tennessee
County of Monroe
On this first day of Oct. A.D. one thousand nine hundred and Ten, personally appeared before me, a W.B. Williams, JP within and for the county and State aforesaid, Isaac Lindsey who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 70 years of age, and a resident of Tenn. And that hi is the identical person who was ENROLLED at Madisonville, Tenn. Under the name of Isaac Lindsey, on the 30 day of Sept., 1864. as a Private, in Co H. 3 Tennessee Mtd. Inf. In the Service of the United States, in the Civil War and was Honorably Discharged at Knoxville Tenn., on the 23 day of December, 1864. That he also served ----. That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above, That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, 6 feet ___ inches; complexion, Dark; color of eyes, Blue; Color of hair, Light; that is occupation was a Farmer; that he was born Sept. 30, 1840, at Jacksboro, Camble (Campbell) Co. Tenn. That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Monroe Co. Tenn. That hi is ___ pensioner. That he has ___ heretofore applied for pension 947142 is No. of Pension identification (sic) That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of February 6, 1907. That his post office address is Povo, county of Monroe, State of Tenn. Isaac Lindsey Attest 1. WM Bright
2. JF Moser
Also personally appeared WM Bright, residing in Monroe Co. Tenn. And JF Moser, residing in Monroe Co. Tenn. Persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by the duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Isaac Lindsey, the claimant, sign his name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of the claimant and their acquaintance with him of 38 years and 35 years, respectively, that his is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
WM Bright
JF Moser
Subscribed and sworn to before me this first day of Oct. A.D. 1910, 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. **Certificate of official character on file in Pension office, Washington DC. WB Williams Justice of the Peace
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Submitted By: Ray Ezell
Margaret E. Bright Pension application
STATE OF TENNESSEE
COUNTY OF MONROE
On this 21 day of Aug. 1904, before me, a Notary Public within and for said county, personally appeared Margaret E. Brite, aged 48 years, a resident of Monroe County, Tennessee, who being duly sworn according to law, declaration that she is the widow Ambrose K. Brite, who was a private Co. D 3rd Tenn. Mtd. Inf. Vols., in the war of the rebellion, and who was a pensioner under certificate No. 954,282; that the said Ambrose K. Brite was accidentally shot at Sweetwater, Tennessee, on the 2nd day of August 1904, and died the next day, it being the 3rd day of August 1904; that said soldier was not in the military or naval service of the Untied States except as above stated.
That she was married to the said Ambrose K. Brite, under the name of Margaret E. Fortner, on the 16th day of February 1890, by one Dr. F.K. Berry, a Justice of the Peace for Monroe County, Tennessee there being no legal barrier to said marriage. That she had been formerly married to David Fortner, who died on the 20 day of February 1876.
That the soldier had been previously married to Sadie Pannell, who died on the 11 day of June 1888; that the said soldier left no minor child or children surviving him who were under 16 years of age at the time of his death; that she has not remarried since the death of the said Ambrose K. Brite; that she has no other means of support than her daily labor and that there are no person or persons legally bound to support her; that neither herself nor the said soldier had any real estate; that her present property consists of house hold goods worth about twenty dollars.
That she makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890. This is the first application for pension.
That she hereby appoints W.A. Simpson, Philadelphia Tennessee, her attorney to present and prosecute this claim.
That her post office address is R.D. No. 4. Sweetwater, Tennessee.
her
Margaret E. X Brite
mark
Attest: J.M. Purdue
J.B. Lillard
Also personally appeared J. B. Lillard whose post office address is Philadelphia, Tennessee and E. L. Lemmons whose post office address is Sweetwater, Tennessee, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn according to law, say they were present and saw Margaret E. Brite, the claimant, make her mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of the applicant and their acquaintance with her of 20 years and 20 years, respectively, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. J.B. Lillard E.L. Lemmons
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 24 day of August 1904; and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim; and that the contents of the fore going declaration, &c. were made known and fully explained to all the affiants before swearer. J.M. Purdue,
Notary Public
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Submitted By: Ray Ezell
DECLARATION FOR INVALID PENSION
STATE OF TENNESSEE
COUNTY OF MONROE
On this 2 Day of May A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety 5, personally appeared before me, T.A. Robinson, Dep. County Court Clerk within and for the county and State aforesaid Ambrose K. Bright, aged 57 years, a resident of the Sweetwater County of Monroe, State of Tennessee, duly sworn according to law, declares that his is the identical A.K. Bright who was enrolled on the ___ day of ____ 18__ in Co. D "3" Tenn. Mtd. Vols. In the War of the Rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was Honorably discharged at Knoxville, Tennessee day of 30th day of Nov. 1864. That he has not been employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above.
That he is now unable to earn a support by reason of Piles, gravel complaint, and fracture of right leg, and disease of eyes.
That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent. That he as applied for pension under application No. 795,219. That he is a pensioner under Certificate No xxxxx. That he makes this declaration for the purpose for being placed on the pension rolls of the United States under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890.
He hereby appoints N.W. Wills and Co., Washington D.C. his true and lawful attorneys and he agrees to allow them the $10 fee as prescribed by law for prosecuting his claim. That his post office address is Sweetwater county of Monroe, State of Tennessee. Ambrose K. Bright
Attest: _____
Also personally appeared W.M. Harrison residing at Madisonville and Thos. McClellen, residing at Madisonville persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Ambrose K. Brite, the claimant sign his name to acquaintance with him for ___ years and ___ years respectively, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. W.M. Harrison Thos. McClellan Sworn to and subscribed before me this 2 day of May A.D. 1895 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declarations, etc. were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words ___ erased, ____ added, and that I have no interest, direct of indirect in the prosecution of this claim. T.A. Robinson Deputy County Court Clerk
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Submitted By: Ray Ezell
No. 19642
The Claim of Joseph R. Burchfiel, Adm of Gregory F. Hawkins, Monroe Co. in the State of Tenn.
No. of Item Description Amount Claimed Amount Allowed
1 2000 lbs bacon 400$ 80$
2 4000 bundles fodder 40$ 20$
3 3000 lbs hay 30$ -
4 800 bushel corn 800$ 250$
5 30 bushels potatoes 15$ 15$
6 24 gal. Molasses 24$ -
7 100 bush. Wheat 150$ 50$
8 600 lbs. Pork 60$ 25$
REMARKS:
The claimant is the administrator of estate of Gregory F. Hawkins, who was a resident of Monroe Co. Tenn. And died in Sept. 1867. The Testimony is full & satisfactory that Mr. Hawkins & all his heirs were loyal to the Union cause throughout the War. The claim has been investigated & the report of our agent is herewith filed to which reference is particularly made and attention called from which it will be seen that the investigation had been very thorough. A considerable part of the population of Monroe Co. was loyal & the state's citizens was generally well defined, & in East Tennessee loyalty on that account was more certainly established on susceptible of proof.
The claim is largely exaggerated. The property was taken in January 1864 by a portion of Gen. McCooks command. The witnesses to the taking of the property are the descendant's son and daughter, who are tow of the heirs & interested in the claim, & Dr. Edwin Hall who is postmaster at Hopewell Springs, Tenn. The testimony of this latter witness as to quantity we take with some grains of caution. He happened at the house when the property was taken as he says, attending as a physician as many as these different times that he went out to the smokehouse on one occasion & weighed out bacon to the soldiers to upwards of a thousand pounds & he speaks to the quality of the corn & the other articles. Its difficult to understand how he should know anything on that subject, or if he did how he should remember the quality particularly after this lapse of time having, as he declares, no interest in the claim. From the size of the farm, its value, & the quality of the land, it is high!
ly unprobable that any such quantity of property as charged was taken. Hay is charged, while witnesses called by our Agent testify there was no meadow land upon the place. This difficult to be satisfied, & impossible to be certain of the amount taken. We think the allowances on the opposite page all that are justified by the proofs. We recommend the payment of $440
A.O. Aldes
J.B. Howell Commissioners of Claims
J.F. Filsson
The UNITED STATES, to Joseph R. Burchfiel Adm of , Gregory F. Hawkins, dist. of Tenn.
For the amount allowed him by Act of Congress, Private No. 70 approved March 3rd, 1877, entitled "An Act making appropriations for the payment of claims reported allowed by the Commissioners of Claims under the Act of Congress of March 3, 1871.
Four hundred and forty dollars $440.00
Letter from U.S. Special Commissioner
PRIVATE
Loudoun, Tenn June 1st
The Hon. Commissioners
There is a claims "ring" in the District where these claimants in the Hawkinses Case reside, and the Post Master is generally believed to be the head of it. The witness, William Click, told me this claim was greatly exaggerated but as he is father-in-law of one of the claimants I did not ask him for his deposition.
In this Hopewell Springs neighborhood they all have claims, are all related and swear for each other.
Jno. B. Brownlow
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