John Conkin Pension Application

submitted by Gladys Owens

War of 1812

Numbers:
Old War Inv. File 346
Old War Inv. Ctf. 1950
Wid. Orig. 3400
Wid. Ctf. 4075

Soldier: Conkin, John

Widow: Conkin, Mary

Service: Pvt. Capt. Waddle’s Co. Tenn. Mil.

Enlisted: Nov. 13, 1814

Discharged May 18, 1815

Bounty Land: 33269 – 80 – 50 (He received a Bounty Land Grant number 33269 for 80 acres in 1850)

11058 – 80 – 55 (He received a Bounty Land Grant number 11058 for 80 acres in 1855)

Residence of Soldier: 1851, 1855, Sullivan Co., Tenn.

Residence of Widow: 1871, 1872, Sullivan County (P.O. Locust Mount Washington Co.) Tenn.

Marriage of Soldier and Widow: May 5, 1811, Sullivan Co., Tenn.

Death of Soldier: July 29, 1862, Sullivan co., Tenn.

Death of Widow:

State of Tennessee
Washington County:

On this 9th day of September 1833 personally appeared before me Jacob Ellis one of the acting Justice of the Peace for said County Lewis Hail/Hale a citizen of said County and after being first duly sworn deposed stated that during the late war the fall of 1814 deponant set out under Capn. Landon and John Conk under Capn Waddle both of Ge (Greene) County occasion to perform a tour of duty for six months in the Tennessee Militia. That on the pedetcors (?) and whilst on march at a place near the Lookout Mountain the Army marching had to cross a creek. On the trail of a mile came around (?) the into of which the working of water had made a gulp (gulff) men on march required to jump into that. Said Conk when all attempting to jump his foot slipped out he fell deponant aided him in getting out. I saw that he was injured and said Conk ……. Him the violencience done and it appeared that the re (right?) arm of his billy was broken. Which …….deponant knows was cont…… in the service and in this way and manner set forth. Sworn to and desposed before me this day and year above

Sept 1 Jacob Ellis Justice of the Peace

Lewis Hail

I do certify that I am personally acquainted with Lewis Hail the above witness and believe him to be a man of truth and sincerity, and can repose the utmost confidence in any statement he would make upon oath or otherwise.
21 June 1836

Wm B. Carter

State of Tennessee
Washington County:

We John P. Chester and Samuel B. Cunningham two of the physicians from the County aforesaid do certify on oath that we have carefully examined John Conk the within named applicant for a pension that we are satisfied from evidence and observation that he said John whilst in the service in the Militia of the State of Tennessee at or near the Lookout Mountain was disabled whilst in the lieu of his duty by being severely. …and that in ……of his disability being concerned he is now rendered incapable of obtaining industrious by manual labor and is disqualified thereby one half. Sworn to and subscribed the 16th day of Nov 1833

Jerry Bowing Justice of the Peace

John P. Chester Samuel B. Cunningham

WAR DEPARTMENT

INVALID PENSION

I certify, Than, in conformity with the Law of the United States, of the 28th June 1836 John Conkin late a Private of the Tennessee Militia was, on the 6th day of July 1836, inscribed on the Pension List, Roll of East Tennessee Agency, at the rate of four dollars per month; and that his name is now on the roll of the same Agency, at the rate of Eight dollars per month, commencing on the twenty-eighth day of January one thousand eight hundred and forty-five.
This certificate is issued in lieu of one dated on the 6th day of July 1836, cancelled

Given at the war Office of the United
States this seventeenth day of April one thousand
Eight hundred and forty-five

W. C. Marey
Secretary of War

(Blocked out by seal) countersigned,

J. L. Edwards

John Conkin

Payable on the 4th March
And 4th September at
Knoxville

By John Ten King, Esq
Pension Agent.

Registered in Book F
Vol 9 Page 47 by
D. Brown, Clerk

MADISONIAN OFFICE

APPLICATION FOR A TRANSFER.

County of Sullivan ss. State of Tennessee

On this eleventh day of May 1846, before me, a Justice of the Peace for the said County of Sullivan personally appeared John Conkin who, on his oath, declares that he is the same person who formerly belonged to the Company commanded by Captain Jonathan Waddle in the Regiment commanded by Colonel Samuel Bayless in the Service of the United States; that his name was placed on the pension roll of the State of Tennessee; that he now resides in the State, (District, or Territory,) of Tennessee where he intends to remain, and wishes his pension to be there payable, in future. The following are his reasons for removing from Knoxville Tennessee to Jonesboro Tennessee. Viz: I have ……to, drawn my pension at Knoxville Tennessee, which is about ninety miles from my residence. I am old and infirm and not able to travel there, I a…….desire that the transfer be made t Jonesboro, Ten. Which is only about nineteen miles from my residence.

Sworn and subscribed to before me The day and year aforesaid Peter StarrJustice of the Peace for said County

His John X Conkin Mark

 

I do hereby certify that John Conkin who has taken the written oath is the person described in the within affidavit—-Witness my hand.

William Mclellan

May 11, 1846
Sworn to and subscribed before me 11 May 1846

Peter Starr
Justice of the Peace

I do hereby certify that Wm Mclellan is a person of varacity (?) and that John Conkin who has taken the written Oath is the person described in the written affidavit. Witness my had and seal May 11, 1846

Peter Starr (Seal)
Justice of the Peace

State of Tennessee
Washington County:

I Jacob L. Messick Clerk of the County for said Sullivan County do certify that Peter Starr named a person ……….is and was at the time of signing the same active Justice of the Peace for Sullivan County, and he was duly
Elected ………….. commission according to law and full ………………………. am a seal of office at office in Blountville ……………….. 20th day of June 1846.

Jacob L. Messick, C.C. Clerk

(Note: part of this statement was covered by the shadow of a star shaped seal.)

STATE OF TENNESSEE,
COUNTY OF Sullivan, –ss

On this 11th day of June one thousand eight hundred and fifty one personally appeared before me, one of the Justices of the Peace within and for that County and state aforesaid, John Conkin aged seventy three years, a resident of Sullivan County in the State of Tennessee, who being duly sworn according to law, ……that he is the individual John Conkin who was a Pvt., Corporal in said company ……regiments of East Tennessee Militia commanded by Col. Samuel Bayles in the war with Great Britain that he was drafted at Jonesbough on and about the 5th day of November A.D> 1814 for the term of sis months and remained in actual service in said war for the term of six months and was honorably discharged at Jonesbough on the 28th day of May A.D. 1815 which discharge I made sale of to one David Deaderck a merchant in Jonebough.

He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which he may be entitled under the acts granting bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the military service of the United States, passed September 28th, 1850.

John (his mark) Conkin

Sworn to and subscribed before and that day and year above written. And I hereby certify that I believe that said Jon Conkin to be the identical man who said as aforesaid, and that he is of the age above stated

E. Smith (Seal) J.P.

 

STATE OF TENNESSEE,
COUNTY OF Sullivan-SS.

(This section has a star shaped seal on it, but it is a statement of authorization to administer oaths for general purposes. It was signed by Tho. P. Ford, Clerk of the County Court, 10th day of July 1851)

STATE OF TENNESSEE,
COUNTY OF Washington, –SS.

On this 6th day of April 1855 personally appeared before me, Justice of Peace in and for said County and State, John Conkin aged 78 years, a resident of Sullivan (Washington was written in, but marked through) County, in the said State, who being duly sworn according to law declares that he is the identical John Conkin who was a private in the company commanded by Capt. Jonathan Waddle (Aaron Banks was written in, but marked through) in the Regiment of Tennessee Militia, commanded by Col. Samuel Bayless in the War with Great Britain declared by the U.S. on the 18th June 1812 for the term of six months, and continued in actual service in said war for the term of fourteen days (and upwards, )—that he has heretofore made application for Bounty Land under the act 28th September 1850 and act 22 March 1852, and received a land warrant, No. …. For eighty acres, which he has since legally disposed of, and cannot now return. He makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the additional bounty land to which he may be entitled under the act approved 3rd of March 1855. He also declares that he has never applied for nor received under this or any other act of Congress, any county land warrant except the one above mentioned.

Applicant’s Signature

John (his mark) Conkin

We J. H. Carmack (I think) and Jas W. Hicks residents of the aforesaid County and State, upon our oaths, declare that the foregoing declaration was signed and acknowledged by John Conkin in our presence; and that we believe, from the appearance and statements of the applicant, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be, and that we are not interest in his claim.

Witnesses Signatures

J. H. Carmack James W. Hicks

The foregoing declaration and affidavit were sworn to before me on the day and year above written; and I certify that I know the affiants to be credible persons; that the claimant is the person he represents himself to be, and that I have no interest in this claim.

E. T. Edwards, Justice of the Peace.

(A page with notes on it.)

107.571 July 23/51
John Conkin, First Sergeant. Capt. Jonathan Waddle, East Tennessee Militia. Col.
Samuel Bayle. War of 1812

Ent (entered) Nov 15, 1812
Dis (discharged) May 18, 1815

John Conkin served under Capt Waddle from the 13 November 1814 to 18 May 1815

Warrant 733.269
Is & sent Apr 3/52

Robert G. Halls
Jonesborough
Tennessee

Vol 95-37

State of Tennessee
Washington County SS

On this the 14th day of March AD 1866 before me Henry Hopson Clerk of the Chancery Court in and for the County and State aforesaid personally appeared Mary Conkin aged seventy-five years. Who being duly sworn declares that she is the widow of John Conkin who was a pensioner of the United States on the roll of the Jonesboro Tennessee agency and whose Certificate is herewith surrendered an that her said husband died on the 29th day of July 1862 near Fall Branch Tenn. And that previous to his death he resided near Fall Branch Tennessee for the space of twenty years and that she now lives and has since her said husband’s death lived at the same place. Thus she was married to the said John Conkin sometime in the year eighteen hundred and ten. And that she has remained the widow of the same John Conkin since his death and that she has never in any manner aided or abetted in the late rebellion or expressed or manifested any sympathy for the cause of the rebels. That she makes this application for the purpose of obtaining a new certificate such as she may be entitled to under laws now existing and she hereby constitutes and appoints St..ibl… and Simpson of Washington her Attorneys and authorizes them to receive such certificate or certificates as may be granted to her and that her said husband never in any manner aided or abetted in the rebellion or ever expressed any sympathy with the cause of the Rebels.               May Conkin

State of Tennessee
County of Washington

I Mary Conkin do solemnly swear in the presence of Almighty God that I will here forth faithfully support protect and defend the Constitution of the United States and the Union of the States then and or that I will in like manner abide by the faithfully support all laws and proclamations which have been made during the existing rebellion with reference to the Emancipation of Slaves so help me God

Mary Conkin

The foregoing declaration and oath of Allegiance even sworn and subscribed before me this the 14th day of March 1866

Henry Hopson, C & M
Jonesboro, TN

Also personally appeared Barbary Conkin and Rebecca Bragg who being duly sworn declares that they were present and saw Mary Conkin sign her name to the forgoing declaration and affidavit and from their acquaintance with of 30 years know her to be the identical Mary Conkin who was the wife of John Conkin who is now dead who was a pensioner of the Untied States. And that the said John Conkin was during hi life a true and loyal man that he did not in any manner aid or abet in the rebellion or sympathize with their cause. And that the said Mary Conkin is very poor and has no means of subsistence said what she earns by her own labor or what is contributed by her friends and further that … have no interest in the prosecution of this claim

Barbary Conkin
Rachal Bragg

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th day of March 1866

Henry Hopson, C & M
Jonesboro, TN

State of Tennessee
Washington County

I John Grisham Clerk of the county court of the said county do certify that proof under oath has been made in open court that John Conkin was a Pensioner on the roll of the Jonesboro Agency. And that he died on the 29th day of July 1862 near Fall Branch Tennessee and that he was the husband of Mary Conkin, who now resides near Fall Branch in the State of Tennessee.

Witness my hand at Office in Jonesboro this 30th day of June 1866

John Grisham, Clerk
Washington County Court

WIDOW CLAIM FOR PENSION

State of Tennessee
County of Washington

On this    day of      187  personally appeared before me John F. Grisham Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State afore said Mary Conkin… a resident of Sullivan County and State of Tennessee aged years who being duly sworn makes the following declaration in order to…. the pension provided by the Act of Congress approved July 25, 1866 and July 27, 1868. That she is the widow of John Conkin who was an Invalid Pensioner of the Untied States by reason of Hernia contracted whilst in the military service of the United States in the War of 1812, his Pension Certificate, No. 1950; that hers said husband John Conkin died July 29, 1862. That her maiden name was Mary Jackson and that she was married to the said John Conkin on or about the day at in the County of Sullivan and State of Tennessee by on and she knows of no record of her marriage as the records of the country were burnt, at Battle of Blountville during the rebellion in the year 1863. She also declares that she has remained a ever since the death of said John Conkin, and that she has not in any manner been engaged in or aided or abetted the late rebellion in the U.S. and she hereby appoints R.W. Walker of Washington DC as her lawful attorney with power of substitutes and authorizes him to present and prosecute this claim and receive her pension certificate. She and her deceased husband had no children under the age of 16 years at the time of his death. My post office address to which I desire my mail sent to is Locust Mount Washington Co, Tennessee

Witnesses

Sworn to and subscribed before me this………

ISSUED IN LIEU OF PREVEIOUS INSTRUCTIONS FROM THIS OFFICE, DATED JULY 1871.

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
PENSION OFFICE,

Washington, D.C., Aug. 21st, 1872

Madam,

In the claim for pension of Mary Conkin a widow of the War of 1812, under the Act of February 14, 1871, No. 3400, # Lewis Heale and # Vanzant Morgan testify to the claimant’s loyalty.

You are required to show by the certificate of an officer of a United States Court, a United States Commissioner, an Assessor, Assistant Assessor, Collector, Deputy Collector of Supervisor of the Internal Revenue, or a Postmaster, to the satisfaction of this Office that, after careful investigation, he is convinced the above witnesses are men of undoubted good character for truth and veracity, and that their statements in the affidavit referred to are worthy of full faith and credit

Very respectfully,

J. H. Baker

Commissioner.

Claimant,
Locust Mount.
Washington, Co. Tenn

#Names of Witnessed who testify to loyally in declaration

WAR OF 1812

DECLARATION OF A WIDOW FOR PENSION UNDER ACT OF FEBRUARY 14, 1871

STATE OF Tennessee,
COUNTY OF Washington, SS:

On this 11th day of September, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy-two personally appeared before me John f. Grasham Clerk, of the County a court of record within and for the county and State aforesaid, Mary Conkin aged eighty-two years, a resident of 14th Civil District, county of Sullivan State of Tennessee, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of John Conkin, who served the full period of sixty days in the Military who was drafted in Captain James Sander’s company Col. Sam Bayless regiment, Gen. Cotter’s brigade, at Blountville, on or about 1st day of November, 1814, and was honorably discharged at Jonesboro, on or about 1st day of May, 1815; that John Conkin while on the road to Mobil Ala ….an infirmy for which he received a pension at the rate of $8 per mo. That said John Conkin late pensioner of the U.S. War of 1812 whose pension certificate No. 1950 was return when application was made by Mary Conkin his widow for …. Due said soldier that she was married under the name of Mary Jackson to said John “Conkin on the fifth day of May 1811 by James P. Hulse at Samuel Job’s house, county of Sullivan, State Tennessee, there being no legal barrier to said marriage; that her said husband died in Sullivan Co., TN on the twenty-ninth day of July 1862, and that she has not remarried since his death; that at no time during the late rebellion against the authority of the United States, did she or her said husband adhere to the cause of the enemies of the Government, giving them aid or comfort, or exercised the functions of any office whatever under any authority, or pretended authority, in hostility to the United States; that she will support the Constitution of the United States; that she is not in receipt of a pension under any previous act; 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 approved February 14, 1871, and hereby constitutes and appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation Dr. Richard Humphreys, of Locust Mount, her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim and procure the issuance of a pension certificate to her. That her post office address is Locust Mount, County of Washington, State of Tennessee, and her domicile or place of abode is Sullivan County State of Tennessee.

Witness Lewis HaleVanzant Morgan

Her Mary X Conkin Mark

Also personally appeared Lewis Hale, residing at Fall Branch, TN and Vanzant Morgan, residing at Fall Branch, TN, persons whom I certify to be respectable

and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say; They were present and saw Mary Conkin, the claimant, sign her name (or make her mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and at no time during the late rebellion against the authority of the United States did she, or her said husband, adhere to the causes of the enemies of the Government, or give them aid or comfort; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
Lewis Hale
Vanzant Morgan

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 4th day of September A.D., 1872, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing………………….

John F. Grisham

Clerk Co Ct

(The widow’s claim was rejected February 2, 1872. A note in the file said: “1872 Jun 10. Atty ind to know death caused by drink” is what it looks like. It is “dri…k”. Received July 16, 1871. R. Humphrey. Locust Mount. E. Tenn. Is this an indication Mary had a drinking problem? It does not specifically say whom. There is no indication when Mary died.)

 

War of 1812: John Conkin

Introduction

Ann Conkin Persinger Crawford is my great grandmother. (See Persinger/Crawford pension record). I have tried to determine who her parents were.

In the 1850 Sullivan County Census, there are four households of Conkins.

Family No.			Occupation	Birth Place
1098
	James Conkin	24 (brn 1826)	farmer	TN
	Mary	19 (brn 1831)		TN
	Sarah	10/12 (brn Oct 1850)		TN
1119	Hagan Conkin	33 (brn 1817)	farmer	TN
	Barbary (Molten)	33		TN
	Amy	12 (brn 1838)		TN
	Mary	10 (brn 1840)		TN
	Wm (William)	8 (brn 1841)		TN
	Jno (John)	7 (brn 1842)		TN
	Rachel	5 (brn 1845)		TN
	George	4 (brn 1846)		TN
	Andw (Andrew)	4 (brn 1846)		TN
	Hannah	2 (brn 1848)		TN
1111	Jno (John)	74 (brn 1776)	farmer	TN
	Mary (Polly Jackson)	56 (brn 1794)		TN
	Jonathan	21 (brn 1829)		TN
1170	Jno (John) Conkin	40 (brn 1810)		TN
	Sarah (Watts)	38 (brn 1812)		TN
	Hagans	15 (brn 1835)		TN
	Mary	12 (brn 1838)		TN
	Ann	10 (brn 1840)		TN
(Ann Conkin Persinger Crawford)
	Henry	8 (brn 1842)		TN
	Wm (William)	5 (brn 1845)		TN
	Jno (John)	6/12 (brn June 1850)		TN

 

---

In the book, THE COMPLETE BOOK OF EMIGRANTS IN BONDAGE 1614-1775, written by Peter Wilson Coldham, published by Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. Baltimore 1988, George Conkin is listed as coming to America on the ship Justitia September 1764. He was from Middlesex of England.

In January 1786, the court records in Augusta County, VA noted an orphan son of George Conkin was placed under the guardianship of John Campbell. Possible three of George Conkin’s sons came to Washington and Sullivan County. The three Conkins who are near the same age were George, Moses and John. (Information via e-mail from Paul Conkin).

Moses Conk(in) is listed in Captain Jacob Hartsell’s Company (12 October 1812 to 12 January 1814). On the Sullivan Co., TN 1796 Tax list, George Conkin is listed. John, I suspect, is in Washington County.

According to Paul Conkin, (conkinpd (at) ctruvax.vanderbilt.edu), John Conkin, born 1776, married, 16 April 1812, Mary “Polly” Jackson as his second wife. From his first marriage, he had John Conkin born 1810. This John married Sarah Watts, (in Washington County marriage records, Sarah Watts married John Konken 12 February 1832). With his second wife, Mary, he had Hagen born 1817 and he married Barbary Molten, 17 August 1837. Also, Paul suggested the elder John (who married Mary Jackson) named his second born son Hagen after “a rather prominent farmer in Washington County, Arthur Hagen” who lived near the elder John. Also, John, Jr (who married Sara Watts) named his oldest son after “a beloved half brother”.

To the best of my understanding, this is my lineage:

I. George Conkin born before 1764 died ca 1786

II. John Conkin born 1776 died July 29, 1862. Married first unknown.
A. John Conkin born 1810 married Sarah Watts 12 February 1832.

Married second Mary “Polly” Jackson 16 April 1812
A. Hagen Conkin born 1817 married Barbary Molton.

 

III. Children of John and Sarah
A. Hagans born 1835
B. Mary born 1838
C. Ann born 1840
D. Henry born 1842
E. William born 1845
F. John born June 1850

Children of Hagen Conkin and Barbary Molton
A. Amy born (27 June) 1838
B. Mary (Ellen) born 1840
C. William (Jefferson) born (30 April 1841) 1842
D. John (Wesley) born 1843 (1844)
E. Rachel (C.) born 1845 (1846)
F. George (W.) born 1846 (1847)
G. Andrew (J.) born 1846 (1847)
H. Hannah (E.) born 1848
I. James Poke born 1852
J. Nancy E. born 1852
K. Solomon B. born 1857
L. Noble born 1859
M. Thomas born 1868

 

IV. Ann Conkin (daughter of John and Sarah) born 1840 died ca 1900 married William Persinger July 5, 1860. William died August 13, 1863. In November 1868, Ann married Lewis Crawford.
A. Thanddeaus Preston Persinger born February 1866 died early 1900 married first Molly Dykes, I suspect daughter of Jasper and Mary Phillps Dykes in 1885. On the marriage record, Sallie Dykes was listed as parent
Thaddeaus married second Frances Compton. Thad and Frances did not have children. Children by first wife.
A. Zeke Persinger
B. Dave Persinger
C. James Persinger
D. Charlie Persinger
E. Ernest Persinger
F. Mary Persinger
G. Preston Persinger
H. Neal Persinger

 

V. James Persinger born August 22, 1897 died May 13, 1946 married Dona Simpson born June 6, 1894 died March 27, 1984
G. John Preston Persinger born January 13, 1915 died January 13, 1915
H. Jessie Herman Persinger born August 19, 1917 died 1997
I. James Marian Persinger born June 15, 1921 died August 8, 1997
J. Juanita Mildred Persinger
K. Ernest Clyde Persinger born June 23, 1923 died June 6, 1981
L. Paul Edward Persinger
M. Margaret Nannie Persinger
N. Glen Donald Persinger born August 6, 1936 died May 31, 1979
O. Harold Wayne Persinger born June 26, 1938 died March 3, 1953
P. Harce William Persinger born May 25, 1933 died August 2, 1972
Q. Jack David Persinger

 

VI. Ernest Clyde Persinger married Mary Kate Housewright, daughter of William Robert and Emma Christian Housewright.
A. Gladys Marie Persinger married Kenneth Michael “Johnny” Owens
B. Stella Louise Persinger married Kenneth Elbert Greer
C. James William Persinger

I would like to hear from any of the Conkin/Watts/Persinger/Simpson descendants. There are some missing pieces to this picture and any help in putting it together is appreciated. Please contact me, if you have any suggestions, corrections or information: gladysowens (at) hotmail.com