STATE OF Tennessee
Washington County
Personally appeared before me the under signed authority in and for the state and county aforesaid John S. Nelson whom I certify to be a highly reputable person and entitled to full credit as a witness who after being by me duly sworn states in relation to his Original Pension Claim No.....late Private Co “K” 2nd United States Vols as follows to wit:
That he is unable to furnish medical testimony in support of his said claim showing treatment since his discharge from the service for the reasons that Drs. J.W. Hartware and William Manteil who treated him are both dead and that Dr. John Heuley who also treated him has gone from claimants section of the county and that his whereabouts is now unknown to claimant
| Attest J.R. Russell |
John S. (his Mark) Nelson |
W.S. Febuary
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 18th day of Jan 1888 and certify that I have no interest in this matter and that the contents of the foregoing affidavit were fully made known to affaint in their presence and fully understood______? before swearing.
Jacob Leab
County Court Clerk
Additional evidence claim of
John S. Nelson
Co “K” 2nd US Vols
No. 615616
Affidavit of W. H. Hickman
Filed by E.A. Shipley, Jonesboro, Tenn
STATE OF Tennessee
Washington County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned authority in and for the state and county aforesaid---Wm H. Hickman whom I certify to be a highly reputable person and entitled to full credit as a witness who after being by me duly sworn as required by Statutes states in relation to the Original pension claim of John S. Nelson No. 615616 late Private Co “K” 2nd United States Vols. as follows to wit:
That he was a near neighbor to said John S. Nelson at the close of the late war and saw Nelson immediately after his return home from the service in Dec 1865. Affiant knows the fact that said Nelson was in bad health when he returned home and complained of diarrhea and scurvy which diseases were apparent his mouth was in a bad fix “and he also complained of his legs and was frequently lame.” (note: this line was marked through) Affiants remained a neighbor to said Nelson continuously after this up to about the year 1879 with the exception of about 18 months when Nelson removed to Carter Co. about 1878 and remained there about 18 months, when returned to affiants neighborhood and remained until about 1879. Affiant states from his personal knowledge that all these years after the was said Nelson was the subject of scurvy and diarrhea and was at no time a well man on this account and was by no means able to perform manual labor to such extent as would be expected from an able bodied man. Affiant has pulled teeth for him which had to be extracted on account of the scurvy and that said Nelson was very frequently unable to do any labor in consequence of his said disabilities that he has saw claimant frequently since he removed from his neighborhood in 1879 and that he has continued to complain in like manner and his appearance has always indicated that he has continued to be afflicted in same manner. affiant further states that said Nelson has always been in very poor financial circumstances and has a considerable family and has always done his utmost to support them being necessarily compelled to do labor where he was not at all able to do so. On account of his
poverty and actual necessity for food to supply his family compelled him to do so. Affiant further states that he is not related to claimant and has no interest in his claim for pension and that his PO address is Morning Star Washington Co. Tennessee
W. H. Hickman
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 19 day of January 1888 I certify that I have no
interest in this matter.
R.M.K. Deakins
Justice of the Peace
STATE OF TENNESSEE, Washington County.
I, Jacob Leab Clerk of the County Court of said County, do hereby certify that RMK Deakins whose genuine signature appears to the attached instrument is now, and was at the time of signing the same, an acting Justice of the Peace in and for said County, duly elected, commissioned, and qualified as such.
WITNESS my hand at office, this 26 day of January 1888
Jacob Leab
STATE OF Tennessee
Washington County
Personally appeared before me the undersigned authority in and for the state and county aforesaid George Irvin whom I certify to be a reputable person and entitled to full credit as a witness who after being by me duly sworn as required by law states in relation to the Original pension claim of John S. Nelson No.....late Private of Co “K” 2nd Regt United States Vols as follows to wit:
That he was a near neighbor to said Nelson at the close of the late war and saw him immediately after his return home from the services in Dec of 1865. Affiant observed that claimant was in bad health and ....? as ....? that he was suffering from scurvy and diarrhea. He complained of his bowels and had frequent occasions to go to stool. His mouth was also in a very bad case .....? and was at times lame and complained of his legs, said Nelson continued to live in affiants neighborhood very nearly all the time after he came home up to about the year 1879 when he removed about 10 miles away where he now resides. Affiant knew him intimately and saw him every few days during the period mentioned with the exception of about 18 months while he was in Carter co. and had every opportunity of knowing claimants physical condition. Affiant knows the fact that said claimant continued to complain of scurvy and diarrhea from the time he returned home in 1865 up to the time he left the neighborhood and in fact has heard him complain since then. Affiant also knows the fact that said Nelson was greatly incapacitated from the performance of manual labor in consequence of his said disabilities and was very frequently not able to labor at all. Affiant further states that he has no interest whatever in said Nelson’s claim for pension and that his P.O. address is Haws X Roads (Note: Haws Crossroads) Washington Co. Tennessee
G. M. Irvin
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 23rd day of January 1888 and certify that I have no interest in this matter.
T. M. Wells
Notary Public
For the testimony of EMPLOYEES OR NEAR NEIGHBORS of soldier, (other than relatives) who have known him before his enlistment, or since his discharge and return from the army.
STATE OF Tennessee, COUNTY OF Washington, SS.
In the matter of the application for pension of John S. Nelson for original pension No. 615616. Co “K” 2nd Regt US Vols
ON THIS 26 day of January A.D., 1888; personally appeared before me, a ......in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths Wm M. Taylor aged 38 years, a resident of Jonesboro in the County of Washington and State of Tennessee whose Post Office address is Jonesboro, Tennessee well known to me to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: That I have been well and personally acquainted with John S. Nelson for 22 years, and 22 years respectively, and that he lived a near neighbor when Nelson returned home from the service in Dec 1865 and saw him within a day or two after his return and know the fact that he was sick and complained of scurvy and diarrhea. Affiant remained in the immediate neighborhood for some 5 or 6 years afterward and that said Nelson continued to complain in like manner more or less. Affiant has saw Nelson frequently since he removed from the old neighborhood visited his house frequently when he lived in Carter Co., Tenn. and live near him again about two years where he now resides. During all these years affiant knows the fact that said Nelson has been greatly incapacitated from the performance of manual labor has frequently known of his being confined to his bed sometimes cause his mouth has always .....? to be in a very bad condition having lost most of his teeth on account of scurvy and that he has also saw signs of diarrhea by him complaining and his frequency at stool. According to affiants best opinion said Nelson has been unable to do one half manual labor since the war on account of his disabilities and that he has saw him labor when he was not able to do so, but being a very poor man he has been compelled to try his hand (note: I think this is what it says) to make a scanty living for purse and family. Affiant has frequently waited upon him when claimant took to his bed soon after the war and had good opportunities of knowing his condition. I further declare that I have no interest is said case and I am not concerned in its prosecution.
W. M. Taylor
STATE OF Tennessee
COUNTY OF Washington SS
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above named affiant, and I certify that I read said affidavit to said affiant, and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I further certify that I am in nowise interested insaid case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiant is personally known to me and that he is a credible person.
Jacob Leab
County Court Clerk
Respectfully referred to the Surgeon General US Army, requesting a report
of all treatment give this claimant in the hospital at Rock Island, Ills. from Dec 1st
1863 to Feby 28th 1865. One enclosure: Orig. Inv. No. 615616 John S. Nelson
Co. K, 2d US. Vols
John C. Black.
Commissioner
Washington, D.C., Mch (March) 8., 1888.
Sir:
I have the honor to return herewith your request for a report of hospital treatment in Claim No. 615616, with such information as is furnished by the records filed in this office, viz: that John S. Nelson Prv. Co., G. 2g Tenn. Vols entered Prison Hospital Rock. Island Ills. Oct 14, 1864 with Lcorbutres (or Scorbutres) and returned to duty Oct. 28, 1864. Records of Rock Island Ills from Dec 1. 1863 to Mch (March) 1. 1865 furnish no additional evidence in this case.
By order of the Surgeon General:
F. C. (or E.) Armsworth
Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army.
To the Commissioner of Pensions. Per TSB
Note----This affidavit must be executed by a Commissioned
Office, if possible, if not possible to secure such evidence then two of the
soldier’s comrades should testify.
STATE OF Indiana, COUNTY OF Madison, SS
ON THIS-----day of Feby (February) A.D. 1889; personally appeared before me a Notary
Public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths Frances M.
Huston aged...years, a resident of Elwood in the County of Madison and State of Indiana
and duly sworn according to law, state that he was acquainted with John S. Nelson
applicant for Invalid Pension, and know the said John S. Nelson to be the identical person
of that name who enlisted or volunteered as a private in Company "K" 2nd
Regiment of United States Infy Vols., and who was discharged at Ft. Leavenworth, Kansas on
or about the 7th day of November, 1865 by reason of cessation of hostilities.
That the said John S. Nelson while in the line of his duty, at or near Rock Island in the State of Illinois did, on or about the------day of Feby (February), 1865, become disabled in the following manner, viz: he became sick and according to affiants best recollection and belief was sent to hospital at that place where he remained some time and it is affiants best recollection that claimant was afflicted with scurvy and diarrhea. Affiant was in same Company with claimant and was quite intimate with each other. Affiant remembers the fact that when said claimant returned to the Co from hospital he was in delicate health and did not seem to recover his health while in the service. He continued to complain of his legs hurting him and was lame quite frequently and was detailed a part of the time as a teamster and was in the ordinance department also a portion of the time this was done as affiant now remembers on account of said claimant being unable to walk and do regular duty in the Co. on account of the scurvy affecting his legs. Affiant further states that according to his very best knowledge recollection and belief that said claimant even after his return from the hospital continued to suffer from scurvy and diarrhea to a greater or less extent all the while until discharged from service and was (Note: the rest was cut off when copied by the Archives)
And deponent further state that he was well acquainted with the claimant, having known him while in the service together about 12 months and further, that his knowledge of the facts above state are derived from said acquaintance, and from having served as Private of Company "K" of the 2nd Regiment of United States Volunteers from the 13th day of October 1864 to the 7th
day of Nov 1865. And deponent further state that the claimant was a sound
and able-bodied man at and prior to enlistment, so far as he knew, and that he is totally
disinterested in this claim.
Post office address of affiant is Elwood Madison Co. Indiana
Francis M. Huston
STATE OF Indiana, COUNTY OF Madison, SS
Sworn to and subscribed before me this day by the above-named affiant, and I certify
that I read said affidavit to said affiant, including the words.......erased (Note: no
words were erased or added) and the words.....added and acquainted him with its contents
before he executed the same. I further certify that I am in nowise interested to said
case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiant is personally known to
me and hat he is a credible person.
C. M. Brownlee
Notary Public
Certificate on file
Org. No. 615616
Jno. S. Nelson
Co. K 2 Reg’t US Vols
Washington D.C. Mch (March) 14, 1889
Return this letter with your reply.
Sir:
Referring to your recently filed affidavit in the above named claim please state on the back of this letter how you cause to know that claimant suffered from chronic diarrhea in the service. In what manner was he affected thereby and what was his condition at discharge.
Very respectfully,
John C. Black
Commissioner
Francis M. Huston
Elwood Ind.
(Note: This same letter was written to John P. Riggs at Conkling or Coupling, Tenn.)
Jonesboro, Tenn. March the 23/89
Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, DC
Sir,
About February 1865 I visited the comand that John S. Nelson belonged and found .....reliabel information that he was in the hospital at Rock Island, Ill and that he was sufreing from scurvy and diarehoe. I saw Nelson ameadlty (Note: is suppose to be "immediately") after he was discharged from service he was in delicate helth and complained of scurvy and darrhoe. I have know Nelson and have seen him evry year more or less cince the war and I know that he has complain of said disabilitys all the time and has bin gratly disabeld from manuel labor and has bin a continued suffrer. I hav no doubts that he contracted said disabilitys while in the U.S. sirefs.
Yours Restectfuly
John P. Riggs
Note: The spelling is exactly as Mr. Riggs wrote it.
Page 26
WAR DEPARTMENT,
ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE,
Washington, May 3, 1889
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
(It is) reported: Francis M. Houston Pvt. Co. K 2nd U.S. Vols is reported on roll from enrollment to Apl (April) 30/65, present. Retn (returned) for Mch (March) ‘65 (not on file) does not show him absent. Not borne as Huston. The name Jno. P. Riggs is not borne on rolls of Co.
Note: I do not know what "borne" means. It is plainly written as borne.
R. C. Drum
Adjutant General.
John C. Black
Com Pension Claims
Dear Sir;
In regard to the claim of John S. Nelson will say that I came to know John S. Nelson by being associated with him in the service in the same company as my self. He was not able for duty for some time before his discharge. He being affected with chronic diarrhea up to the time of his discharge from which date I have not seen him.
Francis M. Houston
Elwood, Ind.
ORIGINAL INVALID CLAIM.
Soldier, John S. Nelson
P.O., Clover Bottom
Rank, Private
County, Sullivan
Company, K
State, Tenn
Regiment, 2 US Vol. Inf
Rates, $2.00 per month, commencing July 7, 1887 and $4.00 from March 27, 1889
Pensioned for Chr. diarrhea and resulting piles
RECOGNIZED ATTORNEY.
Name, E. A. Shipley
P.O., Jonesboro, Tenn
Fee, $25.00
Agent......to pay
Articles filed July 6, 1887
APPROVALS
Approved for *Adm: Chr. Diarrhea and results
Submitted May 29, 1889: A.C. MacNulty, Examiner.
*and rej. at scurvy not contracted in line of duty but existing prior to discharge
Approved for Chronic Diarrhea resulting disease of recurring.
Not alleged, shown by Med. Ex. ref for action ibed. Ref. Scurvy results-rejected
contracted in prior military serve in CSA as per record
H.W. Hall, Legal Reviewer.
June 4, 1889 J.M.D, Re-Reviewer.
Approved for Chr Diarrhea and resulting piles.
2/18 to Mch (March) 27th 1889. 4/18 there after
J. Laws, Med. Ex’s
(unreadable), Med, Reviewer,
June 10, 1889
IMPORTANT DATES
Enlisted, Oct. 13, 1864
Discharged Nov. 7, 1865
Declaration filed July 7, 1887
Not in service since Nov. 7, 1865
BASIS OF CLAIM
Alleges Chr. Diarrhea and scurvy at Rock Island, Ill, in Feb
1865.
Clt signs X
No MG
Note: On September 25, 1889, John Nelson went for another medical examination for an increase in pension. They used the same form that I typed on page 10 of this file. On this page, I am typing only the information, not the entire form.
John S. Nelson
Co. K
2 Ret’t U.S. Vol Inf
Applicant for inc(rease)
No. 436.947
(note: the examining board was:)
E. B. Hale, Pres.,
J. B. A. Dice, Sec’y
J.A. Loving, Treas.,
Post Office, Morristown
County, Hamblen
State, Tenn
Increase Pension Claim No. 436.947
John S. Nelson, Rank, Pr.
Company K, 2 Reg’t U.S. Vol Inf
Clover Bottom, Tenn
P.O. of the Board Morristown, TN
Sept 25th, 1889
The board certified John S. Nelson was suffering from, "Chronic diarrhea and resulting piles and that he receives a pension of Four dollars per month."
Pules rate per minute, 72
Respiration, 22
Temperature, 99
Height, 5 feet 8 inches
Weight, 126 pounds
Age, 48 years
The board stated: "The disability has increased."
Upon examination we find the following objective conditions: Tongue red and fissirned (or frssined, the word is unrecognizable) Liver and spleen both enlarged and tender. Heart area measured 1/4 mill. Mitial engorged tooth near mouth. Rectum-one internal pile, hemmorrhoidal vessels engorged. No
Introduction | Index | Pages 1- 15 | Pages 16 - 30 | Pages 31 - 45 | Pages 46 - 62 |