MEXICAN WAR
Notes
from Luther Blackman Papers
Transcribed by
Janelle Swearingen
War of 1846, 1847, and 1848 with Mexico.
[scrap of a form] Lewis R. Young aged 60 a resident of the Town of Sweetwater County of Monroe state of Tennessee . . . declares he is the Lewis R. Young who served the full period of sixty days in the military naval service of the United States in the war with Mexico who enlisted at Maryville, Blount Co. Ten on the ___ day of April 184_ as a private in company AF@ of Captain J. C. Flagg (or Fagg) in the 5th Regiment which was commanded by Colonel Geo B. McC[torn] Tenn Infty. Honorably discharged as a private at Memphis Tenn July 1848. . . [apparently used incorrect form as this was a form for the navy and he served in the Infty]
[R1-V-C-5]
Declaration of a Widow for Pension.
Dorthula S. Spears aged 69 years, a resident of Madisonville County of Monroe State of Tennessee who being duly sworn . . .declares that she is the widow of R. C. Spears who served the full period of ____ days . . . and who was the identical R. C. Spears who enlisted . . . as a private in Company B of Capt P. B. Anderson in the ? Ten regiment which was commanded by Wm. B. Trousdale . . . discharged as a private at New Orleans . . . July 1848. That she was married under the name of Darthula T. Cheyne to said R. C. Spears on the 6 day of Nov A. D. 1855 by John Carson Esq. . . R. C. Spears had been previously married that former wife died Oct 24, 1854. . . . that her husband died at Madisonville Tenn on the 18 day of July 1871 and that she has not remarried. . . [R1-V-C-5]
Mr. Blackman. Sir I have filled out this blank so far as I know at present; there are a great many things I will have to learn by inquiring. Mr. Bert Yearwood was I think, in the same command with Pa and perhaps Wm. Hicks. There is an old man (Mr. Fielding Henry) living out near Hawkins Mill who was in the same company with Pa and knew him well. I will see him at the earliest opportunity; he is very frail, so I will have to see him at his home; he can tell me when, and where Pa enlisted, his regiment, brigade, division &.
We do not know the No of the land warrant but Ma says she is very well convinced that Pa received one.
Ma wants you to call to see her at your earliest convenience and regrets her
absence the evening you did call. Respectfully Allie Spears
Madisonville Ten, Jan 29th 1887
Mr. Blackman, Your instructions with papers were received yesterday. Upon consulting one of the persons we spoke to you of last Monday as a witness to Ma=s marriage I found she was not present while the ceremony was being performed so that left only one witness is [sic] this county.
After consulting S. Y. Minnis Esq I concluded to send the affidavit to Rhea County as the only other living witnesses live there. Esq Minnis erased Monroe to put Rhea inits place hope that was all right. I sent affidavit by this morning mail with request that it be executed before the County Court Clerk and returned as quickly as possible.
Ma completed her application for pension before the County Court Clerk this evening. I also received from the Clerks office this affidavit from the doctor. I hope it is all right but I have some fears as I see he has not named the place of Pa=s death if this not right return it with directions and we will have it right.
When the other paper is returned I will send it to you immediately.
Respectfully Allie Spears. Madisonville Ten, Feb 9th 1887.
Mr. L. M. Blackman. You will find inclosed the affidavit you sent. Hope it will prove sufficient. The old family Bible has been distroyd. Respectfully Allie Spears. Madisonville Tenn, April 8, 1887.
Mr. L. M. Blackman. Inclosed you will find the papers you sent last all executed. Hope they will prove all right. Respectfully Allie Spears. Madisonville Tenn. May 16th 1887.
General Affidavit. State of Tennessee, County of Loudon, SS: In the matter of Pension claim of Mrs. Dorothy T. Spears widow of R. C. Spears late of Co. B 14 Reg Mexican War. . . . That they have been acquainted with the said Mrs. Dorothy T. Spears for the past ______ years and have resided as her neighbors during that time and have had all the opportunities from social intercourse to know and form a opinion in regard to the age of said Mrs. Dorothy T. Spears.
That during their acquaintance they have been led to believe and are now firmly of the opinion She is more than sixty two years of age. Although they cannot testify as to the date of her birth, yet, from their intimate acquaintance as aforesaid and familiarty with her appearance and her actions they feel sure their opinion as express in regard to her age is correct.
That during their said acquaintance it has been currently reputed and generally believed that said Reece C. Spears husband of Dorothy T. Spears did participate in the War with Mexico and has been accorded the honor as a Veteran of that War.
State of Tennessee County of Monroe. On this 16th day of May personally appeared before me a Clrk of record in and for aforesaid County (two witneses) S. Y. Minnis & S. H. Peace whose post office address is Madisonvile Ten .. . That they are acquainted with Darstorlu T. Spears who they know to be the widow of R. C. Spears and that they do know that the parties mentioned lived together as man and wife prior to the death of the said husband which occured on the 18 day of July 1871. That since the death of said R. C.Spears the husband of said Darthulu T. Spears has remained a widow and has not remarried.
That by reason of residing as her neighbors and friends to the parties if
she had remarried or if she does not remain a widow as aforesaid these
witnesses would be informed.
S. Y. Minnis, S. H. Peace.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16 day of May 1887. In witness whereof . . W. N. Magill Co Co Clk. [R1-V-B-3]
General Affidavit. State of Tennessee County of Loudon. . . Pension claim of Mrs. Dorothy T. Spears widow of Reece C. Spears of Co. B 14 Reg War with Mexico. . . Mrs. D. T. Spears aged 69 years a resident of Madisonville in the County of Monoe and State of Tennessee . . . She is not able to produce proof as to the date and place of her birth . . . [R1-V-B-3]