Confederate Pension Application of Francis M. Ayers

 

Questions for Applicant.

 

State of Georgia,

Banks County.

Francis M. Ayers of said State and County, desiring to avail himself of the Pension Act approved December 15th, 1894, hereby submits his proofs, and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? (Give State, County and post office.)

Francis M. Ayers.  I reside in Banks County, Ga.

2. Where did you reside on January 1st 1894, and how long have you been a resident of this State?

I resided in Banks County, Ga.  All my life in this State.

3. When and where were you born?

Sept. 18th 1826, in Franklin County, Ga.

4. Did you volunteer in the Confederate army of in the Georgia Militia?

In the Ga. State Militia.

5. When and where did you enlist?

At Carnesville, Ga., in 1862.

6. In what company and regiment did you enlist?

Co. B 1st Georgia Regiment.

7. How long did you remain in that company and regiment?

Until War ended.

8. If you were discharged from same and joined another, or if you were transferred to another, give an account of such discharge or transfer?

I was not discharged at all untill [sic] War ended.

9. For how long a period did you discharge regular military duty?

Three years.

10. When, where and under what circumstances were you discharged from service?

In 1865, after R. E. Lee surrendered.

11. What is your present occupation?

Hireling.

12. How much can you earn per annum by your own exertions and labor?

In my present condition, on account of age and infirmity, I can earn nothing.

13. What has been your occupation since 1865?

Hireling a part of the time.  Farmer on halfers [halves] a portion of the time.

14. What sum would be necessary for your support for this pension year, and how much are you able to contribute in either labor or income?

Five Dollars a month or $60.00 a year.  As I said above I am unable to contribute anything thereto on account of age and infirmity.

15. What is your present physical condition and how long have you been in such condition?

I am from old age, being sixty eight years of age, in extreme pains in my back, shoulders and legs continuously all the time, called by my Physician Paralysis agitans [Parkinsons Disease].  I have been all my life a very active and hard working man, having a large family to support.  I had to labor very hard to support them.  I have been in this failing condition about two years, but more so last and this year.

16. Upon which of the following grounds do you base your application for pension, viz: first, “age and poverty,” second “infirmity and poverty” or third “blindness and poverty”?

Age and poverty.  Infirmity and poverty.

17.  If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such condition that your could not earn you support?  If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent?  If upon the third state whether you are totally blind and where you lost your sight?

This year and last year, however I have been so that to do myself justice I ought not to have worked at all for about three years, but I have to work in extreme pain or perish.  I have not been able to work at all for three months and but very little from the first of this year up to the present.  I have had this paralysis agitans for three or four years but not so severe until last year and to the present time this year.

18. What property, effects or income do you possess?

No property at all.  No income at all.

19. What property, effects or income did you possess in 1893 and in 1894 and what disposition, if any, did you make of same?

I had one cow, or my daughter did.  I had about $50.00 worth of household and kitchen furniture, this and the cow being all my daughter’s.  I gave it all in as my property.

20. In what County did you reside during those years and what property did you return for taxation?

I resided in Banks County Georgia.  I gave in the property above named only.

21. How were you supported during the years 1893 and 1894?

I was supported thought the hardest by my own labor in great and extreme pain from age and Paralysis, but now I cannot and don’t work at all and have no one able to support me.

22. How much did your support cost for those years, and what portion did you contribute thereto by your own labor or income?

About $60.00, this as answered above or as done by me in great and under pain.  Then it was work in great pain or perish.  Now it is I cannot and don’t work, hence I must have help or perish.

23. What was your employment during 1893 and 1894?  What pay did you receive in each year?

I was a hireling here about town, cutting and sawing wood and gardening etc. in great and extreme pain.  About enough to live on through the hardest.  Now I cannot work at all.

24.  Are you married and have you a family?  If so, is your wife living and how many children have you?  Give age and sex of children and their means of support.

I am married.  My wife is dead.  Six children-1.Male 46 years old, 2. Male 42 years old, 3. Female 39 years old, 4. Female 36 years old, 5. Male 34 years old, 6. Female 29 years old.  They have no means of support, barely able to support their families.

25. Are you receiving a pension under any law of this State, if so for what amount and for what disability?

I am not.

26. Are you receiving aid from your County, and if so, how much?  Did you ever apply for such aid?

I am not.  I never applied for such and but will be compelled to unless I receive it from other sources.

Signed: F. M. Ayers [X his mark]

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this the 26th day of April 1895.

T. F. Hill, Ordinary of Banks County.

 

Questions for Witness

 

State of Georgia,

Banks County.

J. S. Connally, of said State and County, having been presented as a witness in support of the application of Francis M. Ayers for pension under the Act approved December 15th, 1894, and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside?

J. S. Connally.  I reside in Banks County GA.

2. Are you acquainted with Francis M. Ayers, the applicant, if so how long have you known him?

I have known him 30 years.

3. Where does he reside and how long has he been a resident of this State?

He resides in Bank County and has been a resident all his life.

4. Do you know of his having served in the Confederate army or the Georgia militia?  How do you know this?

I do know that he served in the Georgia Militia as I served with him in same Company and Regiment.

5. When, where and in what company and regiment did he enlist?

In 1862.  Co. B 1st Ga. State Line.

6. Were you a member of the same company and regiment?

I was.

7. How long did he perform regular military duty, and what do you know of his service as a Confederate soldier, and the time and circumstances of his discharge from the service?

He served from date of enlistment until the surrender in 1865.

8. What property, effects or income has the applicant? (Give your means of knowledge.)

He has nothing, except a small amount of household furniture.  I reside near him and would know if he had any property.

9.  What property, effects or income did the applicant possess in 1893 and 1894, and what disposition, if any, did he make of same?

Nothing except the household and kitchen furniture.  He has made no disposition of any property as I know of.

 

Note-Reference: “Cemeteries and Deaths in Banks County, Georgia” by Richard J. Chambers; “Mrs. F. M. Ayers of Maysville died a few days ago” Banks County Gazette 5/6/1891. The book goes on to list the following burials in the Maysville Sunrise Cemetery:

Ayers, Frank  18 Sept. 1826-26 May 1911

Ayers, Sarah Ann Payne 11 June 1825-30 April 1891

 

Transcribed 2006 by Jacqueline King