Confederate Widow’s Pension Application of Rebecca Lewallen

aka Elizabeth R. Lewallen

 

Widow’s Pension For year Ending February 15, 1895.

Paid to: Mrs. Lewallen Rebecca

of Banks County.

Widow of Perry Lewallen

Warrant Issued 8 June 1895

And handed to T. F. Hill

 

Affidavit to be Made by the Widow.

 

State of Georgia,

County of Banks.

In person came before me, the undersigned Ordinary in and for said County of Banks Mrs. Rebecca Lewallen, who being sworn according to law, says under oath that she is the widow of Perry Lewallen, who was a soldier in the service of the Confederate States, and served as a member of Company A, of the 2nd Regiment of Georgia Volunteers; that he enlisted in said service on or about the 15 day of April 1862, and was in the [blank] Army up to the 25th day of April 1865.  That while in the Army , he was on the [blank] day of April 1865, attacked with pneumonia fever and carried to the hospital at [blank] where he was badly cared for and while there contracted chronic diarrhoea.  He was carried from the hospital to his home in Banks County.  A severe cough and throat trouble as a result of pneumonia fever, and chronic diarrhoea contracted while in hospital continued to grow worse until from chronic diarrhoea he died the 11th day of April 1874[incorrect-Perry Lewallen is listed in the 1880 Census for Banks County].  He was never able to work after his return from the service.  When he enlisted he was stout and healthy.

Deponent further swears that she was the wife of said deceased soldier during his term of service in the Army, and that she has never married since his death; that she became his wife on the 28th day of April 1848, and that she has resided in Georgia continuously since the 2nd day of August 1828; that Georgia is her home, and was such on the 23rd day of December, 1890, and since said date she has not lived in any other State or locality. Deponent, as the widow of said deceased soldier husband, applies for the pension provided by the Act of the General Assembly of Georgia, approved December 23rd, 1890, for the pension year ending February 15th, 1895, and herewith tenders the proof of her right to receive the allowance granted by said Act.

 

Signed: Rebecca Lewallen [X her mark]

 

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this the 12th day of April 1895.

T. F. Hill, Ordinary.

 

Affidavit for Three Witnesses.

 

State of Georgia,

County of Banks.

In person came before me, the undersigned Ordinary in and for said County, witnesses C. C. Dunkin, J. D. Terrell and J. C. Smelley (each known to said Attesting Officer as truthful, reliable and reputable citizens), who being severally say under oath, that, from their own personal knowledge, Mrs. Rebecca Lewallen, of the County of Banks, State of Georgia, is the widow of Perry Lewallen who was a soldier in Company A of the 2nd Regiment of Georgia Volunteers.  That said soldiers enlisted in the service of the Confederate States (or the Georgia State Troops) on or about the 15 day of April 1862.  That while in said service or by reason of said service in the Army, he lost his life as follows:

While in the service he was attacked with pneumonia fever, was carried to hospital were necessary treatment was not had, and where he contracted chronic diarrhoea, when he was able he was carried to his home in Banks County, sometime in April or May.  A dreadful cough and throat trouble resulting from pneumonia fever, and the chronic diarrhoea contracted while in hospital, continued until for the chronic diarrhoea he died on the 11th day of April 1874.  He was unable to do any work after returning on account of them diseases.  He was stout and healthy when he enlisted.   Our opportunity for knowing the facts stated in reference to death of applicant’s husband were that we were with him constantly in the service.  Saw him in the hospital while he was sick.  We were discharged and returned home soon after soldier did and lives neighbors to himself to his death.  We further swear that Mrs. Rebecca Lewallen was the wife of said solider during the service, and that she has not intermarried since his death, and that she resides in Banks County of the State of Georgia.  We further swear that we have no personal interest in the pension asked for.

Signed: C. C. Dunkin, J. D. Terrell, J. C. Smelley

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this, the 12th of April 1895.

T. F. Hill Ordinary.

 

State of Georgia, Banks County. [Handwritten]

Personally comes before me T. F. Hill Ordinary of said County Josiah Smith known to me as a reputable physician of said county who being severally sworn, says on oath that he examined and treated Perry Lewallen, husband of Rebecca Lewallen, and after such treatment and examination says that he was diseased as follows:

He was a total wreck caused from pneumonia fever, and chronic diarrhoea.  He had a sever cough and throat trouble naturally resulting from pneumonia fever.  The direct cause of his death however was chronic diarrhoea, a result of service as stated by applicant.  Knew soldier and treated him soon after the war, and since to his death.

Signed: Josiah Smith, M. D.

Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 3rd day of May 1895.

T. F. Hill Ordinary, Banks County.  Additional handwritten accompanying statement: This is to certify that Josiah Smith M. D. Who signed the within affidavit is well known to me as a reputable physician of Banks Co., in good standing & that his statements are entitled to full faith and credit.  Witness my hand officially this the 8 June 1895-T. F. Hill, Ordinary, Banks Co.

[Power of Attorney was given by Rebecca Lewallen to T. J. Hill for receipt of her pension money.  This was very common, as the pension money was sent to the county Ordinary and he would disburse it to the pensioners.  The Power of Attorney was witnessed by Oscar Brown and L. N. Turk, Clerk of Superior Court for Banks County.]

Note-Rebecca Lewallen continued to receive Confederate Widow’s Pensions until the year of her death, May 3 1906 as reported in the Banks County Journal.  Subsequent to her application in 1895 Rebecca reported some differing facts regarding Perry Lewallen’s injury and death date as follows:

1896-death date April 11, 1878.

1897-death date April 1884, which would be consistent with the filing of an application on April 11, 1885 by his daughter Lantie Lewallen (Atlanta Lewallen) as next of kin to become Administrator of Perry Lewallen’s estate as well as the sale of eight acres of estate land to the Trustees of Hickory Flat Methodist Church on May 25, 1885.

1898-death date given only as 1882.

1899-death date given as 1882.

1900-death date given as 1882.

1901-death date given as 1882.

1902-death date given as 1885.

1903-death date given as 1878-Perry Lewallen was enumerated in the 1880 census for Banks County.

1905-death date given as 1878.

1906-death date given as 1878.

Rebecca Lewallen is listed as the mother of Isac A. Lewallen who died in Banks County in 1942 and her maiden name is stated as “Manes”, birthplace unknown.  Her place of burial is unknown at this time.

Perry Lewallan is shown to have enlisted in the 4th Georgia State Cavalry (State Guards), at Homer, Ga., in Captain James M. McDonald’s Company called the Homer Cavalry, Blue Ridge Tiger Regiment, commanded by Col. Robert White for the local defense in the 6th and 7th Congressional Districts, and appears on the muster-in roll for the Homer Cavalry dated August 19, 1863 for a duration of six months.

Contributed by Ron Nichols, NICHOLSRON18@aol.com

Transcribed and compiled 2006 by Jacqueline King