This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: McDowell, Gragg Classification: Military Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/2dB.2ACI/2701 Message Board Post: Documentation pertaining to Godfrey McDowell's Civil War Pension Materials: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C., January 15, 1898. SIR: In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below. Very respectfully, Commissioner. First. Are you married? If so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name. Answer. Yes. Matilda - Matilda Gragg Second. When, where, and by whom were you married? Answer. Aug. 28, 1873. Union Township, Republic Co. Kans. E. Nelson, Justice of Peace Third. What record of marriage exists? Answer. Certificate Fourth. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce. Answer. No Fifth. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth. Answer. Yes. Geo. William Aug. 4, 1878; Alfred M. Dec. 13, 1881; Carl Edwin Sept. 29, 1884; Pearl Jenet, Oct. 21, 1886; Mary Alice, Nov. 20, 1874. Date of reply, May 4, 1898 {Signature} Godfrey McDowell ***** Act of May 11, 1912. Declaration for Pension. State of Kansas, County of Republic, ss: On this 15 day of June, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and twelve, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, Godfrey McDowell, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 66 years of age, and a resident of county of Republic, State of Kansas; and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Greensburg, Pa., under the name of Godfrey McDowell, on the 17 day of August 1864, as a private, in Company E, Regiment #211th Penn. Volunteers, in the service of the United States, in the Civil war, and was honorably discharged at Alexandria, Va., on the 2nd day of June, 1865. That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, 5 feet 9 1/2 inches; complexion fair; color of eyes blue; color of hair brown; that his occupation was farmer; that he was born June 13, 1846, at Westmoreland Co. Penn. That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Lived at Westmoreland to 3/1869 -- Cedar Rapids, Ia. 6 months -- 1870 6 month in Brownsville, Nebr. -- has lived in Republic ever since. That he is a pensioner under certificate No. 749173. That his post-office address is Scandia, county of Republic, State of Kansas. {Signature} Godfrey McDowell ***** Deposition B Case of Godfrey McDowell, No. 749,173 Cert. On this 10th day of June, 1913, at Near Scandia, County of Republic, State of Kansas, before me, Chas. G. Townsend a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared Godfrey McDowell, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says: I am 66 years of age; my post-office address is Scandia, Kans. R.F.D. I am the same Godfrey McDowell who served during the war of the rebellion in Company E 211th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry and who is a pensioner under the above-named certificate number. I am now in receipt of $12 per month. I am an applicant for increase of pension under the new age law. I was born June 13, 1846 and will be 67 years old on next Friday. I was born at Ligonier, or near said place in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. My father was George McDowell and my mother Mary R. McDowell. I have the old Family Bible record of my parents and here and now exhibit same to you. This record was the Family Bible of my parents and was given to me by my mother. This Bible has been in my possession about two years; my mother had it until her death. The entries in this Bible were made Oct. 17, 1870 by one T. Johnston an old school-teacher back in Pennsylvania. Same contains dates of my parents birth and their marriage, Nov. 29, 1838; also the dates of birth of their children. The same appear therein as follows,- Israel B. McDowell, born April 25, 1840, killed 2nd battle Bull Run. Rosan W. McDowell, born Aug. 26, 1841, now Emmert and who lives over west here. Maria McDowell, born Jan. 29, 1843, now Norris, Ligonier, Pa. Hyram Y. McDowell, born Aug. 31, 1844, Ligonier, Pa. He served in 139th and then in 211 Godfrey McDowell, born June 13, 1846, There were eight other children and this record shows dates of birth of all. This Bible record was made for my parents and was either copied from another and older record or from information given by them at the time. I have always considered June 13 as my birthday and have always been taught that I was born in the year 1846. I have always computed my age from said year. I have heard this read; have understood all questions and am correctly reported herein. Godfrey McDowell, Deponent. Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10th day of June 1913 and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. Chas. G. Townsend, Special Examiner ***** Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions Inv. Cert. No. 749,173 Godfrey McDowell, Co. E 211th Pa. Vol. Inf. Post-office address,- R.F.D. Scandia, Republic Co. Kans. Leavenworth, Kansas, June 14, 1913 Hon. Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C. Sir;- Under date of April 4, 1913 the Chief of the Civil War Division stated that he desired that an examiner call upon the above-named applicant and examine his Family Bible record and make report as to the showing of same in respect to the date of his birth, and as to the apparent value of the said record as evidence. Pursuant to such instructions,- see Exhibit A hereto - I have called upon this soldier and examined the record in question. The same shows date of birth of Godfrey McDowell as June 13, 1846. This record is contained in a large Family Bible which apparently belonged to the soldier's parents. The said Bible is one of Potter's publication at Philadelphia and was printed by Collins; it bears no date showing year of publication. The entire record of the family therein contained was manifestly done at one time and is in highly ornamented pen-workman the first page après the note "made October 17, 1870 T. JOHNSTON". The dates of birth as therein contained are as stated by the soldier in his deposition and after the record that relates to him follow those in respect to eight other children of his parents. This record is undoubtedly genuine and authentic. This soldier is of splendid reputation in every way and reliable. There appears no reason whatever to doubt that this is a genuine record and a statement of the correct date of his birth. I should say that it is entirely admissible as evidence and entitled to full weight as a family record. I recommend the consideration of this report by the Chief of the Civil War Division. Very respectfully, Chas. G. Townsend, Special Examiner. ***** Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions Washington, D.C., January 2, 1915 SIR: Please answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below. The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your widow or children. Use the inclosed envelope, which requires no stamp. Very respectfully, Commissioner. No. 1. Date and place of birth: Answer: Born June 13th 1846 near Ligonier, Westmoreland County Penna. The name of organizations in which you served? Answer: 211 Regt. Penna. Volunteer Inft. No. 2. What was your post office at enlistment? Answer: Ligonier, Penna. No. 3. State your wife's full name and her maiden name. Answer: Matilda Gragg No. 4. When, where, and by whom were you married? Answer: Scandia, Kans., 28th day of August 1873 married by E. Nelson J.P. No. 5. Is there any official or church record of your marriage? Answer: There is. If so, where? Answer: Bellville, Kansas No. 6. Were you previously married? Answer: No. No. 7. If your present wife was married before her marriage to you, state the name of her former husband, [etc.]. Answer: No. No. 8. Are you now living with your wife, or has there been a separation? Answer: Yes, am still living with my wife. No. 9. State the names and dates of birth of all your children, living or dead. Answer: Mary Alice Born November 20, 1874 Lilly May Born July 1st 1876 Geo. Wm. Arthur August 4th 1878 Alfred A. December 13th 1881 Carl E. September 29th 1884 Pearl J. October 21st 1886 Date: July 31, 1915 Signature: Godfrey McDowell ***** June 14th. 1916. J.L. Davenport, Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C., Dear Sir: Godfrey McDowell was 70 years old June 13th. 1916 and is now entitled to an increase of pension, please send necessary paper to him or to me and oblige. Godfrey McDowell was born at Westmoreland Co. Pennsylvania, June 13th. 1846. Enrolled as private in Company E. 211th. Regiment of Penn. Volunteer Infantry on August 17th. 1864, and discharged at Alexandria, Va. on June 2nd. 1865. Yours very truly, A.R. Morey ***** Declaration for Pension, Act of June 9, 1930. State of Kansas, County of Republic, ss: On this 5th day of November 1930, before me, the undersigned, personally appeared Godfrey McDowell, who makes the following declaration as an application for increase of pension under the provisions of the act of Congress approved June 9, 1930. That he is 84 years of age; that he was born June 13, 1846, in the country near Ligonier, Penna. That he is the identical Godfrey McDowell who enlisted August 17, 1864, at Greensburg, Penna., under the name of Godfrey McDowell, in Company E, 211th Pennsylvania Infantry, and was honorably discharged June 2, 1865, at Alexandria, Virginia, having served the United States in the Civil War. That his personal description at time of first enlistment was as follows: Height 5 feet, 9 1/2 inches; complexion fair, color of eyes blue; color of hair brown; that his occupation was farmer. That since leaving the service he has resided at Ligonier, Pa., until 1869 when I moved to Iowa. I came to Kansas in 1870 and have lived here ever since on a farm near Scandia, Kansas, and his occupation has been farmer. That he requires the regular personal aid and attendance of another person and has required such aid and attendance since April 1928, on account of the following disabilities: In the spring of 1928 I lost the sight of one eye; my other eye is also affected; my physical condition is poor on account of my age; all of these things together with the fact that my wife is totally blind, have made it necessary for us to have regular personal attendant for both of us. Israel B. McDowell served in the Civil war in the 11th Pennsylvania Infantry; he was killed in the second battle of Bull Run and died at Georgetown; Hiram Y. McDowell was in the same regiment with me, enlisted at the same time; he was taken prisoner and was in Andersonville prison for 9 months; he was later paroled and his discharge was later than mine; he died October 29, 1930. Both of these were brothers of mine. That he has applied for pension under Original No. 749,173; that he is now a pensioner under Certificate No. 749,173. {signed} Godfrey McDowell, RFD #2, Scandia, Kansas. No. 1. Are you a married man? If so, state your wife's full name and her maiden name. Answer: Yes, Emma Mathilda Dragg was her maiden name; Emma Mathilda McDowell, present name. No. 2. When, where, and by whom were you married to your present wife? Answer: August 22, 1874 we were married by Eric Nelson, Justice of Peace at his home in Union township, Republic County, Kansas. No. 3. What record of your marriage to her exists? Answer: It is recorded in the County records at Belleville, Kansas. ***** Scandia, Kansas Dec. 5, 1930 Mr. E.W. Morgan, Comnsr. Washington D.C. Soldier Division SC 749173 Godfrey McDowell Co. E, 211 Pa. Inf. Dear Sir;- In reply to your letter of November 28, 1930 in regard to Mr. McDowell's claim for pension increase to $100 per month. Mr. McDowell is practically entirely blind in the left eye; he cannot count fingers even at a foot distance from his eye and with glasses. The other eye is not so bad; with the aid of glasses he can count fingers from a distance of 8 or 10 feet. His physical condition is such that he could not possibly take care of himself to the extent of providing food, preparing fuel, taking care of a home. He manages to feed himself and do the most of the dressing with some help sometimes in fastening his shoes and some help in bathing. His condition is such that he could not possibly get along without outside assistance but still he is not entirely helpless and is not bedfast. He does not dare venture out any distance away from home without some of the family or some attendant with him; his condition is such that it is not safe for him to venture even a hundred rods from the house without some one along with him. It seems to us that his condition of health is such that he will and does come within the scope of what was intended under the act of June 9, 1930, but he does not want to make his condition seem worse than the circumstances will warrant nor does he wish to understate his situation. What he would like would be to have one of your representatives call and see him and if his condition warrants that he should be placed on the list @ $100, all right; but on the other hand if he is not to be considered helpless enough to come within the scope of this act, then he will be satisfied to drop the application; we would be glad to hear from you further in regard to his case; write him direct and let him know whether or not you think it worth while to go any further into his application. Yours truly, Bank of Scandia, G.W. Nimocks, Pres. ***** Application for Burial Flag The undersigned, resident at Scandia, Kansas, hereby makes application for a regulation burial flag to drape the casket of Godfrey McDowell, whose rank and organization in the active service was Co. E, 211th Reg. Pa. Vol. Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 3rd Division 9th Army Corps, who died at Union Township, Republic Co. Kansas on July 19, 1932, and who will be buried at Union Valley Cemetery, near Scandia, Kansas on July 21, 1932, at 10 a.m. The deceased was a veteran of the Civil War and was not dishonorably discharged from his last period of war service. I am the son of the deceased. July 21, 1932, {signed} A.A. McDowell *****