Texas Confederate Pensions

[cowdensman]

My grandfather,James Leven Lockley, received a Texas Confederate Pension#23735 from 1913 to 1923 when he passed away. His widow,Malisa,continued to receive a "widow's Pension" for the remainder of her life(she passed in 1948.) He listed Wauls' Texas Legion & the 2nd Texas(I assume the 2nd Battalion within the Legion since he claimed "not transferred). I cannot find any record of his enlistment on any muster rolls for the legion anywhere,yet his pension app. was approved with 2 sworn witnesses who served with him,signed off by a county judge and properly notarized. Also,2 fellow townsmen who knew him for many years + his spouse swore to his good character. His father,Pvt.Vernon H. Lockley was listed on the muster rolls of Co.A, Willis' Cavalry Battalion,Wauls' Legion until march 12,1863. and no further. The 2 witnesses wrote on the "Soldiers' App.for Pension" that there was another Lockley in Co.A. besides the applicant, and that they personally knew James Leven. His father,Vernon H. disappeared from family history after 1863 and never came back home. The family assumed he died in the war. James Leven Lockley went on to a distinquished career in Edwards Cty,Texas. Justice of the Peace & Precinct Commissioner for Precinct 1 (1886-1896) & County Sheriff & Tax Collector (1896-1900). Since he was born in 1847 could it be he was not officially listed because of his age at the time,but was allowed to serve because of his father? I wish to add that he went nearly blind in old age and had skin cancer which prompted him to apply for the pension. Thank you. Charles Lockley.

 

[Dave Wilma]

Don't ignore the possibility that the Confederate service was contrived to get the pension. These pension programs were invitations to fraud. I have an ancestor who was a veteran of a Loyalist unit in the Revolution. A lawyer in his town in Vermont ran a pension application factory with long involved descriptions of Continental service. Only none of the facts bore out and the application was denied. The man did get land from the Crown in Canada.

 

[cowdensman]

Don't ignore the possibility that the Confederate service was contrived to get the pension. These pension programs were invitations to fraud. I have an ancestor who was a veteran of a Loyalist unit in the Revolution. A lawyer in his town in Vermont ran a pension application factory with long involved descriptions of Continental service. Only none of the facts bore out and the application was denied. The man did get land from the Crown in Canada.

I hope not,but it's possible. If so, a lot of people were involved in a deception where everyone swore under oath and faced complicity in fraud, if found out. Thanks for your insight.

 

[AndyHall]

Since he was born in 1847 could it be he was not officially listed because of his age at the time,but was allowed to serve because of his father?

I think this scenario is less likely, given that the easy way around this was to lie about his age, as many soldiers did.

It's possible that there was some deception fudging involved in the pension application, because the use of sworn witness statements was seen as an alternative to documentation from 1861-65. The first hurdle to receiving a state pension was to pass the local review committee, and there's all sorts of potential for fudging the record there, especially when (regardless of the nature of his actual wartime service) the applicant is seen as worthy of public support. I think they saw it not so much as fraud, as gaming the system for the benefit of a deserving old friend. Given Lockley's later history, I have no doubt that he would have no trouble finding friend to vouch for him.

That doesn't mean it happened in this case, but it's possible. It's important to remember that Confederate pensions were not automatic, based on wartime service; they were "means tested," and the applicant had to be darn near destitute in many cases to qualify. In the days before Social Security and Medicare, they were part of a patchwork of what today we'd call the "safety net," and it's easy to imagine men in Edwards County being willing to vouch for their old friend to help him out.

 

[cowdensman]

I think this scenario is less likely, given that the easy way around this was to lie about his age, as many soldiers did.

It's possible that there was some deception fudging involved in the pension application, because the use of sworn witness statements was seen as an alternative to documentation from 1861-65. The first hurdle to receiving a state pension was to pass the local review committee, and there's all sorts of potential for fudging the record there, especially when (regardless of the nature of his actual wartime service) the applicant is seen as worthy of public support. I think they saw it not so much as fraud, as gaming the system for the benefit of a deserving old friend. Given Lockley's later history, I have no doubt that he would have no trouble finding friend to vouch for him.

That doesn't mean it happened in this case, but it's possible.

Thank you. What you have stated sounds very possible. I just wish I knew for sure.

 

[Dave Wilma]

I hope not,but it's possible. If so, a lot of people were involved in a deception where everyone swore under oath and faced complicity in fraud if found out. Thanks for your insight.

The idea that James's father Vernon died in the war could be an inspiration to obtain something the family was entitled to. There are always rationalizations to these sorts of things.

In another family story, my 2nd great grandfather allegedly died in Panama on his way to California. About 15 years later his widow needed to establish title to the farm in Michigan. Several neighbors swore on paper that he had died recently, but there is no contemporary record, e.g., church record, news item (there was a local paper).

People did what the had to to get along and taking advantage of government, which provided to them little in the way of services, was not seen as improper.

That said, Confederate military records are far from intact and James could have served.

 

[jackt62]

Aren't there some descendants of CW soldiers still receiving pensions today? I thought I read about this a year or two ago.

 

[AndyHall]

There is a family tree in Ancestry that gives his birthdate as June 14, 1845 in Jacksonville, Florida. His age in the 1850, 1860, 1880 and 1920 U.S. Censuses seems to jump around a bit, and they don't list the exact source for that date. In the 1900 U.S. Census, his birth month is given as June 1849. So I'm not entirely certain what would be correct.

 

[AndyHall]

Aren't there some descendants of CW soldiers still receiving pensions today? I thought I read about this a year or two ago.

Two or three years ago the VA said that there were two persons still receiving CW pensions from their fathers. Citing privacy rules, they would not say more than that, but dependents' pensions were usually ended when the child reached the age of majority, so presumably these (now very elderly) persons were assessed as non-competent and therefore eligible for continuing support.

 

[cowdensman]

There is a family tree in Ancestry that gives his birthdate as June 14, 1845 in Jacksonville, Florida. His age in the 1850, 1860, 1880 and 1920 U.S. Censuses seems to jump around a bit, and they don't list the exact source for that date. In the 1900 U.S. Census, his birth month is given as June 1849. So I'm not entirely certain what would be correct.

Yes, That is confusing. His tombstone says 1846. He was born somewhere around there. Jacksonville,Fla. was his birthplace. Thanks. Charlie.

 

[cowdensman]

Two or three years ago the VA said that there were two persons still receiving CW pensions from their fathers. Citing privacy rules, they would not say more than that, but dependents' pensions were usually ended when the child reached the age of majority, so presumably these (now very elderly) persons were assessed as non-competent and therefore eligible for continuing support.

Thats' interesting. My grandmother received it until she passed in 1948. I was 5 years old.

 

[cowdensman]

I think this scenario is less likely, given that the easy way around this was to lie about his age, as many soldiers did.

It's possible that there was some deception fudging involved in the pension application, because the use of sworn witness statements was seen as an alternative to documentation from 1861-65. The first hurdle to receiving a state pension was to pass the local review committee, and there's all sorts of potential for fudging the record there, especially when (regardless of the nature of his actual wartime service) the applicant is seen as worthy of public support. I think they saw it not so much as fraud, as gaming the system for the benefit of a deserving old friend. Given Lockley's later history, I have no doubt that he would have no trouble finding friend to vouch for him.

That doesn't mean it happened in this case, but it's possible. It's important to remember that Confederate pensions were not automatic, based on wartime service; they were "means tested," and the applicant had to be darn near destitute in many cases to qualify. In the days before Social Security and Medicare, they were part of a patchwork of what today we'd call the "safety net," and it's easy to imagine men in Edwards County being willing to vouch for their old friend to help him out.

Grandpa James went nearly blind with complications from cancer by the time he applied and was probably broke. He had some land holdings which the city of Rocksprings took over. Today it is known as the "Lockley Addition." I don't know whether he sold them the land to pay his medical bills or what happened in that case. By the time he applied for the pension he didn't have "a sioux" as my father used to say,which I believed referred to the indian head nickel.

 

[cowdensman]

The idea that James's father Vernon died in the war could be an inspiration to obtain something the family was entitled to. There are always rationalizations to these sorts of things.

In another family story, my 2nd great grandfather allegedly died in Panama on his way to California. About 15 years later his widow needed to establish title to the farm in Michigan. Several neighbors swore on paper that he had died recently, but there is no contemporary record, e.g., church record, news item (there was a local paper).

People did what the had to to get along and taking advantage of government, which provided to them little in the way of services, was not seen as improper.

That said, Confederate military records are far from intact and James could have served.

That period was during the 1840's California gold rush,wasn't it?

 

[cowdensman]

I think this scenario is less likely, given that the easy way around this was to lie about his age, as many soldiers did.

It's possible that there was some deception fudging involved in the pension application, because the use of sworn witness statements was seen as an alternative to documentation from 1861-65. The first hurdle to receiving a state pension was to pass the local review committee, and there's all sorts of potential for fudging the record there, especially when (regardless of the nature of his actual wartime service) the applicant is seen as worthy of public support. I think they saw it not so much as fraud, as gaming the system for the benefit of a deserving old friend. Given Lockley's later history, I have no doubt that he would have no trouble finding friend to vouch for him.

That doesn't mean it happened in this case, but it's possible. It's important to remember that Confederate pensions were not automatic, based on wartime service; they were "means tested," and the applicant had to be darn near destitute in many cases to qualify. In the days before Social Security and Medicare, they were part of a patchwork of what today we'd call the "safety net," and it's easy to imagine men in Edwards County being willing to vouch for their old friend to help him out.

He was my grandfather,but I don't think I would have gotten involved in defrauding the state of Texas by vouching for him. They must have been great friends,but it's very possible that is what happened. Thanks.

 

[18thVirginia]

My grandfather,James Leven Lockley, received a Texas Confederate Pension#23735 from 1913 to 1923 when he passed away. His widow,Malisa,continued to receive a "widow's Pension" for the remainder of her life(she passed in 1948.) He listed Wauls' Texas Legion & the 2nd Texas(I assume the 2nd Battalion within the Legion since he claimed "not transferred). I cannot find any record of his enlistment on any muster rolls for the legion anywhere,yet his pension app. was approved with 2 sworn witnesses who served with him,signed off by a county judge and properly notarized. Also,2 fellow townsmen who knew him for many years + his spouse swore to his good character. His father,Pvt.Vernon H. Lockley was listed on the muster rolls of Co.A, Willis' Cavalry Battalion,Wauls' Legion until march 12,1863. and no further. The 2 witnesses wrote on the "Soldiers' App.for Pension" that there was another Lockley in Co.A. besides the applicant, and that they personally knew James Leven. His father,Vernon H. disappeared from family history after 1863 and never came back home. The family assumed he died in the war. James Leven Lockley went on to a distinquished career in Edwards Cty,Texas. Justice of the Peace & Precinct Commissioner for Precinct 1 (1886-1896) & County Sheriff & Tax Collector (1896-1900). Since he was born in 1847 could it be he was not officially listed because of his age at the time,but was allowed to serve because of his father? I wish to add that he went nearly blind in old age and had skin cancer which prompted him to apply for the pension. Thank you. Charles Lockley.

My husband's great grandfather served in various Texas companies and when his wife applied for a Confederate pension for him in Louisiana, it was denied, based on the fact that they could only find a minimal record of his service. So she reapplied and did get the pension eventually. It seems that he was listed under several misspellings of his last name, which was Bethard, or Bethards, or Bether, or Bethers, or Bhutan. He served from 1861 all the way through to May, 1865, but the records seem to have been a little confused.

Perhaps there are some alternate spellings. Or some records that were missing.

 

[cowdensman]

Two or three years ago the VA said that there were two persons still receiving CW pensions from their fathers. Citing privacy rules, they would not say more than that, but dependents' pensions were usually ended when the child reached the age of majority, so presumably these (now very elderly) persons were assessed as non-competent and therefore eligible for continuing support.[/QUOTE

My husband's great grandfather served in various Texas companies and when his wife applied for a Confederate pension for him in Louisiana, it was denied, based on the fact that they could only find a minimal record of his service. So she reapplied and did get the pension eventually. It seems that he was listed under several misspellings of his last name, which was Bethard, or Bethards, or Bether, or Bethers, or Bhutan. He served from 1861 all the way through to May, 1865, but the records seem to have been a little confused.

Perhaps there are some alternate spellings. Or some records that were missing.

That's an excellent thought. I've been told that back then a clerk entering a soldier's surname would write it according to the way it sounded. If you have ever heard a Texas drawl you would know what I mean. Also, literacy in spelling was not up to par back then. Something to look into. Thank you.

 

[Allie]

While fraud is certainly possible, Confederate records are incomplete and it's also quite possible the records are missing, or that he didn't enlist regularly because of his age as you suggested. I know of at least one case of a man who was definitely present at the battle of Resaca, in which he lost an arm, yet not on any rolls except a single hospital record at the time of his release. Considering that he didn't shoot off his own arm, there definitely should have been more records.

My own great-grandfather was born in 1847 and served with his father without officially enlisting. There's quite a lot of correspondence back and forth about how and when he surrendered (he may or may not have deserted in the last days of the war) but there was no suggestion that he hadn't served, in several letters intended as private correspondence from other soldiers who had served with him. So what you're suggesting did happen.

There's just no way to know.

 

[cowdensman]

While fraud is certainly possible, Confederate records are incomplete and it's also quite possible the records are missing, or that he didn't enlist regularly because of his age as you suggested. I know of at least one case of a man who was definitely present at the battle of Resaca, in which he lost an arm, yet not on any rolls except a single hospital record at the time of his release. Considering that he didn't shoot off his own arm, there definitely should have been more records.

My own great-grandfather was born in 1847 and served with his father without officially enlisting. There's quite a lot of correspondence back and forth about how and when he surrendered (he may or may not have deserted in the last days of the war) but there was no suggestion that he hadn't served, in several letters intended as private correspondence from other soldiers who had served with him. So what you're suggesting did happen.

There's just no way to know.

That's good news. Maybe,like your ggrandfather, mine was not officially enlisted. That's something to look into. Thank you.

 

[cowdensman]

My husband's great grandfather served in various Texas companies and when his wife applied for a Confederate pension for him in Louisiana, it was denied, based on the fact that they could only find a minimal record of his service. So she reapplied and did get the pension eventually. It seems that he was listed under several misspellings of his last name, which was Bethard, or Bethards, or Bether, or Bethers, or Bhutan. He served from 1861 all the way through to May, 1865, but the records seem to have been a little confused.

Perhaps there are some alternate spellings. Or some records that were missing.

That's very possible. I was once told that back then ,when a clerk entered a soldiers surname, he wrote down what it sounded like to him. If you have ever heard a Texas drawl then you know what I mean. Mine said he served from Dec.1862 to the spring of 1865 when he surrendered at Houston. Thank you.

 

[7th Texas Mounted Rifles]

Aren't there some descendants of CW soldiers still receiving pensions today? I thought I read about this a year or two ago.

Yep, one remaining - Ms. Irene Triplett.

Her father started as a confederate, then deserted and joined the union ranks for no other reason than the pension.

He would go on to marry a mentally disabled woman ~50 years his junior, with whom he fathered a girl (Irene) who is now 84 years old.

On that note, there are still 16 pension recipients of the Spanish-American War, and 4,308 pension recipients of WWI.

Seriously folks, if you know any of these people it is your responsibility to sit down with them, ask questions & listen, and write it all down.
We gotta preserve this history!