Elizabeth Caroline Heflin Civil War Pension
Contributed by J.P. Johnson
Document A - Cover Page
Box #32621
Elizabeth Caroline Hefflin wid.
Cert. #94255
Bundle #4
Document B - Summary
No. 118.313
Act of July 14, 1862.
Caroline Hefflin
Muhlenberg Co. Ky. Wid. of
John Hefflin
Pri. Co. E 35 Ky. Vols.
Died at home
Jany 5 1864 Measles
Received, Dec. 28, 1865
Joseph Ricketts
Greenville, Ky.
Attorney
Document C - Letter to Mrs. Heflin
Page 1
Camp Boil Henderson Co. Henderson Ky. Jan. 6th 1864
Dear Madam, it be comes my painful duty with a heavy hand to make this communication to you, your husband John Heffman of Co. E 35 Redg. of Ky. Mt. Inft. departed this life at 8 o clock last night, he had bin [been] Sick for Several weeks, was Sent to the hospital in my charge day before Christmas, Just Recovering from an atact [attack] of fevers, I thought was improving, 3 days ago he took Measles and in spite of all that Doctors could do in his week [weak] state he died, I procured a nice coffin & have his Grave digin, I will have him buryed at 4 o clock this Eavening in decency with all the honors of war & it will Ring Bitter tears of anguish from my hart for I under Stand he has a wife and and some little children to mourn his loss,
he was a good soldier and an agreeable man, I send you in another letter 80 cts in money which is all he had, I have his pocket Book which I will take special care of untill I have an opertunity [opportunity] to send it to you, if I had had money I have sent him home, you must write to me forth with, there is $26.00 coming to Mr. Heffman, let me know what to do with it, the Lord has promised to be a husband to the widow, a father to the orphan, may the Lord Bless you and your
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children, write to me and let me know what condition you ar [are] in and write just like you would to a brother & if you kneed [need] any thing as long as I have a dollar I will divide with the widow and orphans of a departed fellow solider
I am left here in charge of the hospital to see they ar [are] all taken care of, I will Remain here some 3 or 4 week, I want to hear from you, direct to letters to Lieut A.R. Byers Henderson Henderson Co. Ky. 35 Redg. of Mt. Inft.
yours with true Regard
Lieut. A.R. Byers
to Mistress Caroline Heffmen
Document D - Claim for Pension I
Page 1
State of Kentucky Muhlenberg County } Sct.
On this the 20th day of May 1865 before me Presiding Judge of the County Court for the county and State above named, Caroline Hefflin [Heflin] a resident of Muhlenberg County Ky. personally appeared, upon oath states that she is 35 years of age, that her post office address is Cerralvo [Ceralvo], Ohio County, Ky. That she is the widow and heir of John Hefflin [Heflin] decd. who was a priv. in Co. “E” 35th Regt. Ky. mounted Volunteers Inft. Company Commanded by Capt. [blank space] Campbell and Regt. by Col. E.A. Starling. That Enlisted in Muhlenberg County Ky. on the 5th day of August 1863, for One year, and died in Hendersonville [Henderson] Ky. on the 5th day of January 1864, from the effects of Meazzles [Measles] while in the service of the United States. She further states that she was married to the Said decd. soldier on the 26th day of November 1850 in Smith County Tennessee by one John Petty a minister of the Gospel her name before her said Marriage was Caroline White. She also States that she has be said decd. husband & soldier, the following named children, all of whom reside with her in Muhlenberg County,
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whose names & ages are as follows, Towit:
Nancy L.C. Hefflin born July 2d, 1852, S.J.E. Hefflin born October 4th, 1853, James L. born August 4th, 1855, Francis M. born Decr. 4th, 1856, Gideon D. and Juliann M. born 19th day of September 1859, William J. born 31st day of Jany. 1862. That she has never in any way aided or abeted [sic] the Rebelion [sic] against the United States but has always been loyal to the same and hereby constitutes and appoints Joseph Ricketts of Greenville Ky. her atty. to prosecute this claim and procure a certificate to Receive Rept(?) for(?) to do all and anything necessary to obtain said money.
Caroline (x) Hefflin
Witness
N.J. Harris
F.W. Harris
E.W. Combs & G.B. Combs residents of Muhlenberg County Ky. appeared before me and made oath according to law that they are personally acquainted with the above applicant Caroline Hefflin who is the widow of John Hefflin decd. priv. Co. “E” 35th Regt. Ky. Mounted Volunteers Inft. and were also acquainted with the decd. Soldier before he Enlisted [in] the service of the United States and Knows that they lived and cohabited as man &
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wife and were so reported. They are also acquainted with the children of the applicant & decd. soldier, and firm [affirm] their Knowledge of them [and] have no doubts but she has given their names, ages, &c. correctly, that they [the children] reside with her in this county. That he is the identical John Hefflin who was a member of the company & Regt. as above set forth; that they reside as above stated and are disinterested in this claim.
E.W. Coombs
G.B. Coombs
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I certify that I am disinterested in this claim nor am I concerned in its prosecution, that I believe the affiants to be credible witnesses and the claimant the person she represents herself in said Declaration. That the interlings & erasures were both made & explained before the same was executed.
B.J. Shaver Presiding Judge Muhlenberg County Court
Page 4
State of Kentucky Muhlenberg County } Sct.
I Tho. J. Jones Clerk of the County Court for the County and State above named do hereby certify that B.J. Shaver Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has signed his name thereto was at the time of so doing Presiding Judge of the County Court for the County and State above named, duly commissioned and qualified that all his official acts as such are Entitled to full faith & credit & that his signature thereto is genuine.
In Testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal This the 17th day of August 1865.
Tho. J. Jones Clk.
Document E - Affidavits
Page 1
State of Kentucky Muhlenberg County } Sct.
On this the 2d day of December 1865, before me a Notary Public in and for the County and state above named, personally appeared James White and Logan Hiflin, residents of Ohio County Ky. who being sworn as the Law directs, stated that they are personally acquainted with Caroline Hiflin [Heflin] widow of John Hiflin decd. Priv. Co. “E” 35th Regiment of Ky. mounted Volunteer Inft. who is an applicant for Pension, and that on or about the 26th day of November 1850, in the County of DeKalb State of Tennessee, (in that portion of said county that originally belonged to Smith County in that State, which was Striken off on or about that date, in the formation of said County of DeKalb in the State of Tennessee.) They were present, and saw the applicant Caroline Hiflen and the decd. Soldier John Hiflin married, said marriage was solemnized at the home of the affiant Logan Hiflin, the witness while being present; that they reside as above stated and are disinterested in this claim.
Logan (x) Hiflin
James (x) White
Witnesses
R.C. Grundy
Ephraim Knight
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I certify that I am disinterested in this claim nor am I concerned in its prosecution, that I believe the affiants to be credible persons.
Given under my hand and Official Seal this 2d day of December 1865.
N.J. Harris Notary Public
Page 2
State of Kentucky Muhlenberg County } Sct
I Tho. J. Jones, Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State above named, do hereby certify that N.J. Harris Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavits were made and who has signed his name thereto, was at the time of so doing an acting Notary Public in and for the county and State above named duly commissioned and qualified to administer oaths and take affidavits, that all his official acts as such are Entitled to full faith and credit and that his Signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my Official Seal this 13th day of December 1865.
Tho. J. Jones Clk.
Document F - Adjutant General's Report
January 13, 1866
Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 118318, and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that John Heffland [Heflin] was enrolled on the 4 day of Aug, 1863, at Webster Co in Co. E, 35 Regiment of Ky Volunteers, to serve 1 year, and mustered into service as a Privt. on the 2 day of Oct 1863, at Owensboro, in Co. E, 35 Regiment of Ky Volunteers, to serve 1 year. On the Muster Roll of Co. E of that Regiment Dated Dec 29 1864, he is reported “Died of Typhoid fever in hospital at Henderson Ky Dec 31 1863” The name John Hefflin is not borne on the Rolls of Co.
Document G - Surgeon General's Report
Febry. 8th, 1866
Sir: I have the honor to return herewith application for Pension, No. 118.318 with such information as is furnished by the records of this Office, Private John Hefflin, Co. E, 35th Regiment Ky Vols, is reported to this Office by Surgeon A.D. Cosby as having died Jany. 6, 1864, at Regtl. Hosp. of Measles.
Document H - Claim for Pension II
Page 1
State of Kentucky County of Muhlenberg }
On this the 7th day of January 1867, before me Presiding Judge of the County Court for the County & State above named, personally appeared Elizabeth C. Hefflin, a resident of Ohio County Ky, who being duly sworn according to Law states that her Post Office address in Ceralvo, Ohio County Ky, that she is the identical person who made application to the Commissioner of Pensions as the widow of John Hefflin decd. who was a Prit. of Co “E” 35th Regt. Ky. Inft. Vols. No. Claims 118.313, and that in said application she signed her name Caroline Hefflin which was the result of giving her agent & attorney her name improperly, that though her real name is Elizabeth Caroline, but she has always been called by the family and intimate acquaintances Caroline, and being so called generally, she never gives her name otherwise, and that her true name is Elizabeth C. Hefflin; She also states her and her said husband had born unto them during their Marriage the following named children who were under 16 years of age at the date of her husband's death towit: Nancy L.C. Hefflin born July the 2d 1852, Sarah J. Hefflin born Octr. 4th 1853, James L. Hefflin born August 4th 1855, Francis M.J.H. Hefflin born December 4th 1856, Gideon A. Hefflin born Septr. 19th 1859,
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Julia Ann Hefflin born September 19th 1859, William J. Hefflin born January 31st 1862, that the above are the only legitimate children of her and her said husband, that her said husband left no minor children by any former marriage, that she has not remarried since the death of her said husband nor abandoned the support of any of their children under 16 years of age, nor permitted any one of them to be adopted by any person or persons, that since making her original Declaration she has moved from Muhlenberg to Ohio County Ky, that Gideon A. & Julia Ann born Septr. 19th 1859 as appears above are twins.
Elizabeth C. (x) Hefflin
Witnesses
N.J. Harris
F.M. Allison
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I certify that I am disinterested in this claim nor am I concerned in its prosecution, that I believe the affiant to be a credible Witness, that the same was read to, Explained and understood before its Execution, the Erasures were all made before the Execution.
Given under my hand and Offical Seal This 7th day of January 1867.
N.J. Harris N.P.
Page 3
State of Kentucky Muhlenberg County }
I Thos. Bruce Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State above named do hereby certify that N.J. Harris Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has signed his name & affixed his Official Seal Thereto was at the time of so doing an acting Notary Public in and for the County and State above named, duly commissioned and qualified to administer Oaths and take affidavits.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my Official Seal This 7th day of January 1867.
Thos. Bruce Clk
Document I - Affidavit
Page 1
State of Kentucky County of Muhlenberg }
On this the 7th day of January 1867 before me a Notary Public in and for the aformentioned County & State, personally appeared Francis M. White, a resident of Ohio County Ky, who being duly sworn according to Law, states that he is 33 years of age, That his Post Office address is Ceralvo, Ohio County, Ky, That he is personally and intimately acquainted with Elizabeth C. Hefflin, widow of John Hefflin decd. who was a Prit. in Co “E” 35th Regt Ky Inft Vols, who is an applicant for Pension, that he has known her all his life, is intimate with her family, has often seen the family Record containing her name, and Knows that her real name is Elizabeth C. Hefflin, but that she is recognized and commonly known as Caroline, is called Caroline, so gives her name & is scarcely known to have any other, but that Caroline Hefflin and Elizabeth C. Hefflin are identically the same, that they are one and the same person, that he resides as above stated and is disinterested in this claim.
Francis M. White
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I certify that I am disinterested in this claim nor am I concerned in its prosecution, that I believe
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the affiant to be a credible person, That the same has read to Explained and understood before its Execution.
Given under my hand and Official Seal this the 7th day of January 1867.
N.J. Harris N.P.
State of Kentucky Muhlenberg County }
I Thos. Bruce Clerk of the County court in and for the County and State above named do hereby certify that N.J. Harris Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has signed his name thereto was at the time of so doing an acting Notary Public in and for the County and State above named duly commissioned and qualified that all his Official acts as such are Entitled to full faith and credit and that his signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto Signed my name & affixed my Official Seal. This day of January 1867.
Thos. Bruce Clk.
Document J - Affidavit
Page 1
State of Kentucky Muhlenberg County }
On this the 15th day of January 1867, before A.T. Coffman a Justice of the Peace in and for the County of Ohio State Kentucky personally appeared Catharine White a resident of Ohio County Ky. who being duly sworn, states that she is [blank] years of age, That she is personally acquainted with the children of John Hefflin decd. and Elizabeth C. Hefflin, was present at the respective births of each of their said children and that they were as follows, towit - Nancy L.C. Hefflin born July the 2d 1852, Sarah J. Hefflin born Octr. 4th 1853, James L. Hefflin born August 4th 1855, Francis M.J.H. Hefflin born December 4th 1856, Gideon A. Hefflin born Septr. 19th 1859, Julia Ann Hefflin twin sister born 19th Septr. 1859, William J. Hefflin born January 31st 1862, that her Knowledge is devined from her having been present at each birth and that the above are the Exact dates, that she resides as above stated and is disinterested in this claim.
Catharine White
Attest
Wm. Fish
Sworn to and subscribed before me and I certify that I am disinterested in this claim nor am I concerned in its prosecution, that I believe the affiant who is personally known to me to be entirely credible
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that the same was read to Explained and understood before it was Executed.
A.T. Coffman J.P.
State of Kentucky Ohio County }
I, R.S. Moseley, Clerk of the County Court in and for the County and State above named do certify that A.T. Coffman Esq. before whom the foregoing affidavit was made and who has signed his name thereto was at the time of so doing a Justice of the Peace in and for the County and State above named, duly commissioned and qualified, that all his Official acts as such are Entitled to full faith and credit & that his Signature thereto is genuine.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my Official Seal. This the 20th of January 1867.
R.S. Moseley Clk Ohio Co Ct.
Document K - Copy of Marriage
John Heflin and Elizabeth C. White
Issued 26 November 1850
By virtue of this License I have this day Solemnized the rites of Matrimony between the parties therein named. Given under my hand 26th day of Nov. 1850.
J.W. Paty J.P.
State of Tennessee Smith County }
I E.W. Turner Clerk of the County Court of the County and State aforesaid do certify that the above is a full true and correct Copy as appears upon record in my office. I further Certify that J.W. Paty was an acting Justice of the peace within and for the County aforesaid at the date of said Marriage duly authorized by law to Solemnize the rites of Matrimony, that all his official acts are entitled to full faith and credit.
In testimony whereof I have hereto set my hand and affixed my official seal at office in Carthage the 18th day of April 1867.
E.W. Turner clerk of said court
Document L - Widow's Pension, with Minor Children
Brief in the case of Mrs. Elizabeth Caroline Hefflin, Widow of John Hefflin, Private Co. “E” 35th Regt. Ky. Vols.
Resident of Ohio County, and State of Kentucky
Post Office address: Ceralvo, Ky.
Declaration and Identification in Due Form.
Proof Exhibited:
Service: John Heffland was enrolled August 4, 1863, and is reported by A.G. U.S.A. “Died of Typhoid Fever in hospital at Henderson, Ky., Dec. 31st, 1863.”
Death: By S.G. U.S.A., he is reported “Died January 6th 1864 at Regtl. Hop'l of Measles.” Other evidence sustains last report.
Married: Record Evidence (same date given). John Hefflin & Elizabeth C. White. Nov. 26, 1850.
Names and dates of birth of children:
- Nancy L.C. born July 2d 1852 who will be 16 years old July 1st, 1868.
- Sarah J.E. born October 4, 1853 who will be 16 years old October 3d, 1869.
- James L. born August 4, 1855 who will be 16 years old August 3d, 1871.
- Francis M.J.H. born December 4, 1856 who will be 16 years old December 3d, 1872.
- Gideon A. and Julia Ann born September 19, 1859 who will be 16 years old September 18, 1875.
- William J. born January 31, 1862 who will be 16 years old January 30, 1878.
Proof of ages: Testimony of persons present.
Loyalty: [answer unreadable]
Agent and his P.O. address: Joseph Ricketts Esq., Greenville, Ky.
Issue certificate for Eight dollars ($8) per month, commencing January 7th, 1864, and two dollars ($2) per month additional for each of the above-named children, commencing July 25, 1866.
P.H. Berkan [or Berkaw?], Examiner
Passed May 1st, 1867.