MRS. S. E. PEARCE , Widow's Application for Pension, Robert Lee Coke Co, TX Application # 31651 Widow's Application for Pension 1-9-39 Dead The Commissioner of Pensions reserves the right to call for additional testimony if he deems it necessary. Name of Applicant - Mrs. S E Pearce Coke County Postoffice - Robert Lee, TX Filed - June 30 - 1915 Approved - July 12 1915 Pension allowed from: Sept 1 1915 Rejected: J. C. Jones Commissioner of Pensions Form B - For use of Widows of Soldiers who are in indigent circumstances. The STATE OF TEXAS } County of Coke } I, S. E. Pearce, do hereby make application to the Commissioner of Pensions for a pension, to be granted me under the Act passed by the Thirty-first Legislature of the Sate of Texas, and approved March 26, A. D. 1913, on the following grounds: I am the widow of H. D. Pearce deceased, who departed this life on the 8 day of Dec, A.D. 1911, in the county of Coke, in the State of Texas. I have not remarried since the death of my said husband, and I do solemnly swear that I was never divorced from my said husband, and that I never voluntarily abandoned him during his life, but remained his true, faithful and lawful wife up to the date of his death. I was married to him on the 11 day of October, A D 1968 in the county of Collin, in the State of Texas. My husband, the said H. D. Pearce, enlisted and served in the military service of the Confederate States during the war between the States of the United States, and that he did not desert the Confederate Service. I have been a resident of the State of Texas since prior to January 1, A. D. 1900, and have been continuously since a citizen of the State of Texas. I do further state that I do not receive from any source whatever money or other means of support amounting in value to the sum of $300.00 per annum, nor do I own in my own right, nor does anyone hold in trust for my benefit or use, estate or property, either real, personal or mixed, either in fact or for life, of the value of one thousand dollars, exclusive of the home of the value of not over $1,000.00; nor do I receive any aid or pension from any other State, or from the United States, or from any other source, and I do further state that the answers given to the following questions are true: 1. What is your age? 65 2. Where were you born? Limestone County, Texas 3. How long have you resided in the State of Texas? All my life except 3 years while I was a child & lived in Arkansas. 4. How long have you resided in the county of your present residence? And what is your postoffice address? Robert Lee, Texas. 9 years in County of Coke 5. What was your husband's full name? Henry Davis Pearce 6. What was the date of his death? December 8 1911 7. In what State was your husband's command originally organized? Louisiana 8. How long did your husband serve? If known to you, give date of enlistment and discharge. Sept 30 1861 to 17 Dec 1962 Afterwards re-enlisted in Co. D 16 Reg Texas Cavalry on August 2 1863 and served to 22 May 1865. 9. What was the name or letter of the company, or name or number of the battalian, regement or battery of artillery in which your hushand served? If he was transferred from one branch of service to another, give time of transfer description of command and of service. Company B. 17 La. Vol Inft and Company D 16 Texas Cavalry 10. Name branch of service in which your husband served, whether infantry, calvry, artillery or the navy, or if commissioned as an officer by the President, his rank and line of duty, or if detailed for special service, under the law of conscription, the nature of such service, and time of service. Infantry first and Cavalry afterwards. 12. Have you transferred to others any property of any kind for the purpose of becoming a beneficiary under this law? No Wherefore your petitioner prays that her application for a pension be approved and such other proceedings be had in the premises as required by law. (Signature of Applicant) Mrs. S. E. Pearce Sworn to and subscribed before me the 26 day of March, A. D. 1915 (signature) County Judge Coke County, Texas (seal) AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES (Note. - There must be at least two credible witnesses.) THE STATE OF TEXAS} County of Coke } Before me S. B Kemp, County Judge of Coke County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared H. H. Hayley & Chas Roe, who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that they personally know that Mrs. S. E. Pearce, applicant for a pension as the widow of H. D. Pearce deceased, is in truth and fact the widow of H. D. Pearce deceased; that they personally knew that she has not remarried since the death of her husband, for whose service in the army she claims a pension, and that they have no interest in this claim. (Signature of Witness)H. H. Hayley (Signature of Witness)Chas Roe Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 27 day of March, A.D. 1915 S. B. Kemp (Signature) County Judge Coke County, Texas (Seal) ---------------- AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES (Note - There must be at least two credible witnesses.) THE STATE OF TEXAS } County of Coke } Before me, S. B. Kemp County Judge of Coke County, State of Texas, on this day personally appeared H. H. Hayley & Chas Roe, who are personally know to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me duly sworn, on oath state that they personally know the above named applicant for a pension, and that they personally know that this said Mrs. S. E. Pearce has been a bona fide resident citizen of the State of Texas since prior to March 1, A.D. 1880, and that they have no interest in this claim. (Signature of Witness)H. H. Hayley (Signature of Witness)Chas Roe Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 27 day of March, A.D. 1915 S. B. Kemp County Judge Coke County, Texas (Seal) ----------------------------------------------------------------------- AFFIDAVIT OF WITNESSES (If possible, the two witnesses should have served with the applicant's husband in the army, and, if so, let them, or either of them state it in their oath; also any information regarding the army service of applicant's husband.) THE STATE OF TEXAS } County of Coke } Before me S. B. Kemp, County Judge of Coke County, State of Texas on this day personally appeared , who are personally known to me to be credible citizens, who, being by me sworn, on oath and state that they are personally acquainted with the foregoing applicant, and that the facts set forth and statements made in her application are correct and true, to the best of their knowledge and belief, and that they have no interest in this claim. And further make oath to the following facts touching the service of the applicant's husband in the Confederate Army: (State fully your source of knowledge.) That H. D. Pearce served in Company D 16 Texas Cavalry from August 2 1863 to May 22 1865 when he was discharged honorably. I know these facts from having seen his original discharge issued by Maj Gen J. B. Magruder at Houston Texas at the Close of the War - The original of this Dischare now lost but a photographic Copy of it can be Seen in the Confederate Veteran for April 1904 at pag 178. And Chas Roe States that he has known applicant and her deceased husband H. D. Pearce for 40 years and that during all the time said H. D. Pearce was member of the order of Confederate Veterans and a leader thereof and that offiant verily believes all of the statements made in this application are true. (Signature of Witness)H. H. Hayley (Signature of Witness)Chas Roe Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 27 day of March, A.D. 1915 S. B. Kemp County Judge Coke County, Texas (Seal) -------------- CERTIFICATE OF STATE AND COUNTY ASSESSOR I, W. J. Cumbie, State and County Assessor in the county of Coke State of Texas, do hereby certify that Mrs. S. E. Pearce whose name is signed to the foregoing application for a pension, under the Act of the Thirty-first Legislature, approved March 26, A. D. 1909, is charged on the land and personal property rolls of the said county, In her name, or the name of a trustee, with estate, real, personal and mixed, at the assessed value of $1,010.00 dollars. Given under my hand, this 28 day of June A. D. 1915 W. J. Cumbie State and County Assessor. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Office of COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS STATE OF TEXAS AUSTIN (Seal) J. C. Jones Commissioner J. C. Jones Commissioner To the Adjustant General, Was Department Washington, D. C Dear Sir: I have the honor to request the military record of H. D. Pearce who is reported to have enlisted in B Regiment 17 La. Vol. Inf. and Co D. 16 Texas Cav. in service of the Confederate Army. Purpose: The widow person above named is an applicant for a Confederate pension grated by the State, and I desire to verify his proof of service. Very Respectfully, J. C. Jones (signature) Commissioner of Pensions ---------------------------------------------------------------------- WAR DEPARTMENT, THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE Washington, June 8, 1915 Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions State of Texas, Austin The Confederate records show that H. D. Pearce, Company B, 17th Louisiana Infantry, C.S.A., enlisted Spetember 30, 1861, at Camp Moore, Louisiana, and December, 1862 (last on which borne), he is shown to have been discharged December 23, -- by reason of minority (age, 17 years). The Confederate records also show that he again enlisted August 3, 1863, in Company D, 16th Texas Calvry, C.S.A., and on the company roll for January and February, 1864 (last on file), he was reported present. The Union records of prisoners of war show that as a private of the last-named organization he was surrendered at New Orleans, Louisiana, May 26, 1865, and paroled sometime in June, 1865, -- place and exact date of parole not stated. H. P. A. Cain The Adjutant General ----------------------------------------------------------------- S. B. Kemp County Judge, Coke County Robert Lee, Texas June 28 1915 Commissioner of Pensions Austin, Texas. Dear Sir: I submit herewith the application and record in the matter of Application of Mrs. S. E. Pearce, widow of H. D. Pearce Deceased for Confederate Pension. Mr. Pearce never applied for a pension but had made provision for proof by his wife by getting proof of his service before his death which is herewith enclosed. I also enclose other documents and news paper clippings as further evidence of the service of H. D. Pearce. In view of the fact that the Certificate of the Tax assessor printed on the application is so framed that the assessor can not separate the homestead from the other property. I have had him make a supplementary Certificate and have attached it to the application. If for any reason this application should not be granted I will thank you to return to me the documentary evidence which has been submitted in support of this application. If the property qualification should be in the way, in explanation I will say that the property included in this certificate of assessor is the property of H. D. Pearce estate of which applicant own only one half interest and this fact can be shown if necessary. If such proof is desirable I will thank you to advise me and I will have the additional proof made and forwarded to you. Thanking you for such advise as is consistent with your position, I am, Yours very truly, S. B. Kemp (signature) County Judge Coke County. ------------------------------------------------------------------- S. B. Kemp County Judge, Coke County Robert Lee, Texas I, W. J. Cumbie, Sate and County Tax Assessor in and for the County of Coke State of Texas, do certify that Mrs. S. E. Pearce whose name is signed to the foregoing application for a pension, under the act of the 33rd Legislature approved April 7 A. D. 1913, is charged on the land and personal property rolls of said County, in the name of H. D. Pearce Estate, with an estate consisting of a homestead valued at $900 and other vacant town lots and personal property of the value of $110.00, all of the assessed value of $1010.00. Given under my hand this the 28 day of June 1915. W. J. Cumbie (signature) State and County Assessor ----------------------------------------------------------- APPLICATION FOR MORTUARY WARRANT THE STATE OF TEXAS } County of Runnels } I, W. L. Hayley do hereby certify that I am the person to whom is entrusted the paying of the accounts and indebtedness of the late Mrs Sarah E Pearce, who was a pensioner of the State of Texas, and whose file number was 31651 and whose original county was Coke. The said pensioner Mrs Sarah E Pearce, died on the 4 day of Jan 1939, in the town of Winters County of Runnels, Texas The pensioner died in the home of R. H. McFarland who was related to the pensioner as Son in Law. That the warrant, which application is hereby made for, shall be applied to paying all or part of the funeral expenses incurred by the said pensioner Mrs. Sarah E Pearce I further certify that the warrant for the current month has not been cashed by the pensioner, to the best of my knowledge and belief. I am related to the pensioner as Son in Law that my postoffice address is Norton, Texas. Signed W. L. Hayley Sworn to before me this 20 day of Jan, 1939 Jon Jennings Notary Public in and for Runnels Co State of Texas -------------------------- CERTIFICATE OF UNDERTAKER I, FRANK KEENEY, do certify tht I am undertaker in the town of BRONTE, County of COKE, State of TEXAS that I had charge of the body of MRS. SARAH E. PEARCE, who died in the town of WINTERS, County of RUNNELS, State of TEXAS on the 4th day of JAN 1939. That said body was prrepared for burial by me on the 4th day of JAN. 1939, and that I am of the opinion that warrant herein applied for should be issued to the said W. L. HAYLEY who makes the foregoing application. Signed Frank Keeney Undertaker ------------------------- I, J. W. Dixon, do certify that I am a practicing physician, and that I attended Mrs. Sarah E. Pearce in his last illness, and am of the opinion that his ailments were Influenza. I further certify that I am of the opinion that the Mortuary Warrant above requested should be issued in the name of the aforementioned applicant, in accordance with Act passed by the Thirty-eighth Legislature and approved March 2, 1923. Signed J W Dixon M. D. Physician's Address Winters, Texas (Stamped Jan 21 1939 RECEIVED) ------------------------------------------------------------ First Settler of Old Runnels Dies In Winters Wed. Mrs. S. E. Pearce Had Resided in Section Since '76 Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Pearce, 87, one of the early pioneer settlers of Runnels County, passed away at the home of a daughter, Mrs. R. H. MacFarland Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock. She had been in failing health for several months and in a critical condition for the last week. The remains were conveyed to the home of W. L. Hayley at Norton Wednesday night to lie in state until the funeral hour Thursday afternoon. Rites were held from the Kickapoo Baptist church by Rev. H. Crane, Norton Methodist pastor, and the Rev. D. M. West of Bronte, a life long friend of the family. Burial was in the Robert Lee Cemetery by the graveside of her companion who passed away in 1911. Born Sarah Elizabeth Pride on March 10, 1852 in Freestone county, she was the daughter of John and Ellen Pride. On October 11, 1868 she was married to Henry Davis Pearce in Collin county where the couple lived for eight years. Driving a team and hack while her husband drove a team to a covered wagon, she endured all the hardships of the early day pioneers, as they forged westward to make their home in West Texas, during the year 1876. They first located at Brownwood and two years later, in January 1880, they moved to Paint Rock. They relocated on Valley Creek and helped to organize Runnels county. They were the first family to move to Runnels City, the first county seat of Runnels county, stretched the first tent and started the Post Office and a restaurant. In the year 1886 the Santa Fe railroad was built further westward and the townsite of Ballinger was decided on. Many of the early settlers moved to the nearby town of Ballinger and among them Mr. and Mrs. Pearce. This pioneer couple established the first and only hostelry in Ballinger for several years and which was known over this section as the Pearce Hotel. Mrs. Pearce served as the first postmaster of Old Runnels and as the second postmaster of Ballinger for a term. Mrs. Pearce was converted during the early years of her life, uniting with the Missionary Baptist church of which she was very active. Her membership had been with the Kickapoo Baptist church near Bronte for 25 years. She was the mother of eleven children, four daughters and two sons, preceded their mother in death some years ago. Her daughter, Mrs. W. L. Hayley of Norton, was the first white child born in this county after organization in 1880. The surviving children are four daughters, Mrs. W. L. Hayley of Norton; Mrs. W. B. Hamilton of Montell; Mrs. Frederick Henry of Montell; Mrs. R. H. H MacFarland of Winters and a son, H. H. Pearce of Dallas. There are twenty-three grandchildren and twenty great grandchildren. Grandsons served as pallbeareres and great granddaughters assisted with the flowers. ---------------------------------------------------------------- (Only the part that was filled in is listed.) State of Texas Dr. J. W. Dixon - Winters Texas Department of Health Registrar's No 4440 Bureau of Vital Statistics 1. Place of Death State of Texas County of Runnels City of Winters, Texas Length of residence where death occurred - 4 2. Full Name Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Pearce 3. Sex - Female 4. Color or race - White 5. Single Married Widowed Divorced - Widow 5a. Wife of Henry Davis Pearce 6. Date of Birth - March 10, 1852 7. Age - 85 years 9 months 24 days 8. Trade - Retired Housewife 9. Industry - Own house until recent years. 12. Birthplace - Freestone County, Texas 13. Father - John Pride 17. Informant - Mrs. R. H. McFarland 18. Burial - Robert Lee, Tex Cemetery - date Jan. 5, 1939 19. Undertaker - Spilt Funeral Home, Winters, Texas Signed A. H. Afferbod (?) 20. Signature and file date of local registrar 2 - 6- 1939 W E Cole 21. Date of Death - January 4, 1939 22. I hereby certify, that I attended deceased from Jan 3, 1939 to Jan 3, 1939 I last saw her alive on Jan 3, 1939 The principal cause of death - Influenza Pneumonia Date of onset - 1/2/39 Name of operation - none What test confirmed diagnosis? Symptoms Was there an autopsy? No 23. Accident, suicide, or homicide none Specify whether injury occurred in industry, in home, or in public place none Signed J W Dixon M. D. Address - Winters, Texas (Stamp) Received Feb 7 1939 Dept of Vital Statistics