Scott County Arkansas
Civil War Pension Files
WILLIAM T. DAVIS
Contributed by Terri Walker

To view a photo of William T. Davis & wife Click Here.

DECLARATION FOR INVALID PENSION
Act of June 27, 1890

State of Arkansas, County of Scott, SS:
On this 23 day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety two personally appeared before me, a Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for the county and state aforesaid, William T. Davis, aged 55 years, a resident of the Township of Hickman, county of Scott, state of Arkansas, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical William T. Davis who was enrolled on the 15th day of January, 1864 in Capt. John Boyle's Co. "K" Second Regiment Arkansas Inft. Volunteers in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was honorably discharged at Clarksville, Arkansas on the 8th day of August 1865. That he is partly unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of disease of his eyes chronic rheumatism and piles. That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent; that he has never applied for a pension. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension-roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of June 27, 1890.
He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, Leming & Hon, of Waldron, Arkansas, his true and lawful attorneys to prosecute his claim, and to receive therefor a fee of ten dollars; that his post-office address is Waldron, county of Scott, state of Arkansas.
William T. Davis
Attest: Thomas W. Stone
Haywood L. Chiles

MILITARY SERVICE

Name of Soldier
William T. Davis
Southern Div., Bureau of Pensions,
June 7, 1892, No. 1101666, Invalid.
Sir:
It is alleged that the above-named man enlisted 15 Jany. 1864, and served as a private in Co. K, 2 Reg't. Ark. Vol. Infy. and was discharged at Clarksville, Ark. on Aug. 1865.
No. of prior claim [blank]
The War Department will please furnish an official statement in this case, showing date of enrollment and date and mode of termination of service.
Very respectfully,
Green B. Raum[?] Commissioner.

The Officer in Charge of the
Record and Pension Division,
War Department.

WAR DEPARTMENT
Record and Pension Division,
Jun 8, 1892
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
The rolls show that William T. Davis, mentioned in the preceding indorsement, was enrolled Dec. 13, 1863 and M.O. as Pvt. Aug. 8, 1865.
By authority of the Secretary of War.
F.C. Ainsworth, Col., U.S. Army

State of Arkansas}
County of Scott}
I, William T. Davis of Waldron Scott County Arkansas do solemnly swear that I am the identical person who made application for pension in Claim No. 1101666. That the disabilities alleged in my declaration were contracted as follows to wit disease of the eyes was contracted at Huntersville, Arkansas in the summer of 1864 while I was serving in the company named in my declaration. The cause of the disease is to me unknown. My eyes became sore about the time above stated and have never fully recovered. The chronic rhemmatism[sic] was contracted in the autumn of 1869 in Johnson Co., Ark. where I then lived and I was first affected with rheumatism then and there while at work sowing wheat and the disease from that time has been affecting me. The Piles was contracted about the same time as the chronic rheumatism as above stated or at least I first began to notice it about that time and as to the cause of it I know nothing.
Further I do solemnly swear that I did not during the war of the rebellion or at any other time serve in the United States military or naval service in any other Co. or organization than Co. K, 2nd Ark. Inft. Vols.
William T. Davis
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 18th day of June 1892.
Thomas M. Duncan,
Clerk Circuit Court
Scott Co., Arkansas

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.,
Aug. 24, 1893.
Respectfully returned to the officer in charge of the Record and Pension Office, War Department, requesting a full military and medical history of the soldier.
Please examine all records likely to afford any information as to diseases, wounds, or injuries incurred by him while in the service.
Claim No. 1101666
Name William T. Davis, Co. K, 2nd Regt. Ark. Inf.
Wm. Lochoen, Commissioner.

Record and Pension Office,
War Department
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions.
William T. Davis, Co. K, 2 Reg't. Ark. Inf. was enrolled Dec. 13, 1863 and M.O. Aug. 8, 1865.
From enrollment to M.O. he held the rank of Pvt., Sergt. & Pvt. and during that period the rolls show him present except as follows June 30/64, present, sick in qrs.
The medical records show him treated as follows: W. - Davis, Pri. Co. K 4th Ark. Inf. Nov. 4 to 16/64 No diagnosis; Nov 19/64, Feb. Int. Nothing additional found.

DECLARATION FOR INVALID PENSION

State of Arkansas}
County of Scott} ss:
On this 27th day of April, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and four personally appeared before me, a Circuit Clerk within and for the county and State aforesaid, William T. Davis, aged 68 years, a resident of Waldron, county of Scott, State of Arkansas, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Fort Smith, Arkansas under the name of William T. Davis on the 15th day of January 1864 as a Private in Company K, Second Regiment of Arkansas Infantry in the service of the United States, in the war of the rebellion, and served at least ninety days, and was honorably discharged at Clarksville, Ark., on the 8th day of August, 1865. That he was not employed in the military or naval service prior to January 15, 1864. That he has not been employed in the military or naval service since August 8, 1865. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Age 27 years; height, 5 feet 9 inches; complexion, fair; hair, light; eyes, blue. That he is wholly incapacitated for earning a support by manual labor by reason of stomach, bowel and liver complaints, paralasys of bowell and indigestion. That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief of a permanent character. That he is not a pensioner. That he has heretofore applied for pension about ten years ago or more, but did not prosecute the claim and let same go by default. Do not remember number of claim. That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890, as amended by the Act of May 9, 1900.
That his post-office address is Waldron, county of Scott, State of Arkansas. That hereby appoints Daniel Hon of Waldron, Arkansas, his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim.
William T. Davis
Attest: J.S. Simmons
J.L. Evatt

Department of the Interior,
Bureau of Pensions,
Washington, D.C., June 10, 1904
Respectfully returned to the Military Secretary War Department requesting a personal description of the soldier.
No other report on file. Inv. Orig. #1101666, William T. Davis, Sgt., K, 2nd Ark. Inft.
B.S. Ware, Commissioner

War Department
The Military Secretary's Office,Washington, Jun 13, 1904
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions, with the information that in the case of William T. Davis, Co. K, 2 Reg't. Ark. Infy. the records show personal description as follows: Age 27, height 5 feet, 9 inches, complexion, fair, eyes, blue, hair light, place of birth Blunt Co., Tenn., occupation Farmer.
F.C. Ainsworth, The Military Secretary.

INVALID PENSION

Claimant William T. Davis, P.O. Waldron, County Scott, State Arkansas, Rank Sergeant, Company K, Regiment 2nd Ark. Vol. Inft. Rate $10 per month, commencing May 2, 1904.
Pensioned for partial inability to earn a support by manual labor.
Recognized Attorney Daniel Hon, P.O. Waldron, Ark., Fee $10. Agent to pay.

[Letterhead] Circuit Clerk and Ex-Officio Clerk of Chancery Court,
County and Probate Clerk and Recorder. (Scott County)
Thos. M. Duncan, Clerk.
Waldron, Ark.

State of Arkansas,}
County of Scott.} ss.
On this 23 day of August 1904 before the undersigned authority personally appeared William T. Davis, who is to me personally well known to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn says:
My name is William T. Davis; my residence is near Waldron, and my post-office address is Waldron, Scott County, Arkansas, and my age is 68 years. I am the identical person named in pension certificate No. 1,083,645, Act of June 27, 1890, and a pensioner under said Certificate. The reason I signed my name by mark to Voucher executed by me for pension due me for quarter ending August 4, 1904, is that I am now in such feeble health that I have quit trying to write my name-my eye-sight is growing dim and I am too nervous to attempt to do any writing. For the past 18 months I have been under the doctor's treatment trying to regain my health and improve my physical condition but am still in very poor health and am weak and nervous. I decided since I have been in such poor health and such a nervous state that it was best to quit attempting to write my name. Some time ago when I was in better health and not so nervous I could write very well and was in the habit of writing my own name to papers, but since my health has been for the past few months and is now so bad, think it best to sign my name by mark, especially so long as I remain so weak and nervous. If I were to continue to try to write my own name to papers or vouchers it would require considerable effort for me to writ at all and doubtless the writing would often be illegible, and for these reasons I decided to hereafter sign my name by mark.
William T. (his x mark) Davis
Witnesses to mark:
W.L. Dozier
J.M. Hamilton
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 23 day of August 1904.
Thos. M. Duncan
Clerk Circuit Court,
Scott County, Ark.

State of Arkansas, County of Scott, SS:
On this 24 day of Sept. A.D. one thousand nine hundred and four personally appeared before me a Clerk Circuit Court within and for the County and State aforesaid William T. Davis, aged 68 years; was born on the 31 day of May 1836, a resident of near the Town of Waldron, County of Scott, State of Arkansas, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is a pensioner of the United States under Act of June 27, 1890, Certificate No. 1,083,605, enrolled at the Knoxville, Tennessee Pension Agency at the rate of $10.00 dollars per month, by reason of disability from Partial inability to earn a support by manual labor. That he was a member of Co. K, 2nd Reg't. Ark. Vols. That he believes himself entitled to a higher rate of pension under the Act of Congress approved June 27, 1890, and amended by Act of Congress approved May 9, 1900, and order of the Commissioner of Pensions made March 15, 1904, and makes this application for the purpose of having his name placed upon the pension roll under the provision of said acts and order.
That he is wholly unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of the disabilities above alleged, which are not due to his vicious habit, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief permanent.
Should an examination be ordered, he desires to be sent before the Board of Surgeons at Waldron, County of Scott, State of Arkansas, feeling unable to make trip away from home and he appoints Joseph H. Hunter of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful attorney, with full power of substitution and revocation to prosecute this his claim, and agrees to allow his said attorney the legal fee when the claim is allowed.
That his Post-Office address is Waldron, County of Scott, State of Ark.
William T. (his x mark) Davis
Attest:
C.F. Rawlings
J.C. Hart

[The top of this document, stamped 17 March 1905, is cut off in this copy.]
...and served at least ninety days in the late War of the Rebellion, who was honorably discharged on the 8th day of August 1865, and died at near Waldron, in the State of Arkansas on or about the 24th day of January 1905. That she was married under the name of Octavia Baskin to said William T. Davis on the 8th day of September 1867 by Rev. Jesse Marshall, a minister, at Springhill, Johnson Co., Ark., there being no legal barrier to said marriage neither of us had ever been previously married. That she has not remarried since the death of the said William T. Davis, who was not employed or paid in the Army, Navy or Marine service of the United States after the date of his discharge from the above-mentioned command.
That she is without other means of support than her daily labor; that names and dates of birth of all the children now living under sixteen years of age of the soldier are as follows:
Claud Davis, born Dec. 23, 1889}
Maud Davis, born Dec. 23, 1889} Twins
That she has not heretofore applied for pension. That she makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States, under the provisions of the act of June 27, 1890, as amended by Acts of Congress approved May 9, 1900, and July 1, 1902. That she hereby agrees to allow her attorney the legal fee when the claim is allowed. She hereby appoints Joseph H. Hunter of Washington, D.C. her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim; that her post-office address is Waldron, county of Scott, State of Arkansas.
Octavia Davis

GENERAL AFFIDAVIT

State of Arkansas, County of Scott, SS:
In the matter of pension claim of Octavia Davis widow of Wm. T. Davis, No. 823878 late Co. K 2nd Ark. Infty. Vols.
On this 16 day of May A.D. 1905, personally appeared before me, a Circuit Clerk in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths I.W. Davis aged 66 years, a resident of near Waldron in the County of Scott and State of Arkansas whose Post-Office address is Waldron, Scott Co., Ark., well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case as follows: We are each personally acquainted with claimant Octavia Davis, widow of Wm. T. Davis, deceased affiant. I.W. Davis says he is the brother of Wm.T. Davis deceased and affiant W.H. Davis states that Wm. T. Davis, deceased, was his uncle, and affiants each say that claimant Octavia Davis has been without means of support other than her daily labor since Mch. 14, 1905. She has not owned or acquired any property since the date of the death of her husband which occurred Jan. 24, 1905, except one Davis sewing machine, which she still owns and the income from which we do not consider amounts to anything. She owned no personal property at time of her husband's death but her husband owned a small amount of personal property at time of his death which is and has been in her possession since his death, consisting principally of one wagon and one mule team, one mare, 8 head of cattle, and some other articles of personal property worth altogether perhaps about $400. as near as we can now estimate it. Her husband owned in his own right a small farm of 199 acres, about 45 or 50 acres in cultivation on which his widow now resides, at the date of his death but claimant owns no land in her own right. We both live near neighbors to claimant and know that she and her husband lived together as husband and wife for years prior to his death and were living together at time of his death and were never divorced, and affiants each further swear that the claimant and widow Octavia Davis has never remarried since the date of the death of her husband. Affiants each further say that they are well acquainted with the two children for whom claimant claims pension, to wit, Claud Davis and Maud Davis, and know that they are still living and that they are living now with the claimant Octavia Davis. Affiants each further say that they were present at the burial of the claimants husband Wm. T. Davis, and know that he died on the 24 day of January 1905.
[Second page of this document, with signatures, missing from this file.]

[Stamped June 27, 1905]

Family Record
Marriages

W.T. Davis was married to Miss Francis O. Baskin September 8th 1867.

Family Record
Births

C.A. Davis was born December the 23, 1889
Maud Davis was born December the 23, 1889

Family Record
Deaths

Wm. T. Davis Died Jan. 24th 1905

State of Arkansas}
County of Scott}
I, Thos. M. Duncan Clerk of the Circuit Court of Scott County Arkansas hereby certify that the above and foregoing are true correct and perfect copies of the entries in an old Bible to me this day produced by Mrs. Octavia Davis widow of Wm. T. Davis and now before me same purporting to be and represented by her to me as being the old Family Bible of Wm. T. Davis, deceased, or all that part of the entries or records in said Family Bible so far as related to the marriage of W.T. Davis and Miss Francis O. Baskin and so far as relates to the births of C.A. Davis and Maud Davis and so far as it appears from said Bible now before me; that I am unable to give the date or year said Bible was published, where published or printed, and by whom, for the reason that I am unable to find any date of publication or names of publishers thereon, several leaves in the front part of the Bible and also at the back being missing and appear to have been worn or torn off by frequent or careless handling; that it looks to be a very old Bible and from its appearance I take it to be an old Family Bible as represented by said widow Mrs. Octavia Davis.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, at my office, in Waldron, Ark., on this 16 day of May 1905.
Thos. M. Duncan, Clerk.

[Stamped 27 Jun 1905.]
MEDICAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Arkansas}
County of Scott} ss:
In the matter of the Pension Claim of Octavia Davis, widow of Wm. T. Davis, No. 823878 late of Co. K, 2nd Reg't, Ark. Infty. Vols., personally came before me, a Clerk Circuit Court in and for said County and State, Dr. W.F.A. Edney of Waldron, County of Scott, State of Arkansas who I hereby certify is a respectable and credible person, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim that his age is 54 years; that he has been a practicing physician for the past 30 years; that he has made a careful medical examination of the above-named claimant, and find his present physical condition as follows: Wm. Thomas Davis. Soldier now deceased lived in this county 21 years. He was respected, sober and a man of steady habits. He had been afflicted with Piles ever since the war. I treated him in June 1903 at that time he was suffering with general prostration. Constipation of Bowels had troubled him for years. Indigestion another trouble with him all of those troubles growing [worse?] as he grew older until his death. He was 68 years old, totally disabled to do manual labor about 3 years before his death. He died of prostration Jan 24/05.
W.F.A. Edney, M.D.

GENERAL AFFIDAVIT

State of Arkansas, County of Johnson, SS:
In the matter of Pension Claim Frances O. Davis widow of William T. Davis deceased.
On this 8th day of May A.D. 1905, personally appeared before me, a justice of the peace in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths Chester A. Swift, aged 58 years, a resident of Horsehead Township in the County of Johnson and State of Arkansas whose Post-Office address is Harmony, Ark. in the County of Johnson and State of Arkansas, James M. Laster aged 64 years, a resident of Harmony, Ark. in the County of Johnson and State of Arkansas whose Post Office address is Harmony, Ark. well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
We know that the said Frances O. Davis is the widow of the said William T. Davis from the fact we were both present at the time of their marriage & saw them married, we also know that they lived together as husband and wife from that time until the death of the said William T. Davis which occurred in January 1905. The said husband and wife were never divorced and raised a large family. We also know that the said claimant Frances O. Davis has never remarried since the death of her late husband. They were married in 1867 or 1868 we do not remember which year. We know all the facts from personal knowledge.
[Signature page missing.]

GENERAL AFFIDAVIT

State of Arkansas, County of Johnson, ss:
In the matter of pension claim Mrs. Frances O. Davis.
On this 15th day of July, AD 1905, personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths James M. Laster aged 64 years, a resident of Harmony in the County of Johnson and State of Arkansas whose Post-Office address is Harmony, Ark., Chester A. Swift aged 58 years, a resident of Harmony in the County of Johnson and State of Arkansas whose Post-Office address is Harmony, Ark., well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
We knew the parties William T. Davis and his wife Frances O. Davis before and after their marriage neither of them was ever married before they were married to each other and they lived continuously together from the time of their marriage until the death of Mr. Davis and were never divorced.
[Signatures missing.]

GENERAL AFFIDAVIT

State of Arkansas, County of Scott, ss:
In the matter of pension claim of Octavia Davis widow of Wm. T. Davis, deceased.
On this 31 day of August A.D. 1905, personally appeared before me, a Circuit Clerk in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths F.M. Taff aged 31 years, a resident of near Waldron, in the County of Scott and State of Arkansas, whose Post- Office address is Waldron, Scott County, Ark., and L.E. Leming aged 30 years, a resident of near Waldron, in the County of Scott and State of Arkansas whose Post-Office address is Waldron, Scott County, Arkansas, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Affiants each say that they are personally acquainted with applicant Mrs. Octavia Davis, widow of Wm. T. Davis, deceased, and have each known her for several years past. We each live not far from claimant and have been about her home place frequently the past 3 or 4 years and have a very good knowledge as to the kind and value of the property she owns or controls. Said widow and claimant does not own a great deal of personal property. We know that she owns or claims and uses there on her place one horse and 3 mules, all young and as we consider good average stock. We also know that she owns and claims a few head of cattle but we are not sure how many head of cattle, possibly 6 to 9 head in all, just ordinary cattle, which she keeps for her own use on the place, cows and yearlings-she also has there on the place one old wagon, perhaps about half worn, and a few head of hogs but we do not know exactly how many hogs she owns, but she only has a few head for her own use. She owns no other personal property or money of any kind that we know of except her household furniture and wearing apparel and from what we know of her personal property and effects we are of the opinion that the total value or worth of all of said widow's personal property would not exceed the sum of $400., and we further swear that in our judgment the total income of said widow and claimant from said personal property on an average per year above taxes and expenses of keeping and caring for same will not exceed the sum of $50. or $60. And may be not that much, said widow Octavia Davis so far as we know or ever heard anything about owns no real estate or premises in her own right or name but her deceased husband Wm. T. Davis at the time of his death owned in his own right and resided upon a farm consisting of 199 acres in which land his said widow only has a dower or life interest, but she resides on the farm and receives the rents and profits thereof from the portion in cultivation or rents out, and from what we know of what the land produces her income therefrom and the crops and rents she receives from that portion which is in cultivation and used would not exceed $50. Per year on an average or $75. Above taxes expenses and repairs of the place. It is all just ordinary upland and average farming land for upland that [is] not cleared is covered principally with a fair quality of black oak timber which brings in no income except as she can use same for fuel and repairs. There are about 45 or 50 acres of the land in cultivation on the place and about 30 acres of it is old worn out cleared land under fence but not in cultivation - about 15 acres of the old cleared land is used for pasture and about 15 acres of it is just about in small patches not used for any purpose and brings in no income. All of the land not in cultivation and not cleared as before stated is just woods land and brings in no income and is all upland. The land in cultivation will produce on an average about one half bale of cotton and about 20 bushels of corn per acre. We do not know the value of the land but we [word?] and it is assessed at $3.00 per acre which in our [word?] is about all other uplands in that vicinity is assessed at. Taking the farm as a whole, improvements and all we consider worth about $1200. to one who would want to use it for a home & farm. We are acquainted with the children of claimant claimed for under 16 years of age, to wit, Claud and Maud Davis and know that they are still living and live with their mother the claimant.
[Signature page missing.]

Certificate of County Clerk

State of Arkansas}
County of Scott}
I, T.M. Duncan, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex-officio County Clerk and Recorder of Scott County, Arkansas, hereby certify that as such Clerk I am the custodian of the real Estate and personal property Tax Books and the Assessment records of said County and State of both real and personal property. That I have this day made careful examination of the real Estate and personal property assessment record for the present year 1905, said records being now before me, as to amount and kinds of real and personal property assessed for said year 1905, in name of William T. Davis, deceased, or in name of Mrs. Francis O. Davis late widow of said Wm. T. Davis being more familiarly known as Mrs. Octavia Davis, and as the result of such examination I find as follows:
Personal property assessed in name of "Mrs. O. Davis" for year 1905 is as follows:
1 Horse Valued at 50.00
7 head cattle " " 40.00
3 mules " " 200.00
19 head of hogs " " 20.00
1 wagon " " 15.00
Total value of all other property
required by law to be listed 50.00
Total Value Pers. Prop. 375.00
And I further certify that I find no personal property for year 1905 on the Assessment record in name of W.T. or Wm. T. Davis, or in name of Wm. T. Davis Estate.
I further certify that I found no lands or real Estate assessed for year 1905 in name of Mrs. Francis O., or Octavia Davis but find the following lands assessed in name of W.T. Davis, deceased, to wit:
Pt. E 1/2 SE 1/4 of Section 9, T3N Range 29 West - 79 acres, assessed at 240.00
W 1/2 SW 1/4 " " 10 " " 29 " 80 " " 240.00
NE NE " " 16 " 28 " 40 " " 120.00
Totals 199 " " 600.00
I further certify that I am not well enough acquainted with the personal property above described to know its true value nor do I possess sufficient knowledge of the character of the real estate above described as to amt. cultivated or noncultivated or the productiveness of the soil to give the actual true value of same, but I certify that the law requires personal property in this State to be assessed or the person assessing personal property to subscribe in part to the followng: "that I have estimated and put down the value of such property not at what it might sell for at a forced sale but at what would be its fair market value," and I further [certify] that I understand that real and personal property is usually assessed at about 75 per cent of its true valued.
I further certify that the above is all of the real or personal property which I find assessed for year 1905 either in name of W.T. or Wm. T. Davis, deceased, or in name of his widow Mrs. Francis O., or Octavia Davis.
In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and official seal, at Waldron, Ark., on this 30 day of August, 1905.
Thos. M. Duncan, Clerk Circuit Court

State of Arkansas}
County of Johnson}
I do hereby certify that I, Jesse Marshall, did on the 8th day of September 1867 solemnize the rites of Matrimony between Wm. T. Davis and Miss Frances Octavia Baskins in the presence of witnesses at Springhill school house in Johnson County Arkansas; parties of lawful age and all of Johnson County Arkansas. I further certify that I am a legal ordained minister of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church and that my credentials are recorded in the clerks office in the town of Dover, Pope County Arkansas. This Sept. 9th A.D. 1867.
5 Cts. Rev. Cancelled Jesse Marshall
Filed in my office Sept. 9th A.D. 1867.
J.B. McConnell, Clerk

State of Arkansas}
County of Johnson}
I, W.H. McPherson, Clerk of the county and State aforesaid, do hereby certify that the above and foregoing is a true and correct copy of the Marriage Certificate of Wm. T. Davis and Francis Octavie Baskins and the same appears on page 153 of Marriage Record "N."
Witness my hand and official seal this 21st day July A.D. 1905.
W.H. McPherson, County Clerk

CLAIMANTS GENERAL AFFIDAVIT

State of Arkansas, County of Scott, ss:
In the matter of Pension Claim of Octavia Davis, widow of William T. Davis, deceased.
On this 30 day of August A.D. 1905, personally appeared before me, a Circuit Clerk in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths the claimant Octavia Davis aged 57 years, a resident of near Waldron, in the County of Scott and State of Arkansas whose Post-Office address is Waldron, Scott County, Arkansas well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
My name is Francis O. Davis, but I am commonly known as Octavia Davis, widow of Wm. T. Davis, deceased, and am the claimant in this case. All the personal property which I own and which I have assessed in my name for the year 1905, is as follows: one horse, assessed at $50; 7 head of cattle, assessed at $40; 3 mules assessed at $200; 19 hogs assessed at $20; 1 wagon, assessed at [remainder is missing.]

ACCRUED PENSION

Southern Division. Certificate No. 1083605.
Last issue June 18th, 1904.
Pensioner William T. Davis, Act June 27, 1890.
Date of death, January 24, 1905.
Claimant, Octavia Davis, Widow, Waldron, Scott County, Arkansas. Certificate not filed. Submitted for Adm. Sept. 23, 1905.
B.H. Scott, Examiner.
Board of Review
Approved for admission. Pay to Widow, as above shown.
Geo. Albertson, Reviewer, Oct. 4, 1905.
L.S. Cannon, Rereviewer, Oct. 6, 1905
Certificate Division
Accrued Pension Certificate and Order: Issued Oct 9, 1905, Mailed Oct 12, 1905, Payable to Wid. Original certificate and voucher No. M.C.

May 11, 1920
To the Chief, Finance Division:
Your are hereby notified that check #6489077 for $75.00 dated May 4, 1920 in favor of Octavia Davis, post office Waldron, Ark. has been returned to this office by the Postmaster with the information that the pensioner died Apr. 14, 1920, and said check has this day been canceled.
Very respectfully,
Guy O. Taylor, Disbursing Clerk.

[Letterhead] A.F. Smith, Abstractor, Land Titles Perfected,
Waldron, Ark.
June 5, 1920

Commissioner of Pensions
Washington, D.C.
Dear Sir:
Recently Mrs. Octavia Davis, who drew a Pension under Certificate No. 598,419, died and left surviving her two idiotic children whose names are Malissa Elizabeth Davis, whose age is 51 and Harold Lattie Davis, whose age is 40 years.
This woman was the widow and these children are a son and daughter of William T. Davis, who drew a pension under Certificate No. 1083,605 dated June 18, 1904. He was a member of Co. "K" 2nd Regiment of Arkansas Infantry.
Their mother lived on a farm left by their father and kept these children with her until her death and now there is no one who is legally bound to care for them and I am requested by their relatives to write and ask you if, under the law, they are entitled to a pension and if they are, to ask you that you send blanks suitable for Application therefor and at the same time that you suggest whether it will be necessary to have a brother of these children, or some other suitable person, appointed as their Guardian.
Awaiting your reply, I am,
Most respectfully,
A.F. Smith

June 12, 1920
Mr. A.F. Smith
Waldron, Arkansas
Sir:
Replying to your letter of the fifth instant in the case of Octavia Davis, certificate number 598,419, you are advised that there is no law under which a child of the soldier can derive title to pension, who is over the age of sixteen years at the date of the soldier's death. Consequently the two idiotic children aged fifty-one and forty years, respectively, referred to, cannot derive title to pension.
The pension accrued to the date of death in the case of this widow is payable only in accordance with an Act of Congress approved March 2, 1895, a copy of which is herewith.
Very respectfully,
G.M. Saltzgaber, Commissioner

Return to Scott County Civil War Records