Scott County Arkansas
Civil War Pension Files
SAMUEL McGOWAN WANN and ROBERT WANN
Contributed by Cindy McKean
SAMUEL MCGOWAN WANN
Samuel McGowan Wann was a Private in Captain Joshua Wann's Co.,
Norwood Battalion, in the Alabama Military. He enlisted for a three month
period for the Cherokee Removal in 1838. He enlisted on 13 June and was
mustered in on 14 June of 1838 at Bellefonte, Alabama. He mustered our on
17 July 1839 at Gunters Landing, Alabama and received $160 in pay.
On 28 October 1850, Samuel Wann submitted to the Pension Office an
Affidavit as to service, stating his enlistment date, time served and
discharge date. This affidavit was prepared as he states on the Affidavit
that "he lost his certificate of discharge." The Affidavit was prepared
in Independence County, Arkansas and signed by Urban E. Fort, Justice of
the Peace. The Clerk of the Court, William r. Miller, notarized signatures
12 days later, 9 Nov. 1850, in Batesville, AR. Another affidavit was
prepared by James Bain and Thomas Loyd on this same date.
On 8 August 1851, the Affidavit of Hamblen Hogan, J. P., was
prepared to provide proof of identity of Samuel Wann and his service in
an expedition against the Cherokee Indians during the Florida War. Samuel
signed it and it is marked by the Commissioner of Pensions, Washington
City, DC.
On 4 May 1855, Samuel Wann, age 40, and a resident of Jackson Co.,
Arkansas, filed a Bounty Land Claim with a declaration for surviving
soldier. He made this declaration for the purpose of obtaining bounty
land to which he may have been entitled to under "act granting additional
bounty land to certain officers and soldiers who have been engaged in the
military service of the United States," approved March 3, 1855. He refers
to his former declaration made under act of September 28, 1850, upon
which he obtained a land Warrant No. 2804, for 40 acres, which he states
he legally transferred and disposed of. Samuel Wann signed it. Thomas
Loyd, J. P. attested to his signature. Robert Reynolds and Jesse Webb
witnessed.
Martha Wann made a Declaration of Widow for Pension under the
Indian War Pension Act of July 27, 1892, on 16 September 1895. She was 80
years old at the time and a resident of Carolan, Logan Co., Arkansas. She
attests that she is the widow of Samuel Wann, that he served as Private
in the company commanded by Captain Joshua Wann in the Seminole Indian
War of 1838. She also states that she and Samuel married 15 December
1836 and Joshua Wann married them at Bellefonte, Alabama. At the time of
entering the service, her husband was 24 years of age, had blue eyes,
dark hair, and a fair complexion. He was a farmer and was born in
Kentucky. It is also indicated that her late husband had a Land Warrant.
She made this application for the purpose of obtaining a pension under
the provisions of the Act approved July 27, 1892. She signs her name
with an X mark. W. E. Carolan and R. B. Walker witnessed her mark.
A General Affidavit was filed in Scott Co., Arkansas by A. C.
Rosson in the matter of the application for pension of Martha Wann, for
Pension No. 6440 A.C. Rosson (Abraham Rosson, husband of Ann Catherine
Wann), age 54, Belva, Scott Co., Arkansas attested that Martha was a
widow since Samuel's death 19 Oct. 1857. The testimony was written from
her dictation by R.L. Duncan and signed by her mark. She could not read
or write. Witnessed by J. W. Lindsey and E. L. Lantrip.
On 4 Feb. 1896, Martha Crabtree, attested to a Proof of a Marriage
to a Soldier. She was 76 years old, resided in Hazel Grove, Independence
Co., Arkansas, and was present at the marriage of Samuel and Martha Wann.
She was the daughter of the Justice of Peace that married them, Joshua
Wann.
18 Feb. 1896 Affidavit
In the Matter of Martha Wann, widow of Samuel Wann, died. Regarding
Indian War Claim 6440, Martha filed her Affidavit as to proof of Samuel's
service. She was 80 years old and a resident of Carolan, Logan Co.,
Arkansas. She states at the time of Samuel's death he was 48 years, four
months and 24 days old. She gained this knowledge from him having heard
him tell his date of birth and it was her recollection that the bible
contained it that way by having heard the bible record read. She states
she can not read writing. She also attests that she and Samuel resided at
Elgin, Jackson Co., Arkansas from 1850 to 1857. Again, she signs by her
X mark and it is attested to by W. R. Smith and W. C. Kersey.
On 18 February 1896, S. T. Carolan, Notary, attests to the bible
"containing the record of Samuel Wann's marriage, death, etc. "The bible
did appear to be old and not lately made." Martha states that her son
recorded this just as she told him. Soon after the destruction of the
original bible, her son rerecorded the last record in another bible [the
one presented for this affidavit]. There was no way of knowing when the
bible was published as it was worn out from "long use." "She says her son
who wrote the record is dead. This I believe to be true as gospel." Bible
Record 27 Nov. 1898.
After Samuel's death, Martha filed a Claim of Widow for Bounty Land
on 30 March 1896, under act approved Marc 3, 1855. She claimed she was a
resident of Carolan, Arkansas. She requests that her Land Warrant be sent
in care of S. T. Carolan. This was witnessed by R. S. Foster and R.
Godwin. The proof of his service is of record and on file under pension
no. 6440.
A Drop Order and Report #4535 was issued for Martha Wann after her
death in April 1909. This report is dated 6 May 1909 and states her last
pension check was issued on 4 Feb. 1909 in the sum of $12.00. She was
dropped from the rolls on 8 May 1909.
On 7 Jul. 1909, Savannah Wann Godwin, daughter, applied for
reimbursement of expenses (Indian Wars - Application for Reimbursement
by Savannah Godwin) She states: She lives in Ione, Arkansas. Martha had
no life insurance. Death occurred 7 April 1909. She resided with Savannah
and Ransom Godwin. Death caused by Lagripp [influenza] complicated with
pneumonia. Nursing was a necessity and Savannah provided it herself.
Physician was R. S. Foster. Attested by:O. L. Yarborough, Matta Peck.
Martha left only $5.00 when she died. This was paid towards her
Funeral. She had no real estate when she died. She paid no rent. She died
in the home of Ransom and Savannah Godwin, and was buried in Ione,
Arkansas. Debts: Dr. R. S. Foster - $10.00; J. T. Walker - $10.50 (making
coffin) J. W. Methvin - $9.18 (clothing for burial) Total - $29.68.
I have no records to show if she ever received the reimbursement.
ROBERT WANN
Private Robert Wann served under Capt. Joshua Wann's Co. under
Norwood's Battalion, Alabama Military for three months in 1838 for the
Cherokee Removal of 1838. He mustered in on 14 Jun. 1838 (with son Samuel
Wann) in Bellefonte, Alabama. He mustered out at Gunters Landing, Alabama
on 17 July 1838. He joined for duty on 13 June 1838, with son Samuel, for
three months. He received $160 in pay upon mustering out.
Rachel Wann filed a Bounty Land Claim on 4 May 1855. Rachel, 60
years old at the time, states she was the widow of Robert Wann and attests
to service dates above and that he was honorably discharged. Rachel also
states that she and Robert married on 25 Mar. 1814 in Wayne Co., Kentucky
by Nicholas Loyd, JP. Her maiden name was POE. Robert Wann died in Jackson
Co., Arkansas, on 5 April 1850. She obtained Bounty Land Warrant under
Act of Sep. 18, 1850, for 40 acres which she transferred. This declaration
was made for purpose of obtaining additional bounty land under Act of
March 3, 1855. It was witnessed by: Samuel Wann, William Cowart, 4 May
1855, Independence Co., Arkansas. The family bible was used in this
affidavit to attest to Samuel's birth and death. The original was
destroyed, and a second bible was 'rerecorded' for events and dates.
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