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A Genealogy of Pablo and
Georgiana Gray
Corporal
Company A 21[1] Regt..
USCT
Pablo Gray[2] [3],
30, 5'10 2", lumberman, 13 June 1863 Fernandina[4]
Papers Available in Pension File:
Certified Copy of Certificate of Marriage certification date 9 May 1890
Declaration for Widow=s Pension dated 9 December 1890 by Georgiana Gray
General Affidavit of William Van Dyke dated 23 April 1891
General Affidavit of Thomas Williams dated 23 April 1891
General Affidavit of Benjamin Clark given 23 April 1891
General Affidavit of William Nattiel given 23 April 1891
General Affidavit of John Blake given 29 June 1891
Proof of Disability dated 6 January 1892 given by Thomas Williams
Proof of Disability dated 6 January 1892 given by William Nattiel
General Affidavit of Levi Jackson given 23 January 1892
General Affidavit of George Edwards given 5 January 1899
General Affidavit of Thomas Williams given 5 January 1899
General Affidavit of Anthony Gleu given 20 September 1900
Bureau of Pension Office of the Disbursing Clerk Notice dated 4
February 1914
Certificate of Marriage
This certifies that Pablo Gray of Fernandina Fla[5]
and wife Georgiana White of same place have this day been joined in Matrimony.
Covenanting to live together as husband and wife, after God’s holy ordinance of
Marriage until separated by death, dated October 13 1863. J Kennedy[6]
officiating minister
Witness
Pablo Rogers[7]
Sarah Philips
State of Florida
County of St. Johns. I C. B. Bricknor Notary Public duly commissioned
and residing in said County do hereby certify that I have carefully compared he
original with the marriage certificate produced before me and that the above is
a true and exact copy of the same and of the whole hereof witness my hand and
seal this 9th day of May 1890 C. B. Bricknor Notary Public.
Declaration for Widow’s Pension
State of Florida, county of St. Johns, on this 9th day of December A.D.
one thousand eight hundred and ninety personally appeared before me, a Clerk of
the Circuit Court within and of the county and State aforesaid, Georgiana Gray
of St. Augustine, County of St. Johns, State of Florida, who, being duly sworn
according to law, declares that she is the widow of Pablo Gray who enlisted
under the name of Pablo Gray at Hilton Head South Carolina, on the 13 day of June
A.D. 1863, in Co. A. 21 regt.. USCT Corporal of Co A and served at least ninety
days in the late war of the Rebellion, who was HONORABLY DISCHARGED and died
Nov. 24, 1886 at St. Augustine. That she was married under the name of
Georgiana White, to said Pablo Gray, on 13 day of October 1863, by Rev J
Kennedy, at Ferinando (sic) Fla. There being no legal barrier to such marriage.
That she has not remarried since the death of the said Pablo Gray. No children under sixteen. That she
has heretofore applied for pension and the number of her former application is
424, 318[8].
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[9].
She hereby appoints Allan Rutherford of Washington D.C. her true and lawful
attorney to prosecute her claim, and she directs that the sum of ten dollars be
paid for services. That her post office address is St. Augustine (Georgiana
Gray), County of St. Johns, State of Florida.
Witnessed Al Lopez and R. F. Ximanies.
Signature of Claimant Georgiana Gray x her mark.
General Affidavit.
State of Florida, County of St. Johns, in the matter of Pension Claim
of Georgiana Gray, widow of late Pablo Gray soldier on this 23rd day of April
A.D. 1891; personally appeared before me a clerk of Circuit court in and for
the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths Wm Van Dyke aged 48
years, a resident of New Augustine.[10]
St Johns County in the County of St. Johns and State of Florida well known to
me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare
in relation to aforesaid case as follows: I know the claimant Mrs. Georgiana
Gray I have known her for 25 years. Since her husband=s death she has been
entirely dependent on her own efforts
for support and has no claim upon any one to assist her. That she has no income
at all. She owns a small lot about three miles from town but has no means of
improving it, and is at present dependent. This I know of my own
knowledge. Post office address is New
Hampshire. St. Johns County. He further declares that he has no interest in
said case and is not concerned in its prosecution. Wm Van Dyke.[11]
General Affidavit.
State of Florida, County of St. Johns, In the matter of Pension of
Georgiana Gray widow of the late Pablo Gray soldier on this 23 day of April
A.D. 1891: personally appeared before me ??? in and for the aforesaid County
duly authorized to administer oaths Thomas Williams aged 54 years, a resident
of St. Augustine in the County of St. Johns and State of Florida well known to
me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare
in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I have known Mrs. Georgiana Gray since she was married to Pablo Gray. I
think in fall of 1862. She is now entirely dependent upon her own efforts for
her support and has been since her husbands death for many years. She now
suffers with Rheumatism and much of the time is not able to move. She has a lot
about 3 miles from town but her circumstances are such that she cannot put up a
house that is decent to live in. It is now but partially furnished. All this I know of my own certain knowledge.
Post office address is St. Augustine Fla. He further declares that he has no
interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.[12]
A. E. Lopez and J. W. Allen witness Thomas Williams his mark.
General Affidavit.
State of Florida, county of St. John=s, In the matter of the Pension
Claim of Georgiana Gray (widow) on this 23 day of April A. D. 1891: personally
appeared before me a clerk of the court in and for the aforesaid County duly
authorized to administer oaths, William Natteil aged 57 years, a resident of
St. Augustine in the county of St. Johns and State of Florida well known to me
to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in
relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I know the soldier Pablo Gray very well knew him for twenty five years
before his death. I was present at his marriage at Fernandina Fla to Georgiana
Gray. Was at the church the night they were married. I knew Pablo Gray very
well. He was never married before. He lived with a woman in St. Augustine for a
number of years But was never married to her as it was in time of slavery and
they were not married. I know Mrs. Georgiana Gray very well. Knew her before
she was married at Fernandina. She was never married before to my knowledge. I
am not sure the night they were married think it was in October 1862 as well as
I can recollect. Post office address is St. Augustine Florida and further
declares he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its
prosecution.[13]
A E Lopez and J W Allen witnesses
William Nattiel[14]
his mark.
General Affidavit
State of Florida, County of St. Johns, In the matter of the widows
claim of Georgiana Gray on this 23rd day of April A. D. 1891; personally
appeared before me a clerk of circuit court in and for the aforesaid County
duly authorized to administer oaths, Benjamin Clark, aged 62 years, a resident
of St. Augustine in the County of St. Johns and State of Florida well known to
me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare
in relation to aforesaid case as follows: I know the soldier Pablo Gray well.
Knew him for 35 years before his death. Saw him get married at Fernandina. I
was in the Baptist Church at the time he was married to Georgiana Gray, his
wife now living here. I knew the minister who married them. His name was
Kennedy. He was chaplain, now dead. He was not the regular pastor of the
Baptist church and there was no records kept of the marriages in the Church
book as in the time of war there was a great deal of confusion. Pablo Gray was
never married before. He lived with a woman who belonged to Mrs. Hernandez at
St. Augustine by the name of Eliza Hernandez but he was never married to her.
Georgiana Gray was never married before she married Pablo Gray to my knowledge.
He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not concerned
in its prosecution. Benjamin Clark[15]
(no witnesses because he signed it himself.)[16]
General Affidavit.
State of Florida, county of St. Johns, In the matter of Widows claim of
Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo Gray soldier. On this 29th day of June A.D.
1891 personally appeared before me a clerk of circuit Court in and for the
aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, John Blake aged 37 years,
a resident of St. Augustine in the County of St. Johns and State of Florida
well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly
sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
John Blake upon oath states that he is well acquainted with Georgiana
Gray the claimant.. That he has known her in the past twenty-five years and
knew her late husband Pablo gray. I knew from my own personal knowledge that
she was never married since the death of Pablo Gray and that she is still a
widow at the present time. And this I knew of my own personal knowledge as I
see her quite often -- resident near her in the south part of the town. Post
office address is St. Augustine Florida. He further declares that he has no
interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution. John Blake
(signed it himself)[17]
Attempt to increase pension by making it a disability pension
To increase the payment of the pension to between $6 to $12 per month
as a disability pension it was necessary for widow to prove that the soldier
was war injured. At this point because
physical examinations were rather out of the question the testimony of either a
Commissioned officer or two of the soldier=s comrades could testify.
General Affidavit.
For the testimony of EMPLOYERS or NEAR NEIGHBORS of soldier, (other
than relatives) who have known him before his enlistment, or since his
discharge and return from the army.
State of Florida, county of St. Johns, In the matter of Pension claim
of Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo Gray on this 23d day of January A.D.
1892; personally appeared before me a clerk cir ct. In and for the aforesaid
County duly authorized to administer oaths, Levi Jackson aged 36 years a
resident of St. Augustine in the County of St. Johns and State of Florida whose
Post Office address is St. Augustine Fla well known to me to be reputable and
entitled to credit; and who being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid
case as follows: That ___ have been well and personally acquainted with Pablo
Gray all my life. Levi Jackson - being
sworn states as follows -- I known Pablo Gray the late soldier when he returned
from the service. Knew him to have asthma quite bad for years after his
discharge from the service -- knew him to be suffering in such way that he was
unable to do any manual labor. But did wating
and ??? Boarding Houses and
running of errands for persons for which he go but little pay. Further I knew
him to suffer from the trouble continually for years and it increased upon him
through the better part of his life and finally he died of aggravated asthma ?
>? ? in the year 1886. ? ? But ? ? I think it was but am not sure. This I
know of my own personal knowledge having lived near neighbor to house for 8 or
ten years.[18]
Proof of Disability
State of Florida, County of St. Johns In the matter of the claim of
Georgiana Gray widow of the late Pablo Gray on this 6th day of January A. D.
1892 personally appeared before me a clerk of the circuit court in and for the
aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, William Nattul aged 51
years, a resident of St. Augustine in the County of St. Johns and State of
Florida who being duly sworn according to law, states that he was well
acquainted with Pablo Gray applicant for Invalid Pension, and knew the said
Pablo Gray to be the identical person of that name who enlisted or volunteered
as a Corporal in Company A Regiment of 21st Vols. .... by reason of sickness
lung - disease Wm Nattul upon oath states that he was in the same company with
him that he Pablo Gray was suffering with asthma and continued to suffer after
his discharge and died ? Disease which terminated in consumption on lung
trouble. That the facts stated are personally known to the affiant by reason of
knowing him all the time during service and afterwards to his death. He further
states under oath that he never served in the military or naval service after
his discharge from the army after his discharge in 1866. And this he states
upon his own personal knowledge knowing lived neighbor where up to the time of
his death. He further states he does not know the date of his death, but
believes it was in 1886.
And deponent further states that he is well acquainted with the
claimant, having known him for at least 40 years and further, that his
knowledge of the facts above stated are derived from said acquaintance, and
from having served as Private of Company A of the 21st Regiment of US Cold
volunteers .... And deponent further states that the claimant was a sound and
able-bodied man at and prior to enlistment, so far as he knew, and that he is
totally disinterested in this claim. Post office address of Affiant is St.
Augustine Fla.
E F Tuarred His
Wm Wancubucknor William X
Nattiel
Mark
Proof of Disability
State of Florida, County of St Johns, In the matter of the pension
claim of Georgiana Gray widow the late Pablo Gray
On this 6th day of Jany A. D. 1892; personally appeared before me a
clerk of Cir court in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to
administer oaths, Thomas Williams aged 53 years, a resident of St. Augustine in
the County of St. Johns and State of Florida... who being duly sworn according
to law, states that he was acquainted with Pablo Gray applicant for Invalid
Pension, and know the said Pablo Gray to be the identical person of that name
who enlisted or volunteered as a Corporal in Company A Regiment of 21st US
Vols, and who died at St. Augustine on or about the >??? 1886 by reason of
sickness lung disease.....Thomas Williams upon oath states that he Pablo Gray
contracted the asthma while in the service and that he suffered with it a great
deal. And it increased and up to the time of his discharge in 1866 he was
suffering a great deal. This I know of my own personal knowledge being in the
same company with him. That the facts stated are personally known to the
affiant by reason of his being with him a great deal. I knew of his being an
asthmatic. For he was fit in light duty on account of it. That he further
declares that the asthma lead to lung disease of which he died in the year 1886
as near as I can remember. Do not know the day and the month.[19]
He further states that he did not serve in the military or naval
service after his discharge in 1866 and this he knows of his own personal
knowledge having lived in the city with him[20].
And the deponent further states that he is well acquainted with the claimant,
having known him for at least 45 years and further, that his knowledge of the
facts above are derived from said acquaintance, and from having served as
Private of Company A of the 21st Regiment of Us Cold volunteers... so far as he
knew, and that he is totally disinterested in this claim.
Post office address of Affiant is St. Augustine Florida
A E Lopez his
J H Allen Thomas x Williams
mark
State of Florida County of St. Johns Sworn to and subscribed before me,
this day, by the above-named affiant, and I certify that I read said affidavit
to said affiant, including the words erased, and the words added, and
acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I further certify
that I am no wise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its
prosecution; and said affiant is personally known to me, and that he is a
credible person.
J W Allen
Clerk of Courts
General Affidavit
State of Florida County of St. Johns, In the matter of Pension Claim of
Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo Gray Co A 21st Regt USCT.[21]
On this 5th day of January A.D. 1899, personally appeared before me a
notary public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer
oaths George Edwards aged 55 years a resident of St. Augustine in the County of
St. Johns and State of Florida whose Post-office address is 113 Marine St St
Augustine Fla well known to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being
duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: George Edwards
upon oath states, he knew the late soldier Pablo Grey very well. Knew him
before he went into the service and when he returned from service. Knew also
his widow very well - Georgiana Gray I lived neighbor to them. They always
lived together as husband and wife And now never divorced[22]
And that she is still the widow of Pablo Gray deceased. He further states that
he knew of the late soldiers sickness after returning from service. He suffered
from Asthma and chronic trouble and disease of the lungs. He suffered a great
deal from this trouble this I knew for I often saw him during his sickness He
was wholly unable to do any manual labor and could only do a few errands now
and then. For the last few months before he died he suffered continually from
the difficulty and died Nov 24, 1886. The above I know from my own personal
knowledge. He further declares that he
has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
George Edwards
General Affidavit
State of Florida County of St Johns In the matter of pension claim of
Georgiana Gray widow of late soldier Pablo Gray Co A 21st Regt. On this 5th day
of January A. D. 1899, personally appeared before me a notary public in and for
the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths Thomas Williams aged
59 years, a resident of St. Augustine, in the County of St. Johns, and State of
Florida whose Post-office address is Dumas St. St Augustine Fla. Well known to
be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in
relation to aforesaid case as follows That he knew the late Pablo Gray Corporal
in Co A 21 St.. Regt USCT ; That he was in the same Company with him; Further
that he knows his widow Georgiana Gray very well; That they lived together as
husband and wife up to his death that they had never been divorced. And that
she is still the widow of late soldier. Further: That he lived as neighbor to
them and knew of the sickness of late Pablo Gray. He suffered from asthma and
throat difficulty and died from the same disease and weak lungs. Further that
he was wholly unable to perform manual labor. And toward the last few weeks to
my knowledge he suffered a great deal up to his death Nov 20, 1886. The above
he states upon his own personal knowledge.
He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not
concerned in its prosecution.
Phillip Walker his
Alex Braur??? Thomas X Williams
mark
General Affidavit.
State of Florida County of St.. Johns In the matter of Pension Claim of
Georgiana Gray Widow of Pablo Gray dec of Co A 21st USCT. On this 20th day of
September A.D. 1900, personally appeared before me a notary Public in and for
the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths Anthony Gleu aged
about 73 years, a resident of St.. Augustine in the County of St.. Johns and
State of Florida well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and
who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Anthony Gleu upon oath states that he knew Pablo Gray late soldier when
he was a small boy And have known him ever since up to his death knew him a
year before he entered the service and knew him to be a strong man. Physically
strong and well able to do a mans labor. I lived in the neighborhood with him
and saw him every day and knew this of my own personal knowledge[23].
Post-office address is St. Augustine Florida. He further declare that
he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
Phillip Walker his
Paul Desmore Anthony X Gleu
mark
Bureau of Pensions Office of the Disbursing clerk.
Feb 16 1914
To the Chief, Finance Division:
You are hereby notified that check No. 3672710 for $36 dated Feb 4
1914, in favor of Georgiana Gray Ctf. No. 320847, Class Act April Section 5 has
been returned to this office by the Postmaster at St.. Augustine Fla, with the
information that the pensioner died Jan 14 1914,[24]
and said check has this day been canceled. General Delivery Very respectfully
Guy O. Taylor
Disbursing Clerk.
Other Information
Pablo Gray in his lifetime was a trustee of the Freedmen=s Bureau
school.
What information was gained from these records?
A probable birth year for Pablo Gray
A death date
A physical description
Name of owner
Name of person lived with in slavery (this may be important later if
any children were brought out of
this union.
Name of wife
A death date
Date of marriage
Minister who married them.
Church they were married in.
Location of couple during the civil war and after.
Occupation of Corporal Gray after military service
His unit and company number.
Nature of death
The Provost Marshall Census
The following census records were available in the St. Augustine Public
Library. Please note the 1864 Provost
Marshall Census. This particular gem
contains very critical information on both black and white families during the
Civil War. This census is especially
important in the case of African-American families that were scattered to
Federal fortified locations in St. Augustine, Key West, Fernandina, and
Beaufort SC. The copies that we have located so far are for St. Augustine, Jacksonville,
and Fernandina. It also gives
information about loyalty oaths and desertion from the Confederate army,
etc. In the 1997 we will be printing
this census in full in this journal.
Census Records:
1864 Provost Marshall Census
St Augustine
Sheet 30
11 Grey Georgiana 20 Nassau
County (last residence John Walker
owner Came into Dept Nov 1862
12 Grey Florida 5/12[25] same
but freeborn
1870 US Census
(page 16 of St. Augustine)
117 128 Grey, Pablo 40 m m laborer 200 Fl
Georgiana G 22 F m keeping house Ga
Cedra 15 f m at home FL
Isabella 10 F m FL
Florida
6 F M FL
John
3 m m FL
Charles
1 m m FL
Nancy 15 f m GA
1880 US Census
Colored Settlement (Lincolnville)
p 39
Gray, Paul mulatto
m 55 laborer
George Anna mulatto
f 45 wife keeping
house
Florida mulatto
f 15 daughter at home
John mulatto
m 13 son at
school
Charles mulatto
m 12 son at
school
Eliza mulatto
f 9 daughter at
school
Jane mulatto
f 5 daughter
Vreen Lotta mulatto
f 6/12 born Dec grand daughter
Pablo was born in Florida Father unknown mother Fla
Georgeanna born in Georgia and parents in Georgia
Lotta Vreen’s father is unknown
Census Records: 1864
- Department of the
South Census - 1844 1870 - US Census - 1848 1880
- US Census -
1835 Pension Records: 1890 - 48 years old 1842 1892 - 48 years old 1844 1899 - 54 years old 1845 1900 - 54 years old 1845 Can we decide by any of these
records??? If you have varying dates
in your family records, how do you chose? Best answer: Birth certificate Second best: Baptism (if its near time of birth) Since neither of these are available in
this case then this is left as an open issue. Some of you may wonder about a family
bible. Unfortunately these records
may have been entered years after the event.
If someone goes to the length to record the time of birth, I would
consider this probably having been entered at or around the time of birth,
but even then the record would need to be carefully weighed and not taken at
face value. This is particularly true where pension
records are concerned. Sometimes the
birthdates of children need manipulated so that they can receive pension
benefits. See ACG Vol 3, Issue 2, page 3 |
What is Georgiana’s
Gray Birthday? |
The 1880 Census also lists
Gray, Barbara black f 85 keeping house
Gray, George A mulatto m 23 farm laborer
This family is a good indication of the problems that we face when we
rely only on census records for
definitive information.
!
At the time of the 1864 census Cedra,
Isabella, and Nancy had already been born.
Where were they?
!
How are Cedra and Nancy related? They are both fifteen yet one was born in
Florida and the other in Georgia with no indication of whose children they
were.
!
Who are the parents of Cedra, Nancy, and
Isabella? According to the age given by
the 1870 census Georgiana Gray would have been 7 years old at Cedra and Nancy=s
birth and 12 at Isabella. All three of
these children were born prior to the civil war when Pablo and Georgiana did
not know each other (She from Georgia and he from St. Augustine). Her affividat
states that she knew him one year before marrying him Oct 13, 1863. It=s interesting that Nancy is listed as
being born in Georgia.
If the pension records had been earlier they may have been able to
answer questions about the children.
Unfortunately all the children were beyond the age of 15 by the time of
the pension applications and information about them was not included.
Other sources of information:
Marriage records
10/30/1879 Rev
Howard married Isabella and FDS Young
01/19/1882 Rev
Brooks married Florida and John Daniel
1886 Webb=s Directory
Georgiana, laundress, lived on South Bronson
Street in Lincolnville.
Cedra was a laundress. She lived on Bronson Street near Bridge St.
John was a laborer who boarded with his
mother on South Bronson St
Sampson Grey (unknown), laborer, was living
in a house in Lincolnville.
1899 City Directory (unknowns)
Katie Gray, dressmaker, 27 Bernard Street
1904 City Directory (unknowns)
Eliza Grey, servant, boards corner of Marine
and Hernandez St
Kate Grey, dressmaker, boards corner Williams
and Gault Avenue
Julia Grey, waitress, Rear 294 Charlotte St.
Missing papers from the first article
Certified copy of Permit for Burial 1886 - certified 1890 Certified copy of Permit for Burial
1890
General Affidavit Georgiana Gray 1890
Copy of certificate of Marriage - witnessed 1890 (same as part 1-
probably used with another declaration)
General Affidavit - Benjamin Clark 1891 General
Affidavit - John Blake 1891
General Affidavit - William Nattal 1891 General
Affidavit - Thomas Williams 1891
General Affidavit - Samuel W. Duncan - 1891 General Affidavit - A E Lopez - 1891
General Affidavit - David Williams - 1891 General Affidavit - S W Duncan -
1891
General Affidavit - James Lee Saunders 1891 General Affidavit Charles Brau/John
Williams 1891
Declaration for Pension of Increase of Pension - Georgiana Gray 1891
General Affidavit - Levi Jackson - 1892 General
Affidavit Georgiana Gray 1892
General Affidavit - George Edwards 1892 General
Affidavit follow-up William Nattul - 1898
General Affidavit follow-up Thomas Williams - 1898 General Affidavit Georgiana
Gray 1899
General Affidavit - George Edwards - 1899 General Affidavit - Thomas Williams -
1899
General Affidavit - Anthony
Gleu 1900 General
Affidavit Anthony Weltus - 1900
General Affidavit Georgiana Gray 1900
Widow=s Declaration for Pension of Increase of Pension - Georgiana Gray
- 9 May 1890
State of Florida, County of St Johns, SS:
In most cases a
representative would be paid for in Washington D.C. to handle any
details. This meant that the
individual usually paid fees to a lawyer in their hometown and in
Washington, D. C. |
On this 9th day of May A. D. One thousand eight hundred and ninety
personally appeared before me Clerk of the Circuit A Court of Record within and
for the County and State aforesaid Georgiana Gray aged 48 years, who, being
duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain
the Pension provided by Acts of Congress granting pension to widows: That she
is the widow of Pablo Gray, who enlisted under the name of Pablo Gray at
Fernandina Fla on the 13th day of June A. D. 1863 in Company AA@ 21st US
Colored Troops in the War of Rebellion who was discharged at Charleston S C Apl
25/66 by reason of muster out of organization and who died at St. Augustine
Fla. Nov 24 1886 aged 57 of Pithisis Pulmonalis contracted while in and
resulting from exposure in said service in said war of the Rebellion who bore
at the time of his discharge the rank of Corporal in said Company that she was
married under the name of Georgiana White to said Pablo Gray on the 13th day of
October A. D. 1863 by Rev J Kennedy at Fernandiana Fla there being no legal
barrier to such marriage; that neither she nor her husband had been previously
married. (BLANK) that she hereby
appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation Allan Rutherford of Washington D. C. Her attorney to
prosecute the above claim; that her residence is St Augustine Fla and her Post
Office address[26] is St
Augustine St Johns County Fla[27]
Witnesses Her
A E Papy[28] Georgiana
X Gray
M C Atkins[29] Mark
Which
City Permit is correct? |
On
the first certificate we know from other evidence that the age of Pablo Gray
at death was not 70. It was closer to 56.
However, we know that he was born in Florida from census records and
not Georgia. (Georgiana was born in Georgia) It=s also Pablo Gray not
Grey. Mulatta is a more distinct designation
(one that the 1880 census also carries) as opposed to Acolored@. The City papers are in the St. Augustine
History Society. Unfortunately
additional burial certificates does
not exist within the city records.
Remember that even when you have the best source of local records for
a area it doesn=t fortunately mean that they have them all. How many times have we heard about our
local government throwing records away only thinking of them as old
records. This is why every
geneologist should be alert for the records on the market at flea markets,
yard sales, and antique stores. You
can never tell what you=ll find. This should make you a little more wary
about the value of government papers.
They ARE a good source but they are not sacred. Even these records may be manipulated for
various reasons --- and sloppiness. |
Permit for Burial
In the City of St. Augustine, Fla
Died, November 24th 1886
Name Pablo Gray married
Native of Florida
Sex, Male
Color, Mulatta
Age, 70 years
Residence, St. Augustine, Fla
How long in the City,
How long in the State,
Occupation.
Disease, Phithisis Pulmonales
Complications,
Father=s Name
Mother=s Name
F. F. Smith Physician
Coroner
Permission to bury the above-named person is hereby given to
Markle Undertaker
W. H. Atkins, City Clerk
St Augustine Fla.
Interment at I hereby certify that the above is a true
copy of the record on file in my office. St.
Augustine, Fla July 2nd 1890. J. A. Usina[30] City
Clerk
Remember the
purpose of a pension record: The individual is attempting to prove a certain
criteria that will enable them to receive a service pension, a disability
pension, a widow=s pension, a pension for children or a greater payment due
to increased disability. Throughout the length of the pension in all
probability the rules of proof were changing. This causes increased paper work as the applicant re-applies
for a new or greater pension. |
Great I establish a new source of death records that may predate or
supplement the County Health Records.
Note blanks. However this is not
the problem --- read on
Permit for Burial
In the City of St. Augustine, Fla
Died, November 24th 1886
Name, Pablo Grey
Native of Georgia
Sex, Male
Color, Colored
Age, about 58 years
Residence, St. Augustine
How long in the city
REMEMBER
THAT THEY HAVE AN INVESTED INTEREST IN COLLECTING MONEY OR MORE MONEY. SOMETIMES THE TRUTH IS STREACHED A BIT TO
ACHIEVE THIS GOAL. |
How long in the State,
Occupation,
Disease Phthisis Pulmonalia
Complications
Fathers Name,
Mother=s Name,
F. F. Smith[31],
Physician
Coroner.
Permission to bury the above-named person is hereby given to W.H.
Markle Undertaker[32]
Ralph B. Canova and Susan Weadman applied
for a license to marry on 10th May
1847 by E. Aubriel Asst Pastor in the Cathedral. They were married by 18 June
1847. (MarriageRecords 1840-1858 from Marriage Book A - St. Johns County
Florida by Leslie Wilson On the 1860 census Rapheli lived in
St. Augustine. He had realestate
volued at 1,500 and personal valued at $71,000. Rafael B Canova 38 Susan 38 Laura 11 Ralph
7 Margaret 7 Philip 5 On the 1864 Department of the South
Census he and his family were living in Jacksonville, then under Union
control. Raphile Canova 5' 6" black eyes, dark
complexion 44 Susan 45 Laura 16 Raphile 11 Margaret 11 Philip 9 Matthew 4 1870 Census lists
Rapheli B Canova living outside St. Augustine. Rapheli B.
49 farmer Susan 49 Ralph 17 Maggie 17 Phillip 15 Mathew 10 1880 Canovas R B 59 m w merchant/orange grower Susan 60
f w Mathew 19
m w |
Wm Moody City Clerk[33]
St. Augustine Fla, May 9th 1890
I certify that the above is a true copy on record in my office J A
Usina, City Clerk
General Affidavit - Georgiana Gray 26 Nov 1890
State of Florida, County of St Johns In the matter of Georgiana Gray
widow of Pablo Gray on this 26 day of Nov A. D. 1890 (rest blank)
Georgiana Gray testifies as follows: I was born in Pierce County
Georgia nearest town was Centerville 20 miles off. I moved to Fernandiana Fla
when the war was going on and that was my residence when I got acquainted with
my late husband. When in Georgia before moving to Fernandina I was owned by Jim
Walker. I was acquainted with my late husband about one year before we were
married. I was know by the name of Georgiana White before getting married to
Pablo Gray. I was never married before, nor been married since his death. Pablo
my husband enlisted in St Augustine I think. He was a soldier when he arrive
there first. My age is 47 years was born in Oct but don=t know the day of the
month.
The company my late husband belonged to was Co A Captain Davis - Lts
Dow and Harper. He was a Corporal in the Company. He was born in St. Augustine
was a quateroon, quite light complexion. His age was 53 when he died 4 years
ago. He was a slave belonged to Raphil Canova.
He was always known as Pablo. He never had any other wife but me - to my
knowledge. His occupation was a peddler in the street and doing errands. He was
not able to do any hard work after the war as[34]
General Affidavit - Charles Bravo and John Williams[35]
- 10 March 1891
State of Florida, County of St. Johns, In the matter of the claim of
Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo Gray
On this 10th day of Mar. A. D. 1891, personally appeared before me a
clerk of the court in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to
administer oaths Charles Bravo and John Williams aged 43 and aged 57 years, a
resident of St. Augustine in the County of St Johns and State of Florida well
known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn,
declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Charles Bravo being duly sworn testifies that he is well acquainted
with ? Georgiana Gray the claimant, and also knew Pablo Gray the soldier up to
the time of his death, and that he never served in the military or naval since
after Apl 25 1866. And this he knows of his own personal knowledge.
Serving in any
branch of the military after April 25 1866 would have placed the individual
under a different pension law. |
John Williams[36]
being duly sworn testifies that he knew Pablo Gray for the last 40 years knew
him up to the date of his death and that he knew of his own personal knowledge
that Pablo Gray never served in any capacity as soldier in the army or navy
after Apl 25th 66.
Post office address is St. Augustine Fla they further declares that
they have no interest in said case and am not concerned in its prosecution
Charles Bravo
John Williams
General Affidavit - Benjamin Clark[37]
- 23 April 1891
State of Florida County of St Johns, In the matter of the widows claim
of Georgiana Gray.
On this 23rd day of April A. D. 1891: personally appeared before me a
clerk of the court in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to
administer oaths Benjamin Clark, aged 62 or about years, a resident of St.
Augustine in the County of St Johns and State of Florida, well known to me to
be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in
relation to aforesaid case as follows:
The date of 25 April 1866 is significant as
the date recognized by the US Federal Courts as the ending date of the Civil
War. (This is almost a year after the
generally held date of April/May 1865.)
On this date the last of the resistance in Texas was over. |
I know the soldier Pablo Gray well - knew him for 35 years before his
death. Saw him get married at Fernandina. I was in the Baptist Church at the
time he was married to Georgiana Gray, his wife now living here. I knew the
minister who married them. His name was Kenneday. He was a chaplain, now dead.
He was not the regular pastor of the Baptist Church and there was no records
kept of the marriages in the church book, as in the time of war there was a
good deal of confusion. Pablo Gray was never married before. He lived with a
woman who belonged to Mrs. Hernandez at St. Augustine by the name of Eliza
Hiver?[38]
but he was never married to her. Georgiana Gray was never married before she
married Pablo Gray to my knowledge. He further declares that he has no interest
in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
Benjamin Clark (his signature)
General Affidavit - William Nattal - 23 April 1891
State of Florida, County of St. Johns In the matter of the Pension
Claim of Georgiana Gray (widow) On this 23 day of April A. D. 1891: personally
appeared before me a clerk of court in and for the aforesaid County duly
authorized to administer oaths. William Nattal aged 51 years, a resident of St
Augustine in the County of St Johns and State of Florida well known to me to be
reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in
relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I knew the soldier Pablo Gray
very well knew him for twenty five years before his death. I was present
at his marriage at Fernandina Fla. To Georgiana Gray. Was at the church the
night they were married. I knew Pablo Gray very well. He was never married before.
He lived with a woman in St. Augustine for a number of years. But was never
married to her as it was in time of slavery and they were not married. I knew
Mrs. Georgiana Gray very well. Knew her
before she was married at Fernandina. She was never married before to my
knowledge. I am not sure the night they were married. Think it was in October
1862 as near as I can recollect.
Post office address is St. Augustine Florida and further declares that
he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
Witness A E Lopez His
J W Allen[39] William X Nattul
Mark
General Affidavit - Thomas Williams - 23 April 1891
State of Florida, County of St. Johns, In the matter of pension of
Georgiana Gray widow of the late Pablo Gray soldier on this 23 day of April, A.
D. 1891; personally appeared before me a clerk cir ct in and for the aforesaid
County duly authorized to administer oaths, Tom Williams aged 54 years, a resident
of St. Augustine in the County of St Johns and State of Florida well known to
me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare
in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I have known Mrs. Georgiana Gray since she was married to Pablo Gray I
think in fall of 1862. She is now entirely dependent upon her own efforts for
her support and has been since her husbands death for many years. -- She now
suffers with rheumatism and much of the time is not able to work. She has a lot
about 3 miles from town but her circumstance is such that she cannot put up a
house that is decent to live in. It is now but partly finished.
All this I know of my own certain knowledge.
Post office address is St. Augustine Fla. He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is
not concerned in its prosecution.
Witness
A E Lopez His
J W Allen Thomas X Williams
Mark
General Affidavit - John Blake[40]
- 29 June 1891
State of Florida County of St Johns In the matter of widows claim of
Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo Gray soldier on this 29th day of June A. D.
1891 personally appeared before me a clerk of circuit court in and for the
aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths John Blake aged 37 years,
a resident of St. Augustine in the County of St. Johns and State of Florida
well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly
sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
John Blake upon oath states that he is well acquainted with Georgiana
Gray the claimant - that he has known her for the last twenty five years and
knew her late husband Pablo Gray. I
knew from my own personal knowledge that she was never married since the death
of Pablo Gray and that she is still a widow at the present time. And this I
know of my own personal knowledge as I see her quite often -- residing near her
in the south part of the town. Post
office address is St. Augustine Florida. He further declares that he has no
interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
General Affidavit - Samuel W. Duncan - 11 Sept 1891
State of Florida, County of St. Johns, In the matter of widows pension
of Georgiana Gray, on this 11th day of Sept A. D. 1891, personally appeared
before me Saml W. Duncan aged 36 years, a resident of St Augustine in the
County of St Johns and State of Florida, well known to me to be reputable and
entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid
case as follows:
Samual W. Duncan being duly sworn states that he has known Georgiana
Grey for 7 years. That she is the widow of Pablo Gray, that she has never
remarried. And is still the widow of Pablo Gray at the present time and this I
know of my own personal knowledge living in the same neighborhood with her.
Post office address is St Augustine Fla He further declares that he has
no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
Samuel W. Duncan[41]
A
proper citation of a pension record should be an important part of your
geneology. Richard S. Lackey in Cite
Your Sources A Manual for Documenting Family Histories and Genealogical
Records University Press of Mississippi, Jackson: 1990 lists the
following as an appropriate way to document this in your records: |
AGeneral Affidavit of A. E. Lopez,@ Pablo
Gray Pension No. 320,847, A 21 USC Inf. (Record Group 15), National Archives
and Records Service, Washington, D.
C. |
General Affidavit - A. E. Lopez - 11 Sept 1891[42]
State of Florida, County of St Johns, In the matter of Pension claim of
widow Georgiana Grey on this 11th day of Sept A. D. 1891, personally appeared
before me a clerk of Circuit Court in and for the aforesaid County duly
authorized to administer oaths A. E. Lopez aged 54 years, a resident of St
Augustine in the County of St Johns and State of Florida well known to me to be
reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in
relation to aforesaid case as follows:
A E Lopez being sworn upon oath makes he following statement - That he
knew Georgiana Grey the widow of Pablo Gray for last 25 years. That she has
never remarried and that she is still the widow of Pablo Grey. And this I know
of my own personal knowledge. ----
Widowhood
Post Office address is St Augustine Fla. He further declares that he
has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
A. E. Lopez
This is the end of part 2. Part
3 will look at a few more pension records of Pablo Gray. Examine the pre-civil war slave records and
attempt to move the family to the present day.
General Affidavit - David Williams - 3 Sept 1891
State of Florida, County of St Johns, In the matter of Pension
Georgiana Gray widow of Pablo Gray On this 3rd day of Sept A. D. 1891,
personally appeared before me a clerk cir ct in and for aforesaid County duly
authorized to administer oaths David Williams[43]
aged 26 years, a resident of St. Augustine in the County of St. Johns and State
of Florida well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who,
being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Upon oath states, that he is well acquainted with Georgiana Gray the
widow of late Pablo Gray. That he has known her for 15 years. That she is still
a widow. And that she is dependent upon her own labor for her support and that
she is not assisted by any person to his knowledge. That she gets support by
washing and ironing clothes and that she has no property from which she gets
any income at all. She has a one story house in poor repair. She lives in that
- is worth perhaps one hundred dollars. And this I know of my own personal
knowledge -- living in the same locality.
Post office address is St Augustine Fla. And further declares that he
has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution
Widowhood
David
Williams
General Affidavit - S W Duncan - 3rd Sept 1891
State of Florida, County of St Johns, In the matter of Pension of Widow
Georgiana Gray. On this 3rd day of Sept A. D. 1891, personally appeared before
me a clerk of cir ct in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to
administer oaths S W Duncan aged 35 years, a resident of St Augustine in the
County of St Johns and State of Florida well known to me to be reputable and
entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to
aforesaid case as follows:
Upon oath, states that of his won personal knowledge Georgiana Gray the
widow of the late Pablo is still a widow --- that he has known her for the past
6 years - That she is dependent upon her own labor for a support. That is
washing and ironing for a living. And that is quite feeble and unable to work.
That she has no income from any property. That she lives in and owns ? ? shanty
with perhaps land and house one Hundred dollars. This I know of my own personal
knowledge.
Post office address is St Augustine Florida and he further declares
that he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
Widowhood S.
W. Duncan
General Affidavit - James Lee Saunders - 29th June 1891
State of Florida, County of St Johns, in the matter of claim of
Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo Gray soldier. On this 29th day of June A. D.
1891; personally appeared before me clerk of cir court in and for the aforesaid
County duly authorized to administer oaths, James Lee Saunders[44]
aged 32 years, a resident of St Augustine in the County of St Johns and State
of Florida well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who
being duly sworn, declare in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
James Lee Saunders upon oath states that he is well acquainted with
Georgiana Gray the widow of the late Pablo Gray. That she has never married
since the death of her husband Pablo Gray. That she is at the present time a
widow and this I know from my own personal knowledge having known her for the
last 20 years.
Post office address is St Augustine Florida. He further declares that
he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
James Lee Saunders
General Affidavit - George Edwards - 23 January 1892
State of Florida, County of St. Johns, In the matter of Pension claim
of Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo Gray on this 23 day of Jany A. D. 1892,
personally appeared before me a clerk cir ct in and for the aforesaid County
duly authorized to administer oaths, George Edwards[45]
aged 41 years, a resident of St. Augustine in the County of St Johns and State
of Florida whose Post Office address is St Augustine Florida and blank till
..... That he has been well and personal acquainted with the soldier Pablo Gray
all his life He Georgeorge Edwards upon oath states he knew the late Pablo Gray
when he returned from the army -- that he knew him to be suffering with asthma.
And he further states that he continued to suffer with this trouble up to his
death, and that he died of aggravated asthma or consumption. That he was never
able to do any labor work. This he states upon his own personal knowledge
having lived near neighbor to him for 25 years or more before his death.
General Affidavit - Georgiana Gray - 7 Sept 1892
State of Florida, County of St Johns, In the matter of Pension claim of
Georgiana Gray widow of late soldier Pablo Gray. On this 7th day of Sept 1892
personally appeared before me a clerk of cir court in and for the aforesaid
County duly authorized to administer oaths, Georgiana Gray aged 48 years a
resident of St Augustine in the County of St Johns and State of Florida well
known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn,
declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Georgiana Gray upon oath states in regard to the aforesaid claim That
her late husband Pablo Gray died of lung disease contracted in the army. That
the physician who attended him in the regiment was Dr Hawk. But she has no way
of knowing where he is and cannot get his affidavit. She did hear he was dead.
She further states that her husband had no attending physician here that he
could not pay out. That upon his having spells of coughing and choking she
would give him some ? remedy to relieve
him from time to time. That upon his last moments there was a physician sent
for but he got there too late to do anything for him. Further that she cannot
get the testimony of any commissioned officer as she cannot find out their
whereabouts if living which is doubtful She is unable to furnish medical
evidence for the reasons stated above.
Wm F Fi? Her
A E Lopez Georgiana
X Gray
Mark
Further Statement of William Nattul - 17 Oct 1898
So Div W.
F. W, Ex=r
Widow No. 320,847 Department
of the Interior,
Pablo Gray Bureau
of Pensions
A 21 USC Inf
Washington, D. C. Oct 17, 1898
Sir:
To further aid this Bureau in determining the merits of the
above-entitled claim for pension, be kind enough to answer in your own
handwriting the following questions, giving more complete details than your
affidavit affords.
Very respectfully
J Davenport Acting
Commissioner
William Nattul
St. Augustine,
Fla
When did you first see the soldier after he returned from the army, and
how do you fix the date?
Answer: He returned to this city with me and others in A. D. 1866 and I
met him almost daily up to the time of his death.
Of what disability did he then complain, and how was he affected?
Answer: He complained of the asthma and had shortness of breath which I
could plainly observe.
Did he continue to suffer from said disability? If so, please state how
frequently you saw him, what symptoms you observed, and the extent to which he
was disabled for the performance of manual labor during each year.
Answer: He continued to have this shortness of breath from the time of
his return to this city in A. D. 1866 till the time of his death. The symptoms
were short breathing and he was disabled for the performance of manual labor
nearly all of the time during each year,
Witness and contents of above His
were fully made known to the witness before his mark William X Nattiel
was placed thereon. A J Ritchie Mark
Postmaster
Additional Statement of Thomas Williams - 17 October 1898
So Div W.
F. W Ex=r
Widow No 320,847 Department
of the Interior
Pablo Gray Bureau
of Pensions
A 21 U. S. C. Inf
Washington, D. C. 17 Oct 1898
Sir:
To further aid this Bureau in determining the merits of the
above-entitled claim for pension, be kind enough to answer in your own
handwriting the following questions, giving more complete details than your
affidavit affords.
Very respectfully,
Thomas Williams[46] J
L Davenport
St. Augustine Acting
Fla
When did you first see the soldier after he returned from the army, and
how do you fix the date?
Answer: We came home together from Charleston SC after being discharged
25th April 1866.
Of what disability did he then complain, and how was he affected?
Answer: He suffered from asthma and throat trouble continuously.
Did he continue to suffer from said disability? If so, please state how
frequently you saw him, what symptoms you observed, and the extent to which he
was disabled for the performance of manual labor during each year.
Answer: He continued to
suffer. I saw him every day. He was disabled from duty, and from performance of
manual labor. Wholly, this I Knew as I was neighbor to him.
His
Thomas Williams
Mark
Witnessed by Phillip Walker
JW Allen - Notary Public
General Affidavit - George Edwards - 5 January 1899
State of Florida, County of St Johns, ss;
In the matter of Pension claim of Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo
Gray Co A 21st Regt USCT.
On this 5th day of January, A. D. 1899, personally appeared before me a
notary public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer
oaths George Edwards aged 55 years, a resident of St. Augustine, in the County
of St. Johns, and State of Florida
whose post office is 113 Marine St St Augustine Fla
George Edwards upon oath states he knew the late soldier Pablo Gray
very well, knew him before he went into the service and when he returned from
service. Knew also his widow very well - Georgiana Gray and I lived neighbor to
them. They always lived together as husband to wife.; and were never divorces. And
that she is still the widow of Pablo Gray deceased. He further states that he
knew of late solders sickness after returning from service. He suffered from
asthma and throat trouble and disease of the lungs. He suffered a great deal
from this trouble this I knew for I often saw her during his sickness; He was
wholly unable to do any manual labor, and could only do a few errands now and
then. For the last few months before he died he suffered continually from the
difficulty and died Nov 24, 1886. The above I know from y own personal
knowledge.
He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not
concerned in its prosecution
George E Edwards
General Affidavit - Thomas Williams - 5 January 1899
State of Florida, County of St Johns SS:
In the matter of Pension Claim of Georgiana Gray widow of late soldier
Pablo Gray Co A 21st Regt USCT.
On this 5th day of January A. D. 1899, personally appeared before me a
notary public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer
oaths Thomas Williams aged 59 years, a resident of St. Augustine, in the County
of St Johns, and State of Florida whose Post-office address is Dumas St. St
Augustine Fla.
That he knew the late Pablo Gray Corporal in Co A 21st Regt USCT; That
he was in the same company with him; Further that he knew his widow Georgiana
Gray very well; That they lived together as husband and wife up to his death.
That they had never been divorces, And that she is still the widow of late
soldier. Further: that he lived as neighbor to them and knew of the sickness of
late Pablo Gray. He suffered from asthma and throat difficulty and died from
the same disease and weak lungs. Further that he was wholly unable to perform
manual labor. And toward the last few weeks to my knowledge he suffered a great
deal up to his death Nov 20 1886. The
above he states from his own personal knowledge.
He further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not
concerned in its prosecution.
Phillip Walker His
Alex Bravo? Thomas x
Williams
Mark
General Affidavit - Georgiana Gray - 5 January 1899
State of Florida, County of St Johns, SS In the matter of Pension Claim
of Georgiana Gray widow of the late Pablo Gray Co a 21st Regt USCT.
On this 5th day of January A. D. 1899 personally appeared before me a
notary public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer
oaths Georgiana Gray aged 54 years, a resident of St Augustine in the County of
St Johns and State of Florida well known to me to be reputable and entitled to
credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as
follows:
Georgiana Gray upon oath states that her husband late soldier Pablo
Gray was only attended once by a Physician a Dr Smith who is not about and she
does not know his whereabouts. She further states that her husband died from
throat and lung trouble and aggravated asthma. That he was sick with the
difficulty after returning from the war. And was not able to earn scarcely
anything. Not being able to perform manual labor at all. That from April 1866
the time he returned to NW241886 - the house he died - he suffered continuously
with asthma and throat and lung trouble. That she was with him nursing and
doing for him up to his death. Her post
office address is St. Augustine Florida.
Phillip Walker Her
Alex Braves (?) Georgiana
x Gray
Mark
2ed additional statement of William Nattiel - 27 April 1900
Post-office address: St. Augustine, Florida
April 27th 1900
Sir:
In reply to your request I have to state that
I know nothing about the disability of Pablo Grey except I know that he was
mustered in at the same time that I was, though I never saw him in the regiment
afterwards. When we were mustered out on my return home I met him on the ship,
and he told me that he was plagued a little with the asthma.
His
William X Nattiel
Mark
Signed in my presence at St. Augustine Florida, April 27th 1900, the
contents first having been made known to the said Wm Nattiel
A J Ritchie
Postmaster
St. Augustine Florida
General Affidavit - Georgiana Gray - 20 Sept 1900
State of Florida, County of St. Johns, SS: In the matter of Pension
Claim of Georgiana Gray, widow of Pablo Gray die - Co A 21st Reg USCT. On this
20th day of Sept A. D. 1900 personally appeared before me a notary public in
and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, Georgiana
Gray aged 54 years, a resident of St Augustine in the County of St. Johns and
State of Florida well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and
who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Georgiana Gray upon oath states she is unable
to get any more thur one witness in her late husbands case belonging to the
same company and regiment to testify in the case of his contracting the asthma.
And she makes this statement for that purpose. No other witness can be found
here living who will testify.
Her Post office address is St Augustine Fla c/o J W Allen
Witnesses Her
Phillip Walker Georgiana X Gray
Paul Desmon Mark
General Affidavit - Anthony Gleu - 20 Sept 1900
State of Florida, County of St Johns, ss,
In the matter of Pension Claim of Georgiana Gray widow of Pablo Gray
dec. Of Co A 21st USCT
On this 20th day of Sept, A. D. 1900, personally appeared before me a
notary Public in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer
oaths Anthony Gleu aged about 73 years, a resident of St Augustine in the
County of St Johns and State of Florida. Well known to me to be reputable and
entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to
aforesaid case as follows:
Anthony Gelu upon oath states that he knew Pablo Gray late soldier when
he was a small boy. And have known him ever since up to his death knew him a
year before he entered the service. And knew him to be a strong man. Physically
strong and well able to do a mans labor. I lived in the neighborhood with him.
And saw him every day, and knew this of my own personal knowledge.
Post office address is St Augustine Florida. He further declare that he
has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
Phillip Walker His
Paul Desmore Anthony x
Gleu
Mark
Proof of Incurrence of Disability - Thomas Williams - 3 Oct 1900
State of Florida County of St Johns. Personally appeared before me, a
notary public in and for the aforesaid County and State, duly authorized to
administer oaths, Thomas Williams, aged 64 years, a resident St Augustine in
the County of St Johns, and State of Florida, who, being daily sworn according
to law, states that he is acquainted with Georgiana Gray, applicant for Invalid
Pension, and knows that said late Pablo Gray to be the identical person of that
name who served as a (blank) in Company Co A 21st Regiment of Col Vols, and who
(rest blank)
Thomas Williams upon oath states he was in the same company with the
late Pablo Gray soldier. That he knew him before he went with to the recruiting service and I was with
him. And knew him to be a sound man. When he entered the service that he took
the asthma in the line of duty but I don=t know ?? He took it, but I do know
that he was suffering from it A year or about that after entering the service
and suffered with it ??? that during the balance of his service or about two
years. This I know of by ?????? during ? With him steady through the service.
Stamped Pension U S Office Oct 3 1900
General Affidavit - Anthony Welters - 20 Sept 1900
State of Florida, county of St. Johns, In the matter of Pension Claim
of Georgiana Gray widow of late Pablo Gray Co a 21st Regt USCT. On this 20th day
of Sept A. D. 1900, personally appeared before me a notary public in and for
the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths Anthony Welters aged
90 years, a resident of St Augustine in the County of St Johns and State of
Florida well known to me to reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being
duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
Anthony Welters upon oath states that he knew Pablo Gray when a small
boy have known him up to his death. I knew him when a young man before he
returned the service. He worked with me. Knew him to be a sound man before he
entered the service for a year before he entered the service. I lived where I
saw him every day and several times a day. I state the above upon my own
personal knowledge.
His Post-office address is St. Augustine Fla.
He further declare that he has no interest in said case and is not
concerned in its prosecution.
Phillip Walker His
Paul Desmone Anthony Welters
Mark
The Nattiel family will be researched in
the 1997 issues of the Ancient City Genealogists. William Nattiel - private, 23 Regt Co A lived in a house in Lincolnville. In the 1870 census he was a drayman,
married to Lucinjia who was 19. (He
was 25) His mother Phillis, a 60 year old laundress and her daughter Felicia
sixteen years old working as a Laundress.
Records show he married a Laura Granger on 20 June 1870. (Catholic
marriage) by Henry Clavreul, priest (Leslie Wilson - St Johns County Record
of Marriage Licenses Book B pg 46) and on 23 August 1872 got a license to
mary Maria S. Payton. He was
President of the Lincoln Temperance Society (a outgrowth of the Freedmen
Bureau and the American Missionary Association) according to the 1885 City
Directory. The extended Nattiel family lived throughout Lincolnville. Other members of
the family include: Richard Nattiel - private, 23
Regt Co A who was a farmer living in Lincolnville. His family was listed in
the 1870 census: Hosofer 35 (his wife), Phillis 15, Francis
10 (m), William 9, Mary 6, Josephine 4, Richard 2, Sarah 1 He is buried in the Mission Cemetery. Mary
Nateil died 15 April 1910 (ACG Vol Vii Issue 2 p.7). Richard Nettiel died 23
Sept 1888 (ACG Vol 4, Issue4, p 5) Surfein Nattiel - a laborer
lived in a house at Charlotte near St. Francis. Mary Ann was a laundress living in a house
in Lincolnville. Rebecca
Nattiel age 72 11 Apr 1879 was buried in the Huguenot Cemetery near Jn
Nattiel The 1904 City Directory lists Seraphine,
drayman, rear 142 Palmo St, Richard, farmer, rear 75 South St. Bossy Nateel (the 1904 spelling for all
three) as a painter rear 21 Spanish St. Also an undated tax list entitled Tax
List Persons of Color was found in Box 1 File 4 (Blacks) of the City
papers. Dick Natille Jr is listed as
owning a lot valued at $70, cart $10, and horse 60 for a total of $140
personal property twenty-three cents tax. Jane Natille owned a $30 lot for
$30 or .05 tax. William Natille showed no personal property. |
[1]The 21 saw fighting but also had guard duty at Folly
Island outside of Charleston and they occupied the garrison of Charleston and
Mt. Pleasant shortly after the war.
[2]The St. Augustine City Directory, 1885-86 published in
Vol VI, Issue 3 of The Ancient City Genealogist lists Pablo Gray as a
laborer in Lincolnville.
[3]In the Vol 1, Issue 1 of The Ancient City
Genealogist Pablo Gray is listed in the Mission of Nombre De Dios Cemetery
Records as a Corporal Co A 21st USCT.
[5]Fernandina Fl is the location of Ft. Clinch a major
position of the Union Army during the war.
In the 1865 census of Fernandina taken by the Orders
of Post Headquarters (sometime after April of 1865. None of the parties
participating in this marriage are located. This presents one of the major
Southern genealogy problems in the time period between 1860 - 1870 where people
were in a high degree of transition because of the war. This is also true in a
lesser degree in the North.
[6]Rev Kennedy may be one of the early Freedman
Association officials. An early letter
from the schools in St. Augustine is addressed to a Rev. Kennedy.
[7]Pablo Gray was also from St. Augustine and a member of
Regt.. 21, Company A. Pablo Gray when he enrolled was 30 years old, 5'10 2, a lumberman.
He enrolled 13 June 1863 in Fernandina. He died in Savannah Georgia on 7
December 1910. (Information taken from his Pension Record and Service Record)
[8]This may be my error but I do not currently have any
papers older than the ones in this particular file.
[9]For gentle readers who read footnotes I am including
the entire copy of the 1890 law. This should be helpful to anyone doing
genealogy in discovering if their ancestor was Union soldier. If your family had a widow of a husband
that you thought was in the war on the Union side after the time that this law
passed and they were not remarried, then they were entitled to a pension
without proving their husband had a disability. The widow had to prove five things: 1. The man was a honorably
discharged soldier in the war serving at least 90 days. 2. She was his lawful
wife in 1890. 3. She had not remarried.
4. No previous wife was claiming the pension. 5. She was left with no
other means of support other than her own.
Chapter 634 fifty-first
Congress. Sess. I June 27, 1890 from The
Statutes at Large of the United States of America, from December 1889, to
March, 1891 and Recent Treaties, Conventions, and Executive Proclamations,
Vol. XXVI, Washington: Government Printing Office, 1891:
Be it enacted by the Senate
and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress
assembled, That in considering the pension claims of dependent parents, the
fact of the soldier;=s death by reason of any wound, injury, casualty, or
disease which, under the conditions and limitations of existing laws, would
have entitled him to an invalid pension, and the fact that the soldier left no
widow or minor children having been shown as required by law, it shall be
necessary only to show by competent and sufficient evidence that such parent or
parents are without other present means of support than their own manual labor
or the contributions of others not legally bound for their support: Provided,
that all pensions allowed to dependent parents under this act shall commence
from the date of the filing of the application hereunder and shall continue no
longer than the existence of the dependence.
Sec. 2. That all persons who
served ninety days or more in the military or naval service of the United
States during the late war of the rebellion and who have been honorably
discharged therefrom, and who are now or who may hereafter be suffering from a
mental or physical disability of a permanent character, not the result of their
own vicious habits, which incapacitates them from the performance of manual
labor in such a degree as to render them unable to earn a support, shall, upon
making due proof of the fact according to such rules and regulations as the
Secretary of the Interior may provide, be placed upon the list of invalid
pensioners of the United States, and be entitled to receive a pension not
exceeding twelve dollars per month, and not less than six dollars per month,
proportioned to the degree of inability to earn a support; and such pension
shall commence from the date of the filing of the application in the Pension
Office, after the passage of this act upon proof that the disability then
existed, and shall continue during the existence of the same: Provided, That
persons who are now receiving pensions under existing laws, or whose claims are
pending in the Pension Office, may, by application to the Commissioner of
Pensions, in such form as he may prescribe, showing themselves entitled
thereto, receive the benefits of this act; and nothing herein contained shall
be so construed as to prevent any pensioner thereunder from prosecuting his
claim and receiving his pension under any other general or special act:
Provided, however, That no person shall receive more than one pension for the
same period: And provided further, That rank in the service shall not be
considered in applications filed under this act.
Sec. 3. That if any officer
or enlisted man who served ninety days or more in the Army or Navy of the
United States during the late war of the rebellion, and who was honorably
discharged has died, or shall hereafter die, leaving a widow without other
means of support than her daily labor, or minor children under the age of
sixteen years, such widow shall, upon due proof of her husband=s death, without proving his death to be the result of
his army service, be placed on the pension-roll from the date of the
application therefor under this act, at the rate of eight dollars per month
during her widowhood, and shall also be paid two dollars per month for each
child of such officer or enlisted man under the age of sixteen years, such
pension shall be paid such child or children until the age of sixteen:
Provided, That in case a minor child is insane, idiotic, or otherwise
permanently helpless, the pension shall continue during the life of said child,
or during the period of such disability, and this proviso shall apply to all
pensions heretofore granted or hereafter to be granted under this or any former
statute, and such pensions shall commence from the date of application therefor
after
the passage of this act: And
provided further, That said widow shall have married said soldier prior to the
passage of this act.
Sec. 4. Deals with agents.
Approved,
June 27, 1890
[10]New Augustine is the West Augustine community formed
by former slaves and free blacks after the Civil War. It was outside the City limits of Aold@ St. Augustine.
This community as much as Lincolnville should involve further historical
exploration to fully understand this New Augustine that was later incorporated
into the St. Augustine City limits.
[11]This affidavit served no purpose in the pursuit of her
claim other than to establish need. It
did not establish that was married to Pablo Gray or that she was his only wife.
[12]This affidavit was somewhat better. It established
that she was married to Pablo Gray since the fall of 1862. (This however was
incorrect according to the marriage certificate. She was married to him in the
fall of 1863.) It did not establish if she was his only wife.
[13]This General Affidavit finished the test needed for
the pension. It established the date of
marriage (wrong again), That he had never been married before. (However one
should be careful in black genealogy assuming that this was not a legal
marriage. There are several cases in
St. Augustine in particular where there was a marriage certificate or the
marriage was officiated by a Protestant minister. Also if a man and woman
stayed together after the war then it was supposed that they felt that they had
been married, therefor, they were married.
In part the Freedmen=s bureau
performed civil marriages after the war to ensure the stability of the family.)
[14]William Nattiel was a private in the 23 Regt. Company
A. He is listed in the 1885 City Directory as being a resident
of Lincolnville.
[15] The 1886 City directory list Benjamin Clark as a
mattress-maker on Charlotte street. I
have no record of him being a soldier from St. Augustine but this affidavit
increases the probability that he also was a Union veteran.
[16]This General Affidavit is the icing on the cake for a
genealogist. It gives more information
on the minister and gives the slave owner and as a bonus the person that he
lived with in slavery. Note also that her last name was the same as the
owners. After the war last names were
particularly interesting. Some slaves
already had their own in slavery (even the owners didn=t know that they had these last names), some slaves
took the last name of their former owners (may also be a sign of parentage),
and some slaves took any name they felt like.
They may have also changed it several times in a span of a few years
...... trying it on for size.
[20]Reenlistment after the war would have meant that he
was in good condition to continue and that his disability was not war related.
[21]At this point a service related pension has not been
granted. From the documents collected I
am unable to determine if she gets this additional pension, however if you look
at the amount of the last check you would think that this pension had been
granted. I do not have access to the amounts that the different pensions paid
during that year.
[23]This deposition is to give information to show that he
was healthy again before entering the service and that the illness was service
related.
[24]Date of death verified by the US Postal Service.
Sometimes there is an additional bill for the funeral expenses that will verify
the same thing.
[25]She dies on 8 August 1901 (as Florida Daniels) possibily from childbirth as an unnamed
Daniels dies on 18 August 1901. (Death
records from the Health Department (ACG Vol 5 Issue 2, p 10)
[26]This can be a good source to establishing the location
of your relative. Unfortunately with a few notable exceptions for this pension
case this was not true. It=s helpful sometimes to line up the documents in date
order and list the locations to help establish a trail over several decades of
correspondence. Without Webb=s St Augustine
Business Directory she could not have been located on South Bronson Street.
[27]Once again the Pension documents follow a fairly
standard form. These are fill in the
blank forms that create a rather monotonous tone throughout the pension records
but ... a careful reading gives a variety of information to the genealogist. That
she is the widow of Pablo Gray, who enlisted under the name of Pablo Gray at
Fernandina Fla on the 13th day of June A. D. 1863 in Company AA@ 21st US
Colored Troops in the War of Rebellion who was discharged at Charleston S C Apl
25/66 by reason of muster out of organization and who died at St. Augustine
Fla. Nov 24 1886 aged 57 of Pithisis Pulmonalis contracted while in and
resulting from exposure in said service in said war of the Rebellion. This
one sentence gives an enormous amount of information about Pablo Gray ---- only
his birth date is missing.
[28]Antonino Pappy, private 21st USCT Company A,was a
barber on 23 King Street. He lived rear 95 Oneida St. (Webb=s). He was a St. Johns County Commissioner from
1868-1871. He was elected the City Assessor of St. Augustine in 1885 and 1888.
He was born 9/17/1804 in St. Johns County.
[29]Mr Adkins was an officer in Seminole Lodge No. 4
Ancient Order of United Work Men. He
had a house on Orange St. He married Myra M. Mitchell 27 October 1879 (Rev
Roote)
[30]Joseph A Usina also owned a livery stable at San Sebastian
Ave near Shell Road. He also had a
house there. He maintained this from at least 1886 through 1904.
[31]Frank F. Smith was a physician who praticed at the
rear of the Post Office. He boarded in
the Magnolia.
[32]Have not found at this time any record of W. H.
Markle. However, in the 1904 City
Directory a Mrs. W. H. Markle is listed as a widow living at rear 95 King St.
William H Markle died 4 April 1901 (ACG Vol 5, Issue 2 p 11)
[33]W. M. Moody was a clerk for C. F Hamblen=s Store. He
lived at rear 160 Oneida St. William
Moody married Anna Allen on 27 December 1871 in Trinity Church by John E. C.
Smedes (Leslie Wilson St Johns County Marriage Records Book B part 2 p 7)
[34]Additional information on this document has not been
found.
[35]I have been unable to identify Charles Bravo. John Williams
was a waiter in Lincolnville in the 1885-86 St. Augustine City Directory (ACG
Vol VI Issue 3 p 25)
[36]There is a
Simon Williams, Co D 33rd buried at the Mission of Nombre de Dios. He was
married Margaret Williams. His daughter Cornelia Williams is also buried at the
Mission of Nombre de Dios (aged 23 years died 17 August 1882. Simon was a laborer in Lincolnville. He
died on 3 May 1891. (ACG Vol 5, Issue 1, p 6)
[37] Benjamin Clark, mattress-maker, Charlotte street in
the 1885-1886 city directory colored section. In Webb=s he is listed as an upholsterer living and working in
a house at Charlotte near Fort. The
1904 City directory shows a Marthe Clark widow at rear 91 Oneida St. On the 1865 Amelia Island black census of
Fernandina taken pursuant to the orders of Post Headquarters 1865 a Benjamin
and Agnes Clark are listed. Benjamin
was 40 a former slave of Rayes. Agnes was a45 a former slave of Alives.
[38]Could not find a record of this individual. This represents a usual problem for the
African-American geneologist. What are
the slave relations to be identified as?
In some cases ministers were employed or records were kept at the
Cathredal. In other cases it was
co-habitation. Were their kids from
this relationship? These records
unfortunately don=t determine this.
The former relationship is not followed up by the pension bureau
either. This has a potential for some
interesting developments however, in doing the total family line.
[39]James W Allen was a bookkeeper. He lived on Bravo near
Mill.
[40]John Blake was a porter who lived in Lincolnville. In
the St. Augustine City Directory of 1885-85 (ACG Vol VI Issue 3 p3 he is listed
as a porter at the St.Augustine Hotel in Lincolnville. The 1904 City lists a
John Blake as a Bartender at Lynn=s
Cafe rear 79 Lincoln St. Also a George Blake is listed. He was a porter at the Aleazar who lived on
Lincoln St. .
[41]Samuel W. Duncan ran a grocery store on 74 Bridges St.
He lived rear 58 Dumas St. The St Augustine Record in 19 May 1902 had the
following note:
AS W
Duncan, a well known colored groceryman in the Fourth Ward, has a petition
numerous signed by white voters for his nomination as Alderman in the 4th Ward.
Jesse McLean is the present incumbent.
[42]Andrew E Lopez was a gun and locksmith on Charlotte
Street near Baya Lane. He lived at Tolamato near Cuna.He was
the collector of revenue for St. Johns County in 1886-1887 also the tax
collector in 1904. He lived at rear 19 Cordova St. He also appears in the
school records working at #2 Peabody school on the pump and repairing desks
(ACG Vol 5, Issue 4, pg 12). His wife died on 9 March 1901 (ACG, Vol 5, Issue
2, p 11).
[43]David Williams is listed in the St. Augustine City
directory 85-86 found in SACG Vol VI Issue 3 p26 as a waiter in Lincolnville.
[44]James Lee Saunders was a laborer in Lincolnville. (ACG Vol VI Issue 3 p 25.
[45]George Edwards sold oysters on Washington Street (ACG,
Vol VI, Issue 3, p 23.)
[46]Thomas Williams was a laborer in Lincolnville (ACG Vol
VI Issue 3, p 25). He died 9 March 1910
(ACG Vol VII Issue 2, p 17).