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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.

     [4]This is a description from his military service record with the date of enlistment.

     [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.

     [17]This establishes that she is still a widow and has never remarried.

     [18]Statement used to prove that the veteran was disabled.

     [19]Now the question is being resolved if it was an illness caused in the service.

     [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.

     [22]This was underlined in the document. 

     [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).