Note: This is an abstract of information from the pension file, because the complete pension file is approximately 80 pages long.

Civil War File for Medley, George W.
The National Archives Soldiers Certificate # 495576
Private in Co. I  1^st TN Vol. Mtd. Inft.
Can# 10752   bundle# 43  pages 80  cost $37.00
Orig. Inv. #646.127

In 1888 George W. Medley, Putnam Co., TN, applied for an invalid pension based on his service during the Civil War.

It is well documented that George W. Medley from 1 Aug 1864(Carthage) to 22 July 1865(Nashville) served under 1^st LT A.M. Jones in Co. I of the 1^st TN Vol. Mtd. Inft.  During Feb-March 1865 while on pickett duty in Carthage, Smith Co.,TN he was constantly wet and cold and contracted diarrhea which he never recovered from.

In the many documents sent back and forth in 1888, Joseph Bozarth of Bozarth,TN and J.W. Walker of Smithville,TN witnessed his mark.  Stephen Prichard near Laurel Hill, DeKalb Co.,TN gave a statement that he served with Geroge and he was a healthy man when he came into the military and unhealthy when he went home.  William B. Lee, also served with George.  He stated that he was in very good health when he joined the military and had lost so much flesh that he was taken home in July 1865 in a wagon and never was able to put the flesh back on.  All the men stated he was 2/3 of the time unable to work.  The government even requested in one of the many doctor exams to check his hands to see if he really was a farmer/labor---a man who could not write but his name.

There are Doctor reports for 1890, 1898, 1900, 1907, 1908, 1912,1915 and 1916.

In a report requested by the Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, dated 5 April 1915 and witnessed by R.P. Gibson and his daughter, Vina Medley tilley, George gave his birth date as Nov 1835 ( he also gave it as 1836, 1833 and 1832 at other times.)  According to George, the family Bible was burned in a house fire and no other records exist.  George stated that first wife was  Amanda D. Smith.  They were married by JP E.C. Crowel near Silver Point, TN in 1852 and no record of this marriage exists.  He stated that his second wife was, Fannie Childeress in 1893 by JP Joseph Jones and his third wife was Sarah Gardner in Nov 1898 by JP Walter Jones; they divorced in 1899.  She was still living 5 April 1915(died in the fall of 1915).  Her former husband was John Gardner who died in Silver Point c. 1979-1983.

6 March 1916, George died and in the file is a copy of the returned pension check to Washington DC.  His daughter, Vina Tilley wrote to them requesting reimbursement (the post card is in the file).  She stated that Amanda died 30 April 1892. Fannie died Oct. 1896 and Sarah died in the Fall of 1915.  She paid the following and submitted receipts for: Dr. I.J. Allison  $7.75; Stone & Sons for casket $20.00; J.W. Maxwell for burial clothes  $8.00 and J.C. Branson for burial clothes $2.00 for a total of $37.75�the government send her $27.75

George started receiving his pension in 1888 for $8.00 and when he died it was up to $22.50.

A detailed description about his medical condition was present in the medical reports.

People , dates and places mentioned in the Civil War Pension File for George W. Medley, Putnam Co.,TN

20 Feb 1888   DeKalb Co.,TN    Declaration for An Original Invalid Pension witnesses were Joseph Bozarth of Bozarth, TN and J. W. Walker of Smithville, TN  H.K. Allen, Clerk of the Court.

3 July 1888  Surgeons�s  Certificate  A. Gattinger, Sec�y of Board, Nashville, Davidson Co.,TN

7 July 1888 Affidavit by G. Medley, John Tucker, JP for Putnam Co.,TN

30 Aug 1888  DeKalb Co.,TN  Affidavit by Dr. W.M. Farmer.  He knew G.W. Medley about 27 years.  He has been a Doctor for about 30 years.

17 Oct 1888  McMinnvillle(was Smithville), Warren Co.,TN  Dr. John S. Harrison knew G.W. Medley about 20 years.  He has been a Doctor for 33 years.   W.L. Swarn, Clerk of Warren Co. Court.

6 Nov 1888  DeKalb Co.,TN  Affidavit by Steven Prichard, age 46, living near Laurel Hill, TN

12 Nov 1888  Putnam Co.,TN  Proof of Disability   William B. Lee age 62, living near Silver Point,TN knew G.W. Medley for 40 years.  William J. Wallace, JP for Putnam Co.

24 June 1890  Putnam Co.,TN  Joseph Bozarth age 45, living near Silver Point, TN knew G.W. Medley for 30 years.  Dr. Richard Jar�est. age 55, a Doctor for 30 years.   W, J. Wallace, JP

19 April 1898  Document for the Increase of an Invalid Pension  Witness: John Tucker, P.E. Sadler, G. E. James.  J.S. Mitchell, JP

15 Mar 1899 Surgeon�s  Certificate, Liberty, DeKalb Co.,TN  Drs. J. Jackson, W.H. Robertson and W.W. Parker.

16 Feb 1907  Putnam Co.,TN Application for Increase in Age & Disability  M.S. Tucker knew G.W. Medley for 15 years.  J.O. Tucker knew G.W. Medley for 25 years.  Both live in Double Springs, TN  John Tucker, JP

20 Nov 1908    B.V. and Ann S. Tucker   John Tucker, JP

1 July 1912  DeKalb Co.,TN  Declaration for Pension  R.P. Gibson knew G. Medley for 20 years.  J. A. Medley knew G. Medley for 40 years.  Both live in Bloomington Springs, TN  P.E. Sadler, NP

18 April 1913  A letter on behalf of G. Medley  John Tucker, Lawyer  Double Springs, TN

1 May 1913     Putnam Co. TN   Affidavit witness: F.N. Billingsly   Robert P. Gibson, NP

12 July 1916  Application for Reimbursement:  Dr. J.I. Allison, Dr. Bill; E.W. Stone & Sons, undertaker; J.W. Maxwell, clothing; J.C. Brown, clothing.  Submitted by daughter Lavina�Vina� Medley Tilly.  Witness: Mommice(?) Gentry and Flora Tilly, grand daughters.

Information in the 80 page file was personal, medical and military service in nature.  It established times, places and people in the span of 20 Feb 1888 to 12 July 1916.

For more information on this file, please contact the contributor above.