These records have been copied from the National Archives' Pension file of George W. Polston as his Widow, Charlotte (Amos) Polston applied for a Widow's Pension. The information is being presented as originally written without changing spelling or punctuation. When letters and words were not legible, these have been noted.
POLSTON, GEORGE W.
Vol. 1; page 362
Co. F, 13th KY Vol. Cavalry (Private)
Enrolled: 28 Sept. 1863 (1 year term)
Mustered In: 23 Dec. 1863 @ Columbia, KY
Transferred List: Transferred 20 Feb. 1864 to Co. C, 13th KY Vol. Cavalry
*National Archives sent this file as being the same individual as listed below.*
POLSTON, GEORGE W.
Vol. 1; page 358
Co. C, 13th KY Vol. Cavalry (Private)
No other information given
*National Archives sent this file as being the same individual as listed above.*
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the widows claim of Charlotte Polston widow of George W. Polston, late of Co. C, 13 Reg't Ky Cav Vols., personally came before me, a Deputy Clerk, in and for the aforesaid County and State, Pleasant H. Amos, who, I hereby certify, is a respectable and credible person, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim, as follows: I was present at the marriage of my sister Charlotte Amos to George W. Polston in Fentress County Tennessee by Fuller Grisham on or about the __(blank) day of February 1853.
He Further declares that his post office address is Albany, County of Clinton, State of Kentucky, and that he is not interested in said claim or concerned in its prosecution.
Signed: Pleasant H. Amos
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the widows Claim of Charlotte Polston widow of George W. Polston, late of Co. C, 13 Reg't Ky Cav Vols., personally came before me, a County Court Clerk, in and for the aforesaid County and State, Lemuel L. Stocton, who, I hereby certify, is a respectable and credible person, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim, as follows: I was present at the marriage of George W. Polston and Charlotte Amos in Fentress County Tennessee by Fuller Gnisham. I can not give the date of the marriage but I know that it occurred between 1850 and 1855.
I am not related to claimant. He further declares that his post office address is Albany, County of Clinton, State of Kentucky, and that he is not interested in said claim or concerned in its prosecution.
Signed: Lemuel L (his x mark) Stockton
A.M. Pierce
William Tirggle
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the widows Claim of Charlotta Polston widow of George W. Polston, late of Co. C, 13 Reg't Ky. Cav. Vols., personally came before me, a Deputy Clerk, in and for the aforesaid County and State, Fielding W. Talbott, who, I hereby certify, is a respectable and credible person, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim, as follows: I lived about one half a mile of said soldier for about three years immeiately prior to his death. I heard him cough a good deal during the time and he looked feeble. He was confined to his bed and room for several months. Just before his death. I insisted (assisted) him several times during his last illness, and I noticed that he had a severe cough and spit up a great deal of matter. I believe that he had a lung disease and that the same caused his death. At least I know of no other cause. In 1876, August the six teenth, I visited him at his house as a Deputy Clerk of the Clinton County Court, to take his acknowledgment to a deed of conveyance to a lot of land, and he was then in a very low state of health and I know that he died in a few months afterwards. I get (forget) the date of said acknowledgement from public records, in the office of Clerk of said County Court. I am not related to claimant.
He further declares that his post office is Albany, County of Clinton, State of Kentucky, and that he is not interested in said claim or concerned in its prosecution.
Signed: Fielding W. Talbott
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the claim of Charlotta Polston widow of George W. Polston late Pri. Co. C. 13 Kentucky Cavalry Vols for original Widows Pension personally came before, me a Deputy Clerk in and for the aforesaid County and State, Madison Craig aged 43 years whose post office address is Albany, County of Clinton, State of Kentucky who, I here certify, is a respectable and credible person, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim, as follows: I bought a tract or apart of a tract of land of said soldier a short time before he died about two or three weeks, and the deed of conveyance of said land bears date January the 18, 1877, as shown by the records in the clerks office of said County and State. I know that said soldier died as above stated because I saw his corpse.
I further declare that I have no interest in said claim and am not concerned in its persecution.
Signed: Martisen (his x mark) Craig
W. L. Dicken
Rev. He____vi_(not legible)
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the claim of
Charlotte Polston widow of George W. Polston Pri. Co. C. 13th Regt Kentucky Cavalry Vols for orig. Widows Pension personally came before me, a County Court Clerk in and for the aforesaid County and State, Thomas F. McWhorter age 40 years whose post office address is Albany, County of Clinton, State of Kentucky who, I hereby certify, is a respectable and credible person, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the afore said claim, as follows: I lived about 1 mile from said soldier for two years or more before his death and at the time of his death, which occurred in said County & state. I believe on or about the tenth day of February 1877. I had sold him a tract of land and there was an unpaid balance on it and I believed that he would die soon, and so made arrangements with an other neighbor to buy a part of said land so that I could get the remainder of the purchase money due me and so that said soldier might have something to live upon the remainder of his time, and the deed of said conveyance bars date January 18, 1877, as shown by records in the office of the County Court Clerk of said County, and I know that said soldier died within a few weeks after sale of said land. He had a very bad cough and spit up a great deal of matter for several months before his death, and he was consequently totally disabled from work for some time or during the last mentioned period of time, and I have no doubt that said cough and spitting of matter was caused by disease of lungs and that the same caused his death, as I know of no other cause. I know these facts, from personal knowledge and observation, and under the circumstances as aforesaid.
Signed: Thomas Felt. McWhorter
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the Pension Claim of Charlotte Polston Widow of George Polston, late of Co. C, 13 Reg't Ky Cav vols., personally came before me, a County Court Clerk, in and for the aforesaid County and State, General Z. York aged (blank) years, who, I hereby certify, is a respectable and credible person, and who, being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid claim, as follows: That he was a member of Co. H 13th Reg Ky Cav Vols and was personally present at Camp Nelson Ky about Dec 25 to 31 1864 and first of Jan 1865 and shortly before the 13th Reg Ky Cav was discharged from the service and he saw and conversed with the above named soldier George Polston who belonged to Co. "C" and he heard him complaining of lung disease which soldier said he contracted in Service. The symptoms were severe cough and expectonation of bloody matter with general weakness and emaciation or leanness of flesh. Said Soldier appeared like a man suffering from Consumption of the lungs and affiant thought at the time he would die from said trouble. Affiant States he lived near Said George Polston in Feb 1877 when he died & he learned from physicians & others that he died of Said disease & affiant believes he did die of same & affiant has known Charlotte Polston the widow of Said George Polston to be & is yet the lawful widow of Said Soldier & She has not remarried Since & affiant has lived within 2 or 3 miles of her ever since 1877.
He further declares that his post office address is Albany, County of Clinton, State of Kentucky, and that he is not interested in said claim or concerned in its prosecution.
Signed: General Z (his x mark) York
Ed. Higginbottom
PHYSICIAN'S AFFIDAVIT
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the Pension Claim No 261.841 of Clarlotta Polston widow of George W. Polstons late of Company C. & the 13th Regt Kentucky Cav. Vols. Personally came before me a County Court Clerk in and for the aforesaid County and State S. K. Pickins a citizen of Albany in the County of Clinton and State of Kentucky well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: That he is a prctising physician, and that he was acquainted with said Soldier for about 10 years, and that was called to see George Polston. I believe in 1876. If I remember correctly he had Pulmanary Consumption my (word not legible) at the time was based upon his general appearance made no (word not legible Examaation I only remember, that he was very much ema__ated (not legible), was coughing and expectonating freely a bloody pusulent looking matter I was told he frequently had hemmorragage from the lungs. I think he died Shortly after my visit.
He further delcares that he has been a practitioner of medicine for 14 years, and that has no interest, either direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
Signed: S. K. Pickins, M.D.
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of September A.D., 1886 and I hereby certify that the affiant is a practising physician in good professional standing; that the contents of the above declaration, &e., were fully made known to him before swearing, including the words has been erased, and the words was added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim,
Signed: C. B. Parry M. Clerk Clinton County Court Ky
Declaration for Widow's Pension
State of Tennessee County of Nackson
On this 3 day of August 1900 personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Charlotta Polston aged 48 years, a resident of the town of Gainsboro, County of Jackson State of Tennessee who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of George Polston who enlisted unthe name of George Polston Reg't 13 Ky, Vols. and served at least ninety days in the late War of the Rebellion, who was Honorably Discharged at Albany, inthe State of Kentucky Febry 1877. That she was married under the name of Charlotta Amos to said George Polston on the 20 (not sure of day) of Feby, 1853, by Esq. Fullen Risham at Grishmans residence. That she was not remarried since the death of the said George Polston. She applied for pension over a pension adopted for the roll.
Joseph H. Hunter, of Washington, D.C., her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim; that her post=office address is Gainsboro County of Jackson, State of Tennessee
Signed: Charlotta (her x mark) Polston
John Jo(not legible)
S.E. Wilson I. B. Hest__(not legible)
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the matter of the claim for Pension of Charlotte Polston widow of George W. Polston late private Co. C. 13th Regiment of Kentucky Cavalry Vols.
On this the 9th day of February 1887, personally appeared before me a (blank) in and for the County and State aforesaid Leuis Hayes, a citizen of said County and State whom I certify to be reputable and entitled to credit and who after being by me duly sworn deposes and states in relation to said case as follows: My age is 68 years. I went with said George W. Polston to Fentress County Tennessee and saw him married to Charlotte Amos by Fuller Grisham. I can not give the date of said marriage but I know that it occurred several years before the late war was commenced. I saw them together freuently after their marriage and know that they were recognized as man and wife by their neighbors. They lived close neighbors to me for several years after their marriage. He appeared to be in good health before he went into the army. My recolection is that I saw him soon after his discharge from the army & he then appeared to be in bad health and I saw him each year afterwards until about one or two years immediately prior to the announcement of his death. I know that I saw him several times each year during the larger part of the time between his discharge and the time above stated. He lived from 2 miles to four miles of me most of the time, and I conversed with him at different times and he complained of bad health, but I can not now state what he complained of. My post officed address is Savage, said County and State. I am not related to claimant. I have no interest in this claim.
Signed: Leuis Hayes
Subscribed and sworn to before me by said affiant this the (day not legible) day of february 1887. and I certify that I read said affidavit to him before he executed the same: that said affiant a credable person, is personally known to me; and that I have no interest in this claim.
Signed: C.B. Parry M. Clerk Clinton County Court Ky.
DECLARATION OF A WIDOW FOR PENSION OR FOR INCREASE OF PENSION.
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
On this 18th day of February, A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty ___(blank) personally appeared before me Clerk of the Clinton County Court a Court of Record within and for the county and state aforesaid Charlotte Polson aged 35 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 George W. Polston (several words not legible). George W. Polston on the 28th day of September A.D., 1863 in Co F. 13 Ky Cav Vols & Transfered to Co "C". 13 Ky Cav Feb 20th 1864. In the war of 1861 rebellion, who was greatly exposed camping out without tents & in bad weather & was taken sick at Columbia Ky from Said exposure in the winter of 1863 & 1864. And in the fall of 1864 had yellow Jaundice all of which caused him to have disease of the lungs & he died of said disease on the 10 day of January, A.D. 1877 in Clinton County, Ky. that she was married under the name of Charlotte Amos to said George W. Polston on the 25 day of February, A.D. 1858 by Fuller Grisham at Fentress County Tenn there being no legal barrier to such marriage and she has to this date remained his widow; that the following are the names and dates of birth of all his legitmate children yet surviving who were under sixteen years of age at the father's death, to wit:
Matilda, of soldier by this widow, born May 9th, 1862
Allice, of soldier by this widow, born March 16th, 1867
Barbara, of soldier by this widow, born March 30, 1871
Mary, of soldier by this widow, born Nov. 25, 1874
That she has not in any manner been engaged in, or aided or abetted, the rebellion in the United States; that no prior application has been filed.
That she hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation G. W. Hurt of Albany Kentucky her attorney to prosecute her claim;
That her residence is Clinton County Ky, and her Post Office address is Albany Clinton County Kentucky.
Signed: Charlotte (her x mark) Polston
J. P. Zimmerman
I. A. Brents
B. P. Harrison
State of Kentucky
County of Clinton
In the matter of Mrs. C. Polston Claiment for Pension as the widdow of George W. Polston Dec'd. of the Co. C. 13 Ky Cav Ridgment United States Soldiers in the late ware affiand States he was the family Physician of Mrs. C. Polston's fathers family as far back as the year of 1849 & was acquainted with the family and has been acquainted with Mrs. C. Polston all along the line & to his best knowelage to infermation Mrs. C. Polston never was married nor had any child until she married George W. Polston affiant further states that his age is seventy three years past his residence is Albany Clinton County Ky that he has no interest in the matter he has been practicing his profession fourty years his practice address Albany Clinton County Ky & his name is Elza Beckett..M.D.
Subscribed and Sworn to before me by Dr. Elza Beckett whom I certify to be a credible person in good standing with the medical profession of this County this (a word not legible and the document ends here.)
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
Nashville Tenn. April 8th, 1898
Hou. Cow'r (unsure of word) of Pensions
Washington - D.C.
Sir: -
Referring to pension claim CAf. 250.963 of Charlotte Polston. and in reply to office letter herewith returned. I have the honor to state that the question involved is one of adultry & the more involved are mostly men of some prominence locally. & for that reason subponas are necessary to make them testify. some of those for whom subpoenas are asked have not only refused to testify voluntarily - but have begged me not to have them subpoenaed. But I told them that I must have the facts -
Subpoenas are absolutely necessary if we are to get the facts & it would not be safe for one man alone to be responsible for the discontinuance of this pension. I consider pensioners _ou (letter not legible) as dangerous & (word not legible) fact the family is for the most part very bad so far as I learned anything of them. The pensioner lives in a very neat little white house in the suburbs of Gainesboro, Tenn. and yet when I met her a short distance from her house - I asked her if she had seen Mrs. Polston - (I did not know her) she said she had not - thus denying her own identity. Every time then after that - that I saw her & her daughter- I met with a storm of the vilest language - & such words as "hell" and "hell-fired" & "devil" are to be found in the second statement taken from the pensioner. Pensioner & her daughter live together & on the occasion of my first visit - the daughter became so abusive that I was compelled to give her the alternative of "shutting up" or leaving the room & she left - Such being the facts I think that we should have all the subpoenas requested in my former letter- and application for same is hereby renewed.
Very Respectfully
Ed D. Hammer
Special Examiner
WAR DEPARTMENT,
ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, January 27, 1882.
# 261.841
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions. Maderson Craig, Pvt. Company C, 13th Regiment Ky. Cavy. Volunteers and Vatch Leslie, Pvt. in said Co. & Regt, are reported: on muster roll to Oct. 31 / 64 present at Burkville Ky. No roll to Dec. 31 /64 on file. On muster out role dated Jany. 10 / 65 present at Camp Nelson Ky. No return for Dec. 1864 on file. The records of this office furnish no additional information regarding presence, absence or station at time indicated. Books of organization not on file.
Signed H. Mickn___(not legible)
Assistant Adjutant General
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE,
Washington, D. C. Sept. 14th, 1880
Sir:
I have the honor to acknoqledge the receipt from your Office of Application for Pension No. (blank), and to return it herewith, with such information as is furnished by the files of this Office.
It appears from the Rolls on file in this office that George W. Poston was enrolled on the 28th day of Sept., 1863, at Clinton Co., in Co "F" 13th Regiment of Ky. Cav Volunteers, to serve one year and mustered into service as a Pvt. on the 23rd day of Dec., 1863, at Columbia, in Co. "F", 13th, Regiment of Ky. Cav. Volunteers, to serve one year. On the Muster Roll of Co. "F" of that Regiment, for the months of Jan. & Feb. / 64 first on file, he is separated Transferred to Co. "C". (Feby. 22nd / 64.) On must. Rolls of that Co. for Jan & Feb., March & April, and Sept. & Oct. 1864, (only muster rolls on file.) he is reported Present for duty. Co. M.O. Roll dated Jan'y 10 / 65. Pvt. Honorably mustered out with Co. The only Regtd. returns on file are March (which does not bear his name) and April 1864.
I am, sir, very respectfully,.
Your obedient servant,
Signed: H. C. Cirhir (not sure of name)
Assistant Adjutant General.