The Pension File for John Stoner, Musician,
H Company 44th Indiana Volunteers
This file was received from NARA on 26 February 2001.
Return to The Osborn Home Genealogy Center
Pension file associated with the Widow’s certificate # 50753 contains 22 legal-size single-sided copied sheets. What follows is a transcript of the file contents.
(Sheet 1 – Cover of file bundle)
Box # 32038
Cert # 50753
Caroline A. Stoner
Bundle 18
(Sheet 2 – official printed form)
THE CIVIL WAR
3-1081
Department of the
Interior
United States
Pension Agency
Detroit, Mich.
Aug 11 1911
Certificate No. 50753
Class: Widow
Pensioner: Caroline A. Stoner now Ayers
Soldier: John H. Stoner
Service: Muscn. H 44th Ind. Inf.
________________
The Commissioner of Pensions.
SIR:
I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner who was last paid at
$12, to March 4, 1911 has been dropped because of DEATH April 10, 1911.
Very Respectfully,
(signed) O.A. Janes
NOTE: Every name dropped to be thus reported at once, and
when cause of dropping is death, state date of death when known. 6-2249
(Sheet 3 – official printed form)
Adjutant General’s
Office
Washington, DC.
June 27th
1865
Sir:
I
have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for
Pension No. 48795, and to return it herewith, with such information as is
furnish by the files of this Office.
It
appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that John H. Stoner was enrolled
on the 15th day of Octo., 1861, at La Grange in Co. “H”, 44th
Regiment of Ind. Volunteers, to serve during the war years, or during the
war, and mustered into service as a Musician on the 22nd day of
November 1861, at Fort Wayne, in CO., “H”, 44th Regiment of Ind.
Volunteers to serve during the war years, or during the war. On Office
Roll of Casualties the Muster Roll of Co. ___ of that Regiment, for the
months of Jany 1st to Jany 31st 1863, he is reported
“Discharged August 26th 1863, at Murfreesboro Tenn. Cause Chronic
diarrhea.” On Muster Rol of said Co. he is reported “Discharged Aug 10th
1863. Murfreesboro Tenn Aug 10th 1863 for disability.” No evidence
of death on file.
I
am, Sir, very respectfully,
Your
obedient servant,
(Signed)
Sam. Breck
Assistant
Adjutant General
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, DC.
(Sheet 4 – hand written evidentiary letter)
I
hereby certify that John Stoner, a musician in company “H” 44th
Reg’t Ind Vol was whilst in the Service of the United States and in the
line of his duty Contracted an illness whilst at the taking of Ft. Donelson on
or about the 18th of Feb 1862 and which caused his removal to
Hospital in Evansville Ind on or about the 1st of Jan 1862. He
afterwards rejoined his Reg’t at Battle Creek Tenn on or about the 20th
of August 1862. And was so feeble from the effects of his disease “Chronic
Diarrhea” as to be unable to perform even light duty and was again sent to
Hospital in “Louisville” Ky on or about the 18th of October 1862
from thence was sent to Gen’l Hospital at Evansville Ind and was at no time
after able to rejoin his company. Was brought from Evansville
Murfreesboro Tenn to his home in LaGrange County & State of Indiana on or
about the 1st of September 1863 and died from said disease on the 28th
of September 1863, the Said Stoner was however discharged at Evansville
Murfreesboro Tenn on or about the 1st of September 1862.
(signed) Joseph H. (unreadable)
Late Capt. Co H. 44th Regt. Ind Vol
State of Indiana}
LaGrange County}
Personally appeared before me Joseph H. Dausen (?) to me well known. Subscribe and make oath to the foregoing Statement on this 18th day of June 1864. Witness my hand and official Seal
(Signed) A.B. Kennedy, Notary Public
(Sheet 5 – further handwritten evidence)
State of Indiana}
LaGrange County}
I, Abner S. Case, Clerk of the LaGrange Circuit Court do certify that A. B. Kennedy, before whom the foregoing certificate was subscribed and sworn to, is and was at the date thereof an acting Notary Public duly commissioned and qualified, and authorized to do the same, and further, that his signature thereto affixed is genuine.
Witness my hand and the seal of said Court hereto affixed this June 15th 1864-
A.S. Case
Clerk
(Sheet 6 – outside file cover)
[left column outside]
No.
John Stoner A C
Musician
Co H 44 In Vols
(Find in ???)
53057
not found
book 3/12/69
He died when he re’d home
[right column outside]
43795 Ind
S
50753
Caroline A Stoner
Wid of Joh H.
Ad
June 30/65
Ind
(Sheet 7 – Fill-in-blanks Affidavit Form)
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Michigan, County of Antrim, ss:
In the matter of the application for pension of Caroline A. Stoner Widow of John H. Stoner Musician 44 Indiana Vols
On this 25th day of May, AD 1901, personally appeared before me, a notary Public in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths, Peter W. Ziff aged 65 years, a resident of Mancelona in the County of Antrim and State of Michigan whose Post Office address is Mancelona Michigan and Mary E. Niles[1][1] aged 41 years, a resident of Mancelona in the County of Antrim and State of Michigan whose Post office address is Mancelona Michigan well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:
That we are well acquainted with Caroline A Stoner for the last 28 years and well acquainted with her Financial Circumstances and Certify from personal knowledge that she does not own or have any use of any property real or personal and there is none assessed to her neither has she any income from any Source and that she is without other means of Support than her daily labor and the Contribution of others who are not legally bound for her Support and there is no one legally bound for her support, excepting an house & lot assessed to her in Mancelona Township, assessed at one hundred and eighty dollars.
We further declare that we have no interest in said case and are not concerned in its procecution.
(Signed)
N. C. Nelis (??)
Peter. Ziff
Mary E. Niles
(Sheet 8 – back side of previous page, fill-in Affidavit form)
State of Michigan County of Antrim, ss:
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 them with its contents before they executed the same I further certify that I am in nowise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; ant that said affiant are personally known to me ant that they are credible person.
(Signed) Nelson C. Melis (??_
Notary Public
Com. Ex. Jan 8th 1905.
(Sheet 9 – Official pre-printed fill-in form Marriage License)
INDIANA, TO-WIT: LaGrange County, SS:
To all who shall see these presents, -- greeting:
Know ye, That any person empowered by law to solemnize marriages, is hereby authorized to join together as Husband and Wife John G. Ayers and Caroline A. Stoner and for so doing, this shall be his sufficient authority.
In testimony thereof, I, John H. Rerick, Clerk of the LaGrange Circuit Court, hereunto subscrib my name, and affix the seal of said Court, at LaGrange, this 27th day of September, 1869.
(signed) Jno. H. Rerick, Clerk
INDIANA, TO-WIT: LaGrange County,
This certifies, That I joined in marriage, as Husband and Wife, John G. Ayres and Caroline A. Stoner on the 28th day of September 1869
(signed) Willard Hervey, Minister
THE STATE OF INDIANA, LaGrange County, ss:
John H. Rerick, Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for said county of LaGrange, and State of Indiana, do hereby certify the foregoing to be true and correct copies of the marriage license and certificate of marriage of John G. Ayres and Caroline A Stoner as the same now appear upon the Marriage Record now on file in my office, of which I am the lawful custodian.
In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name, and affixed the Seal of said Court, at Lagrange, Indiana, this 2d Day of March, 1870.
(Signed) Jno H Renick, Clerk
(sheet 10 – pre-printed fill-in form)
Declaration of a Widow for Restoration of Pension.
State of Michigan, County of Antrim, ss:
On this 18th day of May, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and one, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Caroline A. Stoner, aged 76 years, a resident of Mancelona, County of Antrim, State of Michigan, who, being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration for the purpose of having her name restored to the Pension Roll under the Acto f March 3, 1901, amending section 4708, Revised Statutes:
That she was formerly pensioned as widow of John H. Stoner who died September 28th 1863, by reason of wound of injury received or disease contracted while serving as Musician in 44 Indiana Vol. Infantry, in the war rebellion. That she was his lawful wife during the period of his service in said war, and that she remained his lawful wife to the date of his death.
That her pension was paid by the United States Pension agent at Indianapolis, Inda, and that the number of her Pension Certificate was _______. That she never erceived any other pension from the Untied States nor made any other application for pension.
That her pension terminated because of her marriage to John G. K Ayers. That said marriage took place September 28th, 1869, at LaGrange, Indiana. That se was divorced from said husband, upon her own application and without fault on her part on the 10th day of November, 1885, at Bellaire, Antrim County, Michigan, and resumed name of Caroline A. Stoner. That said Husband did serve in the Army or Navy of the United States, 1st enlistment in Co. H. Mo. Infantry Vols; 2nd enlistment Batter D 4th New Jersey. L. A. Discharged in June 1865 & still living.
That she did not marry again after the death of the soldier except to John G. K. Ayers named above.
That she is without other means of support than her daily labor and an actual net income not exceeding two hundred and fifty dollars per year. She hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, ______________of_____________ her tru and lawful attorney to prosecute the above claim.
That her Post-Office address is Mancelona County of Antrim, State of Micigan
Attest:
(Signed)
Florence E. Burkholder[2][2]
Mary E. Niles[3][3]
Caroline A. Stoner
(Sheet 11 – reverse side of pension affidavit sheet 10)
Also personally appeared Florence E. Burkholder residing ad Mancelona Michigan and Mary E. Niles residing at Mancelona Michigan persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Caroline A. Stoner, the claimant, sign her name to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with her for forty years and forty one years, respectively, that she is the identical person she represents herself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
(Signed) Florence E. Burkholder
Mary E. Niles
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 12st Day of May, AD 1901, and I do hereby certify that the contents of the foregoing declaration &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words not erased, and the words also & and resumed name of Caroline A. Stoner added: and that I have no interest direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
Signed Nelson C. Meter
Notary Public,
Com. Expires Jan 1st 1905
Cover of affidavit:
Min Ct 141886
Widow
Claim for Restoration
Act of March 3, 1901
Claimant: Caroline A. Stoner
Soldier: John H. Stoner
Service: Musician H. 44th Regt
Filed By Western Division USPB
Jun 3 1901
(sheet 12 – Fill in blank Widow’s Claim Form)
Widow’s Claim for Pension
The State of Indiana, County of Lagrange, ss:
On this 14th day of January AD 1864, personally appeared before Clerk of the LaGrange Circuit Court a Court of Record within and for said county, Caroline A. Stoner, aged 39 years, a resident of Clearspring Town, in the county of Lagrange, and State of Indiana, who, being first duly sworn according to law, doth on her oath, make the following declaration, in order to obtain the benefit of the provision made by the act of Congress approved July 14 1962:. That she is the widow of John H. Stoner, who was a Musician in Company H. commanded by Captain Bingham, in the 44th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers, commanded by Col. Williams, in the war of 1861. That her said husband died at Clearspring Town, in the State of Indiana, on the 28th day of September AD 1863 from a disease know as the Chronic Diarrhea which he contracted while in the line of duty in the service of the Untied States.
The further declares that she was married to the said John H. Stoner at Gloversville, New York, on the 30th day of October AD 1850, by one Elder Corwin, a Minister; that her name before her marriage was Caroline A. Putman, and that ever since the death of her said husband, she has remained a widow: as will more fully appear by reference to the proof annexed. That there is no Public record of said marriage but a private record which is herewith sent.
That during the existence of the aforesaid marriage there were born to her and her said husband the following named children, who are now under the age of sixteen years, viz: Lucia H. Stoner, born the 23 day of June 1853, Florence E. Stoner born the 22 day of August 1855, James C. Stoner born the 23 day of December 1858 and Mary E. Stoner born the 1 day of December 1860, all of whom are still living, and reside in Legrange County Ind.
She also declares that she has in no manner been engaged in , or aided or abetted, the Rebellion in the United States.
(signed) Caroline A. Stoner
(sheet 13 – back side of Widow’s Claim)
Also personally appeared James Taylor and Abner Lewis, residents of _____ in the County of Lagrange and State of Indiana, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw Caroline A. Stoner sign her name to the foregoing declaration. They further sear that they were acquainted with the said John H. Stoner, deceased, in his life-time, and know that he and the said Caroline A. Stoner, lived and cohabited together as man and wife, up to the time when he entered the service, and that they were generally recognized as such by their acquaintances and neighbors, and their marriage was never questioned. That during the continuance of said marriage there were born to them the following named children, all of whom are now under the age of sixteen years, viz: Lucia H. Stoner, Florence E. Stoner, James C. Stoner, and Mary E. Stoner.
That since the death of her said husband, the said Caroline A. Stoner has not married, but is still a widow; and that she is the identical person she represents herself to be. All the foregoing statements they make from their own personal knowledge; and they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.
(signed) James Tylor
Abner Lewis
Sworn to and subscribed before me, the 14th day of January, AD 1864, and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.
Witness my signature and seal of said Court at LaGrange, the day and year aforesaid.
(Signed) Abner S. Case, Clerk
LaGrange Circuit Court
Know All Men by these Presents, that I, Caroline A. Stoner, of Clearspring town, in the County of Lgrange, and State of Indiana, do hereby constitute and appoint William S. Best, by true and lawful Agent and Attorney, for me and in my name to prosecute the claim presented by me for a pension by reason of the service of my late husband; and I do hereby authorize my said Attorney to examine the papers, documents, and records relating to my said claim
(Sheet 14, Widow’s Claim continued)
which may be found in any Department or Office of the Government; to appoint on or more persons to assist him in the business aforesaid; to file additional evidence or arguments when necessary; to receive the certificate which may issue in my name upon said claim; and to do any and all lawful acts necessary in effecting the object of his said appointment.
In Testimony whereof, I hereto set my hand and seal, this 14th day of January, AD 1864.
Executed in the presence of (signed) E. Lund (?)
Abner Lewis
Caroline A. Stoner
The State of Indiana, County of LaGrange, SS.
On this 14th day of January AD 1864 before the undersigned authority within and for said County, personally came Caroline A. Stoner, and acknowledged the signing and sealing of the foregoing power of Attorney, or the purposes therein expressed.
Witness my hand the day and year aforesaid.
(signed) Wm. A. Cornell J. P.
The State of Indiana, County of LaGrange, SS
I, Abner S. Case, Clerk of the LaGrange Circuit Court within and for said County, do certify that Wm. A. Cornell Esq., before whom the foregoing Power of Attorney acknowledgement made, was, at the time of taking the same, and still is, an acting Justice of the Peace, within and for said County, duly commissioned and sworn; and that the signature, purporting to be his, to said certificate acknowledgment, is his genuine signature.
In testimony thereof, I hereto set my hand and affix the seal of our said Court, at LaGrange, this 14th day of January, AD 1864.
(signed) A. S. Case, Clerk
(Sheet 15 - Outside of Widow’s claim)
[Column 1]
Applicant’s Address
Caroline A. Stoner
Ligonier Indiana
Attorney’s Address
Wm. S. Best
Legonier Ind
[Column 2]
(Stamped)
Department of the Interior
Jan 26 1864
Pension Office
(Sheet 16 – Claim for Widow’s Pension, Proof Brief)
Ft. Wayne
War of 1861
Claim for Widow’s Pension
Brief in the case of Caroline A. Stoner, widow of John H. Stoner musician o. H. 44th Inda Vols resident of Lagrange County and State of Ind. Post Office address Ligonier Inda.
Declaration and identification in due form
Proof Exhibited
Service:
A.G. U.S.A. reports dec’d enrolled Oct 15th ’64, & discharged for disability Aug 26th 1863. Certificate of discharge for Discharge. Dec’d discharged Aug 26 1863 in a/o of Chronic Diarrhea of more than a years duration. Disease originated time of enlistment, Inj. Of Rec’d (?) dec’d was sent to Hosp. June 27th 1863 on account of chronic diarrhea.
Death:
The Attending Physician makes with that dec’d died Sept 28th 1863 of Chronic Diarrhea contracted in the service of the U.S.
Marriage:
Certified from a record of officiating Clergyman whose character as a Baptist Clergyman is Certified by a J.P. whose official character is certified by Clk of Fulton County NY.
Names and dates of birth of children.
Four children, names & ages given.
Loyalty:
(unreadable, begins with A, looks like Amen)
Agent and his P.O. Address
William S. Best – Legonier Inda
Admitted June 30th 186_, to a pension of $8.00 per month, commencing Sept 28th 1863.
Exd. (signed) D. M. Kissinger, Examining Clerk.
(sheet 17 – fill-in form for Increase)
War of 1861 Act of July 25, 1866
Claim for Increase of Widow’s Pension.
Supplemental to case in which Certificate No. 50753 was issued July 8th 1865.
Brief in the case of Caroline A. Stoner, Widow of John H. Stoner, musician, Co., “H”, 44th Regt. Ind. Vols.
Resident of Lagrange County, and State of Ind
Post Office address: Hawpatch, Lagrange Co., Indiana
Declaration and Identification in due form
Proof Exhibited
Abandonment or Adoption:
Children not abandoned or adopted.
Date of Marriage of Parents
October 20th 1850
Names and dates of births of children
Lucia E. Stoner, Born June 23rd 1853 who will be 16 years old June 22d, 1869.
Florence E. Stoner, born August 22nd 1855, who will be 16 years old August 21st, 1871.
James C. Stoner, born December 23rd 1858, who will be 16 years old Dec 22nd, 1874.
Mary E. Stoner, born December 1st 1860, who will be 16 years old Nov 30th, 1876.
Proof of ages
Affidavit of attending physician
Only Children
Affidavits of credible witnesses
Agent and his P.O. Address
William S. Best
Ligonier Indiana
Issue certificate for Eight dollars per month, commencing Sept 28th, 1863 and two dollars per month additional for each of the above-named children, commencing 25th day of July 1866, deducting former payments.
(signed) T. C. Clark, Examiner
Passed April 19th 1867
Approved TCC
(sheet 18 – widow’s declaration for increase)
Widow’s Declaration for Increase of Pension
Act of July 1866
State of Indiana }
Noble County } ss.
On this 17th day of September, 1866, befoe me Hram S. Lawsley Clerk of the Circuit Court in and for the County and State above named, personally appeared Mrs. Caroline A. Stoner aged 42 years, who being duly sworn according ot law, declares that her Post Office address is Hawpatch in the County of Lagrange and state of Indiana, and the is the widow of John H. Stoner formerly in the service of the United States as a Musician in Company H in the 44th Regiment of Ind Vols and that by reason of the service and death of her said husband, she is a pensioner of the united states on the roll of the Ft. Wayne Ind agency at $8.00 per month – as will appear by her pension certificate herewith presented.
She further states, that she has now the folloing named children, under the age of sixteen years; the said children being also the children of her late husband named above, and are of the ages respectively named
Lucia E. Stoner aged 13 year the 23nd day of June 1866. Florence E. Stoner aged 11 years old at the 22nd day of August 1866. James C. Stoner aged 7 years the 23rd of December 1865. Mary E. Stoner aged 5 years the1st of December 1865.
She makes this declaration for the purpose of obtaining the increased pension to which she is entitled under the provisions of the Act approved July, 1866, and hereby constitutes and appoints Wm. S. Best her Attorney, to prosecute her claim and procure her pension certificates, and revokes and countermands all former authority that may have been given for the above specified prupose.
Witnesses
Signed
Mary J. Parks
James Taylor
Signature of Applicant
Caroline A. Stoner
Sworn to, subscribed, and acknowledged before me, and also personally appeared Mary J. Parks a resident of Ligonier Indiana and James Parks a resident of LaGrange Co., Ind persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, who being duly sworn, according to law, declare that they are personally acquainted with Mrs. Caroline A. Stoner widow of John H. Stoner who has made the foregoing declaration, and know that she is the identical person she represents herself to be, and that she is in receipt of a pension as stated in said declaration, and that her statement of the names and ages of her children are true. That their knowledge of her identity as the pensioner named, and of the names and ages of her children, is derived from personal knowledge and intimate acquaintance with the family.
(Sheet 19 – declaration continued from 18)
And they further testify that they are not interested in this claim nor engaged in its prosecution
(signed) Mary J. Parks
James Taylor
Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 17th day of September 1866 and I hereby certify that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim, and that the contents of the above were made know and explained to the applicant and witnesses before signing.
In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed my official seal
(signed) Hriam S. Towsley, Clerk
Noble Circuit Court.
[outside cover fold]
50753
Widow’s Declaration for
Increase of Pension
Mrs. Caroline Stoner
Widow of John H. Stoner
(Sheet 20 – handwritten letters of evidence)
April 20 1865
This is to certify that I attended on John H. Stover a Musician in Company H 44th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers in his last illness and certify that his disease was Chronic Diarrhea which disease was contracted while in the service of the United States and of which he died on the 28th day of September 1863.
(signed) David Rogers
State of Indiana}
Noble County }ss
Before me Oscar P. Hervey a notary public in and for said county came Dr. David Rogers who subscribed and was duly sworn to his certificate whereunto answered and I certify that he is a respectable practicing physician in said County, I further certify that I have no interest directly or indirectly in the prosecution of this claim. In witness wherof I have hereunto set my hand and notarial seal this 20th day of April 1865.
(signed) O.P. Hervey
Notary Public
(over)
(Sheet 21 – handwritten letters of evidence)
State of Indiana}
Noble County }ss.
I Hiram S. Towsley Clerk of the Circuit Court within and for said County hereby certify that Oscar Pe Hervy Esq. Before whom the foregoing affidavit was made was and still is an acting notary public within and for said county duly commissioned and sworn and I further certify that the signature attached to the foregoing Certificate is true and genuine signature. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of our said Court at Albion this 25th day of April 1865.
(signed) Hiram S. Tousley
Clerk
(Sheet 22 – Handwritten letter of evidence)
Med (H or 96th, unreadable) 44 Ind Inf Vols
Chattanooga July 28th 1864
Statement in reference to John H. Stoner, Mus. Co H, 44 Ind Vols
John H. Stoner, Mus. Co H. 44 Ind Vols was sent to Gen Hospital at Louisville KY Sept 29th 1862 on account of chronic diarrhea contracted whilst in line of duty. Returned to the Regiment on or about the first of June 1863 in convalescent condition, and was again sent to Gen Hospital June 27th 1863 on account of Chronic Diarrhea contracted as above.
I certify that the above statement is true.
(signed) Jno H. Renick
Surgeon 44 Ind Vol Inf
[4][1] This would be Caroline’s youngest daughter!
[5][2] 2nd daughter
[6][3] 3rd daughter