27 Mar 2000: Received 25 pages of the pension file of James W. Sims. I had included a note asking for copies of the entire file (which I understand is quite large) and/or for the portions of the file regarding the DAVIS family. Surprisingly, none of the pages duplicated those that Linda already had. I put them in order of dates. This is what I got:
RE: James W. Sims:
 | Cover page: THE NATIONAL ARCHIVES; CERT. NO. 772721; PENSIONER: Salina, Widow OF VETERAN: James W. Sims; NO: 60151; BUNDLE NO: 13 |
| Copy of Marriage License: Married 18 Jan 1885, Highlandville, Christian Co., MO. |
| DECLARATION FOR AN ORIGINAL INVALID PENSION. State of Missouri
County of Christian SS: On this 29 day of July 1886 personally
appeared before me a county clerk of the court of record within and for the
County and State aforesaid James W. Sims aged 60 years, who, being duly
sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical James W. Sims who
was Enrolled on the 7th day of Mch, 1862, in Company F of the 14th regiment
of and afterwards transferred to Co. M 8th Mo. S. M. Cav and was honorably
Discharged at Springfield Missouri on the 18 day of April 1865 That his
personal description is as follows: Age 60 years; height 6 feet ___ inches;
complexion fair, hair dark, eyes blue. That while a member of the
organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of duty at Granby in
the State of Missouri on or about the last day of Aug, 1864, he contracted
disease of eyes and rheumatism and pains in back from heat, exposure and
causes incident to the service & has never recovered therefrom.
That he was treated in hospitals as follows: By Surgeon of the Regiment in
Clamp, only. That he has not been in the military or naval service of
the United State since the 18th day of April 1865. That since leaving
the service this applicant has resided in the County of Christian in the
State of Missouri, and that his occupation has been that of a Farmer. Dated 29 July 1886, Jno Rogers, Clerk Co Court |
| DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Pension Office, Jany 12, 1887. No.
582-375 Sir: I have the honor to request that you will furnish from the records of the War Department a full Report as to the service, disability and hospital treatment of James W. Sims, who, it is claimed, enlisted Mar 7, 1862, and served as Private in Co. F, 14 Reg't, Mo S. M. Cav; also in Co. (left blank) and was discharged at Springfield Mo., April 18, 1865. While serving in Co. F, 14 Reg't, Mo S. M. Cav he was disabled by Affection of eyes and back. also rheumatism Granby Mo. Aug 1864 and was treated in hospitals.......as follows: Regimental Hospital. Very Respectfully, John C. Black, Commisioner |
| This one has the number 582.375 written in the upper left corner.
WAR DEPARTMENT, ADJUTANT GENERAL'S OFFICE, Washington, Apl. 29,
1887. Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions. James W. Sims, a Private of Company "F" 14th Regiment Mo. Cav. S. M. Volunteers, was enrolled on the 7th day of March, 1862, at Springfield Mo. for the war and is reported: On roll of co from enrollment to June 30, '62 present. Same to Feby 63. -- May & June '63 of Co, "M" 8th Mo Cav S. M. Vols. (to which transf'd). absent, ass'g'd to this Co Mar 15, '63, has never reported. July & Aug '64 present, awaiting sentence of a Gen'l Ct M'l (prior rolls to June 30, '64 not borne). Sept & Oct '64 present. Nov & Dec '64 absent sick in Stone Co. Mo., since Sept 5, '64. Jan'y & Feb'y '65 present. M.o. Roll of Co dated April 18 '65 reports him, mus' out that date, at Springfield Mo., with sentenced to forfeit all pay and allowances during said absence. Proceedings &c &c approved and promulgated in G. O. ?/2 of Sept 11, 1864 from Hd. Qrs. Dist of South West Missouri" Records of this Office furnish no further information as to disability. |
| [This one is in very poor handwriting. It is an affidavit given
by James W. Sims] GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. State of Missouri; County of Stone; Pension Claim of James W. Sims........who declares as follows: his disability is Rhumatism and disease of the Eyes J was at Granbey missouri in Line of duty in the service of the United State his ???? the month of November 1864 The above date and Plase is whar jmas first? affected whot Rhumatisiam and desease of Eyes J never was arrested or court martialed during the Rebellarn or the time of my servis in the Fedrel army we was disbanded at Springfield missouri in March 1863? and our offisers gave us Leave two go home and stay untill call for and When call for J Reportid for duty at Springfield missouri and was assigned two my command at granby missouri and that J reported two headquarters and amediatly for duty when we was reorganised and company was changed from Co H 14 Cav too 14 M Co ????? This affidavid was riten daun in my presance and J was not ......... [Very hard to read. I'll gladly send you a copy <grin> ] Dated 15th day of March 1895 James signed with an X, witnesses were, ??? and A. ? James |
| Dated 10 May 1897 to Hon. H Clay Craus, Commr of Pensions, Washington,
D.C.; Sir; Herewith I have the honor to return all papers in the case of Jas. W. Sims, Co. F 14 and M 8 Mo. S?? Cav. ?? -- No. 559.897. a pensioner at #12.00 under Act of June 27, 1890. Pending claim based on disease of eyes and rheumatism as of service origin has been undergoing special examination to determine general merit, and papers came to me in furtherance of such examination an with notice waived for testimony of Samuel Barclay and John Wilhite (B. J. 5) Barclay is of fair standing in the community and his reputation is said to be good. Wilhite is an ignorant farmer and of fair reputation for truth and voracity. He fails to morroborate his former testimony. I addressed circular letters of inquiry to the other comrades (2) named on list as residing in my district, one of which was returned unclaimed and I have not been able to locate him. The other replied to my letter and seemed to possess knowledge of value to the case and although he had moved outside my district, I went after him and secured his deposition. On direct examination he failed to corroborate his statements (letter) made only a few months before and I can account for the fact only on the theory that he refreshed his memory by a talk with the claimant before answering my letter and had since forgotten the diseases on which claim is made. This man is a selfconstituted Baptist preacher and bears the name of an honest, truthful citizen, but his actions in this case are not very creditable to him. The claimants record, whether correct or not, is not credible to him. His statements asto date of origin of diseases are conflicting. The evidence thus far secured is likewise conflicting. All things considered the claim looks to be of doubtful merit. I suggest that case be sent to Los Angeles, California, for X-examination Liet. Robt M. McReynolds (B.J.4) sec Ex- F.? Very respectfully, F. P. Bousher Special Examiner [This is a two page letter. On the margin of the first page it says, " Papers in this case were slightly damaged by water while forging James Rises last week. Bousher Sp-Ex". Interesting little note, I thought. NML] |
| Certificate No. 559897 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, Bureau of
Pensions, Washington, D.C., January 15, 1898. Sir: In forwarding
to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment
please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the
questions enumerated below. Very respectfully, ?????
Commissioner. 1. Are you married? If so, please state your wife's full name and her maiden name. Answer: yes Salina Sims Maiden name Davis 2. When, where and by whom were you married? Answer: January 1885 Christian Co., Mo Rev Samuells 3. What record of marriage exists? Answer: Christian county Record. 4. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce. Answer: No 5. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth. Answer: Yes Oscar Sims Jun ?th 1878 Mary Jane Sims December 1886 Date of reply, May 4, 1898; Signature James W Sims |
| PENSIONER DROPPED. United States Pension Agency, Topeka,
Kansas. Apr 8 - 1907; Certificate No. 559, 897; Class INVALID;
Pensioner James W. Sims; Service F, 14 Reg't, Mo S. M. Cav The Commissioner of Pensions. SIR: I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner who was last paid at $12, to Aug 4 - 1906 has been dropped because of DEATH Oct. 14, 1906. ? M. Ponce de Leon, Mo. Very respectfully, ? |
RE: Salina Sims
| DECLARATION FOR WIDOW'S PENSION. State of Missouri, County of Stone....appeared...Salina Sims aged 62 years, a resident of Ponce de Leon, Stone Co., MO....she is the widow of James W. Sims who ... died Oct 14, 1906 at Ponce de Leon Mo. That she was married under the name of Salina Davis to said James W. Sims on the 18 day of Jan 1885 by G. W. Masters at Highlandville Mo; .....previously married ..... dissolved by Death and Divorce. No children under age 16. That she has applied for pension under Act 7 June 27, 1890 No 887040 as widow of James W. Sims .... Her Post Office address is Ponce de Leon County of Stone State of MO. Salina signed with an X, witnesses were W. S. Lee and H J Daugherty. Both witnesses were residents of Ponce de Leon. They have known her 30 and 4 years respectively. Dated 7 Sep 1908 |
| GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. (General is crossed out and Claimant's is written) Page
1 & Page 2 STATE OF Missouri; COUNTY OF Stone: In the matter of the claim for Widows Pension Salina Sims, widow of James W Sims Co. F 14 Mo S.M. Cavy M. 8 mo S M cav. Personally came before me a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid Salina Sims aged 62 years address Ponce de Leon Stone Co. Mo. person of lawful age, who, being sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid claim, as follows: That the Soldier was formerly married to Rosa Cox who died That he was also formerly married to Lucinda Galloway Woody and was Seperated by Divorce Also he was formerly married to Sarah Jane Tatim who died in the year 1862. That the claimant was married to the Soldier on the 18th day of January 1885 That she was formerly married to John Davis who died That she was formerly married to Chas. Wilkie who died in the year 1866. That she was formerly married to John Dobbs who died 40 od years ago. Salina signed the document with an X. Witnesses to her mark were: H. C. Sims and J. H. Mcreynolds; Sworn to and subscribed before me, this 15th Dec 1908 at Ponce de Leon ........ that the affiant is to me well known and is Respectable & credible ...... George E. Curtis, Notary Public |
| GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. State of Missouri; County of Christian: In the
matter of the claim of Salina, widow of Jas. W. Sims F 14 Mo Cav Personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid Salina Sims [address] School Missouri person of lawful age, who, being duly sworn, declare in relation to the aforesaid claim, as follows: That I Salina Sims can not sign my name and the reason my last communication to you was apparently in my hand writing was that the party that wrote it for me signed my name and never requested me to make my mark. Salina signed with an X, witnesses were Joseph Choate and John R. McGinnis. Dated 19 July 1913 at Spokane, Christian Co., MO |
| PENSIONER DROPPED; Dept of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions: Apr 30, 1920;
Certificate No. 772721; Class: Act of April 19, 1908; Pensioner Salina Sims;
Soldier James W. The Commissioner of Pensions. Sir: I have the honor to report that the name of the above-described pensioner who was last paid at $25, to Feb 4, 1920 has this day been dropped from the roll because of death, April 12 - 1920 Salina Sims; Hurley MO 772721 Act Apr Very Respectfully, ??? Chief, Finance Division. |
| APPLICATION FOR REIMBURSEMENT. State of Missouri, County of
Stone: On this 11th day of May, 1920 ..... personally appeared
... C. E. Mosher, aged 36 years, a resident of School MO, County of
Stone, .... makes the following declaration in order to obtain reimbursement
.... for expenses paid in the last sickness and burial of Salina Sims, who
was pensioner of the United State by certificate No. 772721, on account of
service of James W. Sims in Private Co F. 14 Reg & Co M 8. Regament Mo
State Militia Cavalry. That pension was last paid to Feby 4th,
1920. [Next are questions. I will put down the ones that were
answered.] 1. What was the full name of the deceased pensioner? Salina Sims 2. In what capacity was decedent pensioned? Widow 4. Did pensioner leave a child under 16 years of age? No 6. Were any sick or death benefits paid on pensioner's account? No 7. Was there insurance.....? No 13. Is there an executor or administrator, or will application be made for appointment of any person as administrator? No 14. Did the deceased pensioner leave any money, real estate, or personal property? No not of value 15. If so, state the character and value of all such property -- her clothing and bed 18. Did pensioner leave an unindorsed pension check? No 19. What was your relation to the deceased pensioner? Son in Law 20. Are you married? Yes 21. What was the cause of pensioner's death? Apploplexy 22. When did the pensioner's last sickness begin? Sept 27 - 1919 23. From what date did the pensioner become so ill as to require the regular and daily attendance of another person constantly until death? Sept 27 - 1919 24. Give the name and post office address of each physician who attended the pensioner during last sickness: J. H. Wade - Ponce De Leon MO 25. State the names of the persons by whom the pensioner was nursed during the last sickness: My wife Mary J. Mosher and myself. 26. Where did the pensioner live during last sickness? at my house 27. Where did the pensioner die? at my house 28. When did the pensioner die? Apl 12 - 1920 29. Where was the pensioner buried? Ponce De Leon MO 30. Has there been any payments........ No 31. List expenses of pensioner's last sickness and burial: Dr. J. H. Wade-Physician: Pd; Mary J Mosher-Nursing and care: No charge; Baker & Litcins-Undertaker: $90.30. No claims for other expenses. Also appeared D. C. Litcins and J. L. McHolland who say they knew Salina 10 years, she lived in Hurley part of the time and near us. Then there is a Statement of Attending Physicians saying that she died April 12th 1920. She died of Apoplexy and Paralysis of left side. She was cared for by her daughter. Dated May 10th, 1920, signed by J. H. Wade |
More of James' pension sent to us by Linda Mulkey.