Robert/Harriet Burns Pension

Contributed by: Patti Smith

Please Note:I could not always make out some of the hand writing. Spelling is as written in depositions.

[In these files, there is a copy of a handwritten letter of complaint [supposedly written by a BUCK BOWING] about Harriet (Dixon) Burns title to pension. There is a letter from the Department of Interior, Bureau of Pension dated Sept 16, 1897 requesting an investigation. Hand written letter reads (as best as I can read the handwriting). The spelling is as written in letter]:

“I will inform you that ROBERT BURNS of Manchester, Clay Co, KY is dead whitch said BURNS was Drawing a Pention for his eyes and with a stomache desease and now, HARRIT BURNES, his wife is wanting to Draw his Pention whitch HARIT is not his lawful wife But NANCY MURL, of Clay Co Ky is his wife and is liveing. So I have heard for further information you rite to BUCK BOWLING at Williams Burg, Whitley Co. KY.”

After investigating this matter, below is a letter from Percy S. Crown
(Spelling?), Special Examiner on his findings:

Wid Orig. 656465
HARRIET BURNS, wid ROBERT BURNS, Co I 14 Ky Cav.
P.O. - "Deceased" Late Ionia, Laurel Co., KY
Office of Special Examinant,
Lexington, KY. Aug 29, '02

Sir:

I have the honor to return the papers in the above cited claim and to submit my report thereon. This Claimant died on or about August 19- 1902. She perhaps been a good character since death of ROBERT BURNS, she had no children by this soldier.

Claim was referred to S. E. Div., to determine legal widowhood and came to me for initial examination.

J.B. BUCK BOWLIN, the stepson of soldier, see preliminary report, is the man sent to Nashville Prison by U.S. Court, for forgery or other crooked work inPension Claims and I think is still in prison. Claimant was mistress of SILAS HOSKINS by whom she had two sons, now grown men, these boys being taken by HOSKINS' wife [this would be PATIENT JONES HOSKINS] and raised with his legitimate children their names appearing on his Bible Record along in order, among his numerous legitimate children. I learned from Asylum Records that ALMIRA BURNS, 51 yrs, married, of Clay Co. Ky was at Asylum April 81 to Oct 81, was an epileptic, correspondent was C?? HAYES, Manchester Ky. I think their is no question that all three of the wives of ROBT BURNS are now dead, the first probably died about time of war, the second likely in Jan 82, shortly after return from Asylum. BURNS had deserted her for HARRIETT DICKSON several years before, but it is not likely that he really married HARRIETT till after ALMIRA died.

However this is not now material, then is no one to file or complete claim based on ROBERT BURN'S ser?? .

Witnesses are good for truth. SILAS HOSKINS is most highly respected now,
I am told.

Recommend consideration Chief Brd of Rev.

Respectfully submitted
Percy S. Crown
Special Examiner

Hon. E. F. War?
Comm. of Pensions
Washington, D.C.

[J.B. Bowlin was the son of Almira, Robert Burns' 2nd wife. The spelling of the surname throughout this deposition is Bowlin and signature is signed that way also. J.B. Bowlin states that he did not write the letter claiming that ROBERT BURNS first wife NANCY MURL was still living.]

On this 29" day of Sept., 1897, at Goldberg, County of Whitley, State of
Ky., before me, CM Laul, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office,
personally appeared J. B. BOWLIN, who being by me first duly sworn to answer
truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination
of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says:

I am 37 years of age, school teacher, P.O. as above. I knew ROBERT BURNS.
He was my step father. I was two years of age when he married my mother
ALMIRA.

BURNS had been married to NANCY MURL so I understand. I don't know whether
he was free to marry or not when he married mother.

I understand NANCY MURL is still living. I was small and don't know whether
BURNS was divorced from NANCY. MURL was her maiden name. My mother died in
1883 in Nov. I know BURNS last wife HARRIET. I don't know whether he and
she were ever married but, I guess they were. I know they lived together
awhile before they were married.

My mother was an epileptic and I had her sent to the Asylum and while she was there, BURNS took up with HARRIET DICKSON. It is my understanding that BURNS and the DICKSON woman were married before mother died. Mother came back from the asylum and died on Otter Creek in Clay Co., Ky at my house. I don't know what day in Nov. she died. The date is in the old bible at my sister ALABAMA CUNDIFF'S house at Manchester, Ky. I don't know who is really the legal widow in this case.

BURNS was never divorced from mother. BURNS was in the 14" KY. Inf. Don't
know the Co. or his Ctf. No.

All the information relative to this case will be found in Clay Co., KY.NANCY MURL did live near (? Au or Eu ...sie) P.O. Don't know whether she has remarried. HARRIET lives near Manchester, KY. I refer you to:

GEN. T.T. GARRETT, Manchester, Clay Co., KY
ALLEN HENSLEY, "
JAMES GIBSON, "
SILAS HOSKINS, Green Mount, Laurel Co., KY

for witnesses in this matter.

I didn't write and know nothing about the letter you have shown me in regard to this case.

I never heard of BURNS' being indicted for anything in regard to these women so I presumed he was properly divorced. I have to interest in this case. I have heard this deposition read. I am correctly recorded.

J.B. BOWLIN - Deponent

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29" day of Sept, 1897, and I certify
that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.

CM LAUL - Special Examiner

Widow No. 656465
Statement in pension claim of HARRIET BURNS, widow of ROBERT BURNS

State of Kentucky
County of Jackson

In the matter of HARRIET BURNS' claim for pension on this 21 day of November
1901 personally appeared before me a notary public within and for the County and State afore stated Legally authorized administer oaths the affiant ALFORD MURRELL a well known Baptist minister in title full credit after being duly sworn by me according to Law deposes as follows:

His age is 69 years old, a resident of Clay County, KY his post office is Oneida Clay County Kentucky, he further states that he was well acquainted with ROBERT BURNS who claimed to have been a soldier in Co J 14 Regt Ky Cav Vols and was well acquainted with his first wife NANCY MURRELL was her maiden name before she was married to ROBERT BURNS. She is now Deceased. She deceased, she died sometime in the year of 1860 or about that time is the best of my recollection. She died at Boonville Owsley County Kentucky. I know she is deceased for I was present and saw her when she died. She was ROBERT BURNSES the soldiers first wife. I know these facts from a personal knowledge. I am not related or concerned in any way Director in direction
the prosecution of this claim for pension.

att: S. R. BOWLING ALFORD MURRELL (his signature)

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 21 day of November, I certify that
this affidavit was read over and explained .......

ALFRED A. GAMBILL
Notary Public J Co KY

---------------------------
Widow No. 656465
Statement in pension claim of HARRIET BURNS, widow of ROBERT BURNS
Claimant for Pension Act of June 27, 1900

State of Kentucky
County of Jackson
Claimant for Pension Act of June 27, 1900

On this 30 day November 1901 personally appeared before me a notary public in and for the county and state aforesaid Legally authorized to administer oaths the affiant MAY HUBBARD after being Duly sworn by me according to Law deposes as follows, his age is 45 years old, a Resident of Ogle Post Office he further states that he was well acquainted with the second wife of ROBERT BURNS who was private Co I 14 Regt KY Cavalry who is now deceased. His second wife’s maiden name was ALMIRA HAYS. She is now deceased. She died on Otter Creek the waters of Goose Creek Clay County Ky. She died on or about January 1882. I was present and hope to bury her near the place she died on Otter Creek as above stated. She died from having a fit and falling in the fire and burned to death as I know these facts as above stated. I am not related on concerned in any way direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim for pension.

att S.R. Bowling May X Hubbard (his mark)
Alexander Delph

Sworn to before me the date above written, I certify that his affidavit was read over and explained to the witness on affiant and he well knew its contents before he signed it. I certify that I cam not related or concerned Direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim for pension. My Commission Expires March 3, 1904

ALFRED A. GAMBILL
Notary Public J Co KY

.
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Deposition A

Case of Harriett Burns, No. 656465

On this 26 ~ day of Aug, 1902, at Green Mount, County of Laurel, State of Ky, before me Percy S. Crown, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions personally appeared SILAS HOSKINS, who being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogations propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:I am 62 years of age; my post-office address is Green Mount, KY, Occupation farmer.

Harriett Burns, who had filed claim for pension as widow of ROBERT BURNS of the 14^th Ky Cav., died last week, on or about August 19^th 1902.

She had been sick for some little time.She left no child by Burns at all.No sir, she had no child born after the death of Burns – I think Harriet had not been married except to ROBERT BURNS.I had known her for a good while.I first knew ROBERT BURNS soon after the war.I never knew NANCY, the first wife of burns, but it strikes me I saw her before the war.I knew her father & family and I think perhaps NANCY died about beginning or during the war.I got to know BURNS soon after the war when he was waiting on ALMIRA BOWLIN, a widow, and it was generally understood then that BURNS first wife was dead.He told me that too.I understood BURNS married ALMIRA BOWLIN.I may have been present, it took place in Clay Co., Ky, about 9 miles east of Manchester.There is no doubt of this marriage.

Page 4 Deposition A

Page 5I know by report that ALMIRA BURNS had fits, but I don’t know I ever saw her have fits, but think I saw here have one.I left that locality and I did not recall she was at asylum.I heard she fell in fire and died from the burns.That was generally understood in the County.I can’t fix the date or even the year that she died.I understood she was separated from ROBT. BURNS, her husband and was living with her son, BUCK BOWLIN at time of her death.BUCK BOWLIN is a U.S. Prisoner at Nashville as I understand, forgery in pensionclaim – HARRIETTS maiden name was HARRIETT DICKSON.I feel pretty sure she took up with – BURNS before his wife ALMIRA died, but I don’t think he was married to her till after ALMIRA died.He lived so near town, near Manchester, and these people were so well known that I don’t think BURNS would have tried to get License or married till after ALMIRA died.He could live with her without trouble, but it was too well known his wife’s condition for him to do such a thing as marry again.I don’t positively know of 1^st wife’s death, but I learned from BURNS that he left her before she died, and I never heard any one ever say she was living after BURNS had ALMIRA.I am satisfied in my own mind that NANCY died before the marriage to ALMIRA & that ALMIRA died before marriage to HARRIETT, though I do not know actual facts or the date.BURNS got $50.00 per month pension, in eyes and I know he complained of eyes soon after I got to know him.Most people believed he was not as blind as he claimed.He could discover blemishes in a hors or cow after he claimed to be blind & I have seen him do things that he must have seen to do.

I had two children by HARRIETT DICKSON before she had BOB BURNS, a son ROBERT HOSKINS, born May 1^st 1873 and LEANDER HOSKINS born June 24– 1876.I raised both of these boys & they never lived with their mother after babyhood.I had a wife & family & took the children into my home & raised them.As near as I can now tell HARRIETT & BURNS began to live together about 1878 or 1879.

She had no child by BURNS, so it can make no difference whether she was the legal wife of BURNS.The other wives are dead so there can be no one to claim pension.BURNS had two children, a son & daughter by ALMIRA, son is dead and the daughter, MARTHA SIZEMORE was grown & married a good while before BURNS died.

HARRIETT BURNS is buried in adjoining farm, The Bowlin Farm Graveyard.HARRIETT owned a little piece of land, enough to bury her, but nothing to speak of.All together owned less than $300.00.She gave our boys the property & they paid the debts & expenses of burial.Have heard this, read, fully understand your questions am correctly recorded [Him???]

Silas Hoskins [signature] , Deponent.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26 – day of Aug 1902 and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing.

Percy S. Crown, [signature], Special Examiner

Page 6Deposition A

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Deposition C
Case of Harriet Burns, No. 656465

On this 27th day of Aug, 1902, at Green Mount, County of Laurel, State of KY before me Percy S. Crown, a special examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared JOHN L. STILLINGS, M.D., who being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this special examination of aforesaid claim for pension, deposes and says:

My age is 33 years. Occupation Physician & Surgeon - Graduate University of Louisville Class of '93. I have known HARRIET BURNS since about 1893. She
has a good reputation in this community since that time.

She was recognized as widow of ROBT. BURNS, whom I had known.

I know nothing of legality of this marriage, or facts as to previous marriages & death. HARRIET BURNS died leaving two grown children ROBT & LEE HOSKINS, but none had any children by BURNS as I have always understood. HARRIET BURNS died on or about Aug 19 - 1902. I saw her about a week before death, and attended her burial on the evening of August 20th, 1902. The exact hour of death I do not know, but death was during night of Tuesday, Aug 19th as I understood. She owned a little home place of about 40 acres as I understand - ...

Have heard this read, fully understand your question and am correctly
recorded.

John L. Stillings, MD
Page 9 Deposition C