Civil War Pension file of Eli Griffitts WAR DEPARTMENT ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE WASHINGTON, May 4, 1885 Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions. ELI GRIFFITTS, a Private of Company G, 49th Regiment Kentucky Infantry Volunteers, was enrolled on the 23rd day of June, 1863, at Perry County, Kentucky for 12 months, and is reported: On muster roll for September and October 1863, Absent no remark, transferred to Company H, December 14, 1863. Roll of said Company for November and December 1863 reports him present, to February 29, 1864 absent. Deserted February 15, 1864. To April 30, 1864 present. To June 30, 1864 present with remark restored to duty with loss of pay and allowances from the 15th of February 1864 to the 23rd day of March 1864 and will make good to the United States the time lost by desertion per order No. 84. To October 31, 1864 present. Mustered out with Company December 26, 1864 at Lexington, Kentucky. Regiment return for October 1863 first on file reports him absent at home sick October 25, 1863. The records of this Office furnish no evidence of alleged disabilities and fail to show nature of sickness for which absent October 1863. No Regimental Hospital Records, Company Books, or Company Returns on file. O D Greene Assistant Adjutant General PROOF OF DISABILITY State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, SS. On this 18th day of June, A.D. 1887, personally appeared before me County Court Clerk in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths JOHN C. DIXON age 63 years, a resident of Hyden, In the County of Leslie and State of Kentucky, and duly sworn according to law, state that he is acquainted with Eli Griffitts applicant for Invalid Pension, and know the said Eli Griffitts to be the identical person of that name who enlisted or volunteered as a Private in Company G and H, 49th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, and who was discharged at Lexington, Kentucky on or about the 26th day of December, 1864 by reason of expiration of term of service. That the said Eli Griffitts while in the line of his duty, at or near Camp Nelson in the State of Kentucky did, on or about _ day of October, 1863, become disabled in the following manner, viz: with some kind of fever and I say some month or two I advised him to go to the hospital, but he did not go and then at Camp Burnside Point in the State of Kentucky he then was complaining with his eye. This was in March 1864 I examined his eye and I discovered a s*i** in said right eye that I, never discovered before. And he still continued in a lingering condition during our time in service. That the facts stated are personally known to the affiant by reason of my being Second Sergeant of said Company H, 49th Regiment Kentucky Volunteers. I have been personally acquainted with the said Eli Griffitts each and every year since our discharge from said service in December 1864. I have lived within 8 to 10 miles each year to the present time he has lived on a decline each year since and this time he is not able to perform any manual labor at all or do himself justice. And deponent further states that he is well acquainted with the claimant, having known hi for at least 30 years and further, that the knowledge of the facts above stated did derive from said acquaintance, and from having served as a Sergeant of Company H, of the 49th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers from the June _ day _ 1863 to the 26th day of December, 1864. And deponent further states that the claimant was a sound and able bodied man at and prior to enlistment, so far as he knew, and that he is totally disinterested in this said claim. Post Office address of affiant is Hyden, Kentucky. J C Dixon State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, 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 and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I further certify that I am in nowise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiant is personally known to me and that he is a credible person. James M Howard Clerk Leslie County Court ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT Whereas I ELI GRIFFITTS In Company H, of the 49th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, War of the Rebellion having made application for pension under the laws of the United States. Now this agreement witnesseth: That for and in consideration of services and to be done in the premise, I hereby agree to allow my agents __ of __ the fee of twenty five ($25) dollars, which shall include all amounts to be paid for any services in the furtherance of said claim; and said fee shall not be demanded by or payable to my said agents, in whole or in part, except in case of the granting of my pension by the Commissioner of Pensons, and then the same shall be paid to them in accordance with the provisions of section 4768 and 4769 of the revised statutes, U.S. Delaney Barger his E.Y. Begley Eli X Griffitts Hyden, Kentucky State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, SS: Be it known that on this day, the 28th day of February A.D. 1887, personally appeared Eli Griffitts the above named, who, after having had read over to him in the hearing and presence of the two attesting witnesses the contents of the foregoing articles of agreement, voluntarily signed and acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed. J.M. Howard, L.C.C By, A.B. Eversole, D.C. AGENT’S ACCEPTANCE And now, to wit, this 7th day of March, A.D. 1887, we accept the provisions contained in the foregoing articles of agreement, and will to the best of our ability, endeavor faithfully to represent the interest of the claimant in the premises. William Fitch Witness our hand the year and day above written. By, William Fitch District of Columbia, County of Washington, SS. Personally came William Fitch, whom I know to be the person he represents himself to be, and who, having signed above acceptance of agreement, acknowledged the same to be his free act and deed. Witness my hand and seal this 8th day of March, 1887 James Fitch Notary Public for D.C. GENERAL AFFIDAVIT State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, SS; In the matter of ELI GRIFFITTS, pension claim no. 320760 On this July 15, A.D. 1887,; personally appeared before me County Court Clerk in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, ELI GRIFFITTS aged 49 years, a resident of __ in the County of Leslie and the State of Kentucky whose Post Office address is Hyden, Kentucky, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: I am Claimant in the pension claim, he states that he has not been treated by any physicians since his discharge for alleged disability for right eye, that his eye was finally lost and that he did not consider that a physician could benefit it. Further states that Dr. Swisher and Dr. Miller the Regimental Physician who treated him while in the service for the alleged disease of right eye & that he has tried to procure the testimony of Dr. Miller at Louisville, Kentucky and failed to procure any affidavit from Dr. Miller, but can’t state the reason why he did not make an affidavit, he states that he has been treated by Dr. S. Blair for other diseases since discharge, but not for the eye. his A. B. Eversole Eli X Griffitts John Lewis State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, 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, and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I further certify that I am in nowise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiant is personally known to me that he is a credible person. James M. Howard Clerk Leslie County Court GENERAL AFFIDAVIT In the matter of the pension claim of ELI GRIFFITTS of Company H, 49th Kentucky Volunteers # 320760 On this 18th day of June A.D. 1887; personally appeared before me a Clerk in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, JOHN M. BOWLIN aged 30 years, a resident in the County of Leslie and State of Kentucky whose Post Office address id Hyden, Kentucky, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: States that he has been acquainted with the claimant Eli Griffitts for the last 20 years, at my first acquaintance with claimant he was complaining with the loss of his right eye, I have lived a neighbor to claimant for the last 20 years and have been with him nearly all that time. I further declare that I have no interest in said case and am not concerned in its prosecution. Allen Lewis his James L. Lewis John X Bowlin State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, 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 and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I further certify that I am in nowise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that the said affiant is personally known to me that he is a credible person Carlow Hoskins Deputy Clerk Leslie County Court GENERAL AFFIDAVIT State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, SS; In the matter of the pension claim of ELI GRIFFITTS, Company H, 49th Kentucky Volunteers #320760 On this 18th day of June A.D. 1887, personally appeared before me a County Court Clerk in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, STOKELY BOWLIN aged 56 years, a resident in the County of Leslie and State of Kentucky well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: I was a member of the above named Company and Regiment. I was well acquainted with said applicant for 10 years prior to our enlistment, he had all appearance of being sound and able bodied man prior to said enlistment in about the month of March 1864 while at Camp Burnside Point in the State of Kentucky he complained of loosing his right eye. I believe from personal knowledge of the facts that he had some kind of fever prior to that time in the fall of 1863. He had fever I believe from acquisition with him during our time in the service, it came from said fever and cold and exposure. I examined said applicant’s eye and discovered something like a speck in said eye. I have lived near said applicant each year since his discharge. His right eye is still afflicted he has been on decline each year since discharge. He is now not able to perform any manual labor and do himself justice. I further declare that I have no interest in said case and am not concerned in its prosecution. John Lewis his John C. Dixon Stokely X Bowlin State of Kentucky County of Leslie, Sworn to and subscribed by me this day by the above named affiant, and I certify that I read said affidavit to said affiant and acquainted him with its contents before he executed the same. I further certify that I am in nowise interested in said case, nor am I concerned in its prosecution; and that said affiant is personally known to me and that he is a credible person. James M. Howard Clerk Leslie County Court GENERAL AFFIDAVIT State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, In the matter of EL GRIFFITTS, H, 49th Kentucky Volunteers. On this 18th day of November A.D. 1887, personally appeared before me a Deputy County Court Clerk in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths, WILLIAM LEWIS aged 52 years, a resident in the County of Clay and State of Kentucky whose Post Office address is Napier, Clay County, Kentucky well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: I was well acquainted with Eli Griffitts claimant in this action at and prior to his enlistment in the War of 1861. He then had the appearance of being sound and healthy bodied man. I was well acquainted with said Eli Griffitts at the time of his discharge from the service December 1864 when he returned home. His right eye looked to me as if it was out or had became to look so to me. He stated that he was loosing said eye, he labored for me some time afterwards, his eye was then finally out and did not appear to see any out of it. I saw him frequently after his discharge until about 11 years past I have not saw him since if there had been any thing the matter with his eye I would have known it prior to his enlistment. I make this statement from personal knowledge and personal acquaintance with claimant. He is disabled to some extent from said disability but could not tell to what amount. I further declare that I have no interest in said case and am not concerned in its prosecution. J.M. Creech his S.J. Lewis William X Lewis DECLARATION FOR ORIGINAL INVALID PENSION State of Kentucky County of Clay On this 6th day of September A.D. one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine personally appeared before me, Deputy Clerk of the Clay Circuit Court, a court of record within and for the county and State aforesaid ELI GRIFFITTS, aged 40 years, a resident of Spring Creek, County of Clay, State of Kentucky who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical person who enlisted under the name of Eli Griffitts on the __day__ 1863, as a Private in Company H of the 49th regiment of Kentucky commanded by Lt. Jesse Mattingly-Spring Creek and was Honorably Discharged at Lexington, Kentucky on the 26th day of December 1864; that his personal description is as follows: age 40 years; height 5 feet 10 inches; complexion fair; hair gray; eyes blue. That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Camp Nelson in the State of Kentucky on or about the 1st day of September 1863, he contracted disease, fever and loss of one eye as at above place caused by exposure and hardships accounted to the service. That he was treated in hospitals as follows: Received treatment by Regimental Doctor for fever and eye lost. That he has not been employed in the military or naval service otherwise stated above. That since the 26th day of, December A.D.,1864, he has not been employed in the military or naval service of the United States. That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the counties of Perry, Leslie and Clay, in the State of Kentucky and his occupation has been that of a farmer. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound physical health, being when enrolled a farmer. That he is now partially disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, received in the service of the United States; and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States. He hereby appoints with full power of substitution and revocation, GILMORE & CO., of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful Attorneys to prosecute his claim; and requests that the certificate issued in this case be delivered to them. That he has nor received or applied for a pension, That his Post Office address is Manchester, County of Clay, State of Kentucky. Witnesses to claimant’s signature: R G Potter his John H. Gilbert Eli X Griffitts Also personally appeared John Napper residing at Leslie County, Kentucky and John Asher residing at Clay County, Kentucky persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Eli Griffitts the claimant sign his mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim. His John X Napper His John X Asher Witnesses to signatures of identifying witnesses: R G Potter John H. Gilbert Sworn to and subscribed before me this 6th day of September A.D. 1879, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words Spring Creek erased, and the words Manchester added; and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim. Jesse Mattingly D.C.C.C.C Hyden, Ky. August 10, 1884 Hon. John Black, Commissioner of Pensions Dear Sir in regards to yours of July 21, 1884. My residence was Perry County, Ky. My P.O. address was Hazard, Ky. Until 1871 then Clay County, Ky. Was my residence was Spring Creek until 1878 then Leslie County, Ky. And Hyden was my P.O. address- My occupation has been that of a farmer- during the time. I further state the disability of the right eye origin from fever while in the service of the United States at Camp Nelson, Ky. In November or December 1863 and finally lost said eye at Burnside Point in the Spring of 1864. I further state that I have not been treated by any physician for the disease of right eye since discharge, the reason why I have not it was finally out and I had no hopes of any recovery of sight ever being restored. Yours Respectfully, Eli X Griffitts Deposition “H” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 29th day of July, 1890, at Pigeon Roost, County of Clay State of Ky, before me, W.H. Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared CYNTHIA J. BOWLIN, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 50 years, occupation housekeeper, and wife of Stokley Bowlin, & P.O. as above. I have known Eli Griffitts since 7 or 8 years before enlistment. He married my half-sister and lived in the house with me and near by, and saw him often. I never heard him complain a grain before he went into the army. I heard that Andy Hoskins hit him in the eye with a rock, but don’t recollect hearing him complain or noticing anything wrong with his eyes. He and my husband came home (first time) with Lieut. Jesse Mattingly and others and both took fever about as soon as they got home and were not able to go back for a month or two. We were in adjoining houses and I saw him everyday. He was so bad he could not help himself awhile. Complained of his head and limbs. Do not know of any affliction to eyes. When he returned from discharge he was very fleshy, but was turning gray, and has been getting grayer ever since. I have heard him complain of losing one eye for the last 7 or 8 years- said it was from cold caught in service. He complains of his back and limbs a great deal during above time. This is all I know about him. I never testified before, no interest, understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. I cannot write. Attest: her James Bowlin Cynthia J. X Bowlin Mark Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of July, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W. H. Mears Special Examiner Deposition “G” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 1st day of Aug. 1890, at Hoskinston, County of Leslie State of Ky., before me, W.H. Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared MRS. FRANKIE GRIFFITTS, who, being by me first and duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this special examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is about 49 years, occupation housekeeper & P.O. as above. I am the wife of Eli Griffitts- we were married about 3 years before he enlisted, up to which time his eyes were sound and all right- he hunted and shot a great deal. He never received any injury to his eyes- was not hit with a rock by Andy Hoskins or anybody else. He came home and was down sick a long time, awhile after enlistment- forget dates- he and Stokley Bowlin were both down at the same time. Claimant was bad off, out of his head a good deal, and was “awful low”. He could not swallow anything for a good while after he got a stomach to eat. We thought he had fever- had no doctor. Don’t recollect what he did complain of. He went back to the army as soon as able. I think he complained of pains in his head- forget whether he complained of his eye, or whether it was watering. He was at home only once more before discharge and just a little while before this. I think he was then complaining of one eye being out- I know he was when he got home from discharge. I saw the sight of the right eye was bigger than the other. I never paid much attention, or tried him to see whether this eye was out or not. I have noticed ever since that he could not see well and he has all along said he was blind in this right eye. He has had no injury to eye or eyes since discharge, and has had no medical treatment for eyes since service. I heard him say this eye went out in service after he had fever. I have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. I can’t write. Attest: her Wm. Roberts Frankie X Griffitts Mark Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of Aug., 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W.H. Mears Special Examiner Deposition “E” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 1st day of Aug, 1890, at Hoskinston, County of Leslie State of Kentucky, before me, WH Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared JAMES WHITEHEAD, 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: My age is 45 years, occupation farmer & P.O. as above. I knew Eli Griffitts for as long as 4 years prior to enlistment, did not live over 8 miles apart- knew him on sight. I never knew nor heard of anything being wrong with his eyes or of any injury to same before service. We went and enlisted together and served to discharge in Co “H” “49” Ky. Vol. Infy- Privates. I don’t remember the dates- my discharge would show, but it is at home. We were all medically examined- clothes stripped- don’t recollect being present when he was examined. I had fever and was very low at Camp Nelson, Ky. soon after enlistment and heard he had it too- I saw him after he got up, and was looking pale, weak and bad. He was complaining, but do not recollect just what it was in particular. I do not remember hearing him complain or seeing anything wrong with either eye during service. It does appear that there was something wrong with one toward the last , but I am not certain. We have lived from about 1 ½ to 8 miles apart ever since discharge and I can’t recollect exactly when I first heard him complain of one of his eyes, but he has said all along that one was out. He has said this all the time since discharge that I have taken notice to him. He said it was caused by fever in service. He has had no injury to eye or eyes since the war. I don’t know which eye is out. I made an affidavit in this case and do no write. It is about 3 miles around the road, but not over 2 across the mountain and have seen him once a month on an average. He was a witness for me, no relation, no interest, have understood your questions and my answers are correctly set down here. Attest: his James Simpson James X Whitehead mark Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of Aug, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W.H. Mears Special Examiner Deposition “F” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 1st day of July, 1890, at Flat Lick, County of Knox State of Ky., before me WH Mears, Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared JOHN T. COLLINS, who, being by me duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 52 years, occupation farmer and P.O. as above. I served from July 1863 to December 26, 1864, a Corp. Co “H” 49th Ky. Inft. I well remember Eli Griffitts who served as private in same organization. At Camp Nelson, Ky. The last of August or in September 1863 he was sick and excused from duty for about a month. I visited him several times while sick- do not recollect whether he was in tent or Regtl. Hospital- no G.H. there. He appeared bad off- pale and feeble and I saw the Regtl. Dr. visit him (Dr. Hogan) and heard the Dr. say he had fever. He never appeared very stout after that to discharge. He was sick at Camp Garrard in December 1863-this was near Somerset, Ky. He was excused from duty, day at a time, for about a week. Then in 1864, March or April he was sick and excused from duty for a week or so. He complained of Diarrhea at these last two named places and I saw him going to stool. I know I wanted him to go on duty, and he would go to the Dr. and he was excused, as I saw. Do not recollect his condition in particular at discharge, nor whether he came home as I did. Do not recollect of anything being wrong with his eyes. I have not seen him but about three times since service and that for only a little while. After hearing his allegations does not refresh my memory- only he had bad fever as alleged and it appears like he had measles. At Camp Burnside, Ky. If there had been anything wrong with his eyes, I did not notice it or if I did, I do not now remember. I am not related or interested. I have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. John T. Collins Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of July, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W.H. Mears DEPOSITION “D” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 29th day of July, 1890, at Pigeon Roost, County of Clay State of Ky, before me, WH Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared JOHN M. BOWLIN, who being by me duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: My age is 34 years, occupation farmer, & P.O. as above. I have known Eli Griffitts ever since I can recollect, lived in same house soon after the war and at times since, and never over 5 miles apart except one year xxxx- until this past Spring when I moved down here. We have worked together each and every year since the war until this year, more or less, on farm & making tubs. I have heard him complain of one of his eyes (forget which one) ever since the war- and all along has shot with both eyes open and left handed. About 12 years ago I first remember noticing the sight of one bigger than the other and he said he could not see anything out of it. This is the first I remember of him saying he was blind in that eye. He has complained all along of his breast- has to stand up to eat for last 10 or 12 years, and keeps a bucket of water sitting by. He drinks from a quart to ½ gallon and throws up his victuals regular. Do not remember when but said his eye went out from cold caught in service while standing on guard. He was a “Tip Top” hand up to 10 or 12 years ago, since then he has not been able to do full work- can’t do 1/3 what he used to. He and I hitched in a wild steer to a sled, the steer ran off and the sled caught him in the front and “drug” him 300 or 400 yards and throwed him against a tree- put his ankles out of place and hurt him all over- layed up some 10 or 12 days before he could go home. This was 3 or 4 years ago. A heifer run over him after this and throwed one shoulder out of place. I forget whether I ever made an affidavit in this case or not but may have don’t know. (B #14) Do not remember ever signing by mark. I know of no one else by that name and age. He is uncle by marriage, no interest, understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. John M. Bowlin Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of July, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W.H. Mears DEPOSITION “E” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 28th day of July 1890, at Pigeon Roost, County of Clay State of Ky, before me W mears, a special examiner of the pensions office, personally appeared Stokely Bolin, 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: My age is 63 years, occupation farmer and P.O. as above. I have known Eli Griffitts since boyhood, and for 5 or 6 years preceding the war. We did not live over 5 or 6 miles apart and near as 1/4 of a mile. We put in rafts, made rails and did all sorts of farm work together-hunted and shot together. He was as good a hand as any man for his weight-if ever he was sick any or severely injured I don't recollect it- sound and all right free from all disease or disabilty, could shoot well at deer and turkey and squirrels. Yes he was complaining of his eyes before the war it seems he said Andy Hoskins hit him in it with a rock-forget how long before enlistment this was, or which eye. I don't remember noticing anything wrong with it, red or watery or tied up, just complained of pains in it. No I don't know whether it was the one that afterward went out in service or not. We both enlisted and served together to discharge-Aug. 1863 to Dec. 1864, Privates Co "H" 49th Ky. Vol. Inft. I think Drs. Miller or Swisher examined us at enlistment, stripped our clothes and said we were both sound. In Sept. 1863, as well as I recollect me and claimant came home with Lieut. Mattingly, were detailed to hunt up deserters. Will Gross, Nathan Lewis and a whole lot of us came along. He took fever as soon as he got home-his daddy doctored him and said it was Typhoid Fever-we both had it at the same time and could not go back with the detail. He was not able to go back for about 2 months-it was 8 weeks before I could go about and then I had to wait a week or two on him. We were in adjoining houses. Niether of us could visit the other, but soon as I could go I visited him. After we got as we could travel we started to our command and got near London Kentucky (about 50 miles) he was broke out nearly all over with running sores. The first I saw of them was after we had traveled 2 or 3 days and he got so bad he could go no farther, and we stayed at his uncle's (Jas. Jones) a week or longer. I took him out in the woods and stripped him and smeared him all over with white pine rosin. I had to cut his drawers off him afterward. He mended up and got fat as a hog. We left the Regt. at Camp Nelson and returned to them at Somerset and Camp Burnside Ky. I do not recollect of the fever having any effect on his eyes. Three or four months after return I had been on detail to Nashville, Tenn. and got back and said he had been on duty only a few days, don't know what he was complaining of-yes he was complaining of one eye, forget which, and asked Lieut. Mattingly to get him some goggles . Don't recollect for certain whether he wore them there or not, but am most positive he wore them at Lexington, Ky. Fall of 1864. It all swelled up red and angry, sometimes it was swelled so badly. I could not see the eye ball-this was at Lexington as well as I remember. At Camp Burnside, Ky. in hot weather 1864 he took diarrhera, and was excused from duty, doctors gave him medicine in a tent, don't recollect of him going to the hospital, we messed and bunked together and I had it with him. He had it in spells to discharge and was not able to go on the raid to Alabama Fall of 1864-forget what was the matter with him at that time. He came home with me on furlough just previous to discharge, he was complaining of his eye and I saw him stop and heard him complain of diarrhera. We went back and came home together at discharged and these symptoms still continued. I know of no other sickness or disabilty he had in service. He said there was a pain come in his eye in service and think he said he thought it was caused by cold and laying out. We lived in same house and never over 10 miles apart until last April when I moved here. "Yes my Fellar" there has not been a half of a year since the war that I have not seen him-we have tended crops together-worked in logs and run rafts in the river together. He has always complained of his eye paining him and can't see any since he was in the army, so he says. Said he had lost his "Shootin Eye." I have noticed him ever since the war shoot left handed. It has looked like the sight was cross-ways ever since the war. I never noticed it that way before. He has complained each and every year since discharge of the diarrhra and something hurting in his breast-says there is something in his throat, and has to drink about a quart of water when he eats. You can track him by his throwing up. Vomits continually. He always says he is not able to work and I think he has not done over 1/2 labor since his discharge. He has had no other serious sickness. He was drug in front of a sled by a runaway steer about three years ago and badly hurt. He was laid up about 4 months-thought he could not live. Was throwed against tree and broke ankle, put knee out and shouldler out of place. I made an affidavit in this case and do not write. We are no blood relation-we married sisters, he was a witness in my claim, have no interest in this claim, have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this depostion. Attest: John M. Bowlin Stokely X Bolin His mark Sworn to and subcribed before me this 28 day of July, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W.H. Mears Special Examiner DEPOSITION “B” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 25th day of June, 1890, at London, County of Laurel State of Ky., before me, W.H. Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared JESSE MATTINGLY, 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: My age is 56 years, occupation farmer & P.O. Crane’s Nest, Knox County Kentucky. I was acquainted with Eli Griffitts for 8 or 10 years before service- lived from 4 to 10 miles apart- rolled logs with him and saw him on an average of once in two months. I never knew nor heard of anything wrong with his health previous to the war- sound and able bodied and had good eyes. I served from June 8, 1863 to December 26, 1864 as 1st Lieut. Co. “H”, 49th Ky. Vol. Infantry. This claimant was a private in my company. At Camp Nelson, Kentucky last of September or first of October 1863, he was complaining of one eye- think the right. I did not see anything wrong with it, but some of the boys deviled him and said that he only wanted to be discharged from service. Soon after this he came home with me to recruit, and I left them and went another route and rode. He walked and he did not return. He was marked absent without leave but reported sick at home with fever after returning, and my wife wrote me that he had fever. He was not imprisoned and I don’t think lost any pay. He was absent a month or two and continued to complain of his eye until discharge and ever since- just a loss of sight, no pain. Do not know of any treatment received or of his being excused from duty at any time. We lived about same distance apart up to this Spring, I moved away. I would see him once or twice every year and about 10 years ago I first noticed a square black spot coming over the sight of his right eye and was there as long as I could see well enough to discern it- this was until 3 years ago- he said he was entirely blind of this eye. I never saw anything wrong with or heard any complaints of the left eye. He has complained of not being able to swallow and would have to stand up to swallow, about every 2 or 3 bites he would have to take a drink of water. I noticed this first 5 or 6 years ago. Do not recollect what he said caused it. He has had no severe injury since discharge. I made an affidavit in this case (B #10). It was made before W.J. Collett, JP. I cannot see to tell whether it is my writing or not, but think it was written by my directions. I can write my name but not follow the lines. I am not related, or interested. Have understood your questions and my answers are recorded correctly in this deposition. Jesse Mattingly Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25th day of June, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W.H. Mears DEPOSITION “A” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 30th day of July, 1890, at Near Hyden, County of Leslie State of Ky., before me W.H. Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared ELI GRIFFITTS, 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: My age is 51 years, occupation farmer, and P.O Hoskinston, Leslie County, Ky. This P.O. is lately established and nearer than Hyden. Residence about 10 miles south of Hyden, Ky. I am the identical Eli Griffitts who claims a pension under Original Invalid No. 320.760 I was enrolled June 23, 1863 and was discharged December 26, 1864, Private Co. “H” 49th Ky. Vol. Infty- as discharge shows. I was never employed in any other service, neither naval nor military, except as here stated. I claim a pension for lose of sight of right eye, due to fever incurred in service and line of duty. For five or six years proceding enlistment I lived on Bad Creek, about 9 miles East from here in what was then Perry County but now Leslie County. My occupation was and has always been Farming. My nearest neighbors were: Irvin Hoskins, Still lives on Bad Creek, Stokley Bowlin, John Muncy- still lives there. I was married and had two children but never had any family physician. I never had any sickness more than a little sick flash at the stomach before enlistment- had no headaches worth naming and no severe pains in the eyes. I was sound and healthy then. I never had any severe injury especially to eye or eyes- no I was never struck in the eye with a rock, and it never hurt me any or failed me before enlistment. I was medically examined by two physicians at enlistment-think it was Drs. Hogan and Miller or Swisher. I was stripped to my drawers- don’t recollect whether they examined my eyes or not. At Camp Nelson, Ky., about the last of July or first of Aug. 1863, and while on guard duty, I was taken with a misery in my head, and fevers, and excused from duty for a week or ten days. It was Dr. Swisher that came to my tent 4 or 5 times and gave me medicine. The Dr. said it was Typhoid Fever. I suppose it was caused by cold (?) and exposure. I got better. The doctor quit coming to see me and there was a detail of mountain men to come back home for deserters. Lieut. Jesse Mattingly in charge. Nathaniel Lewis, who lives somewhere on Cutshin, and Stokley Bowlin were along. I was taken bad off before I got home, and took my bed as soon as I got home- I was out of my head 7 or 8 days, so they said, I don’t recollect anything about it. I was bad sick about 3 weeks. There was no doctor near to get, my father (now dead) came to see me, Thomas Hoskins (now dead) came to see me and some of the young people came. Stokley Bowlin was sick at the same time but got better first, and we went back together in about 3 weeks or not far from that time. I was not able to travel much and at London, Ky. I was taken down and sick 8 days, at Hughly Jones (now dead. My feet and legs swelled. After I began to mend my right eye was weak and watery while the fever was on, there was a hard pain in this eye, and some times there would be a little pain in the left, but none worth naming. The sores broke out on my legs and pretty much all over on way to rejoin the Regiment. We got to the command at Somerset, Ky. Don’t recollect the time. My eye was very weak and I went to Dr. Swisher and he said he thought he could bring the eye to and rubbed some “stuff” forget color or smell- on my eye lid and just above the eyebrow. He rubbed this on 3 or 4 times- don’t recollect of any other treatment. Do not remember of any comrades who saw this- it was in his tent and soon as one was tended to he would step aside and another would come in. My officers were:- Capt. Elijah Black- now dead 1st. Lieut. Jesse Mattingly 2d. Lieut. W.B Eve – P.O. Barboursville, Ky Sgt. Tip Westerfield My Bunkmates were:- Stokley Bowlin James Griffitts- up on Cutshin Nathan Lewis I don’t recollect of any one in particular who noticed my eye being sore or weak. I think Lieut. Mattingly and Stokley Bowlin noticed it. My eye kept getting weaker and weaker and dimmer and dimmer up to the time we were at Burnsides Point Ky., doing work on a road when it went finally out. Just before going out everything before me looked like a thick cloud of smoke- no bad pains but watered all the while. I never had any other medical treatment for eye. Well I can’t say when it did go out- I know it was cold weather and the ground was frozen- the nearest I can fix it is the first of Jan. 1864. I first noticed it by placing my hand over the left eye and everything looked misty awhile and then blind entirely on or about Jan. 1, 1864. I never have been able to see any out of this eye since. Q. Where were you from Feb. 15 to March 23, 1864? A. I don’t know by dates. I was not absent except the time I was at home on detail and sick-as stated. I was then with my Lieut. And on return to regiment I was asked about this time, but was explained by being sick. It does appear that some of my pay was docked. No I don’t recollect of being away but this one time . Yes, I would know it if I had ever deserted. I came home at discharge and have lived around here since. My neighbors as before. I have had no medical treatment for eye since discharge. I don’t know of any other sickness in service: have had good deal of lung disease since the last 10 or 12 years. I was hurt by a steer running away in a sled and dragging me in front 40 or 50 yards, put my left knee out of place and broke my ankle. I was on crutches about 12 months- this some 3 years ago. My left shoulder was put out of place and is still so by a heifer knocking me down about 3 years ago- I was just getting up from first injury. I do not know of any other witnesses who know anything material in my claim, except those who have already testified. Do not desire to have any others examined. I have heard read the depositions of Jesse Mattingly, Stokley Bowlin and his wife and son and John Collins and am satisfied with it- do not desire to cross- question them. William Lewis one of my witnesses has moved away from this country and I don’t know his whereabouts. I understand it is my right and privilege to be present in person or by attorney during this examination, and shall try to go with you today. I am badly crippled and have no horse to ride. If I can’t be along I want you to go on and finish this case by yourself. I have thoroughly understood all questions asked and my answers have been correctly recorded in this deposition. I cannot write nor read writing. Attest: his Ben Stenxx Eli X Griffitts Mark Sworn to and subscribed before me this 30th day of July 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W.H. Mears DEPOSTION “D” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 25th day of September, 1890, at Hyden, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, before me, W H Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared JOHN MUNCY, 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: My age is 62 years, occupation farmer and P.O. as above. I have known Eli Griffitts since he was 10 or 12 years old- lived from 3 to 5 miles apart before the war. He worked on the farm for me many a day; and saw him frequently. He was a good hand to work, and had good and sound eyes before his enlistment, summer of 1863. He worked some for me that summer, and I went off in August 1863. Q. Did he have any injury? A. I have heard he was hit in the head, about the eye, with a rock by Andy Hoskins; but I did not see it done, nor any sore, scar, or any other effects of it. This was a year or so before the war- he worked for me after this injury was received, and I saw nothing wrong with his eyes, nor heard him make any complaints of them. I heard that he had told something that Hoskins told him about some woman- caused this difficulty. I know of no one who was present, and John Hoskins, Irvin Hoskins, and olf Katy Hoskins would probably know of it. He worked for me soon after discharge and in summer of 1865, and more or less each year for 10 to 12 years afterward. In 1865 I noticed he was turning gray and spoke to him about it, and he said it was due to Quinien and other medicine he took in service for the fever he had. I did not hear and complaints, nor see anything wrong with his eyes until some years afterward- forget how many but before he began his pension he complained of one or both eyes and wore Specks while working for me. Said there was always a roaring in his head from the medicine he took in service. Don’t recollect what he said was wrong with his eyes. I am no relation; no interest, understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. John Muncy Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25th day of, September, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W H Mears DEPOSITION “I” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320.760 On this 25th day of September, 1890, at Hyden, County of Leslie State of Kentucky, before me, W H Mears, Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared JAMES NAPIER, 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: My age is 65 years, occupation farmer, P.O. as above. I have known Eli Griffitts since he was 12 or 13 years old. I married his sister, lived 10 or 12 miles apart, and saw him 3 or 4 times a year. I never saw nor heard of anything being wrong with his eyes before the war. Q. Did you ever hear any injury he had? A. Yes, I heard that Andy Hoskins who was in the Penetentiary when last heard from- hit him in the head with a rock a year or two before the war. I did not see it done, nor see the wound, nor scar, nor any effects of it. I heard it was a pretty bad lick; don’t know of any one who saw it done. Q. Did you ever hear him complain of either eye? A. No, not before service, but he has complained of one ever since- said it was no benefit to him, could not see to shoot unless he shot “contrary handed”. Don’t remember seeing him shoot any nor hearing him say what caused it, but it was always my impression and understanding that it was due to army service. Q. Did you ever hear anyone say the loss of eyes was caused by injury named, or prior to service? A. No, I never did. Q. Do you know his nearest neighbors before the war? A. No, I don’t for his father moved about a good deal I have no interest in, nor prejudice against this claim, have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition Attest: his Abner Eversole James X Napier Sworn to and subscribed before me this 25th day of, September, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W H Mears DEPOSITION “E” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320.760 On this 27th day of September, 1890, at Hoskinston, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, before me, W H Mears, Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared JOHN HOSKINS, 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: My age is 47 years, farmer, and P.O. Hoskinston, Leslie County, Kentucky. I have known Eli Griffitts ever since he married my sister before the war; when he moved in the house with us and stayed about a year, then lived about one mile from us until he enlisted. We worked together on a farm and rolled logs and hunted squirrels. He was a good hand, and could shoot a rifle as good as any ordinary man. I never knew of anything wrong with his health except boils- had some on him. He had no serious sickness. Q. What do you know of this injury he got by being hit with a rock? A. I heard Andy Hoskins hit him, but did not see it done. I saw him at my house the next day, and there was a blue bruise place above or below one eye- forget which one- he and others said that was the cause. It was before service, but I forget how long. I just remember the black or bruised place, but not whether the sight was affected or not. He did not have it tied up, and I noticed this place remained for several days. He wore no glasses; but complained of it some- don’t remember whether he complained of the sight being affected, or a soreness. It appeared to get perfectly well after the bruise left it, and I could not tell that there was anything wrong with either eye before he went into the army. Don’t remember seeing him shoot any or do work that required close looking. Him and Stoke Bowlin came back during service, and he was down sick a “right smart bit” with what we thought was fever- was bad off- I visited him several times. Don’t remember what he complained of. Since service we have lived near neighbors; and after discharge – forget how long- under 5 years- he complained of not being able to see out of one eye- forget which one- and I looked at it and saw the sight was bigger than the other. He has said all along that he could not see out of it, and I could see a difference out of the sight of it. Don’t remember seeing him do anything that proved his eye was out. He said it went out while he was in the army; but don’t recollect what he said caused it. Q. Did you ever hear him complain of either eye before service? A. No sir, I never heard him complain- only as I have stated to you- and not of the sight of either eyes. I don’t think he had any doctor or treatment for said injury- no doctor in our country at that time. I was never a witness in a pension case before. I have no interest direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim. I have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. I do not write. Attest: his James L. Fee James X Hoskins Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of, September, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W H Mears DEPOSITION “A” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320.760 On this 26th day of September, 1890, at Hoskinston, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, before me, W H Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, Personally appeared ELI GRIFFITTS (Claimant), 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 the identical Eli Griffitts who claims a pension under above number and whose statement you took July 30, 1890 P.O. as before. Q. Did you receive an injury to head or eyes before enlistment, and if so, please state all the particulars? A. Yes, Andy Hoskins hit me just above the right eye with a rock about a year before enlistment. There was no fight about it, he slipped on me and throwed the rock while I was sitting on my porch, and when I saw he was going to throw I flung myself over the banister and it hit me after I was out in the yard. It did not knock me down, and he broke and ran as fast as possible. The cause was over some talk I have repeated that he told me of Katy Hoskins. Q. Where were you living? A. About 7 miles from here on Bad Creek of the Middle Fork, of the Kentucky River Q. How bad were you hurt? A. The rock hit me just above the eyebrow, but only grazed the skin, did not make any gash. Q. Did you have any doctor or any treatment for your eye or your head? A. No, it did not hurt me enough to tie it up- appears like it bled a little- sorta stained with blood. It made the skin blue above, but the eye did not turn black, pain, or seem swollen or otherwise affected. Q. How far distant was Hoskins when he throwed the rock? A. About 12 or 13 feet- don’t know what size rock it was. Q. Who was your family Physician? A. I had none – the nearest was at Manchester, Clay County, Kentucky about 35 miles from me Q. Who was present when this took place? A. Thomas and John Hoskins, but both are dead. Thomas was my father-in-law and John was his brother. Q. Who were your nearest neighbors? A. Thomas Hoskins, Irvin Hoskins, and John Muncy- this was a mighty thinly settled country then. Q. Who saw you immediately afterward? A. My wife was there- my children were too small to notice anything Q. Why did you not mention this in your former statement? A. Well I was not struck in the eye, or my eye hurt just as I told you, and this lick was so slight I did not consider it anything Q. Did you complain any of your eye before service? A. No, not that I can remember Q. Did this injury stop you from work, or did you go to bed? A. No –neither one Q. Where or when did Stokley Bowlin hear you complain? A. Now you are too fast for me for I do not know. It never hurt until after I had the fever- just as I told you before. My Mother-in-law- Katy Hoskins is over in Knox County, Kentucky. Andy Hoskins when last heard from was in the Penetentiary at Frankfort Kentucky. My Mother-in-law is at Isaac Garrison’s on the Bull Creek Fork of Goose Creek. Q. Who could tell me anymore about this injury? A. I don’t know of any others besides what I have told you. I have understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. Attest: his J B Garrison Eli X Griffitts Sworn to and subscribed before me this 26th day of September, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W H Mears DEPOSITION “C” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 27th day of September, 1890, at Hoskinston, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, before me, W H Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared HENDERSON HOSKINS, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to him during this Special Examination of aforesaid claim, deposes and says: My age is 41 years, farmer, and P.O. Hoskinston, Leslie County, Kentucky I knew Eli Griffitts before he enlisted about a year or two- lived about 2 miles apart- he worked with me for my father at clearing ground and was a good hand. Appeared sound and all right, and heard no complaints anyway. His eyes seemed good and saw nor heard of any wrong with him. I heard of the circumstance of Andy Hoskins hitting him with a rock, but don’t remember of him ever saying anything to me about it. I never saw any effects of said injury and never heard him complain of either eye before he enlisted in the 49th Kentucky Volunteers. I remember seeing him at home once while a soldier, and heard he was sick. I saw him in a few days after return from discharge, and he complained of loosing one of his eyes- appears the right but can’t state positively. I know Irvin Hoskins deviled him by saying it was not out, but claimant affirmed it was out. He said he lost it while in the army, but don’t recollect what he alleged as the cause. We have lived from about 2 to 6 or 7 miles apart ever since his discharge, and have seen him once in 2 months on an average. He has complained all along every time he said anything about it of this eye being out. I made an affidavit in this case and my signature is O.K. (BJ #15) If he was ever a drinking man I never heard of it. He married my cousin, no interest, understood your questions and my answers are correctly recorded in this deposition. Henderson Hoskins Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of September, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing W H Mears DEPOSITION “B” Case of ELI GRIFFITTS, No. 320760 On this 27th day of September, 1890, at Hoskinston, County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, before me, W H Mears, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared FRANKIE GRIFFITTS, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: I am the identical Frankie Griffitts, wife of Eli Griffitts, who testified before you in my husbands pension claim in July 1890. Q. When was it that Andy Hoskins hot your husband with a rock? A. It was when my first child was a baby, and she is in 30 years old- we had 2 children before he went into the army, I did not see it done, but saw him in a minute after it hit him above one eyebrow-forget which one. It did not hit fair or was not throwed hard for it only bled a “little grain” I forget whether I tied it up or not, or did anything at all for it or not, or whether the eye turned black or not. Q. Did he complain of the eye? A. Don’t recollect Q. Did he go to bed on this account? A. No, not that I recollect Q. Who was there? A. Old Johnnie Hoskins and Daddy- both dead Q. Was there a fight? A. No, he just throwed and run Q. Why did you not tell me about this before? A. You just “axed” me whether he was hit in the eye, or the eyes hurt, and he wasn’t I have understood your questions and my answers are correctly set down here. Attest: her Nancy A. Griffitts Frankie X Griffitts Sworn to and subscribed before me this 27th day of September, 1890, and I certify that the contents were fully made known to deponent before signing. W H Mears GENERAL AFFIDAVIT State of Kentucky, County of Leslie In the matter of ELI GRIFFITH OF Company G and H, 49th Kentucky On this 17th day of June, A.D. 1896 personally appeared before me, a Deputy Clerk within and for the County and State aforesaid, duly authorized to administer oaths, NANCY ANN HAYS, age 27 years, a resident of Hoskinston, and ABIGA GRIFFITTS, aged 35 years, resident of Hoskinston, Ky., in the County of Leslie, and the State of Kentucky whose post office address is Hoskinston, Leslie County, Kentucky, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declared in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: The affiant NANCY ANN HAYS and ABIGA GRIFFITTS says they have known the soldier Eli Griffith ever since I can recollect and he has had the lung trouble ever since I can recollect, and his shoulder was hurt by a cow running over him not caused by vicious habits. This affidavit was written in my presence at home at Hoskinston, PO in Leslie County, Ky. On the 17th day of June 1896 only from my oral statements than made, I did not use or aided or prompted or dictated or printed statements or recite prepared or dictated by any other person and not attached as an as an exhibit hereto. I further declared that I have no interest in said case and I am not concerned in its prosecution more than the love I have for a father. Hiram H. Hays her John R. Collett Nancy Ann X Hays His Abiga X Griffitts DECLARATION FOR WIDOW’S PENSION ACT OF JUNE 27, 1890 State of Kentucky, County of Leslie, SS, On this 4th day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and ninety eight, within and for the County and State aforesaid MRS. FRANKIE GRIFFITH aged 56 years, a resident of the town of Hoskinston County of Leslie, State of Kentucky, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of ELI GRIFFITH who enlisted under the name of Eli Griffith in Company H, 49th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers, and served at least ninety days in the late war of the Rebellion, who was Honorably Discharged (Yes) He was not in the Military or Naval service prior to enlistment or subsequent to his enlistment that he died at home on December 17, 1897. That she was married under the name of Frankie Hoskins to said Eli Griffith, on the 4th day of March 1858, by Elihue Wells, at Thomas Hoskins, neither had been previously married, and that claimant and soldier lived together up to the date of his death as man and wife, nether having applied for or received a divorce. That she has not remarried since the death of said Eli Griffith. That she is without other means of support than her daily labor. That she has not heretofore applied for a pension. That the soldier was a pensioner under Certificate No. 505.659 That she makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States, under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890. She hereby appoints: BOWIE ROBERTS, of Washington, D.C. Her true and lawful attorney to prosecute her claim, and she directs that the sum of ten dollars be paid him for his services. That her post office address is Hoskinston, Ky. County of Leslie, State of Kentucky A W Howard her John Roberts Frankie X Griffith Also personally appeared Andrew W. Howard, residing at Hoskinston, Ky., and John Roberts, residing at Hoskinston, Ky., persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who, being by me duly sworn, say they were present and saw Frankie Griffih claimant, sign her mark to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe from the appearance of said claimant and an acquaintance with her 25 years, and 30 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. Andrew W. Howard John Roberts Sworn to and subscribed by me this 4th day of March A.D. 1898. J.M. Howard, Clerk William M. Howard, D.C. Record of the Death of Eli Griffith Eli Griffith deceased December the 7th, 1897 I the under signed Clerk of the Hays **** Church Leslie County Kentucky Do certify that this is a true copy of the date of the death of Eli Griffith as found in the Bible John R. Collett Subscribed and sworn to before me the 7th day of May 1898 J.M. Howard, Clerk William M. Howard, D.C. Affidavit of Frankie Griffith Widow of Eli Griffith, deceased I have made all the search I can for the record of my marriage and the Clerk’s Office at Hazard has been burned since I was married and all the records have been burnt as I learn from sources. We were married the 4th day of March 1858 Witnesses: A Howard Her Henry Howard Frankie X Griffitts GENERAL AFFIDAVIT State of Kentucky, County of Leslie In the claim No. 672431 of Frankie Griffith- widow of Eli Griffith of Company H, 49th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers Personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized to administer oaths within the said County IRVIN HOSKINS aged 55 years, whose P.O. is Emily County of Leslie State of Kentucky, who being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows: I went with Eli Griffith to Hazard to get his license and came back with him and saw him married at Thomas Hoskins house March the 4th day 1858 as well I recollect Elihue Wells solemnized the marriage of said Eli Griffith and Frankie Hoskins. The Clerk’s Office at Hazard was burnt after they were married several years and I had several papers and records destroyed and suppose that the record of Eli Griffith ‘s marriage was destroyed too at the same time. Witnesses: John H. Bowlin his John R. Collett Irvin X Hoskins GENERAL AFFIDAVIT In claim No. 672431 of Frankie Griffith- widow of Eli Griffith Company H, 49th Regiment of Kentucky Volunteers Personally appeared before the undersigned duly authorized oaths within the County JOHN H. BOWLIN aged 42 years, whose PO is Hoskinton, County of Leslie and State of Kentucky being duly sworn, states in relation to said claim as follows: I am personal acquaintance with the said Frankie Griffitts and their proper name is Griffitts and your blanks you have sent bares the name of Griffith which is a mistake made by some person in the filing the claim and called the name Griffith instead of Griffitts. The Soldiers correct name was Eli Griffitts and the widow’s name is Frankie Griffitts. All the vouchers that the soldier ever had were in the name of Eli Griffitts and it is through a mistake by some means that her claim has been filed by the name of Frankie Griffith instead of Frankie Griffitts. A W Howard John H. Bowlin 30th day of July 1898 J.M. Howard Department of the Interior Roark, Ky., April 17, 1924 Bureau OF Pensions Office of the Commissioner Sir:- I have to advise you that Joe Collett, of Asher, Ky., or Hyden, Ky., under false representations to me, was appointed Guardian over me, and in doing so, and having me make the necessary affidavits, etc. represented to me that he was getting evidence to have my pension increased, but afterwards I learned that he had him-self appointed my Guardian and is now receiving my pension of $30.00 per month, and all I receive of the same is $10.00 per month. He was appointed my guardian about June 27th, 1923, and since that time, I have not been at his place and have only received one $30.00 check made out to me by Joe Collett and drawn on the Hyden Citizen Bank, of Hyden, Ky., and after I received this $30.00 check I have only been receiving $10.00 per month. Therefore, I am writing you to ask that you please look into this matter at once, and do not under any circumstance pay anymore money to Joe Collett, but I want my claim paid to me direct at Roark, Ky. Also kindly investigate this matter and have Mr. Joe Collett or his bondsman make good to me the balance of my money that I have not received during the last 10 months. To be exact, I have only received one $30.00 check and five $10.00 checks, making a total of only $80.00 I have received since about June 27th, 1923. I have been staying at the house of John H. Bowling, of Roark, Ky., and I never any more going to stay at the house of Joe Collett, and I will kindly ask that you please mail my check of $30.00, for May 4th, 1924, to Roark, Ky., as I have changed my address from Hoskinston, Ky., to Roark, Ky. I desire that my claim be paid to me as it was in the past since the death of my husband, in my own name. Kindly let me hear from you at once in the matter with full information. Thanking You I Remain, Respectfully Yours, Frankie Griffitts THE HYDEN CITIZENS BANK Established 1904 Hyden, Kentucky T.G. LEWIS, President L.D. LEWIS, Vice- President W.S. EVERSOLE, Cashier Frankie Griffitts (deceased) Died October 14th, 1926 Place of death-------John H. Bowling’s residence P.O. Roark, Ky. Information furnished by Joe Collett, Committee Essie, Kentucky