Amaziah South-Pension Application

This is just the beginning of information for Amaziah South (1828-1898), my husband’s 3rd great-grandfather.  I have found his Civil War records (which will be presented in another post), the application for Widow’s Pension for his second wife (also another post) and various other records.  I have not, however, been able to find all of the census records for him, so a full post  on his whereabouts will happen when those are tracked down (fingers crossed that I can track them down!).

The following is Amaziah South’s application for Confederate Pension in the State of Georgia for Indigent Soldiers.  This is not transcribed exactly, though there are direct quotes.  Words I was not sure about are highlighted in green.  This record was found on Ancestry.

 QUESTIONS FOR APPLICANT

1. His name is given as Amaziah South and he resided in Post Office Clara, Fulton County, Georgia.
2. On January 1, 1894 he resided in Fulton County, Georgia.
3. He was born on January 1, 1828 in South Carolina.
4. He volunteered in the Confederate Army.
5. He enlisted in Roswell, Fulton County, Georgia.
6. He enlisted in Company E, Cobb’s Legion (Calvary).
7. He remained in that company and regiment for 3 years.
8. He was not discharged or transferred to another company.
9. He discharged regular military duty for 3 years.
10. He was discharged in Fulton County, Georgia after the surrender.
11. This line asks what his present occupation is, but it is illegible (to me, at least)
12. He can earn $30.00 per year on his own.
13. His occupation since 1865 has been working in a factory.
14. I can’t make out how much he is asking for in pension per year, but he can contribute $30.00 towards the amount.
15. When asked about his physical condition he said “I am ruptured in my sides.  My condition is bad.”
16. He bases his application on “infirmity and poverty”.
17. Asked how long he has been in his condition he said “I was ruptured during the war in both groins.  I suffer great pain and am unable to do any manual labor.”
18. He possesses no property, effects, or income.
19. In 1893 and 1894 he possessed no property, effects or income.
20. In 1893 and 1894 he resided in Fulton County, Georgia.
21. When asked how he was supported in 1893 and 1894 he said “By my children with what little I did.”
22. His cost of living for each year was $150 and he contributed about $30.00.
23. Asked about his employment and pay for the past three years he said “I worked some in factory during those years and suppose I earned about $30.00.”
24. He states “I am married.  My wife is living.  I have 1 girl 27-years.  I have 5 Boys 44-42-37-18-14 years old.” (note:  he did have more children than just the six)
25. He is not receiving any other pension.

 QUESTIONS FOR WITNESS

1. Witness states his name as GM Arnold and lives in Fulton County, Georgia.
2. He has known Amaziah South for about 40 years.
3. He states that Amaziah lives in Fulton County, Georgia and “He has lived in this state all his life.”
4. Mr. Arnold and Amaziah served in the Confederate Army together.
5. Amaziah enlisted in B.S. King’s Co, Company E, Cobb’s Legion.
6. Both Mr. Arnold and Amaziah were members of the same company and regiment.
7. When asked about duties performed and military discharge Mr. Arnold says of Amaziah “From 1862 till 1865.  he was a good soldier.”
8. Amaziah has no property, effects or income.
9. Amaziah had no property, effects or income in 1893 or 1894.
10. When asked about Amaziah’s occupation and physical condition Mr. Arnold said “He works some in factory.  His physical condition is very bad.”
11. Yes, Amaziah was unable to support himself by labor of any sort.
12. When asked how Amaziah was supported in 1893 and 1894 Mr. Arnold said “By his children with what he (helped) himself.”
13. Mr. Arnold did not know how much of Amaziah’s support came from labor or personal income.
14. When asked to give a statement as to Amaziah’s physical condition Mr. Arnold said “His condition is very bad.  He is able to do minimal labor.”
15. Mr. Arnold stated he had no interest in the pension himself.

 AFFIDAVIT OF PHYSICIANS

The description of Amaziah’s physical condition after an examination was described by Drs. WH Rice and GJ Pierce as “He has a bad rupture on both sides.  Old age, poverty and general debility.”