Transcribed by Dusty Smith

SOLDIER'S APPLICATION FOR PENSION

Pension File 6332
STATE OF TENNESSEE
Soldier's Application for Pension
Under Class 1,2,3, or 4.

Jehu
Jno. H. Rigney
Filed July 18, 1904

I, John H. Rigney a native of the State of Tennessee and now a citizen of 
Tennessee, resident at Newcomb in the count of Campbell in said State of 
Tennessee, and who was a soldier from the State of Virginia, in the war 
between the United States and the Confederate States, do hereby apply for 
aid under the Act of the General Assembly of Tennessee, entitled " An Act 
for the benefit of the indigent and disabled soldiers of the late war 
between the States, and to fix the fees of attorneys or agents for rocuring 
such pensions, and fixing a penalty for the violation of the same, and 
amendments thereto."   And I do solemnly swear that, while in the discharge 
of my duty in the services of the Confederate States as a member of Company 
C", 24th Regiment, Virginia Infantry  I was wounded in the battle or 
battles of ____(Blank)_______________  or contracted the following disease 
or disabilities, to wit:  deafness in the Battle of Gettysburg in the State 
of Pennsylvania on or about July 1863,  and that by reason of such wound 
and disability I am now entitled to receive the benefits of this Act.  I 
further swear that I do not hold any National, State or County office, nor 
do I receive aid or pension from any other State, or from the United 
States, and that I am not a inmate of any soldier's home, and that I am 
unable to earn a reasonable support for myself and family.  I do further 
solemnly swear that the answers given to the following questions are true:

In what County and State and what year were you born?
ANSWER:   In Floyd County, Va. On the 26th of October 1840 I was born.

When did you enlist and in what command?  Give the names of the regimental 
and company officers under whom you were serving at date of wound or other 
disability.
ANSWER:   I enlisted in 1861. My Col. Name was Jenkel (?) Early.  Captain's 
name was William Jennings.  1st Lt. Van Bran (?) Shockley, 2nd Lt. Wm. H. 
Sutherland.

What was the precise nature of your wound or disability?
ANSWER:   Deafness of both ears caused by supporting a Battery.

What limb, if any, did you lose by reason of said wound or wounds, and, if 
no limb, state fully your disability and if contracted in this service, and 
is said disability permanent?
ANSWER:   My deafness is permanent in character.

Were you incapacitated for service by reason of said wound or disability 
incurred?
ANSWER:   Yessir

Were you discharged from the army by reason of said wound or disability?
ANSWER:   I was captured and was a prisoner of war.  Came out on amnesty 
oath(?).

If discharged from  the army, where were you and what did you do until the 
close of the war?
ANSWER:   Peace was made before I got out of prison.

What was the name of the surgeon who attended you?
ANSWER:   Dr. Jecurerd (?)

How did you get out of the army, when and where?
ANSWER:   I was released from a Federal Prison.
 
 

Did you take the oath of allegiance to the United States Government?
ANSWER:   Yessir, I had to.

If so, when and under what circumstances?
ANSWER:   In order to get back to my home.

Are you married , or have you been married?
ANSWER:   Yessir

If so, what is the size of your family living together?
ANSWER:   Me and my wife and four children.

What are the respective ages of your wife and the children living with you?
ANSWER:   My wife is about 60 years old.  Oldest child is 15-1/2 yrs, 
second is 13,  third  is 13, fourth is 6 yrs old.

To what sex do your children belong?
ANSWER:   To female sex

Are not some of your children able to support you?
ANSWER:   Nosir.

In what business are you now engaged if any, and what do you earn?
ANSWER:   Nothing

What estate have you in your own right, real and personal, and what is its 
value?
ANSWER:   Very near nothing.

What estate has your wife in her own right, real and personal, and what is 
its value?
ANSWER:   None of any value.

How have you derived support for yourself and family for the last five 
years?
ANSWER:   Trying to drey coal.

Do you use intoxicants to any extent?
ANSWER:   Very little.

How long have you been an actual resident of the State of Tennessee?
ANSWER:   For 23 years.

Have you an attorney to look after this application?
ANSWER:   None

If so, give his name and address.
ANSWER:   No name.

Witness my hand, this 16th day of July, 1904, Jehu A. Rigney
Witnesses:  H. M. Robbins, Physician
                     M.G. Broyles, Witness
                     Sherman Gray, Witness
 

STATE OF TENNESSEE
CAMPBELL COUNTY         Personally appeared before me ,  Sherman Gray, 
Notary Public of  Said County, the above named J. H. Rigney the applicant, 
with whom I am personally acquainted and having the application read and 
fully explained to him, as well as the statements and answers therein made, 
made oath that the said statements and answers are true.

WITNESS my hand and seal of office, this 16th day of July, 1904 

                        ??????????????????
 

STATE OF TENNESSEE
CAMPBELL COUNTY                 Personally appeared before me , Sherman 
ray, Notary Public of said county, the above named H. M. Robbins, 
Physician, on e of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, 
and who is a physician of good standing ,and being duly sworn says that he 
has carefully and thoroughly examined  J. H.Rigney, the applicant, and find 
him laboring under the following disabilities:

SEVERE DEAFNESS OF THE LEFT EAR AND PARTIAL DEAFNESS OF THE RIGHT EAR.
                        H.M. Robbins M.D. (Signed)

Sworn to and subscribed to before me no (?)  this (?) affiant to me well 
known who I certify that he is a practicing physician in good standing and 
that I have no interest in this the prosecution  of this claim.
WITNESS my hand and seal of office , this 16th day of July 1904

                        Ed Gray Notary Public (Signed)
 

(If possible, the two witnesses as to character should have served with the 
applicant in the army, and if so, let them, or either, state it in their 
oath:  also any other information regarding applicant's army services.)

STATE OF TENNESSEE
CAMPBELL COUNTY         Personally appeared before me, Ed Gray a Notary 
Public of said County, the above named M.G. Broyles and Sherman Gray, two 
of the subscribing witnesses to the foregoing application, with whom I am 
personally acquainted, and known to me to be citizens of veracity and 
standing in this community, and who take oath that they are personally 
acquainted with the foregoing applicant, and that the facts set forth and 
statements made in this application are correct and true, to the best of 
their knowledge and belief, and that they have no interest in this claim, 
and that said applicant's habits are good and free from dishonor.  And they 
further make oath to the following facts  touching the applicant's service 
in the _(left blank)________   army.

WITNESS my hand and seal of office, this 16th of July 1904
                        Ed Gray, Notary Public (Signed)

GENERAL AFFADAVIT
State of Tennessee County of Campbell in the matter of Pension claim No. 
6332 of Jehu H. Rigney, Co "C", 24th Regiment, Virginia Infantry Southern 
(?) Confederacy on this day of  ---? (illegible) July 1905 personally 
before me , a notary public within and for the County and State aforesaid . 
F. Broyles whose age is thirty eight years and whose P.O. address is 
Newcomb Tenn.  Who by me being duly sworn as the law directs, deposes in 
relation to the aforesaid case as follows to wit.  My name age and P.O. 
address is as stated above.  My occupation is that of a Blacksmith.  I am 
well acquainted with the financial circumstances of Jehu H. Rigney . His 
means consist of one small piece of Land worth about $400.00 three of his 
sons owning equal shares with him in said Farm.  A man could not make a 
living on the whole of the place let him work ever so hard.  1 horse worth 
about $20.00 and a couple of milk cows worth about $25.00 each and this is 
all he has .  I not related to Mr. Rigney and have no interest in his laim.

ATTEST:   A.J. Larsen                   E. M.Morgan ( His mark is made on 
signature)
             J.F. Broyles

Sworn to by the affiant to me well known and who I certify that he is 
entitled to full faith and conduct that I have no interest  this the 
prosecution of this claim and that my commission expires Jan the 8th 1906 
his 15th July 1905
                        Ed Gray, Notary Public

GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of Tennessee, County of Campbell in the matter of Pension claim NO 
6332 of Jehu H. Rigney, Company C, 24th Regiment, Virginia Infantry 
Confederate Volunteers.  On this 15th day of July 1905, personally came 
before me a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid 
E.M. MORGAN, whose age is 62 years and whose P.O. address is Newcomb, 
Campbell Co., Tennessee.  Who by me being duly sworn as the law direct , 
deposes in relation to the aforesaid Pension claim as follows to wit:

My name age and P.O. address is as stated above.  My occupation is that of 
a farmer .  I am well acquainted  with the financial circumstances of Jehu 
H. Rigney, his means consist of one small piece of land worth about $400.00 
three of his sons owning Equal shares with him in said farm.  A man could 
not make a living on the whole place, let him worked ever so hard.  1 Horse 
worth about $20.00 and a couple of milk cows worth about $25.00 each and 
this is all he has.  I not related to Mr. Rigney and have no interest in 
his claim.

ATTEST A.J. Larson
                J.F. Broyles                    E. M. Morgan (his mark X is 
made on the signature)

Sworn to by the affiant to me well known and who I certify that he is 
entitled to full faith and conduct  that I have no interest in this the 
prosecution of this claim and that my commission expires January 8th 1906. 
This July 15th 1905
                        Ed Gray, Notary Public (Signed)
 
 

Attached to the General Affidavit was the following note, not dated.

Character as a soldier and citizen:
          Endorsed PROVEN
          The specifications not satisfactory to the Board may be corrected 
by proof, but no proof will be considered unless taken before an officer 
using a seal.
                        Respectfully,
                                JNO. P. HICKMAN
                                         Secretary
 
 

ALSO IN THE FILE WAS THE FOLLOWING NOTATION :
Jno. H. Rigney No. 6332
     Nashville, Tenn  7-7-1905
Dear Sir:
     The Board of Pension Examiners have considered your application , out 
(? Illegible) will say:
     Service in the army:
         Endorsed:  PROVEN
     Wound received, injury sustained, or disease contracted while in 
service in line of duty.
          Endorsed:  PROVEN
      Extent of disability arising from such wound, injury or disease.
          Endorsed:  Doctor's certificate doesn't state your inability to 
make a living
Indigency: 
          Endorsed:  NOT PROVEN
       How applicant  got out of the army:
          Endorsed:  NOT PROVEN
       Character as a soldier and citizen.
          Endorsed:  PROVEN

The specifications not satisfactory to the Board may be correct by proof, 
but no proof will be considered unless taken before an officer using a 
seal.
                                Respectfully,
                        JNO. P. HICKMAN
                                Secretary

CLAIMANT AFFADAVIT

State of Tennessee County of Campbell in the matter of Pension claim No. 
6332 Co "C", 24th Regiment, Virginia Inft. Vols , Confederate Volunteer on 
this 15the day of July 190__(illegible)  personally appeared before me a 
Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid Jehu H. Rigney 
whose age is 63 years and whose P.O. address is Jellico, Campbell County 
Tennessee who by me being duly sworn as the law, directs deposes in 
relation  to his own Pension claim as follows to wit:  My name age and P.O. 
address is as stated above.  My occupation so long as I was able to follow 
one was that of a Coal Miner. I am the identical person by the name of Jehu 
H. Rigney that served Company "C", 24th Regiment Virginia  Infantry.  My 
name in full is Jehu Hanks Rigney.  I am not Jno. H. Rigney as is shown in 
better from Pension Board of date July 9th 1905 and is herewith returned as 
to my indigency  I refer pension board to the affidavits of J.F. Broyles 
and E. M.Morgan taken at even date herewith.  As to the extent of my 
disability to earn my support by manual labor I will refer Pension Board to 
the Affidavit of Dr. A. T. Newman of Jellico Tenn. which is herewith 
enclosed.  As to how I got out of the Army I refer Pension Board to letter 
from War Department, Washington City dated July the 7th 1903, which is 
filed as part hereof and marked Exhibit A as to how I was recognized and 
appreciated by my superior officers.  I will refer you to a letter from my 
Captain, W.H. Sutherland of Hillsville, Virginia dated August the 2nd 1901 
which is filed as part hereof and marked Exhibit B.  I am poor destitute 
and I am needing financial relief

ATTEST:    A.J. Lawson                  Jehu H. Rigney (his mark is made on 
signature)
ATTEST:    G.M.Marsie

Sworn to and subscribed to before me Ed Gray a notary public by the above 
affiant who I certify that is entitled to full faith and conduct and hat I 
have no interest in this claim and that my commission expires Jan the 8th 
1906, this July the 15th 1905
                                        Ed Gray, Notary Public

Document marked          MEDICAL EVIDENCE, PHYSICIANS AFFIDAVIT

State of Tennessee County of Campbell in the matter of Pension claim 
No.6332 of Jehu H. Rigney, Priv. Co "C" 24th Regt. Va Inft. Southern 
Confederacy.  On this 13th day of July 1905 personally appeared before 
me a notary public within and for the County and State aforesaid Dr. A. T. 
Newman aged 54 years and a resident of Jellico in the County of Campbell 
and State of Tennessee and who by me being duly affirmed declares in 
relation to the aforesaid case as follows-
I have this day examined the said Jehu H. Rigney and find chronic 
tympanitis, to such an extent as to almost destroy his hearing.  His 
heart's action is badly impaired, it pulsates about 10 strokes then 
intercuits one, and that very long (?).  The said Rigney has a large scar 
about 3 inches above the left nipple, which extends through to the back, 
and at the left of the dorsal spine. And the left lumbar muscle (?) is very 
enlarged.  In my opinion , the deafness is the result of spinal disease, 
the said Rigney can't stand straight, but stoops forward, and walks the 
same way.  The said Rigney is very pale and anemic.

I am not related to the said Rigney, and have no interest in his claim.  In 
my opinion the said Rigney is incapacitated from performing manual labor 
S/4.

Signed A.T. Newman, M.D.

STATE OF TENNESSEE
CAMPBELL COUNTY                 Personally came before me Ed Gray, Notary 
Public, Dr. A.T. Newman with whom I am personally acquainted and who made 
affirmation that the above statements are true to the best of his 
knowledge. Affirmed to this July 13/05. 

(Signed)  Ed Gray, Notary Public

Document attached to Claimant's affidavit:

State of Virginia, County of Carroll, to Wit;

I, W.H. Sutherland, Clerk of the Circuit Court of the county and state 
aforesaid, do hereby certify during the late war between the Confederate 
States and the United States, I served in the army of the Confederate 
States as Captain of Company "C" 24th Regiment of Virginia Infantry.  That 
Jehu H. Rigney enlisted as a private soldier in said company at Hillsville 
Carroll county on or about the first day of April 1861, and was mustered 
into service at Lynchburg Virginia on the 24th day of May 1861, and 
reinlisted in the service below the city of Richmond Va., about the last of 
May 1862, and continued in the service until taken prisoner near 
Sutherlan's station a few days previous to the surrender of the army of 
Northern Virginia on the 9th day of April  1865.  Said Rigney was a 
vigerous young man at the time of his enlistment, his hearing at that time 
being in nowise impaired.  Said Rigney was a true, loyal and faithful 
soldier, and I take pleasure in bearing testimony to the fact that no more 
gallant soldier followed the Confederate flag or defended it more zelously 
than Jehu H. Rigney.

                In testimony whereof I have hereunto subscribed my name and 
affixed the seal of the said court at my office, in Hillsville, Va on the 
23rd day of June A.D. 1904
                                             (Signed)  W. H. Sutherland
Clerk.
 

State of Virginia, County of Carroll, to wit;

D.B. Brown takes oath and says that he is a citizen of said county and 
resident of Hillsville; that he served as a soldier in Co, "C" 24th Va, 
Infantry during the late civil war, that he was mustered in to the service 
along with Jehu H.Rigney and others at Lynchburg, Va, on the 24th day of 
May 1881, and served with said Rigney until about the close of the war. 
That said Rigney's hearing was not impaired at the time of his enlistment, 
and he was sound in body, so far as affiant knows or believes.  That said 
Rigney was a true, faithful, loyal soldier. 

                         Signed   D.B.Brown
Subscribed and sworn to before me the 23rd day of June 1904
                                      Signed W. H. Sutherland   Circuit 
Court Clerk
 
 
 

Letter attached to Claimant's affidavit-marked Exhibit A

SUBJECT;  CASE OF J. H. RIGNEY:  From Address:
"Chief of the Record and Pension Office, War Department, Washington, D.C. 

One inclosure. 
737027.

                        RECORD AND PENSION OFFICE,
                               WAR DEPARTMENT 
                                         Washington City,
                                             July 27, 1903.

Hon. Henry R. Gibson,
   Knoxville, Tennessee.

Sir:
        In returning herewith the letter, received to-day by your 
reference, of Mr. J. H. Rigney, of Newcomb, Tennessee, who states that he 
served in Company "C",  24th Virginia Infantry; was captured at Black and 
White Station, Virginia, April 2, 1865, and was discharged from Federal 
prison at Point Lookout, Maryland, August 1865, and who also states that he 
is an applicant for a Confederate pension under the laws of Tennessee, and 
desires your assistance in obtaining a copy of his discharge from prison, 
and in response to your request that information in the case be furnished 
you, I have the honor to advise you that it is shown by the records that 
Jehu H. Rigney, private, Company C, 24th Virginia Infantry, C. S. A., was 
captured at Southerland Station, Virginia, April 2, 1865, received at Point 
Lookout, Maryland, from City Point, Virginia, April 13, 1865, and was 
released June 17, 1865, upon taking the oath of allegiance.

Very Respectfully,

(Signature is illegible)
Chief, Record and Pension Office.

Handwritten note on letter  "Sent to Mr. J.H. Rigney for his information."
                                                       " Henry R Gibson."

Document is date stamped  "July 28, 1903"
 
 
 
 
 
 

Letter from Sutherland attached to Claimant's affidavit - marked Exhibit B:

                                        Hillsville, Va, August 2, 1901.

My Dear old friend and comrade,

        Yours of the 29th ultimo was duly received.  I was more than 
pleased to hear from you, had long since mourned you as dead not having any 
tidings of you since your departure from this part of the moral vinyard. 
Hope you are well, prosperous, and happy, as old confederate soldiers 
justly deserve to be.
        In regard to the Pension matter, I herewith inclose you the form of 
application with the pension law of the state printed thereon which will 
more fully explain the matter than I could by letter.
        You will observe that in order to obtain the small pension provided 
for the applicant must be a resident of this state; so you will understand 
this would exclude you unless you return here.
                                        Very truly your friend
                                               W.H.Sutherland
 

STATEMENT ATTESTING TO DEAFNESS DUE TO SERVING IN WAR

Virginia Carroll Co. To wit
This day T.J. Edwards a Justice of said County do certify _____ (? an 
illegible name) and Noah Rigney (next word illegible) of the County and 
State aforesaid whom I believe to be credable witness, came personally 
before me and made oath that J. H. Rigney is the very identical person whom 
he represents himself to be and that that statement made by him they 
verilly believe is correct _____ (illegible)    before he went into the 
service his hearing was good and a when he was discharged his hearing was 
badly injured. 

Given under my hand his 20th day of June 1904.
                                        Signed Thomas J. Edwards, JP

Virginia Carroll Co. To wit:
This day J.H. Rigney came personally before me T.J. Edwards a justice of 
said County and State and made oath that he was a private in Company  Co. 
"C" 24th Regt. Of Va Volonteers that he was musterd in to the service in 
1861 and was discharged at Point Lookout in 1865   That while in the 
service his hereing was badly injured and has remained ____________ (next 
few words illegible).
Given under my hand this 20th day of June 1904

                                        Signed Thomas J. Edwards, JP
 

LETTER FROM J. H.RIGNEY

Newcomb, Tenn
June 24, 1913 
Mr. Neal Moses
Confederate Pension Agent
Knoxville, Tn.

Dear Sir,
I write to let you know that my disability has increased until I am not 
able to perform any labor and think I ought to receive more than I am 
drawing at present.  I am 71 years old and very feeble and almost totally 
deaf and think I ought to be allowed an increase .  Will you please inform 
me what to do .... 
(rest of letter is illegible)
 
 
 

Response to letter above:

                                        THE PENSION BOARD

                                                Nashville, Tenn.
                                                June 26, 1913

Mr. Jehu Rigney
Newcomb, Tenn.

Dear Sir:

     I have your letter of yesterday.  Just at this time, the board has no 
funds to grant an increase of pensioners.  The legislature has got mixed up 
on the appropriation and I doubt if we will be in a position to grant any 
increase for sometime to come.  I think we will be fortunate if we have 
funds to pay pensions as heretofore.

                                                Yours truly,

                                                Special Examiner.

FM/MF