William Boyer Pension Application
Margaret Boyer of Clinton County applied
for a pension based on the civil war service of her son, William Boyer, who died
at Camp Kirkwood, Clinton County.
All the witnesses in this document were related by blood or marriage. John
B. Fridley and Robert Osborn (as already noted) also served in Company I of the
26th Iowa Ing. Reg't.
Thanks for letting me post this material on your site. I hope that it
helps someone in their search for elusive ancestors.
Submitted by Richard Osburn
PENSION APPLICATION FOR WILLIAM BOYER
State of Iowa
County of Clinton On the 29th day of January AD 1864 before me a notary public
in and for said county and state personally appeared John B. Fridley and Robert
Osborn, residents of Clinton Co, Ia, and persons whom I certify are respectable
and entitled to credit, who being duly sworn according to law, state that they
are personally acquainted with Margaret Boyer, who is as we understand, an
applicant for a pension. That they have been acquainted with said Margaret
Boyer and her son William Boyer, who was a private in Captain E.A. Wemple’s
Company “I” of the 26th Reg. Ia Volunteer Infantry, for at least ten years
previous to his enlistment in said service. That to our certain knowledge said
William Boyer furnished said Margaret Boyer all his earnings for her support for
at least five years previous to his enlistment in the service of the United
States, which he did by furnishing her with groceries, provisions and clothing
during that time.
All further swear that said William Boyer furnished his mother Margaret Boyer
with nearly all his first payment which he received from Government for her
support while he was in said service. Said payment amounting to the sum of
forty dollars.
They further declare that William Boyer died leaving no widow, child or
children - that Jacob Boyer the husband of Margaret Boyer and father of
William Boyer died about the year AD 1845.
They further declare that they reside as above stated and are disinterested in
this claim.
John B. Fridley
Robert Osborn
State of Iowa
County of Clinton On this 29th day of Jan 1864 personally appeared before me
the undersigned clerk of the district court in & for said county and state,
Margaret Boyer a resident of Wheatland in the county of Clinton, state of Ia,
aged sixty one years who being first duly sworn according to law doth on her
oath make the following declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the
provisions made by the act of congress approved July 14, 1862; that she is the
widow of Jacob Boyer and mother of William Boyer who was a private in Company
“I” commanded by Capt. E.A. Wemple in the 26th Regiment Iowa Infantry
Volunteer, commanded by Colonel Milo Smith of Iowa in the war of 1861 for the
suspension of the rebellion in the southern states, who died on the 8th day of
October 1862 at Liberty Township in the Co. of Clinton & state of Iowa, that his
death was caused by typhoid fever contracted while in service & in line of his
duty at Camp Kirkwood at Clinton, Clinton Co., Ia. She further declares that
her son upon whom she was wholly dependant for support having left no widow or
children surviving him. That is he died unmarried, declarant makes this
application for a pension under the above mentioned act and refers to the
evidence filed herewith, and that in the proper department to establish her
claim. That Jacob Boyer the husband of your applicant has been dead about
eighteen years and that William Boyer had contributed to her support for at
least five years previous to his enlistment in service by buying her groceries
and provisions and clothing and after entering the aforesaid service he
contributed of his first payment about thirty five dollars for the support of
your applicant. She also declares that she has not in any way been engaged in
or aided or abetted the rebellion in the United States. That she is not in
receipt of expenses under the 2nd section of the act about mentioned nor under
any other act nor has she again married since the death of her son William
Boyer. And she further states that she believes there is no public record of
her marriage and there is no private or family record and the best evidence she
is able to produce of her marriage is the testimony of witnesses who know both
Jacob Boyer while living and your applicant - And she hereby appoints Charles
Steams of DeWitt, Clinton, Co., Ia, her attorney with power of substiution to
prosecute her claim and receive the certificate therefore.
Signed Margaret Boyer with an “X”
State of Iowa
County of Clinton On this 4th day of February 1864 before me a notary public in
and for said county and state personally appeared Charles Fridley a resident of
Clinton Co., Ia who being duly sworn according to law, upon oath states that he
is personally acquainted with Margaret Boyer and has been for thirty years (30)
years. That he was acquainted with Jacob Boyer, husband of said Margaret Boyer
for thirty three (33) years previous to his decease and that to his certain
knowledge said Jacob Boyer and Margaret Boyer lived together as husband and wife
and were so reputed through out the community where they lived - up to the
time of the death of said Jacob Boyer. That he has often been informed and
verily believe that said Jacob Boyer and Margaret Boyer were duly and legally
married at or near Staunton, County of Augusta in the state of Virginia about
the year AD 1833 or 1834.
He further states that Margaret Boyer is a woman of good reputation and worthy
of credit and that he is not interested in the claim.
Charles Fridley
Sworn to and subscribed before me etc. etc.
COMPILER'S NOTES:
The above document provided to this compiler, Richard Osburn, on June
20, 1999, by my distant relative, George Heine, Tucson, AZ, descendant of
Margaret Boyer.
The Margaret Boyer in this file is Margaret Fridley, (1803-1887) of
Augusta County Va.
John B. Fridley was a nephew and son-in-law of Margaret
Boyer. Robert Osborn was a son-in-law of Margaret Boyer.
John B. Fridley and Robert Osborn were brothers-in-law, having
married sisters Hannah and Mary J. Boyer.