Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application File S. 5516, Sotha Hickman, Va.
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(8-1776)

SERVICE                                    Number
Va.              Hickman, Sotha     S.5516
carded
CONTENTS
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Virginia   12.527
Sotha Hickman
of Harrison Co. in the state of Virginia
who was a private in the company command
by Captain Sorother of the Regt. command
by CoC in the Virginia
time for 14 months
Deed

Inscribed on the Roll of Virginia
at the rate of 46 Dollars 66 cents per
to commence on the 4th day of March 1831.

Certificate of Pension issued the 7th day of Mar
1835 and sent to David
Davission Clk.    Harrison Co.  Clark(Not readable)

Arrears to the 4th of March 1833,  93.32
Semi-anl. allowance ending 4 Sept - 23.33
                                                        $116.65

Revolutionary (Not readable)
Act June 7, 1832
Recorded by R. Newman
Book E   Vol. 6  Page 11






(Not readable) 12 March 1835
Date of death  (Not readable)
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State of Virginia
Harrison County   
Set
On this 17th day of July in the year of 1832 personally appeared in open court before the justice of County of Harrison in court now sitting, Sotha Hickman, age 84 years, who first being duly sworn, according to law doth on his oath make the following statement, in order to obtain the benefit of the act of congress passed June 7th 1832.  That he entered the service of the United States as a volunteer under Capt. William Lowther of the Virginia Militia Line John Powers, the ensign's name not now recollected, and William Moore being 
sergeant, in the fall of 1780, that he continued in service until the expiration of six months, the period for which he had entered the service.  When he entered the service as afore he was a resident of the county of Monongahela, in the part of sd county which now forging the aforesaid county of Harrison, where Sotha now resides, that while they engaged in service, at the time aforesaid, he was in no battle or engagement, being employed in watching the parties and protecting it from the invasion and ravages of the continued Indians of British Canadian troops.   That at another time he was called into the militia service of the state aforesaid under Capt. Law the report of invasion by the Indians, and continued in (not able to read)
along the waters of (not able to read)
then known as Nutter's fort.  That he was again called into service as aforesaid, by an officer to refute invasions of the county made by the Indians, and for
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with them for the murders committed by them on Booth's creek that while this out there was no skirmish with the enemy they having immediately   retreated, and not being to found, and that after being engaged in laying there who had been killed, and in pursuing the Indian trail, here turned after the lapse of some five or six days.  That at another time he was likewise engaged in 
refuelling an invasion of the country, made by the Indians, and under Capt Lowther and together with Dan Davisson, Nathaniel Davisson, Huffield Baker and others, and Lieut Powers, (can not read)
rabel mischief had been effected, and when (can not read)  
coming near to the enemy, they were discovered to be too numerous to be attacked by a body of troops as small as those under the command of Capt. Lowther, only about 24 or 25 men and after burying the killed, 9 or 10, they returned into Nutter's fort for security where they had to remain, until the Indians withdrew from the neighborhood.  That at several other times he was in like manner called into service, and served until the company engaged with him was ordered by the officer in command to return into fact or to  their homes.  The further states that although he does not now remember the length of time which he was, at thou several calls, employed and engaged in service, yet he feels confident that, independent of his tour of duty for six months as first above stated, he was nearly not quite, three months in actual service.  The further says that he has no documentary evidence, and that he knows of no one now alive whose testimony (can not read) to testify to my (can not read)  any such persons is (can not read) a Douglas (can not read) and a Gregory,  in the county of Greenbries in Virginia
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He the sd applicant, Sotha Hickman, hereby relinquishes every claim whatever to a pension or annuity except the present and declares that his name is not on the pension rolls of the agency of any state.
Sworn to & subscribed the day & year aforesaid Sotha Hickman  This X mark

We Jean Richards and Josiah Davisson who have been in the now county of Harrison in Virginia from early life, and were here in the war of the revolution, and still reside in sd county, certify that they have long known and are well acquainted with Sotha Hickman, who has subscribed & sworn to the above declaration, that he believes him to 84 years of age, that he has ever been and is reputed & believed in the neighborhood where he resides to have been a soldier of the revolution and that we concur in that opinion -
Sworn and subscribed the day & year 
aforesaid .
Isaac Richards      his  IR mark
Josiah Davisson   his  X mark

And the sd court hereby declares this opinions after the investigation of the matter, and the putting this interrogatories prescribed by this department, that the above named applicant was a revolutionary soldier and served as he states and the court further certifies that (can not read) to them that Isaac Richards & Josiah Davisson.  Who have signed the preceding certificate are residents sd county of Harrison in Virginia, and credible.
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(can not read) and that their statement is entitled to credit.
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Sotha Hickman 4924
Declaration
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May 3, 1935
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sotha Hickman-S. 5516
BA-J/AWF

Mrs. M. Lockridge Mower
Staunton, R.F.D. #2
Virginia

Dear Madam:

Reference is made to your letter in which you request the Revolutionary War records of James Elliott, Roger Hickman and Sotha Hickman, all of Virginia.

Revolutionary War data furnished by this office are obtained from claims for pension and bounty land made to the United States, based upon service of soldiers in that war. A search of the records fails to show such claims on file in account of the Revolutionary War services of James Elliott and Roger Hickman. These surnames were searched under various spellings.

The Revolutionary War record of Sotha Hickman which follows were obtained from the papers on file in pension claim, S. 5516, based upon his service in that war.

Sotha Hickman was born June 10, 1748 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland (name of county not recollected), names of his parents not given.

While residing at Nutter's Fort, Monogahela County, Virginia, he volunteered in the fall of 1780 and served six months as a private in Captain William Lowther's Virginia company. He served in 1781 two months in same company. He volunteered in 1782 and served six months in Captain Thomas Nutter's Virginia company. His service was watching the frontier from
aud
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protecting the inhabitants from the invasion of the Indians and in scouting parties along Ten Mile Creek and West Fork River.

Sotha Hickman was allowed pension on his application executed July 17, 1832, then a resident of Harrison County, Virginia.

There are no data in this claim relative to his family.

In order to obtain information in regard to the last payment of pension, name and address to whom sent, and possibly the date of death of this pensioner, you should apply to The Comptroller General, General Accounting Office, Records Division, Washington, D.C., citing the following data:

Sotha Hickman
Certificate # 12527
Issued May 7, 1833
Rate $46.66 per annum
To commence March 4, 1831
Act of June 7, 1832
Virginia Agency.

Very truly yours

A. D. HILLER
Executive Assistant to the Administrator
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State of Virginia 
Harrison County To Wit
On the 25 day of December personally appeared before me the acting Justice of the peace in and for the County of Harrison in the state of Virginia Sotha Hickman aged 84 years who being first duly Sworn according to Law doth on his oath make the following a mended Declaration in order to obtain the benefits of the Act of Congress passed June 7th 1832

That he was born on the eastern Shore in the State of Maryland he dont know the name of the County has now [no] record of his age but under Stood from his parents that he was born June the 10th 1740. that he was living at Nutters Fort [now West Virginia] in the county of Harrison and State of Virginia.

When he volunteered as a private Soldier under Capt William Low then in 1780 and served six months and that in 1781 he Still lived at Nutters Fort [now West Virginia] he Volunteered under the said Capt [William] Low then and Served with Capt [Low] two months and again in 1782 he still lived at Nutters Fort [now West Virginia], he volunteered his services under Capt Thomas Nutter and served not less then Six months and in all of his Tours he served a private and for such Services I claim a pension.
Sotha Hickman [his mark] X
Sworn to the day and year aforesaid before me
Edward Stewart JP

We Alexander C Holden a clergyman residing in  the County of Harrison and State of Virginia Josiah Peck residing in the same County and State aforesaid appeared before me a Justice of the peace as already recited and being like wise duly sworn upon thier oaths do say that they are well acquainted with Sotha Hickman who has subscribed and sworn to the fore going Declaration that they believe him to be 84 years of age as stated  by himself.

that he is reputed and believed in his neighborhood to have been a soldier of the 
Revolution and the [illegible page torn] in that
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Opinion

A, C, Halden
Josiah Peck,
Sworn before me the day and year aforesaid
Edward Stewart
And I said Justice of the peace in and for said County and state aforesaid do hereby declare my opinion that after the investigation of the matter and after putting the interrogatories prescribed by the War Department that the above named Sotha Hickman was a soldier in the revolutionary War and served as he states And I do further certify that Alexander C Holden who has signed the preceding Certificate is a Clergyman and a resident in the County of Harrison and State of Virginia and that Josiah Peck who has also signed the same is also a resident in said County and state and is a Credible person and that their statement [illegible] to Credit Given under my hand and seal the day and year aforesaid
Edward Stewart J P

I David Davisson, Clerk of the Court of Harrison County do certify that Edward Stewart is an acting Justice of the peace and that the foregoing signatures purporting to be his are genuine
In testimony whereof I have hereunto affixed my seal of office and subscribed my name This 18th of February 1833
D. Davisson C.H.C.
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State of Virginia}
Harrison County} to Wit,
Personally appeared Christopher Nutter 72 years of age who Being duly sworn deposeth and saith he is well acquainted with Sotha Hickman the present applicant for a pension that he Knows that Sotha Hickman was a Soldier under Capt. Will Lowther in the year 1780 at Nutters Fort and served two moths For he said Christopher Nutter was a soldier at the same time and under the same Capt Lowther for which services he he now is drawing a pension he also deposeth and saith that Sotha Hickman was a soldier under Capt Thomas Nutter In the year 1782 a tower of Duty, of six months at Nutters Fort and that he himself, was a soldier and served five Months and the same time for which services he is drawing a pension Christopher Nutter
My hand this 23rd of March 1833. Edward Stewart JP
I do further certify that Christopher Nutter is a creditable man and his statement is entitled to full Credit
Edward Stewart J.P_
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Rev.&1812 Wars Section. MMHF

November 11, 1925

J. K. Longacre
Shidler, P.O. Box 948
Oklahoma

Sir:
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 5516 it appears that Sotha Hickman was born June 10, 1748 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
While residing at Nutters Fort, Mononagahela County (that part which was latter Harrison County), Virginia he enlisted in the fall of 1780 and served six months as a private in Captain William Lowther's Virginia Company. He also served two months in 1781 as a private in the same company.
He enlisted in 1782 and served six months as a private in Captain Thomas Nutter's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 17, 1832 while a resident of Harrison County, Virginia.
There is no data on file as to his family.
Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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AWF

Rev. and 1812 War Section.

October 21, 1925

Mrs. L. Longacre
West Union,
West Va.

Madam:
I have to advise you that there is no discharge certificate on file in the Revolutionary War pension claim of Sotha Hickman (S. 5516). 
You were furnished, July 22, 1924, the history of the above mentioned Sotha Hickman. Owing to a lack of clerical farce available for the purpose, it is not the practice of the Bureau to send the same history twice to the same person.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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AWF
Rev. and 1812
War Section.

July 22, 1924.

Lulu Longacre,
West Union,
W. Va.

Madam;
I have to advise you that from the papers in the Revolutionary War pension claim S. 5516 it appears that Sotha Hickman was born June 10, 1748 on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.
While residing at Nutters Fort, Mononagahela County (that part which was latter Harrison County), Virginia he enlisted in the fall of 1780 and served six months as a private in Captain William Lowther's Virginia Company. He also served two months in 1781 as a private in the same company.
He enlisted in 1782 and served six months as a private in Captain Thomas Nutter's Virginia Company.
He was allowed pension on his application executed July 17, 1832 while a resident of Harrison County, Virginia.
There is no data on file as to his family.

Respectfully,

WINFIELD SCOTT
Commissioner.
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M.B.H.
Rev. War Section.

September 2, 1915.

Mr. Charles L. Hickman,
President. Sons of the Revolution,
Clarksburg, West Va.

Sir:
In response to your letter dated the 1" instant, relating to the pension claim of Sotha Hickman, Sur. File No. 5,516, Rev. War, you are advised that the date of his death is not stated in the papers on file in this Bureau.
For the date of last payment of his pension and to whom paid, you should apply to the Auditor for the Interior Department, giving him all the following data:
"Sotha Hickman, Certificate No. 12,527, issued May 7, 1833, for $46.66 per annum, from March 4, 1831, under the Act of June 7, 1832, at the Virginia Agency."
Very respectfully,
[Signed] E. C. Tieman
Acting Commissioner.
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REVOLUTONARY WAR RECORDS SECTION. 3-525
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
BUREAU OF PENSIONS.
Washington, D. C., ______, 19__

In reply to your request of _________, received _____ for a statement of the military history of Sotha Hickman a soldier of the REVOLUTIONARY WAR, you will find below the desired information as contained in his application for pension on file in this Bureau. S. 5516.

DATES OF ENLISTMENT OR APPOINTMENT.
[1] Fall 1780
[2] 1781
[3] 1782
LENGTH OF SERVICE.
[1] 6 mos.
[2] 2 mos
[3] 6 mos.
RANK.
[1] Pvt.
OFFICERS UNDER WHOM SERVICE WAS RENDERED.
CAPTAIN.
[1] William Lowther
[2] William Lowther
[3] Thomas Nutter
COLONEL.
[1] x
[2] x
[3] x
STATE.
[1] Va.

Battles engaged in, Not state.
Residence of soldier at enlistment, Nutters Fort, Monongahela later Harrison Co. Va.
Date of application for pension, July 17, 1832. His claim was allowed.
Residence at date of application, Harrison Co., Va.
Age at date of application, born on the Eastern shore of Maryland, June 10, 1748
Remarks: there is no family data on file.

Respectfully,
Commissioner.
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RECEIVED
APR 16 1935
MAIL SUB-DIV.
VETS. ADM.
READER # 23
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Staunton, Va
RFD #2
Apr 12th 1935
Veterans Administration,
Washington, D.C.
Will you kindly send me the Revolutionary War record of Sotha Hickman of Harrison Co, West Va.
And Roger Hickman of Bath Co Va
Also Captain James Elliott of Rockbridge Co Va.
This information will be greatly appreciated. I am tracing my family history for membership in the DAR.
Very truly yours
(Mrs) M. Lockridge Mower
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Shidler, Oklahoma
P.O.Box 948

Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington,D.C.

We would ask that you forward us a copy of the war record of Sotha Hickman, Revolutionary War Pension claim,S.5516.

Yours respc,
[Signed] J K Longacre

[Stamp]
PENSION
S
NOV
U. 7 S.
1926
OFFICE
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West Union. W. Va.
Sept. 27, 1925.
The Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Dear Sir-:
Please forward a copy of Sotha Hickman's discharge to the address below.
Jas. K. Longacre
Shidler,
Box 948- Okla.
Rev. & 1812 War Section - Pension claim, S. 5516.
Yours truly,
Mrs. L. Longacre

Sotha - no dis ctf.
she was fur. list
on July 22, 1924

[Stamp]
PENSION
S
SEP
U. 29 S.
1925
OFFICE
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Admd as a private for
14 months $46.66
Page 23

BRIEF objections to the admission of Pension Claims, of which those answered in the negative, in red ink, will apply to the claim of Sotha Hickman which require further proof or explanation.

I. Does the declaration show where the applicant resides? yes

II. Did the declarant make the declaration in the county where he resides? yes.

III. If the applicant did not make the declaration in the county where he resides, is there any reason assigned for him not doing so? 

IV. Has the declarant mentioned the period or periods of the war when he served? yes

V. *Has he mentioned with precision the length of his service, and the different grades in which he served, in language so definite as to enable the department to determine to what amount of pension he is entitled? no.

VI. Has he given the names of the officers under whom he served, in conformity with the regulations? yes.

VII. Has he made a relinquishment of every claim to any other pension than the one under the Act of June 7, 1832? yes.

VIII. Has the Court given their opinion? yes

IX. Has the Clerk given his certificate? yes

X. Is the Clerk's seal affixed? And if so, has it a device or inscription by which it can be distinguished from any other seal? yes
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2

XI. Has the applicant obtained the evidence of a clergyman and another respectable citizen as to their belief respecting his age and the general belief in his neighborhood relative to his revolutionary service? no.

XII. If the clergyman's affidavit has not been produced, is there any reason assigned for not obtaining it? no.

XIII. If the applicant has no documentary evidence, and has not obtained the testimony of at least one living witness, has he stated in his declaration that such proof cannot be had? yes.

XIV. [notation sign 1]If the applicant has produced a witness or witnesses as to his service, has the magistrate who administered the oath certified that he, she, or they are persons of credibility? ~

XV. Does it appear from any of the papers that the witness was in such a situation, or of such an age, as to have a personal knowledge of the applicant's service? ~

XVI. [notation sign 2]Are the papers authenticated as the regulations direct? yes.

XVII. Are the seven interrogatories prescribed by the War Department answered satisfactorily? And, if not, which of them is not so answered? 
1, 2, 5 parts 5, 6 & 7 -
_________________________
EXPLANATORY NOTES.

*QUERE V. In a case where the applicant cannot, by reason of the loss of memory, state precisely how long he served, he should amend his declaration by making an affidavit in the following words:
"Personally appeared before me, the undersigned, a Justice of the Peace, &c. A. B. who, being duly sworn, deposeth and saith that, by reason of old age, and the consequent loss of memory, he cannot swear positively as to the precise length of his service, but according to the best of his recollection he served not less than the periods mentioned below, and in the following grades; For ___________ year _____________ months, and _________ days, I served as a ______________ For _____________ months and ___________ days, I served as a _______________; and for such service I claim a pension.
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3

It is important in all cases to determine with precision the period for which each applicant served, and the particular rank he held, as the law directs the pension to be paid according to the grade of the pensioner and the length of his service. The use of the phrase "about three or four months" is too indefinite, and all such qualifying expressions are objectionable. 
[notation sign 1]QUERE XIV. Proof of Service.
In a case where the name of the applicant is not found on the records of the Department, he must prove his service by two credible witnesses, who are required to set forth in their affidavits the time of the claimants entering the service, and the time and manner of his leaving the same, as well as the regiment, company, and line to which he belonged. The magistrate who may administer the oaths must certify to the credibility of witnesses, and the affidavits must be properly authenticated, as above directed.
[notation sign 2]QUERE XVI. Mode of authenticating papers.
In every instance where the certificate of the certifying officer who authenticates the papers is not written on the same sheet of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of paper which contains the affidavit, or other paper authenticated, the certificate must be attached thereto by a piece of tape or narrow ribbon, the ends of which must pass under the seal of office of the certifying officer, so as to prevent any paper from being improperly attached to the certificate.
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Clarksburg W, Va,
June 16th 1924

Dear Sir-
please mail copies of the discharge, "or copies of papers showing that. Sotha Hickman served in the Revolutionary war.
To Mrs Lulu Longacre
West Union
Box 300 W,Va.
and to Mrs Leonie Gain
601 1/2 Buchanan Ave
Clarksburg
W. Va
Sotha Hickman fought under Colonel William Lowther. enlisted at Fort Nutters. "now W VA)' Harrison County. We wish these records to prove our Eligibility to the Daughters of the American Revolution. If you do not have above record please tell me where I can procure them. and oblige.
Mrs Leonie Gain.

[Stamp]
PENSION
S
JUN
U. 18 S.
1924
OFFICE
Page 27

[Stamp]
PENSION
O
SEP
U. 2 S.
1915
OFFICE.
Page 28

[Header]
[Circular symbol with text: SONS OF THE REVOLUTION]
CHARLES L. HICKMAN, PRESIDENT
CLARKSBURG, WEST VIRGINIA

Sons of the Revolution
in the
State of West Virginia

[Body]
Clarksburg, W- Va.,
Sept-, Ist, 1915.

Hon-. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D.C.

Sir:-
Refering to the Revolutionary War Records of SOTHA HICKMAN, who enlisted under Captain William Louther, at Nutters Fourt, Monongahela later Harrison County Virginia, in the Fall of 1780 and who applied for pension, July 17th, 1832; I beg to inquire if the r records show the date of his death, or when his pension ceased.
I am makeing an effort to secure a marker and am lacking this datta.
Respectfully,
[Signed] Charles L. Hickman
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Rev Sec H

Sons of the Revolution in the State of West Virginia
Clarksburg, West Virginia
Charles L. Hickman, President
Clarksburg, West Virginia

Aug 14th, 1915.

Hon-. Commissioner of Pensions,
Washington, D. C.

Dear Sir:-
Will you kindly furnish me with transcript of records of the services and discharge of SOTHA HICKMAN, who served as private in Virginia troops during the war of the Revolution; I think about the year 1749, and applied for pension about 1834.
Thanking you for any information you may be pleased to furnish, I remain, very trully yours etc., Thas L. Hickman
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[Stamp] OLD WAR & NAVY AUG 20 1896
[Stamp] U. S. PENSION OFFICE L. AUG 18 1896

Clerk's Office of the Circuit Court of Harrison County Henry Haymond, Clerk.

H

Clarksburg, West Va., August 17, 1896

Hon. Commissioner of Pensions Washington DC
Sir: Sotha Hickman was at the time of his death, a resident of the County of Harrison in the State of Virginia. 
One of his descendants, as a matter of family history, requested me to write to your Department and inquire if the said Sotha Hickman was a Pensioner as a Revolutionary Soldier and what service he rendered in that war, in case he was on the pension roll.
I am very respectfully
Henry Haymond
He died about 1830 and is said to have been a Pensioner.
Page 31

[Page 1]
Rev War 5516.
INVALID.
____
File No. 5516
Sotha Hickman
Pri Rev War
____
Act: June 7" 1832
ndex:-Vol. M, Page 172
[Arrangement of 1870.]

[Page 2]
Aug 21 '96 sol eriod to Henry Haymond
Clarksb'g W Va.
1915. Aug. 21: history to Mr. Charles L Hickman. M.B.H
_______________________
1915. Sept 2: Mr. Charles L. Hickman referred to the Auditor.
_______________________
1915. Sept. 24. To Sr. Mr Gen.
U. S. A. For Tombstone
_______________________
1924- July 22 Hist to Lulu Longacre-AWF.
1925. Oct 21 - Mrs. L. Longacre. not 2 hist. Inf etc. no disc ctf. AWF.
1925 - Nov - 11 - HIst: to J. K. Longacre MMHF
1935 - May. 3 - " " Mrs. Leonie Ridgemore AWF