Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-10-18
Pensions TO Deceased Soldiers,
Mothers.

The Commissioner Of Pensions, Mr. Barrett,
has addressed the subjoined full and satisfactory
letter to one Of the numerous correspondents
who have written inquiring as to the mode of
establishing claims for pensions in behalf OF
the mothers oil soldiers deceased in the mil.
itary service Of the United States under the
act granting pensions, approved July 18th,
1862
"PENnoN OFFICE, Oct 13, 1862.
"SR:-To the several questions contained in
your letter OF the 10Th inst, concerning the pen
sion claims of mothers Of deceased officers and
soldiers, who have left neither widow nor minor
child, reply: In no case will the dependence of
the mother upon her son for support, whether
wholly or in part, be taken for granted on the
mere affidavit of the claimant The allega-
tion must be sustained by positive proof that
she has actually received her support during q
stated period, either wholly or in part from the
deceased soldier, on account of whose military
services abe presents her claim. This can be
proved by the affidavits Of two creditable wit.
nesses who are not interested in the result OF
the application; by the production of evidence
that portion of the soldiers pay by allotment
ticket or otherwise was regularly transmitted
to the mother; by proof that he constantly
paid or contributed toward paying her board,
house rent or specific and necessary expenses
or by such other equivalent testimony as will
clearly establish the fact in question. II ia moi
sufficient that the mother received occasional
presents from deceased. If the mother haf
husband living, that fact is regarded as pTima
tdeie evidence that she was not in any degree
dependent upon her son for support. In such
case, before she can be admitted on the pension
roll, II must be clearly proved that her husband
haa Rafuaad tad ~ Io a.. ho-
port, stating for how long time, or on account
Of physical inability to labor, having no Other
source of income, or else that having deserted
her he is beyond the reach of legal compulsior
to contribute to her maintenance.
"The proof required on this case Ia that oi
two creditsble and disinterested Witnesses, wbC
must state their means of knowing the facts tC
which they make affidavit.
at is my opinion that if the mother Of ,
deceased soldier has husband living who il
not proved to be responsible to support her, ant
in such situation that she cannot enforce he
legal claim upon him for subsistence, she il
not entitled to receive pension by reason O.
the service and death of her son. Proof of tht
mothers marriage to the father of the deceased
soldier is regarded as indispensable, and thu
fact should be established by record evidences
| when that can be obtained. If the marriage
took place in foreign country, g record of th'
baptism of any child of the parties will be &C
cepted in place of the marriage record, if tn
latter cannot be obtained without great incon
venience. If neither can be obtained, an aft
davit to that effect, a private record, or tn
evidence Of common reputation, shown by tw
creditable witnesses having no interest in tn
result, will be received.
Respectfully yours,
"JOSEPH H. BARRETT,
| Commissioner"