Rainwater Pension Applications II

The state listed with each name is that from which the individual served, not the state in which he was resident at the time of application. These transcriptions have been abridged to provide the maximum amount of genealogical data, but reducing the excess of bureaucratic verbage, and were made from photocopies of the microfilmed original, except where noted.

Confederate pension applications are available on microfilm in many National Archive branches and public libraries, and may be copied at an average cost of $2. Union pension applications are only available from the main National Archives office in Washington DC. The average cost for a Union pension file is $75, so contributions of photocopies or transcriptions are appreciated.

Excerpts from Civil War / Southern Claims Commission applications:
James Rainwater, Southern Claims Commission application, 1873, Missouri
John A. Rainwater, 1872, Arkansas

Excerpts from Civil War pension applications / Union:
Abraham Butler Rainwater & Sarah C Waters Rainwater, 1898, Missouri
Jacob A. Rainwater, application for admission into the Soldiers’ Home, 1904, Illinois
Martha Rainwater, daughter of Gideon E. & Mary Ann Rainwater, Missouri, 1890
Mary Ann Hammond Rainwater, widow of Gideon, 1869, Missouri
Nautilla E. Rainwater, widow of Jacob A., 1905, Illinois
Paschal P. Rainwater, application for admission into the Soldiers’ Home, 1918, Washington

Excerpts from Civil War pension applications / Confederacy:
Annie Hightower Rainwater, widow of James H., 1919, Georgia
Arilda Jane Rainwater, widow of Reason, 1927, Arkansas
Cicero Rainwater, 1895, Georgia
Crosby D. Rainwater, 1906, Georgia
Eliza Ann Rainwater, widow of John W., 1892, Arkansas
Francis Marion Rainwater, 1915, Arkansas
George Wilburn Rainwater, 1915, Oklahoma
Henrietta Susan Rainwater, widow of Cicero, 1907, Georgia
James H. Rainwater, 1901, Georgia
M. J. (Sabra Amanda Jane) Rainwater, widow of Miles, 1903, Georgia
Maggie L. Rainwater, widow of William P., 1932, Arkansas
Mariah Rainwater, widow of Elisha W., 1901, Georgia
Mary Eliza Lea Rainwater, widow of William L., 1932, Arkansas
Miles Rainwater, 1898, Georgia
Nancy Rainwater, widow of Francis M., 1922, Arkansas
Riley Gilmore Rainwater, 1916, Arkansas
Sarah Ann Hedgepeth Rainwater, widow of William Joseph, 1893, Georgia
Sarah F. Rainwater, widow of Crosby D., 1907, Georgia
Sarah R. Rainwater, widow of William M., 1901, Arkansas
Sarah R. Rainwater, widow of William M., Death Benefit, 1910, Arkansas
Thomas E. Rainwater, 1901, Arkansas
William B. Rainwater, 1909, Georgia
William L. Rainwater, 1918, Arkansas

Pension Extracts Page 1

Southern Claims Commission applications

James Rainwater, Southern Claims Commission application, 1873, Missouri

This is an abridged excerpt from the application of James Rainwater (husband of Delilah Kifer) made to the Southern Claims Commission for compensation of property confiscated by Union troops during the Civil War. The original document includes three pages of questions, followed by many pages of numbered answers. Unfortunately, the answers rarely match the numbered questions, and in context make little sense. I have made an attempt to match the answers to the logical question. Thus (a24) means the answer was marked as #24, but (q21) indicates that the answer best matches question #21. Both questions are given.

Claim #21805, paid out at $273.00
The Claim of James Rainwater of Washington Co., AR

It is hereby certified that on the 25 day of February 1873 at Fayetteville, in the county of Washington and State of Arkansas, personally came before me the following persons, viz: James Rainwater, claimant; and John Thomas, Miss Martha Cook, Miss Elizabeth Jack, William Jack, Richard Glazebrook, claimant’s witnesses.

Witness my hand and seal this 2nd day of May 1874
E. B. Harrison, Special Commissioner of the Commissioners of Claims

1. What is your name, your age, your residence and how long has it been such, and your occupation? My name is James Rainwater, my age 64 years, my residence Warsaw, Benton Co., in the state of Missouri, and my occupation a Farmer.
(a2) If you are not the claimant, in what manner are you related to the claimant? (q4) Where were you residing and what was your business for six months before the outbreak of the rebellion, and where did you reside and what was your business from the beginning to the end of the war? And if you changed your residence or business, state how many times and why such changes were made? I lived 5 miles east of Fayetteville, Washington Co., AR from April 1st 1861 to July 1863 when the Rebels got so bad I had to move to Fayetteville for the protection of the Federal Army. Up to the time I move to Fayetteville, I had charge of and cultivated the County Poor Farm. I leased the farm at $60.00 cash rent per year. I remained at Fayetteville out of business until March 4th 1867 when I took my family with and under the protection of a military escort to Warsaw, MO, where I rented a farm and have been there ever since.
22. Did you ever do anything for the Confederate cause, or render any aid or comfort to the rebellion? Only as stated under question 2.
(a24) Were you in any service, business or employment for the Confederacy or for any rebel authority? (q21) Was any of your property confiscated by rebel authority? (q26) Did you ever take any oath to the so-called Confederate States while in any rebel service or employment? I was arrested at Freeshlay’s Mill by some bushwhackers in Nov 1864. The men who arrested me told me they had an order from Capt. Brown to do it. They kept me two days and nights. Took me about ten miles and then turned me loose, saying Brown ordered them to do it. They did not ask me to take any oath. I was arrested at Elm Springs on my way to the Mill in Nov 1862 by some of Blunt’s1 soldiers. They kept me a day and night and then the Adjutant came along and turned me loose and told me to go home. No oath was required.
(a25) Were you in the civil, military or naval service of the Confederacy or any rebel State in any capacity whatsoever? (q27)Did you ever have charge of any stores or other property for the Confederacy or any rebel state in any capacity whatsoever? The Rebels took two horses from me in Nov 1862. They did not pay me.
(a26) Did you ever take any oath to the so-called Confederate States while in any rebel service or employment? (q18) Were you ever threatened with damage or injury to your person, family or property on account of your Union sentiments? I was threatened with hanging on streets of Fayetteville in the early part of the war by a Rebel named Cunningham. Other threats and intimidation’s of violence were made to me after [unreadable - possibly accusations] of my being a Union man.
(29a) Were you interested in any vessel navigating the waters of the Confederacy? (q30) Did you ever subscribe any loan of the so called Confederate States, or of any rebel State; or own Confederate bonds or securities, etc.? No - only to say all [unreadable] for the Union and assist the Union people to the extent of my ability.
(30a) Did you ever subscribe to any loan of the so-called Confederate States or of any rebel state; or own Confederate bonds or securities, or the bonds or securities of any rebel state issued between 1861 and 1865? (q36) Have you any relatives in the Confederate army or in any military or naval service hostile to the United States? Only one, a nephew (Charles Rainwater). I furnished him nothing when he enlisted or while in the Service. He lived in Missouri. He lives now in St. Louis.
(40a) Were you ever a prisoner to the United States authorities, or on parole or under bonds to do nothing against the Union cause? (q5) On which side were your sympathies during the war, and were they on the same side from beginning to end? At the beginning of the Rebellion and all the way through, my sympathies were for the Union & I voted against Secession and opposed it by my influence and [unreadable] and when my state seceded, I remained a Union man.
(41a) Were you ever arrested by the authorities of the United States during the war? (q7) Were you at all times during the war willing and ready to do whatever you could in aid of the Union cause? I do say yes to such clause of that question. I have been this all my life.

Part II. I was present and saw all the property charged in my claim taken. Items 1, 2 & 3 were taken at the time I was arrested by Blunt’s Army (see answer to question no. 24). I was on my way to Mill in Elm Springs with a major yoke of oxen & load of corn and my boy was driving the oxen and I was riding the mare (Item 3). Genl. Blunt’s Army was camped in the county. Schofield2 I think was at Elm Springs. On my way, and before I got to the Mill, I met 5 Federal Soldiers. They asked me where I was going. I told them to Mill. They said they was after such men as me and one of them ordered me to light. I declined to get down and the soldiers fetched out an oath or two and I thought it best to light and the soldiers got my mare and tied his horse to a wagon that they had.
Items No. 4 & 5 were taken by the forage train of the 1st Arkansas Infantry from Fayetteville. About four weeks before I moved to the Port (in Dec 1862), the train came out and took two army wagon loads of my corn and one stack of fodder. The wagons were well loaded full. I [unreadable] there was 20 bushels to the load. I think there was 400 bundles of fodder in the stack. That was what I generally put in a stack. I just came up as the train was moving out of the field with the forage. They seemed ill (in bad temper) and I said nothing to them and never made any effort to get pay and never did in any receipt or voucher.
I reckon the corn was worth $1.00 per bushel. I guess the fodder was worth about $1.50 per 100 bundles.

James {his x mark} Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before this 25th day of February 1873.
E. B. Harrison, Special Commissioner

1 General James Gillpatrick Blunt, Union
2 General John McAllister Schofield, Union

Abridged transcription and originals

John A. Rainwater, 1872, Arkansas

My name is John Rainwater1, my age is 30 years, my residence Washington County, in the State of Arkansas, and my occupation a Farmer.

When the war commenced I was living with my father on Cane Hill, Washington County Arkansas, some 12 miles S. W. of Fayetteville. I staid there until a short time before the Prairie Grove fight, when I was conscripted and taken south by the Rebel Army.

About two months before the Prairie Grove fight, two armed men came to me when I was ploughing [sic] in the field, and asked me if I belonged to the Army. I told them I didn’t, they asked me why didn’t I. I told them I didn’t want to go as long as I could stay at home. They told me I had to go, that I was no better than they was, and that they was going. They took me under guard to where their regiment was camped, at Prairie Grove Meeting House. They turned me over to a Captain of a company. They staid [sic] there a few days only, and then started south taking me with them as far as Van Buren. I left them the night of the Prairie Grove Battle, and after staying home a few days, I went by way of Fayetteville (then a Federal Military Post) to Cassville Missouri, and from there to Springfield where I was mustered into the Federal Army.

I was a Union soldier for over 19 months and after the close of the war I was honorably discharged.

At the beginning of the rebellion, I sympathized with Union cause. I was with the Union Cause in my feelings. I was under age when the war came up and I did not vote during the War. I was of an age that I took but little interest in politics and I knew but little about the ordinance of secession being passed in my state. I was opposed to my state seceding and did not go with it when it seceded.

Item No. 1 (One Horse) I was present when the horse was taken, and saw him taken. A Lieut. and two Privates of Herron’ss Command came to my father’s the day after the Prairie Grove fight. The Lieut. Said he was bound to have the horse, that his had got killed in the battle and he was afoot. I went with them from the house down to the field and tried to get the Lieut. not to take the horse, but he would take it. They took the horse to their camp at Prairie Grove Battle Ground (about 2 1/2 miles from father’s). I never saw the horse afterwards. I never made any effort to get the horse back. I never got any receipt, voucher, or pay for him. The Lieut. Said he would pay me Confederate money for him, but I refused to take it. This was my own horse I had traded for him. He was a chestnut sorrel, about 4 or 5 years old, good size, in good frsc, and sound. He was worth $150.00, I had been offered that for him.
John (his mark) Rainwater

The Commissioners statement:
The claimant lived in Washington, Co. Ark in 1862. He was arrested by the rebels and kept in custody in their service about 2 months when he escaped and enlisted in the Union army and served 19 months and was honorably discharged. We allow $100.00.

1 Son of Matthew Rainwater and Mahala Snapp, husband of Sarah Isabell McKeiver
2 General Francis Herron, Union

Transcription contributed by Granville Clyde Rainwater

Civil War Pension Applications / Union

Abraham Butler Rainwater, 1898, Missouri

Certificate No. 412793
Abraham B. Rainwater, Camden Co., MO
Date of reply, May 4, 1898

Are you married? If so, please state your wife’s full name and her maiden name.
Sarah Catherine Rainwater; maiden Sarah Catherine Waters.

Where, when and by whom were you married?
October 17, 1870 by Parson Wm. Brown in Camden Co., MO

What record of marriage exists?
On record at Linn Creek, Camden Co., MO

Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.
Once married.

Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and dates of their births.
Yes. Sarah L. Rainwater, Sept 8th 1871. Mary E. Rainwater, Dec 25th 1872. Benjamin F. Rainwater, Nov 5 1874. George E. Rainwater, Oct 20 1876. Jeremiah L. Rainwater, May 20th 1879. William M. Rainwater, Apr. 14, 1881. Trinkey F. Rainwater, Oct 5th 1883. Rose A. Rainwater, Sept 17, 1885. Jesse F. Rainwater, March 1888. Harrison Rainwater, Oct 22, 1890. Lemuel Rainwater, Feb 8, 1896.

Abraham Butler Rainwater’s pension application
Sarah C. Waters Rainwater’s widow’s pension application
Photocopies of original contributed by Brad Millar

Martha Rainwater, daughter of Gideon E. & Mary Ann Rainwater, Missouri, 1890

Declaration for Soldier’s Child Who is Permanently Helpless

State of Missouri, County of Camden
On this 11th day of August A.D. [1890] personally appeared before me, a Justice of the Peace, in and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary A. Rainwater, aged 75 years, who being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain the pension provided by the act of Congress, approved June 27, 1890: That she is the legal guardian of Martha E. Rainwater, who is at the present time suffering from mental disability, which said disability to her best knowledge and belief is permanent in its character and renders the said ward permanently helpless; that the ward is the legitimate child of Gideon E. Rainwater, who enlisted under the name of Gideon E. Rainwater at Linn Creek, MO, on the 1st day of October, 1864 in the military service of the United States as a private in Co G, 45th Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, and served at least 90 days in the war of the Rebellion in the service of the United States, who was honorably discharged June 29th, 1865, and died on 1st Aug 1865.

That the said child was born January 28th, 1857. That the father was married under the name of Gideon E. Rainwater to Mary A. Hammond, there being no legal barrier to such marriage.

That an application has heretofore been made for a minor’s pension and a certificate number 134264 granted. That the applicant appoints F. M. Rainwater of Toronto, state of Missouri her true and lawful attorney to prosecute this claim.

View the original pension application
Photocopies of original contributed by Brad Millar

Jacob A. Rainwater, application for admission into the Soldiers’ Home, 1904, Illinois

Illinois Soldiers and Sailors Home, Quincy, Illinois
April 13, 1904
Jacob A. Rainwater of the town of Quincy in the County of Adams and State of Illinois, formerly a soldier of the United States of America in the war against the Late Rebellion, respectfully asks that he be admitted as a member of said Home.

To enable the authorities to determine whether or not he is leagally entitled to become a member of said Home, he declares and states the facts to be that he is now 58 years old; that he is 5 feet and 6 1/2 inches high; that he is ruddy complexion, dark eyes and gray hair; that he was born in Jefferson Co. in the State of Tennessee, on the 4th day of September 1847; that he has been enrolled in the U.S.A. service in the war against the Rebellion and that he has been honorably discharged from the service of the United States.

That the following is a true statement of the time and place of his enrollment and discharge from said service and that the cause of his discharge and of his rank at the respective date thereof namely:
Where and when enrolled: Jany 4 1864
Where and when discharged: May 11 1865, Springfield, Ill.
Rank: Private
Company and Regiment: L Company, 2 Regiment, Ill Cavalry
Cause of Discharge: Telegram from War Dept., May 4 1865

That he now receives, on pension certificate #223764, a pension of twelve dollars a month, payable the 4th day of next July at the Chicago Pension Office. That he owns property, real and personal, of the value of nothing dollars and no more; that he has no means of self-support other than the above named; that his trade or occupation is that of a Farmer. That he has a wife; that he has 2 children now living. That his postoffice address is Quincy, State of Illinois; that his nearest railway station is Quincy on the Wabash & Ohio Railway in Adams County, in said State; that the name and address of the person to whom he desires notice of his illness or death shall be given, is Ella Rainwater of Quincy, County of Adams, State of Illinois; that in case of his death, he desires all his personal effects to be sent to Ella Rainwater at Quincy, County of Adams, State of Illinois. That he has not heretofore been a member of any Soldiers’, Sailors’ or other Charitable Home or Institution. That he is now a bona fide resident of the State of Illinois and has continuously lived and resided in said State for the last two years or has served in an Illinois organization.

In testimony whereof he has set his hand this thirteenth day of April 1904
The man is very weak and cannot sign.1
J. C. Shahan, witness

State of Illinois, County of Adams
In the matter of the relationship of Jacob A. Rainwater, being first duly sworn according to law, deposes and says that he formerly resided at Quincy, Adams Co., Illinois, that he is married, that his wife Ella Rainwater resides at Quincy, Ill., that the names, relationship and residences of all and the relations only, of affiant who would be his heirs in the event of his death, at this time, are as follows, to-wit:
William Rainwater, son, California
Florence May Miller, daughter, [unreadable]
Subscribed and sworn before me this thirteenth day of April 1904

View the original application for admission into the Soldiers and Sailors Home

View the original pension application

1 Jacob A. Rainwater died 18 days after making this application.
Photocopies of original contributed by Glidie Rainwater Mobley

Mary Ann Hammond Rainwater, widow of Gideon, 1869, Missouri

In the matter of the application of Maryan Rainwater for pension as widow of Gideon E. Rainwater, State of Missouri, County of Camden

On this 7th day of June, A.D. 1896, personally appeared before me, Clerk of the Circuit court within and for said county...Maryan Rainwater, aged 54 years, who being first duly sworn according to law, doth, on her oath, make the following declaratio, in order to obtain the benefit of the Act of Congress, approved July 14, 1862; That she is the widow of Gideon E. Rainwater, deceased, who was a Private in Company G commanded by Captain Lerther in the 45th Regiment of Missouri Infantry Volunteers in the war of 1861, who died on the 1st day of August A.D. 1865 at home in Camden County in the State of Missouri, caused by Chronic and General Disability, which disease was received in the military service of the United States, and in the line of his duty. She further declares that she was married to the said Gideon E. Rainwater on the 10th day of February A.D. 1839 in the County of Russell, State of Kentucky by Silas Carns, a minister of the gospel, and that her name before such marriage was Maryan Hammond, and that the names and ages of the children, the issue of said marriage, under sixteen years of age at the time of the decease of her said husband, and the place of their residence are as follows, viz:

George W., born October 27, 1849
John P., born April 11, 1852
Eli S., born July 27, 1854
Martha E., born January 28, 1857
and the same are the only children of the said Gideon E. Rainwater under 16 years at the time of his death. And their residences are all with me and I have not abandoned the support of any of the children above named nor permitted any one of the same to be adopted by any other person or persons.

Affiant states that she has remained a widow ever since the death of her said husband... that the applicant resides at Glaze City Post Office, in the County of Camden in the State of Missouri. She also declares that she has not in any manner been engaged in or aided or abetted in the rebellion in the United States, and is, and always has been loyal to the Constitution, Government and Laws of the United States. remainder of form omitted

Jan 31, 1900
Certificate No. 134264
Class: Widow
Pensioner: Mary A. Rainwater
Soldier: Gideon E. Rainwater
Service: Pt. G H 5 Mo.
Sir: I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner who was last paid at $12 to 11 Aug 1898 has been dropped because of death. Date: 26 Aug 1989
C. Leland, Jr.

View the original pension application
Photocopies of original contributed by Brad Millar

Nautilla E. Rainwater, widow of Jacob A., 1905, Illinois

State of Illinois, County of Hancock
On this sixth day of May A. D. one thousand nine hundred and five before me, a Notary Public in and for the County and State aforesaid, personally appeared Nautilla E. Rainwater, aged 4 years 1, a resident of Plymouth, county of Hancock, State of Illinois, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of Jacob A. Rainwater, who enlisted under the name of Jacob A. Rainwater at Quincy, Illinois on the 4th day of January, 1864, as Private in Co. L Second Regt. Illinois Cavalry Vols., served at least ninety days during the War of the Rebellion in the service of the United States, was honorably discharged on the 17th day of May, 1865, and died at Soldiers Home, Quincy, Illinois on the 21st day of April, 1904 of a complication of diseases.

That she was married under the name Nautilla E. Toomer, to said Jacob A. Rainwater on the 2nd day of September, 1874 by Rev. D. P. Henderson at Canton, Missouri, there being no legal barrier to said marriage, his wife being dead. That she has not remarried since the death of said Jacob A. Rainwater. That she is not receiving pension nor applied therefore prior to this time. That she is without adequate means of support other than her daily labor, and an actual net income not exceeding $250 per year, and makes this declaration for the purposes of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of May 9, 1900, amending the Act of June 27, 1890. She hereby appoints John W. Morris & Co., of Washington D. C., her attorneys to prosecute said claim with powers of substitution. That her post office address is Plymouth, County of Hancock, State of Illinois.

Nautilla E. Rainwater
E. P. Miller & J. A. Roinick, witnesses

State of Missouri, County of Fulton

In the pension claim of Nautilla E. Rainwater, widow of Jacob A. Rainwater, Company L 2nd Illinois Cavalry. Personally came before me, a Notary Public, in and for the County and State aforesaid Mrs. Mary Ann Gibbs, whose residence and Post Office address is Partridge, well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows:

Will just say Jacob Rainwater’s first wife was my daughter. She died Dec. 29, 1870. Was married when 20 years old & was married March 16, 1868. When she died my husband went but did not get there till after the funeral, was delayed on account of the train. Don’t know of anyone living that was there, and that Jabob Rainwater and last wife had always lived together until his death and that neither him or his last wife was ever divorced.

Mrs. Mary Ann Gibbs
Peter Kestel, H. C. O’Hara, witnesses

Oct 4, 1930
Kind Sir:
I see by the national Tribune that the law was passed in July for the widows to get an increase. I am 73 years old and thought I would get mine the same as the rest but have never received the increase. I sure would appreciate gettimg more as I am in need of it. My pension no is 805,955 letter A. I may not of written this in the proper way but done my best. So I would like very much to hear from you.
Yours Truely, Nautilla E. Rainwater

View the original pension application

1 She would have been age 57 at the time of this application. It’s not clear why the clerk wrote 4 years.
Photocopies of original contributed by Glidie Rainwater Mobley

Paschal P. Rainwater, application for admission into the Soldiers’ Home, 1918, Washington

No. 2985 State Soldiers’ Home Application for Admission
of Paschal P. Rainwater, late Private Co. B 44th Regiment Iowa
County of Pierce, Washington

On this 21 day of October A. D. 1918 personally appeared before me C. W. Van Scoyoc, Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Paschal P. Rainwater, aged 75 years; height 5’/4 feet; complexion dark, a resident of the county of Spokane, State of Washington, who being duly sworn, deposes and says, that he was born in Mississippi, that he has resided in the state of Washington continuously since 1912, that he is by occupation a laborer; that he is married; that he has been married as follows:
Date: Sept 6 1868
Where married: Young America, Ill
Married by: Minister
Wife died or divorced, and date: Living

That he has 5 children living whose names, addresses and ages are as follows:
Chas. Rainwater, 46, Spokane, Wash; Guy Rainwater, 43, Guthrie, Okla; Roy Rainwater, 40, Spokane, Wash; Stella Welch, 37, Spokane, Wash; Mattie B. Soray, 34, Spokane, Wash; Josephine Rainwater, wife, Spokane, Wash.

The he enlisted in the services of the United States one time/s during the Civil War and was honorably discharged from each enlistment as follows:
When enlisted with rank: Apr 29 1864
Where enlisted, town or state: Muscatine, Ia.
Company or regiment: Co. B 44th Iowa
Date discharged: Sept 15 1864, Davenport, Ia.
Cause of discharge: Expiration of service

That he is receiving 30 dollars per month Pension, on Certificate No. 984561, and being indigent and unable on account of disability to earn his living by manual labor, and having no adequate means of support, desires admission to the State Soldiers Home.

That the following is a complete list of all the property he owns or in which he has any interest:
Household goods, $100, half interest. Real estate, none.

The said Paschal P. Rainwater agrees that he will abide by and obey all the rules and regulations of the Home; that he will perform all duties required of him, and obey all lawful orders of the officers of the home.

Paschal P. Rainwater, Spokane, Wash., 1110 West Gordon St.
Witnesses: Edna Schildrip, Eleanor Wray
Sworn to and subscribed before me the day and year first above written, and I hereby certify that the foregoing affadavit was read over and fully explained to Paschal P. Rainwater before he executed it.
C. W. Van Scoyoc, Notary Public in and for the State of Washington residing at Orting

Some excess bureaucratic language omitted where inapplicable because the fields had been left blank. Photocopies of original contributed by Glidie Rainwater Mobley

Civil War Pension Applications / Confederate

Annie Hightower Rainwater, widow of James, 1919, Georgia

State of Georgia, Douglas County
Personally comes before me Mrs. Annie Rainwater of said County, who after being duly sworn says that she is the widow of J. H. Rainwater to whom, in the County of Campbell State of Georgia she was married on the 24 day of Oct 1872, and that she remained his wife and resided with him to the date of his death in Jany. 1st 1914, and that she has not since his death remarried. At the time of his death he was a resident of Fulton County in said State of Georgia and he was on the Indigent Pension Roll of the State and paid a pension of $60 in Fulton County for 1913 per annum on account of being a soldier in Company K Regiment 30 Ga (Volunteers or State Militia). That she is now a bona fide resident citizen of said County of Douglas and she has so continuously resided since 18th day of December 1916.

Mrs. Annie {her x mark} Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 21st day of August 1919
J. H. McLarty, Ordinary of Douglas County

This application includes a notarized copy of the couple’s marriage certificate:
Georgia, Campbell County
To any Minister of the Gospel, Judge of Superior Court, or Justice of the Peace - to Celebrate:
You are hereby authorized and permitted to join in the Honorable state of matrimony James H. Rainwater and Miss Ann Hitower, according to the Rites of your church, provided there be no lawful cause to obstrout the same, according to the Constitution and Laws of this State, and for doing so this shall be your sufficient license.
Given under my hand and seal, this 13th day of August, 1872.
R. C. Beavers, Ord’y.
I hereby certify that James H. Rainwater and Ann Hitower were joined together in the Holy Bans of matrimony on the 24th day of October, 1872, by me.
James C. Burson, N. P.

View a copy of the original

Arilda Jane Rainwater, widow of Reason, 1927, Arkansas

State of Arkansas, County of Montgomery

I, Jane Rainwater, do solemnly swear that I was born the 13th day of November 1848 and that I am the widow of Reason Rainwater, who served as a soldier in the army of the Confederate States . . . omitted . . . ; that my husband died on the 13th day of September 1891 in Montgomery County, Arkansas and that I have not since remarried, so help me God.

Jane {her X mark} Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 2nd day of July 1927
George Mathis, clerk

View a copy of the original

Cicero Rainwater, 1895, Georgia

#1632, State of Georgia, Richmond County
Cicero Rainwater of said State and County, desiring to avail himself of the Pension Act, approved December 15th, 1894, hereby submits his proofs, and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:
1. What is your name and where do you reside? Cicero Rainwater, No. 10 Green Alley, Augusta, Ga.
2. Where did you reside on January 1st, 1894, and how long have you been a resident of this state? On Carrie Street, Augusta, Ga. All my life.
3. When and where were you born? Augt. 7, 1842. Hancock Co., Ga.
4. Did you volunteer in the Confederate Army or Georgia Militia? Confederate Army.
5. When and where did you enlist? June 1861. Warrenton, Ga.
6. In what company and regiment did you enlist? Co. H. 22nd Regiment of Ga. Vols.
7. How long did you remain in that company and regiment? Until the surrender.
8. If you were discharged from same, or if you transferred to another, give an account of the discharge or transfer? Was not discharged until the surrender and was not transferred.
9. For how long a period did you discharge regular military duty? Three years and a half.
10. When, where and under what circumstances were you discharged from service? April 13, 1865 at Appomattox Court House, at the surrender.
11. What is your present occupation? Agent of industrial relief association.
12. How much can you earn per annum by your own exertions or labor? Twenty five dollars
13. What has been your occupation since 1865? Farming, Carpenter’s work, & was a Policeman for 3 mons.
14. What sum would be necessary for your support for this pension year, and how much are you able to contribute thereto either in labor or income? Seventy five dollars. Twenty five dollars.
15. What is your present physical condition and how long have you been in such condition? My health is very bad. I was wounded in body during the war. When I exert myself very much I become completely exhausted and my heart troubles me. My kidneys also give me trouble. I have been in such condition for six or eight years.
16. Upon which of the following grounds do you base your application for pension examples omitted? Infirmity and poverty.
17. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such condition that you could not earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? I am infirm as stated in No. 15, and as I have said, I cannot do any hard work that requires manual labor, on account of my heart and other complications.
18. What property, effects or income do you possess? None whatever.
19. What property, effects or income do you possess in 1893 and 1894 and what disposition, if any, did you make of them? None at all.
20. In what County did you reside during those years and what property did you return for taxation? Richmond County. No property returned.
21. How were you supported during the years 1893 and 1894? By what work I could do and by my nieces who fed me.
22. How much did your support cost for each of those years, and what portion did you contribute thereto by your own labor or income? $100.00 per year. In 1893, $52.00. In 1894, $35.00.
23. What was your employment during 1893 and 1894? What pay did you receive in each year? Carpentering and on the Police Force of Augusta. I made $52.00 in 1893. In 1894, I made $75.00.
24. Are you married and have a family? If so, is your wife living and how many children have you? Give age and sex of children and their means of support? Yes. Wife not living.1 Four children. Two sons, ages 17 & 13 years. Two daughters, ages 24 & 15 years. One daughter married supports herself and the other children.
25. Are you receiving a pension under any law of this State; if so what amount and for what disability? Am not receiving a pension.

Cicero Rainwater, applicant
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 10th day of April 1895
Alexander Revalton, Ordinary of Richmond County.

1 Should say "Wife now living", but this was apparently filled in incorrectly by the clerk.

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Crosby D. Rainwater, 1906, Georgia

State of Georgia, Taliaferro County
Personally appeared C. D. Rainwater of said Taliaferro County, State of Georgia, who being duly sworn, says on oath that he was born on the 26th day of November 1832, that he is a bonafida citizen of Georgia, has been continuously since the 26th day of November 1932, that he enlisted in the military service of the Confederate States (or the State of Georgia) on the [left blank] day of [left blank] 1862, during the war between the States, and served in Company E of the 7th Regiment of the Georgia Volunteers, Roberson’s Brigade and was honorably discharged on the [left blank] day of [left blank] 1863; that while engaged in such military service and in the line of duty in the State of Virginia, on the [left blank] day of [left blank] 1862, he was disabled or wounded as follows:

Contracted Pneumonia. Was confined for 4 weeks. He has suffered from this attack ever since and noe suffers from the effects of some. This renders him utterly unfit for work and makes him unable to make a support for himself and wife. Was discharged from active service in 1863 and shortly after sent to Augusta, Ga to work in the Confederate service.

Where was command surrendered? Greensboro, NC
Was applicant present? No.
If not, where was he? Augusta, Ga.
How come there? Working for Confederacy
Any by whose authority? Was discharged and shortly after sent to Augusta, Ga to work for Confederacy shipping amunition, etc.

Deponent desires to participate in the benefits of Section 1250 of the Code and the Acts amendatory thereof, and makes application for the pension to which he is entitled for the year thereunder, ending October 16th, 190--.
C. D. Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me on this the 31st day of August 1906
M. F. Anderson, Ordinary

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Eliza Ann Rainwater, widow of John W., 1892, Arkansas

Independence County

The undersigned, as the widow of an ex-Confederate Soldier, hereby applies for a pension . . . omitted . . . upon the following grounds: That she is a bona fida resident of the State of Arkansas and has been for more than twelve months next before the filing of this application; That she is the widow of J. W. Rainwater who enlisted as a soldier in the State of Arkansas during the war between the States in Company H of the 1st Regiment of Arkansas Cavalry and continued in the service of the State of Arkansas or the Confederate States of America until July 1863. We can’t give company or regiment but can give the Capt. & Comndrs. name. Capt. Arrington & Comndr. Cabble. J. W. Rainwater was killed July 31 1863 in Butler Co., Ark.; That she has remained a widow since the death of her husband, is now indigent and incapacitated for manual labor by reason of old age and infirmity; remainder of form omitted

E. A. {her X mark} Rainwater
Attest: T. E. Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 3 day of June 1891
Jas. C. Churchill, notary public

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Francis Marion Rainwater, 1915, Arkansas

State of Arkansas, County of Lawrence
I, F. M. Rainwater, do solemnly swear that I served as a soldier in the army of the Confederate States, being a member of 42nd Arkansas (Baber) Regiment of Cavalry from the State of Arkansas; that I was honorably discharged from such service on or about the 5th day of June 1865; (omitted); that I am incapacitated to permorm manual labor in any of the ordinary avocations of life and that such incapacity (or disability) is the result of wounds received in the service, being sore legs, diseased testicles and old age, and that such disability is not the result of my own vicious habits still persisted in, so help me God.

F. M. Rainwater
Subscribed to and sworn before me this 3 day of June 1915
J. L. Casper, Notary Public

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George Wilburn Rainwater, 1915, Oklahoma, #1380

State of Oklahoma, County of Haskell
I, G. W. Rainwater, do hereby make application to the Board of Pension Commissioners to be granted to me under the Act passed by the Fifth Legislature of the State of Oklahoma and approved February 25, 1915, on the following grounds:

I enlisted and served in the military service of the Confederate States during the war between the States of the United States and that I did not desert the Confederate service, but during the war I was loyal and true to my duty, and never at any time voluntarily abandoned my post of duty in said service; that I was honorably discharged or surrendered at Appomattox at time of Surrender of Robt. E. Lee. . . . omitted . . . I do further state that the answers given to the following questions are true:
1. What is your age? 74
2. Where were you born? Camel County, GA1
3. How long have you resided in Oklahma? 6 years
4. In what county do you reside? Haskell
5. What is your post office address? Stigler
6. Have you applied for a pension under the Confederate Pension Law and been rejected? No
7. What is your occupation? Farmer
8. What is your physical condition? Not very good
9. In what State was the command in which you served organized? Georgia
10. How long did you serve? Enlisted July 11th, 1861, surrendered at close of war
11. What was the letter of your Company, number of Regiment, Battalion or Battery? Company C, 19th Ga Regiment, Colanito Brigade, under General Johnson, Virginia Army
12. If transferred from one command to another, give time of transfer, name of command and time of service? Never transferred
13. What branch of the service did you enlist in? Infantry
14 - 16 omitted
17. What is the assessed value of your other property? About $200.00
18 - 19 omitted

W. G. Rainwater {his x mark}

War Department, The Adjutant General’s Office, Washington
July 19, 1915
Respectfully returned to the Chairman, Oklahoma Board of Pensions, Commissioners, Oklahoma City
There are no rolls on file in this office of Company C, 19th Georgia Infantry, C.S.A.

The name of G. W. Rainwater appears on a register of oaths taken by Confederate deserters2 at Headquarters, Provost Marshal, Bermuda Hundred, Va., whereon he is shown to have been captured Dec. 12, 1864, and to have taken the oath on the same date. He is also shown to have received at the Provost Marshal General’s Office, Washington, D. C., Dec. 15, 1864, and to have been furnished transportation to Philadelphia.
H. P. McCain, The Adjutant General

1 There is no Camel County in Georgia. He apparently means Campbell County.
2 Confirmation of his service was requested from The War Department in Washington, DC, which replied that he was a Confederate deserter captured on 12 Dec 1864 in VA.

Scan of original application for G. W. Rainwater

George W. Rainwater’s wife, Nancy A. Parrish, also applied for a pension under the 1915 Act. The microfilm roll containing Application #6633 is so out of focus that it cannot be read.

Henrietta Susan Rainwater, widow of Cicero, 1907, Georgia

State of Georgia, Washington County
Mrs. Henryetta Susan Rainwater of Said State and County, desiring to avail herself of the pension allowed to Indigent Widows of Confederate Soldiers under Act of General Assembly passed December 19, 1900 hereby submits her proofs and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? Mrs. Henryetta Susan Rainwater, Ga, Wash. County, Sandersville.
2. How long and since when have you been a resident of this state? All my life.
3. Where and when were you born. 1840. Warren Co., Ga.
4. When and where was your husband born - state his full name and when were you and he married? 1842. Hancock Co. Cicero Rainwater. In 1864 March.
5. When and where and in what Company and Regiment did your husband enlist or serve during the war between the States? Co. H, 22nd Ga, Augt. 1861
6. How long did your husband serve in said Company and Regiment? Until surrender.
7. When and where did your husband’s Company and Regiment surrender and was discharged? April 1865 at Appomattox Court House, Va.
8. Was your husband present at the time and place when his Company and Regiment surrendered? Yes.
9. If not with his command at surrender, state clearly and specifically where he was, when he left command, for what cause, and by what authority? Present. 10. When and where did your husband die? August 1896.
11. Which of the following grounds do you base your application for pension examples omitted? Poverty and infirmity.
12. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such a condition that you cannot earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? About four years.
13. What has been your occupation since your husband’s death? Farming a part of the time and House Keeper in [unreadable]
14. How much can you earn gross, by your own exertion or labor? Barely anything.
15. What property, real or personal, or income do you possess and its gross value? Nothing.
16. What property, real or personal, did you possess at the death of your husband truncated? None.
17. In what counties did you reside in 1901-1907 and what property did you return for taxation? Washington. Nothing.
18. How have you been supported since the death of your husband, and especially for 1899-1907? My children have fed me and give me clothing.
19. How much did your support cost for each of those years and how much did you contribute by your own labor or income? About $100.00. 1/4 of the amount by my own labor.
20. What was your employment during 1901-1907? How much did you receive for each year? I had none. My children help me and family. I have no wages.
21. Have you a family? If so, who composes such family? Give their means of support. Have they any lands or other property? None.
22. Have you ever made application for pension before? No.
23. How many applications have you made for a pension and under what name? No.

Henrietta S. Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14 day of June 1907
C. D. Thapeen, Ordinary of Washington County

Copy of marriage license included with application
State of Georgia, Warren County
To any Judge, Justice of the Peace or Minister of the Gospel or any other person authorized to solemnize.
You are hereby authorized to join Cicero Rainwater and Miss. L. H. Ivey in the Holy State of Matrimony, according to the Constitution and Laws of this State; and for so doing this shall be your sufficient license. And you are hereby required to return this license to me with your certificate hereon of the fact and date of the Marriage.
Given under my hand and seal this third day of March 1864
H. R. Cody, Ordinary {seal}

Georgia, Warren County
I certify that Mr. Cicero Rainwater and Miss L. H. Ivey were joined in Matrimony by me this fifth day of March Eighteen Hundred and 64
John L. Johnson, J.P.

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James H. Rainwater, 1901, Georgia

State of Georgia, Douglas County
J. H. Rainwater, of said State and County, desiring to avail himself of the Pension Act (Section 1254, Code), hereby submits his proofs, and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? J. H. Rainwater, Douglas Co., Ga, P.O. Bill Arp, Ga.
2. How long and since when have you been a resident of this State? Since April 11th, 1844
3. When and where were you born? April 11th 1844 in Gwinett Co., Ga.
4. When and where and in what company and regiment did you enlist or serve? May 1st 1862 at Proctor’s Point near Savannah, Ga. Co. K, 30th Regiment of Georgia Volunteers
5. How long did you remain in such company and regiment? From May 1st 1862 to Dec 16th 1864. About thirty-one months I was taken a prisoner of war Dec 16th 1864 near Nashville, Tenn and carried to Camp Chase prison in the state of Ohio. 6. Where and when was your company and regiment surrendered and discharged? I do not know. I was in Camp Chase Prison at the surrender of the Confederate States.
7. Were you present with your company and regiment when it surrendered? No
8. If not present, state specifically and clearly where you were, when you left your command, for what cause and by whose authority? I was taken a prisoner of war Dec 16th 1864 near Nashville, Tenn and carried to Camp Chase prison, Ohio, and kept there until June the 12th 1865, when I was released.
9. How much can you earn (gross) per annum by your own exertions or labor? About thirty dollars
10. What has been your occupation since 1865? Farming when able to work
11. Upon which of the following grounds do you base your application for pension, viz: first "age and poverty", second "infirmity and poverty", or third "blindness and poverty"? Infirmity and poverty.
12. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such condition that you could not earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? I [unreadable} treated measles while in the war and they settled in my lungs and badly injured my eyes. My lungs are very [unreadable]. Also I have a cough that is said to be [unreadable]ittis, all of which renders me unable to work at a living [unreadable] difficult to earn a support for myself.
13. What property, effects or income do you possess and its gross value? I have household and kitchen furniture worth about $25.
14. What property, effects or income did you possess in 1894-1897, and what disposition, if any, by gift or sale, have you made of same? About $140 personal property. I returned for taxes a house that could not pay for and had to give it up.
15. In what county did you reside during those years and what property did you return for taxation? Douglas County. About a hundred dollars personal property.
16. How were you supported during the years 1899 and 1900? By what little that I could do and the help of my girl children.
17. How much did your support cost over each of those years and what portion did you contribute thereto by your own labor or income? About $50 - About $30 had no income
18. What was your employment during 1899 and 1900? What pay did you receive in each year? Farming when able. About $30 the nearest I can come to it.
19. Have you a family? Who composes such family? Give their means of support? Have they a homestead? Yes. Wife and four girl children and my mother-in-law, 65 years of age. They are dependant on this daily labor. They have no homestead.
20. Are you receiving any pension, if so, what amount and for what disability? I am receiving no pension.
21. Have you ever made an application for pension before? I have not

J. H. Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 9th day of March 1901
H. T. Cooper, Ordinary of Douglas County

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M. J. (Sabra Amanda Jane) Rainwater, widow of Miles, 1903, Georgia

State of Georgia, Fulton County
Personally before me come Mrs. M. J. Rainwater, of said county, after being duly sworn on oath says that she is the widow of Miles who was duly enrolled as an Indigent Pensioner from the county of Fulton and was paid a Pension of 60 dollars from Fulton County for 1902 and that the said Miles Rainwater died in Fulton County on the 4th of June 1903, and at the time of his death a Pension of 60 dollars was due him from Fulton County and unpaid for 1903. Applicant further swears that she married the said Miles Rainwater on the 23 day of Aug. 1885 in Douglas County and the State of Georgia and resided with him from the date of marriage to his death as his lawful wife, and is now his dependant widow, and she asks that the Pension so due and unpaid be paid to her.

M. J. Rainwater
East Point, Georgia

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of June 1903
John R. Weikirsont
Ordinary, Fulton County

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Maggie L. Rainwater, widow of William P., 1932, Arkansas

What is your full name? Maggie L. Rainwater
Your present address? 1523 Booker St. City
When and where were you born? On the 8th day of December 1855, County of Phillips, State of Arkansas
To whom, when and where were you married to the Veteran whose war record you are now drawing your Confederate pension? W. P. Rainwater on the — day of November 1894, County of Pulaski, State of Arkansas
With whom do you make your home? Arvid Overton
What relation are they to you? Son
remainder of form omitted

Maggie L. Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 24 day of February 1932
L. W. Adams, county clerk

Attached to this application is the following document that clarifies the identity of William P. Rainwater:

War Department
The Adjutant General’s Office
April 12, 1928

Respectfully returned to Maggie L. Rainwater
1523 Booker Street
Little Rock, Arkansas

Tbe records show that one William P. Rainwater, Co. E., 22nd Georgia Infantry, C. S. A., enlisted March 23, 1864 at Marietta, GA. Muster roll Jan & Feb 1865 show him present, a Private (Latest roll on file). Prisoner of War records show that he was surrendered and paroled at Appomattox C. H., Va., April 9, 1865, a Private. Not found as William Pinkney Rainwater.
Lutz Wahl, Major General

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Mariah Rainwater, widow of Elisha W., 1901, Georgia

State of Georgia, Douglas County
Mariah Rainwater, of said State and County, desiring to avail herself of the pension allowed to Indigent Widows of Confederate Soldiers under Act of General Assembly passed 1900 hereby submits her proofs and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? Mariah Rainwater, Douglas Co., Ga, Douglasville, Ga.
2. How long and since when have you been a resident of this State? Since 1827. Resident of Georgia 73 years.
3. Where and when were you born? Dec 20, 1815 in South Carolina
4. Where and when was your husband born - state his full name, and when you and he were married? Feby 23 1818 in South Carolina. Dec 5th, 1840 [unreadable] in Gwinett County, Ga.
5. Where and when and in what Company and Regiment did your husband enlist or serve during the war between the States? Feby 1 1864 at Andersonville, Ga. Co. B 4th Regiment of Georgia Reserves.
6. How long did your husband serve in said Company and Regiment? Fourteen months.
7. Where and when did your husband’s Company and Regiment surrender and was discharged? April 1865 at Andersonville, Ga.
8. Was your husband present at the time and place when his Company and Regiment surrendered? He was.
10. Where and when did your husband die? Dec 27 1893 in Douglas Co., Ga.
11. Upon which of the following grounds do you base your application for pension, viz: first "age and poverty", second "infirmity and poverty", or third "blindness and poverty"? Age, infirmity and poverty.
12. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such condition that you could not earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? For the past fifteen years. Her right arm was amputated for cancer of the hand in the year 1890.
13. What has been your occupation since your husband’s death? Nothing. Unable to do any work at all.
14. How much can you earn gross, by your own exertion or labor? Nothing.
15. What property, real or personal, or income do you have or possess, and its gross value? None at all.
16. What property, real or personal, did you possess at death of husband or he left you and of the year 1899-1900 and what disposition, if any, by sale or gift, have you made of the same? He left no property and I have none in those years and no income.
17. In what counties did you reside in 1899 and 1900, and what property did you return for taxation? In Douglas Co. Had no property to return.
18. How have you been supported since death of husband, especially for 1899 and 1900? By living around with my married children.
19. How much did your support cost for each of those years, and how much did you contribute by your own labor or income? About $150. I contributed nothing and had no income.
20. What was your employment during 1899 and 1900 - how much did you receive for each year? Unable to do anything. The actual support from my children is all that I receive.
21. Have you a family? If so, who composes such family? Give their means of support? Have they any lands or property? I have not.
22. Have you ever made application for pension before. No.

Mariah {her X mark} Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 1st day of March 1901
H. T. Cooper, Ordinary of Douglas County

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Mary Eliza Lea Rainwater, widow of William L., 1919, Arkansas

What is your full name? Mary Eliza Lea Rainwater
Your present address? 109 E. Rock St. Fayetteville, Ark.
When and where were you born? 5th day of January 1859, county of Knox, State of Tennessee
To whom, when and where were you married to the Veteran whose war record you are now drawing your Confederate pension? To W. L. Rainwater, on the 18th day of March year of 1890, County of Fayetteville, State of Arkansas
With whom do you now make your home? My sister, Mrs. J. M. Preston
remainder of form omitted

Mary Eliza Lea Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 13th day of February 1932
A. P. Eassie

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Miles Rainwater, 1898, Georgia

State of Georgia, Douglas County
Miles Rainwater of said State and County, desiring to avail himself of the Pension Act approved December 1894 hereby submits his proofs, and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? Miles Rainwater, Douglas County Georgia, Bill Hap.
2. How long and since when have you been a resident of this county? Since 1853.
3. Where and when were you born? September 10" 1817, South Carolina
4. When and where and in what company and regiment did you enlist or serve? September 1861, Camp Bailey in Campbell Co., Ga. Company K, 3d Regiment of Ga. Volunteers
5. How long did you remain in such company and regiment? About twelve months in this county and regiment. Was discharged from the above co. & regiment on account of age.
6. For how long a period did you discharge regular military duty? Thirty-three months.
7. Where, when and under what circumstances were you discharged from service? At Adamsville, Ga at the surrender of the Confederate States, having reenlisted in the State Troops.
8. What is your present occupation? Farming.
9. How much can you earn (gross) per annum by your own exertions or labor? Not anything at all.
10. What has been your occupation since 1865? Farming.
11. Upon which of the following grounds do you base your application for pension, viz: first "age and poverty", second "infirmity and poverty", or third "blindness and poverty"? Age, infirmity and poverty.
12. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such condition that you could not earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? About four years. There formed an abcess in my right side and it has never gotten well which renders me wholley unable to work at any calling to earn a support for myself.
13. What property, effects or income do you possess and its gross value? I possess no property.
14. What property, effects or income did you possess in 1894-1897, and what disposition, if any, did you make of same? I had no property in the above mentioned years.
15. In what county did you reside during those years and what property did you return for taxation? Douglas County. Returned no property for taxation in those years.
16. How were you supported during the years 1896 and 1897? I was supported in those years by the efforts of my wife.
17. How much did your support cost over each of those years and what portion did you contribute thereto by your own labor or income? About sixty dollars. I labored none.
18. What was your employment during 1896 and 1897? What pay did you receive in each year? I was not able for any employment. I received no pay.
19. Have you a family? Who composes such family? Give their means of support? Have they a homestead? I have wife and one little boy; by their own labor; a very small one.
20. Are you receiving any pension, if so, what amount and for what disability? I am receiving no pension of any kind.

Miles {his mark} Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 12" day of January 1898
H. F. Cooper, Ordinary of Douglas Co.

This application was accompanied by a supporting affidavit from J. H. Rainwater

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Nancy Rainwater, widow of Francis M., 1922, Arkansas

State of Arkansas, County of Lawrence
I Nancy Rainwater do solemnly swear that I was born the 2nd day of November 1945 and that I am the widow of F. M. Rainwater, who served as a soldier in the army of the Confederate States, his proof of service being now on file in the Auditor’s office at Little Rock, he having been allowed a pension under Act of the General Assembly approved March 11, 1901 and subsequent amendatory Acts, while a resident of Lawrence County, Arkansas; that I am now and for the past twelve months have been a bona fide resident of this State; that I do not own property, real or personal or both, or money, or choses in action, in excess of the value of $500, not including the value of homestead or household goods, nor have I conveyed title to any property to enable me to draw a pension and that I am not in receipt of any income annuity, pension or wages for any services, the emoluments of an office in excess of $250 per year; that my husband died on 25 day of April 1922 and that I have not since remarried, so help me God.

Nancy Rainwater
Subscribed to and sworn before me this 3rd day of July 1922
T. H. Cole, J.P.

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Riley Gilmore Rainwater, 1916, Arkansas

State of Arkansas, County of Lawrence

I, R. G. Rainwater, do solemnly swear that I served as a soldier in the army of the Confederate States, being a member of Col. Barber[’s] regiment of Cavalry from the State of Arkansas; that I was honorably discharged (paroled or released) from such service on or about the 5th day of June 1865 . . . remainder of form omitted

R. G. Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 23rd day of June 1916.
J. A. Hill, notary public

Attached to this application is a transcription of his original parole. These were frequently issued during the Civil War in lieu of taking prisoners for which the capturing army would then be responsible.

The bearer, Riley Rainwater, Corp, Co. F, 45th Ark. Cavalry. A paroled Prisoner of the Army of the Northern Sub District of Arkansas has permission to go to his Home and there remain undisturbed.
M. Jeff Thompson, Brig. Gen’l Comander

Description: Age 19, eyes grey, hair light, complexion fair, height 5/8

I certify that the above is an exact copy of the of the original Parole that is in the possession of Riley Rainwater.
J. A. Hill

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Sarah Ann Hedgepeth Rainwater, widow of William Joseph, 1893, Georgia

State of Georgia, County of Polk
Personally comes Mrs. Sarah A. Rainwater, who being sworn says on oath that she is a bona fide resident of said County of Polk, State of Georgia, and that she has resided in the State continuously ever since about the year 1840; that she is the widow of W. J. Rainwater who was a Soldier in Company [left blank] of the First Regiment of Georgia Cavalry Volunteers; that he enlisted in said Regiment on or about the month of March 1863 and served in the Army up to Oct 11 1864; that sometime in March 1864 he taken measles and remained sick until about the month of May and was furloughed home, relapsed and remained at home until October, when he returned, to the army and taken fever as deponent was informed and died on October 26th 1864. Deponent further says that she is satisfied the above is true, she having not heard of him since the war, only as above. Deponent swears that she was the wife of said deceased soldier during his service in the army as a soldier and that she has never married since his death aforesaid, that she became his wife in the year 1861 or 2, that Georgia is her home and she has resided in this State 23rd day of December 1890 and has not lived in any other State or locality since that date. I have been allowed a pension for the year ending February 15th, 1892, and now apply for the allowance provided by law fot the year ending February 15th, 1893.

Sarah A. {her x mark} Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 16th day of January, 1893
Joel Brown, Ordinary

In the 1899 application, she names her husband William Joseph Rainwater and indicates that he died at Bainbridge, Georgia.

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Sarah F. Rainwater, widow of Crosby D., 1907, Georgia

State of Georgia, Washington County
Mrs. Sarah F. Rainwater of Said State and County, desiring to avail herself of the pension allowed to Indigent Widows of Confederate Soldiers under Act of General Assembly passed December 19, 1900 hereby submits her proofs and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? Sarah F. Rainwater. Crawfordville, Taliaferro Co., Ga.
2. How long and since when have you been a resident of this state? All my life - since October 29th, 1842.
3. Where and when were you born. October 29th, 1842 in Taliaferro County, Georgia.
4. When and where was your husband born - state his full name and when were you and he married? November 26th, 1832 in Hancock County, Ga. Crosby D. Rainwater. Married June 28th 1859.
5. When and where and in what Company and Regiment did your husband enlist or serve during the war between the States? August 1862 at Crawfordville, Ga. in Company E, 7th Confederate Cavalry Regiment.
6. How long did your husband serve in said Company and Regiment? Seventeen months.
7. When and where did your husband’s Company and Regiment surrender and was discharged? April 1865 at Greensboro, NC.
8. Was your husband present at the time and place when his Company and Regiment surrendered? He was not.
9. If not with his command at surrender, state clearly and specifically where he was, when he left command, for what cause, and by what authority? At the arsenal at Augusta, Ga. He left his command in October 1863. He was discharged upon the recommendation of the Medical Board by General Whiting in command on account of ill health.
10. When and where did your husband die? July 25th, 1907 at Crawfordville, Taliaferro County, Ga.
11. Which of the following grounds do you base your application for pension examples omitted? Age and poverty
12. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such a condition that you cannot earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? I have not been physically able to earning sufficient in five years.
13. What has been your occupation since your husband’s death? I have had no occupation since my husband’s death.
14. How much can you earn gross, by your own exertion or labor? Nothing.
15. What property, real or personal, or income do you possess and its gross value? None.
16. What property, real or personal, did you possess at the death of your husband truncated? None.
17. In what counties did you reside in 1901-1907 and what property did you return for taxation? Hancock in 1901-1905; in Taliaferro in 1906 & 1907. Returned no property.
18. How have you been supported since the death of your husband, and especially for 1899-1907? By my husband before he died, [remainder unreadable].
19. How much did your support cost for each of those years and how much did you contribute by your own labor or income? About $75.00 I [unreadable] nothing.
20. What was your employment during 1901-1907? How much did you receive for each year? Keeping house for my husband, I received my sufficient support.
21. Have you a family? If so, who composes such family? Give their means of support. Have they any lands or other property? None. My children are now married. They have been for years.
22. Have you ever made application for pension before? No.
23. How many applications have you made for a pension and under what name? None.

Mrs. Sarah F. Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me this 13 day of September 1907
M. J. Andrews, Ordinary of Taliaferro County

Copy of marriage license included with application
State of Georgia, County of Taliaferro
To any Judge, Justice of the Inferior Court, or Justice of the Peace, or any other person authorized to celebrate:
These are to authorize and permit you to join in the Honorable State of Matrimony C. D. Rainwater, of the one part, and Sarah F. Ogletree, of the other part, according to the Rites of your Church, Provided there be no lawful cause to obstruct the same; and this shall be your authority for doing so.
Given under my hand as Ordinary for the Court aforesaid, this twenty-fifth day of June 1859.
Quinea O’Neal, Ordinary

I hereby certify that C. D. Rainwater and Sarah F. Ogletree were joined together by me on Twenty-Eighth day of June 1859.
W. W. Moore, J.P.

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Sarah R. Rainwater, widow of William M., 1901, Arkansas

State of Arkansas, County of Independence

I, S. R. Rainwater, do solemnly swear that I am the widow of William Rainwater, Private, who served as a soldier in the army of the Confederate States being a member of Co. E 45th Arkansas Regiment of Cavalry from the State of Arkansas; that he was honorably discharged (paroled or released) from such service on or about the 5th day of June 1865 . . . omitted . . . ; that my husband died at home December 22th 1893 and that I have not since remarried, so help me God.

S. R. {her X mark} Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 29th day of June 1901

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Sarah R. Rainwater, widow of William M., Death Benefit, 1910, Arkansas

State of Arkansas, County of Independence

I, T. M. Waldrip, Clerk of the County of Independence hereby certify that Deborah D. Edwards, P. A. Hogan, E. W. Hogan, Lucinda E. Webb, Amanda A. Churchill, G. B. Hogan and Mary A. Barnes in the lawful heirs of Mrs. S. R. Rainwater, deceased, and that the said Mrs. S. R. Rainwater died on or about the 13th day of September, 1910; having at the time of her death Pension Warrant No. 3738 issued by the Auditor of the State of Arkansas on September __ 1910; that the above named persons are entitled to receive the proceeds of said pension warrant as provided by law.

Witness my hand and official seal this 27th day of November 1910
T. M. Waldrip

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Thomas E. Rainwater, 1901, Arkansas

State of Arkansas, County of Independenc

I, T. E. Rainwater, do solemnly swear that I was a soldier in the army of the Confederate States, being a member of Col. M. D. Bailer’s Regiment of Cavalry in the State of Arkansas; that I was honorably discharged from such service on or about the 5th of June 1865 . . . omitted . . . ; that I am incapacitated to perform manual labor in any of the avocations of life and that such incapacity being old age and afflicted with rheumatism, I am a cripple.

T. E. Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 27 June 1901
C. L. Baker, J. P.

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William B. Rainwater, 1909, Georgia

State of Georgia, Campbell County
W. B. Rainwater of said State and County, desiring to avail himself of the Pension Act (Section 1254, Code) hereby submits his proofs and after being duly sworn true answers to make to the following questions, deposes and answers as follows:

1. What is your name and where do you reside? W. B. Rainwater. In Campbell Co., Ga, P.O. Palmetto, Ga., R.F.D.
2. How long and since when have you been a resident of this state? Over 68 years, since Dec 14, 1840.
3. When and where were you born? Dec 14, 1840 in Gwinett Co., Ga.
4. When and where and in what company and regiment did you enlist or serve? I enlisted Apr. 2, 1862 at Palmetto, Ga., in Company K of 30th Ga Reg’t.
5. How long did you remain in such company and regiment? About 35 months, or from April 1862 to March 1865, and I do not now know of a member of my Company that was with me from July 1864 (when my Capt. was captured), to March 1865.
6. When and where was your company and regiment surrendered and discharged? In April 1865, so I was told and believe.
7. Were you present with your company and regiment when it was surrendered? No sir.
8. If not present, state specifically and clearly where you were, when you left your command, for what cause and by whose authority? I was taken sick with Typhoid fever while in Confed. service in Feb 1865, taken to Hospital, and thence by Dr. O’Keefe, Chief Hospital Surgeon, sent home in Mar. 1865 and couldn’t return.
9. How much can you earn (gross) per annum by your own exertions or labor? About $25.00
10. What has been your occupation since 1865? Farming
11. Upon which of the following grounds do you base your application for pension, viz: first "age and poverty", second "infirmity and poverty", or third "blindness and poverty"? 1st and 2nd grounds?
12. If upon the first ground, state how long you have been in such condition that you could not earn your support? If upon the second, give a full and complete history of the infirmity and its extent? I have been unable to earn a support for myself for about 10 years. I was overheated while cutting wheat 23 years ago and am generally broken down in health. By breast and head hurt me so bad that I am not able to make a living.
13. What property, real and personal, or income do you possess and its gross value? None at all, but I sometimes "give in" my son’s mule.
14. What property, real or personal, did you possess in 1903-1908 and what disposition, if any, by sale or gift, have you made of them? None.
15. In what county did you reside during those years and what property did you return for taxation? Campbell County. Returned about $75.00 on an average, but it was principally a mule that belonged to my son.
16. How were you supported during the years 1903-1909? By what little I could work, assisted by my son.
17. How much did your support cost for each of those years and what portion did you contribute thereto? About $75.00. Contributed about 1/4th by labor. No income.
18. What was your employment during 1903-1909? What pay did you receive in each year? Tried to work on farm. Could do nothing else. None.
19. Have you a family? If so, who composes such family? Give their means of support? Have they a homestead or other property? Their ages and how employed? Yes sir. Composed of myself, wife and son. Supported by their own labor. They have no homestead. Son has 1 mule. Wife 58, son 21 years. All farmers.
20. Are you receiving any pension? No sir.
21. Have you ever made an application for pension before? Yes sir.
22. How many applications have you ever made and under what class? One. Under Indigent.1

W. B. {x} Rainwater
Sworn to and subscribed before me this the 25th day of September 1909
W. S. McLoomis, Ordinary of Campbell County.

1 In 1904.
This application was accompanied by several supporting affidavits, including one from his brother, L. H. Rainwater, and another from George F. Longino, Captain, Company K, 30th Georgia Regiment.

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William L. Rainwater, 1918, Arkansas

State of Arkansas, County of Washington

I, W. L. Rainwater, do solemnly swear that I was a soldier in the army of the Confederate States, being a member of 34th Arkansas Regiment of Infantry from the State of Arkansas, that I was honorably discharged (paroled or released) from such service on or about the 23rd day of May 1865 . . . remainder of form omitted

W. L. Rainwater
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 11th day of May 1918
J. W. Feldman

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