Civil War Pension records of Joseph J. Branch and Nancy Agnes Willis Branch The following are the records, containing 14 pages from the files of the United States National Archives, Veterns Records. 1. Document: Military Service, Name of Soldier: Joseph J. Branch, Bureau of Pension, May 9, 1891, No. 931054 Tenn. Sir: It is alleged that the above-named man enlisted Sept 24, 1862 and served as a Private in Co. F, 7, Reg.t Tens. Cav. and was discharged at _______, on Oct. 25, 1863. Signed: Green B. Raims?, Commissioner. Along with this is the following document: War Department, Record and Pension Division, dated May 11, 1891. Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions; The rolls show that Joseph J. Branch memtioned in the preceding indorsement, was enrolled 24, Sept. 1862 and DO with Co. Oct. 26, 1863. Signed F. O. Aimsworth? Surgeon, U. S. Army. 2. Document: GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. State of Tenn, County of Carroll: In the matter of the Pension claim No. 931054 of Joseph J. Branch of Co. F, 7 Regs Tenn Cav personally came before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Joseph J. Branch aged 47 years, residing at Cedar Grove, Tenn well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, who having been duly sworn, declares in relatin to the aforesaid case, as follows: That I Joseph J. Branch makes Oath in due form of Law that I have not enlisted in any other Sevice since I was Discharged from Co. F 7 Regt Tenn Cav. Signed: Joseph J. Branch My postoffice address is Cedar Grove, Carroll Co., Tenn. 3. Document: GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. State of Tennessee, County of Carroll: In the matter of the Pension claim No. 931054 of Joseph J. Banch of Co. F 7 Regt. Tenn Cavy personally came before me, a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Joseph J. Branch aged 50 years, residing at Spain Henderson Co. Tenn well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, who having been duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: That I belonged to the 7th Tennessee Infantry Co. A, Col Rodgers Regament. Regt. finally went to Col. Hurses Regt and then changed to the Cav Regt. Then I went to the 7th Tenn Cav. Col Hawkins Regt Co. F and was mustered in the 24th day of Sept 1862. I was in 7th Tenn Infantry from the 8th or 10th of August 1862 until I was mustered in 7th Cav on the 24th of Sept 1862. Military Service. Signed Joseph J. Branch The above is my statement made to J. N. Roberts who reduced it to writing and was made without any writen aid and was my oral statement then made same was made at Cedar Grove Carroll County Tenn on the 26th day of November 1894: Signed Joseph J. Branch. My postoffice address is Spain Henderson Co Tennessee W. F. Roberts, signed as Witness. This document is stamped with the Seal; U S Pension Office, Dec 14, 1894 4. Document: Form 3-173. Department of th Interior, Bureau of Pension, So Div., Invalid, No. 931054, Joseph J. Branch Co. F, 7, Reg't Tenn Vol Inf. Washington, D. C., May 2, 1898. Sir: Will you kindly answer, at your earliest convenience, the questin enumerated below? The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value in your family. Signed _______, Commissioner. Signed J. J. Branch, Spain, Tenn. Question 1. Are you a married man? If so, please state your wife's full name, and her maiden name. Answer: Yes, Nancy Agnes Branch-----Willis. Question 2. When, where, and by whom were you married? Answer, Rev. J. A. Barham in Carroll Co. Tenn, January 10th, 1864. Question 3. What record of marriage exists? Answer: Huntingdon, Tenn. Question 4. Were you previouly married? (This is marked out) Question 5. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth. Answer: J. W. January 6, 1869, D. L. February 14, 1871, J. D. August 31, 1872, M. T. March 6, 1874, N. R. October 29, 1898, L. M. May 20, 1880, N. V.? November 15, 1881, Cha May 16, 1883, F. M. April 1, 1885, Pheby April 14, 1887, J. S. A. September 6, 1875. Date of reply, May 10, 1898. Signed Joseph J. Branch. Appearing at the top of this document, Seal, U S Pension Office, May 16, 1898. 5. Document: GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. STATE OF Tennessee, COUNTY OF Carroll. In the matter of the Pension claim No. 931054 of Joseph J. Branch of Co. F, #7, Regs Tenn Cavy personally came before me, a Notary Public in and for aforesaid County and State, Joseph J. Branch the claimant, well known to be reputable and entitled to credit, who having been duly sworn, declares in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: That I Joseph J. Branch, was first afficted with bowel trouble and disease of the Heart about two years ago, and my right arms became afficted about 6 months ago so as to allmost be disabled for manual labor. this affidavit was written by J. M. Roberts from my oral statement made to him in my presence at Cedar Grove on this 7 day of July, 1898. My postoffice address is Spain Henderson Co. Tennessee. Signed Joseph J. Branch. Appearing at the bottom of this document, Seal, U S Pension Office July 13, 1898. 6. Document: Form 3-014. Act of February 6, 1907. DECLARATION FOR PENSION. State of Tenn, County of Madison. On this 1st day of March, A. D. one thousand nine hundred and seven, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, Joseph J. Branch who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 62 years of age, and resident of Jackson, Tenn county of Madison, State of Tenn.; and that he is the identical person who was Enrolled at Trenton, Tenn under the name of Joseph J. Branch, on the 24 day of Sept., 1862, as a Private, in Co. F. 7th Tenn. Cav. in the service of United States, in the Civil war, and was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Saulsbury, Tenn., on the 25th, day of Oct., 1863. That he was not employed in the military or naval service of the United States otherwise than as stated above. That his personal description at enlistment was as follows: Height, 5 feetm 8 inches; complexion fair; color of eyes, blue; color of hair, light; that his occupation was farmer; that he was born May 18, 1844, at Gibson County, Tenn. That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: Carroll County, Henderson County & Madison County. That he is now a pensioner. That he has heretofore applied for pension Ctf. #1061393. That he makes the declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the act of February 6, 1907. That his post-office address is Jackson, county of Madison State of Tenn. Signed Joseph J. Branch Attest: 1. J. S. Jones 2. D. Hopper. Seal U S Pension Office, March 5, 1907. 7. Document: Declaration for Widow's Pension, Act of April 19, 1908. State of Tennessee, County of Madison. On this 15th day of December A. D. 1910 personally appeared before me, a Deputy Clerk _____, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Nancy Agnes Branch, aged 65 years; a resident of Jackson, County of Madison State of Tennessee, who, being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaratin for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provisions of the Act of April 19, 1908. That she is the widow of Joseph J. Branch, who was enrolled under the name of Joseph J. Branch at Saulsbury, Tenn. on the 24th day of September 1862, as a Private in Co. F, 7th Regiment Tennessee Cavalry, and served at least ninety days during the War of the Rebellion in the service of the United States and was honorably discharged on the 25th day of October 1863, and who died at Jackson, Tenn. ib the 20th day of November, 1910. That she was married under the name of Nancy Agnes Willis to said soldier at near Cedar Grove, Tenn on the 10 day of January 1864, by Rev. Jack Barham; that there was no legal barrier to the marriage; that she had not been previously married; that the soldier had not been previously married. That she has not remarried since the death of said soldier. That the said soldier left the following-name children now under sixteen years of age to wit: none. She here by appoints: J. B. Cralle & Co., Pension Attorneys, Cralle Building, 108 C Street, N. W., Washington, D. C., her true and lawful attorneys to prosecute her claim. That her post office address is 263 E. Jackson St. Jackson, County of Madison State of Tennessee. Attest: W. E. Rhegners, J. T. Smith, Nancy Agnes Banch, signed with her X mark. Seal U S Pension Office Feb. 10, 1911. 8. Document: STATE OF TENNESSEE, MADISON COUNTY: Personally appeared, before me, W. F. Arnold a deputy Clerk of the United States District Court, in and for the Wesyern District of the State of Tennessee; James Lisenby, and makes oath according to law and in due form; that he has known Mrs.Nancy Branch, the wife of the late Joseph J. Branch, who served as Private in Co. F. 7th Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry, since she was a small girl, and that she has never married any one else he would have known it, and he also states that she lived with the said Joseph J. Branch until his death a few days ago, and made him a good and dutiful wife. Signed his mark X, James Lisenby, Private Co. A. 7th Tenn. Vol. Cavalry. Witness: John M Arnold, W. E. Rhegness. Sworn to and subscribed to before, me, W. F. Arnold, a deputy Clerk of the U. S. District Court, for Wesyern District of Tennessee, by James Lisenby, who is know personally by me to be a truthful person, and the mark ### were made before signing said paper. Signed W. F. Arnold, Deputy Clerk of the District Court, of the U. S. for the Western District of Tennessee. Seal U S Pension Office, Feb. 10, 1911. 9. Document: STATE OF TENNESSEE, GIBSON COUNTY. On this ---day of December 1910, A. D. personally appeared before me J. T. Arnold, Notary Public within and for the said County and State aforesaid, W. J. Lindsey, aged 67, a resident of Gibson County, State of Tennessee, who being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration: That he was present at the marriage of Joseph J. Branch and Nancy Agnes Branch, who before her marriage was Miss Nancy Agnes Willis, and saw them lawfully married by Rev. Jack Barham, and that there was no legal barrier to the said marriage, which occured near Cedar Grove, Carroll County, Tennessee, on the 10th day of January 1864, and he further states that he knew the said Nancy Agnes Branch from the time that she became of a marriageable age and that she had not been previously married since the death of the said Joseph J. Branch and that she lived with him until his death, which occured in Jackson, Tennessee, November 20, 1910. This December 30th, 1910. Signed William J. Lindsey. Notarized by J. F. Arnold. Seal U S Pension Office, Feb. 10, 1911. 10. Document: Drop Order and Report, Department of the Interior, Bureau of Pensions, Finance Division. Washington, D. C. Feb. 21, 1911. Joseph J. Branch, Certificate Number 1061393, Act of Feb. 6, 1907, Service, F. 7th Tenn. Vol. Cav. U. S. Pension Agent, Knoxvill. Sir: You are hereby directed to drop from the roll the name of the above-described pensioner who died Nov. 20, 1910. Signed J. L. Davenport, Commissioner. REPORT. Commissioner of Pensions. Sir: The name of the above-described pensioner, who was last paid $12 per month to 4 Nov, 1910, has this day been dropped from the roll of this agency. Signed: Wm. Rude?, U.S. Pension Agent. Feb. 25, 1911. 11. Document: GENERAL AFFIDAVIT State of Tennessee, County of Madison. In the matter of Nancy Agnes Branch widow of Joseph J. Branch late a Pvt. in Co. F of the 7 Reg't of Tenn Cav. Vols. for Widow Pension. On this 7th day of March A. D. 1911, personally appeared before me, a Dep. Clerk U. S. Ct. in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths, Nancy Agnes Branch, aged 66 years, a resident of Jackson in the County of Madison and State of Tennessee whose Post office address is #263 Jackson St. Jackson, Tennessee. That there was no church record of her marriage, and that the Court house in Huntingdon, Carroll Co. Tennessee was burned and the record of her marriage kept by the Clerk which she was married was burned no public record of the marriage, and the minister performing the ceremony is now dead, and there is only three persons living who were present at my marriage, __ Mrs. Casky Jones, Tom Barham and Jim Lindsey whose affidavit that they were present and saw me married are on file with the department except as to Mrs. Casky Jones. The said fire occuring since my marriage which was January 10, 1964. Seal, U S Pension Office, Mar 15, 1911. 12. Document: Signed her mark X Nancy Agnes Branch. Two witness _____________ _______________ Signed Willis T. Arnold, Deputy Clerk, U. S. Dist. Court. 13. Document: GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. STATE OF TENNESSEE, MADISON COUNTY. In the matter of Nancy Agnes Branch, widow of Joseph J. Branch, late a private in Company F., of the 7th Regiment of Tennessee Cavalry Vols, for Widows Pension. On this the 18th day of February A. D. 1911, personally appeared before me W. F. Arnold a Deputy Clerk of the United States District Court, in and for the eartern division of the Western District of Tennessee, duly authorized to administer oaths, T. B. Barham, aged 62, a resident of Madison County, Tennessee, whose address is Jackson, Madison County, Tennessee, whose post- office address is Grand Ave., Jackson, Tennessee, and known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who being duly sowrn, declared in relation to the aforesaid case as follows: That they have been well and personally acquanted with Joseph J. Branch, deceased, and his widow Nancy Agnes Branch, ever since either of them were of a marriageable age, and know of their own personal knowledge that the said Joseph J. Branch was never married previous to the marriage of January 10, 1964, and niether was the said Nancy J. Branch married previous to her marriage with the said Joseph J. Branch, and that the said Joseph J. Branch and wife Nancy Agnes Branch, lived together as man and wife until the death of the said Joseph J. Branch, which occured on the 20th day of November 1910, and that the said Nancy Agnes Branch has not remarried and that she waited on the soldier in his last illness, and was a dutiful wife to him all their married life. They also state that there was never any divorce proceedings as neither had been previously married, etc. We further declare that we have no interests in the said case, and are not concerned in its prosecution. Signed T. B. Barham, James Lisenby, his mark X. Witness: J. M. Arnonld, Jr., W. E. Rhegness. Seal, U S Pension Office, Mar 4, 1911. 14. Document: #2, in re, Nancy Agnes Branch matter. STATE OF TENNESSEE, MADISON COUNTY. Sworn to and subscribed to before me this February 18th, 1911 A. D. by the above named affiants and I certify that I read the affidavits to the said affiants, including all the words, 1864 erased, and the same words added but more elegeble, and acquainted them with its contents before they executed the same, I further certify that I am in no wise interested in the said case nor am I concerned in its prosecution and that said affiants are personally known to me, and that they are creditable persons. Signed: W. F. Arnold, Deputy Clerk of the United States District Court. Seal, U S Pension Office, Mar 4, 1911.