JOHN D. COLLINS

COMPANY "C" 11TH WEST VIRGINIA INFANTRY

Photo owned by Yvonna (Richards) Collins; submitted by Michele (Siegrist) Clark.

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National Archives Pension File

Submitted by Janet Kelch.

ADJUTANT GENERAL’S OFFICE,

Washington, D. C., Dec 22nd, 1870

Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt from your Office of application for Pension No. 158.072, and to return it herewith, with much information as is furnished by the files of this Office.

It appears from the Rolls on file in this Office, that John D. Collins was enrolled on the 24th day of Nov 1861, at Smithville, Va, in Co. “C” 11th Regiment of West Va, Volunteers; to serve 3-years or during the war, and mustered into service as a Private on the 22nd day of Dec 1861, at Elizabeth Wirt, Co. Va in Co. “C.”, 11th Regiment of West Va Volunteers, to serve 3- years, or during the war. On the Muster Roll of Co. “C” of that Regiment, for the months of Sept and Oct 1864, he is reported wounded and in the hands of the Enemy since Oct 19th 64.

Detachment muster out roll, dated March 30th 1865 reports him mustered out by reason of ? (of time?) Of service, March 31st 1865

Pris War Records show him captured at Cedar Creek Va Oct 19-1864 Paroled at Richmond Va Feb’y 15th, 1865. Reported at Camp Parole Md Feb’y 15th, 1865. Sent to Camp Chase Ohio Feb’y 19th 1865, where he reported Feb’y 24th, 1865 and was sent to Pro Mar Columbus Ohio March 14th 1865

I am, Sir, very respectfully
Your obedient servant,
(Unreadable signature)
Assistant Adjutant General

The Commissioner of Pensions
Washington D. C.

Act of June 27, 1890

3-402

Certificate No. 260361
Name, Jno. D. Collins

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D. C., January 15, 1898

Sir:
In forwarding to the pension agent the executed voucher for your next quarterly payment please favor me by returning this circular to him with replies to the questions enumerated below.
Very respectfully,
(Signature)
Commissioner

First. Are you married? If so, please state your wife’s full name and her maiden name.
Answer. Yes, Mary Collins, Maiden name Mary Wilson. She had been previously married to Nelson Richards who died many years ago.

Second. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer. In 1876, in Calhoun Co., Wva, by Rev. Umstead

Third. What record of marriage exists?
Answer. Recorded in Clerk’s office of Calhoun County Clerk.

Fourth. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.
Answer. I was Elizabeth Collins. It was many years ago. I have forgotten the date.

Fifth. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer. I have but they are all past 21 years of age.

Date of reply, June 4th, 1898
Signature John D. Collins (His mark)

Act of May 11, 1912

DECLARATION FOR PENSION

The pension certificate should not be forwarded with this application.

State of West Virginia, County of Calhoun, ss:

On this 6 day of June, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and twelve, personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, John D. Collins who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 87 years of age, and a resident of Big Springs, county of Calhoun State of W.Va.; and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Smithville W VA, under the name of John D. Collins on the 24 day of November, 1861, as a Private, in Company C 11 Wva Rig in the service of the United States, in the Civil War, and was HONORABLY DISCHARGED at Wheeling, Wva, on the 31 day of March, 1865

That he also served (Here gives a complete statement of all other services, if any) (Blank)

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 feet 6 inches; complexion, Dark; color of eyes, Black; color of hair, Black; that his occupation was Farmer; that he was born Dec 31, 1824, at in Harrison County, WVA.

That his several places of residence since leaving the service have been as follows: in Calhoun County, WVA continuously ever since the War

That he is a pensioner under the certificate No. 260361. That he has applied for pension under original No: [stamped, Validity Accepted, unreadable part, stamped name A. Cuddy, Chief, Law Division]

That he makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States under the provision of the act of May 11, 1912

That his post-office address is, Big Springs, county of Calhoun, State of West Va

Attest:
(1) GW(?) Norman
(2) R. W. Cox
Claimant: John D. Collins (His x mark)

Subscribed and sworn to before me this 6 day of June, A.D. 1912, and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration were fully made known and explained to the applicant before swearing, including the words (Blank) erased, and the words (Blank) and that I have no interest, direct or indirect, in the prosecution of this claim.

(Signed) W H Norman
Notary Public
[Stamped Jun 11 1912]

3-389
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C., January 2, 1915

Sir: Please answer, at your convenience, the questions enumerated below. The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your widow or children. Use the inclosed envelope, which requires no stamp.

Very respectfully,
[unreadable signature]

JOHN D. COLLINS,
BOX 6,
260361 Act May
BIG SPRINGS, W. VA.

No. 1. Date and place of birth? Answer Harrison County Wva
The name of organizations in which you served? Answer Co. C 11 W Va Vol Inf

No. 2. What was your post office at enlistment? Answer Smithville, W Va

No. 3. State your wife’s full name and her maiden name. Answer I have no living wife

No. 4 When, where, and by whom were you married: Answer (Blank)

No. 5 Is there any official or church record of your marriage? (Blank) If so, where? Answer (Blank)

No. 6 Were you previously married? If so, state the name of your former wife, the date of the marriage, and the date and place of her death or divorce. If there was more than one previous marriage, let your answer include all former wives. Answer (Blank)

No. 7 If your present wife was married before her marriage to you, state the name of her former husband, the date of such marriage, and the date of his death or divorce, and state whether he ever rendered any military or naval service, and, if so, give name of the organization in which he served. If she was married more than once before her marriage to you, let your answer include all former husbands. Answer (Blank)

No. 8 Are you now living with your wife, or has there been a separation? Answer No living wife

No. 9 State the names and dates of birth of all your children, living or dead.
Answer:
Oliver Collins 57(?) years old
J H Collins 34 years old
4 other children all dead
6 other living children- (2 boys - 4 girls) [Note: 1st marriage to Elizabeth Modisitt]

Date March 17 1915
Signature John D Collins

3-1081

PENSIONER DROPPED

DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
Bureau of Pensions

Jun 18, 1915

Certificate No. 260361
Class Act of May 11 1912
Pensioner John D. Collins
Soldier Harrison County Wva Smithville, Wva - Has no living wife

Service Pvt C. 11W.Va. V I.

The Commissioner of Pensions.

Sir:
I have the honor to report that the name of the above-described pensioner who was last paid at $30, to March 4 1915 has this day been dropped from the roll because of death June 4 1915 Big Springs, Wva

Very respectfully,
W. N. Campbell
Chief, Finance Division

Note - Every name dropped to be thus reported at once, and when the cause of dropping is death, state date of death when known.

Note on record: Plate destroyed