Thompson Rector Cornwell

Pension Application of Thompson Rector Cornwell (1842-1905) of Melrose, Clark County, IL.

Thompson Rector Cornwell was Pvt, Co. K, 130th Regiment of Illinois Infantry

Aug. 15 to Oct. 31, 1862--states joined Aug. 15 at Camp Butler near Springfield

age 20 years

--mustered in Oct. 25, 1862, at Camp Butler, IL, for 3 year period

--Nov. and Dec. 1862--states enrolled at Camp Butler

--Oct. 31, 1862 to Feb. 28, 1863--present at Camp Butler

--special muster roll for April 10, 1863, states he was sick at Overton Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee

--March and April, 1863--list Rector sick in hospital in Memphis, Tennessee

--May and June 1863--Rector sick in General Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee

--July and August, 1863--present

--Sept. and Oct. 1863--present

--Nov. and Dec., 1863--not dated

--Jan. and Feb., 1864--present

--March and April, 1864--absent, listed as missing in action near Sabine Cross Roads in Louisiana, April 8, 1864

--May and June, 1864--absent, missing in action near Sabine Cross Roads, La, April 8, 1864

--July and August, 1864--absent, missing in action near Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, 1864

--Sept. and Oct., 1864--absent, prisoner of war at Tyler, Texas

--Nov. and Dec., 1864--prisoner of war at Tyler, Texas

--descriptive list dated Jan. 23, 1865, at Lakeport, La, list Rector Cornwell as 20 years old; 5 ft. and 8 inches height; light complexion; hazel eyes; light hair; born Washington County, Ohio; enlisted at Melrose, Il, on Aug. 15, 1862 and mustered Oct. 25, 1862, at Camp Butler near Springfield, IL, for a 3 year period. He's been a prisoner of war since April 8, 1864.

--August 11, 1865, at New Orleans, La, Rector Cornwell transferred from Co. K, 130th Regiment, Illinois Infantry to 77th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry and assigned to Co. K

--joined at the original organization of Co. K. Prisoner of war since April 8, 1864. Transferred to date Jan. 25, 1865.

--Jan and Feb. 1865--absent, assigned Jan. 25, 1865, from Co. K, 130th IL, S. O. no 18 Jan 21, 1865 HDGRS Def. N. O., La. Prisoner of war since April 8, 1864

--March and April, 1865--absent, prisoner of war

--May and June, 1865--absent, parolled prisoner at Benton Barracks, Mo, since May 27, 1865

--Muster out roll at Mobile, Alabama, July 10, 1865. Rector transferred from Co. K, 77th Regiment, IL Infantry to 130th IL Vols, special order no. 79, July 7, 1865 Hd Qts 3 Div 13 a.c. Last paid Feb. 29, 1864.

--July 10, 1865, Mobile, Alabama--Rector a prisoner of war captured at Mansfield, La, on April 8, 1864. Parolled May 27, 1865.

--New Orleans, La, Aug. 15, 1865--Rector Pvt. new Co. F, 130th Regiment, Illinois Infantry; enrolled Aug. 15, 1862, for 3 years at melrose; mustered Oct. 25, 1862, at Camp Butler; transferred from Co. K; prisoner of war, captured at Mansfield, La, April 8, 1864.

--Springfield, Illinois, June 23, 1865; mustered out date June 17, 1865 and last paid to Feb. 29, 1864; $75 due the soldier; prisoner of war, captured at Sabine Cross Roads, La, April 8, 1864. Mustered out by action of telegram from war Dept. May 30, 1865.

1. Jan. 15, 1898, Rector Cornwell stated the following:
--he is married to Sarah Elizabeth Reed
--He was married Jan. 31, 1871, Melrose Twp, Clark Co, IL, by A. J. Howerton, JP
--Marriage on record at Clark County Courthouse
--No previous marriage
--Living children: Effie, Feb. 1, 1872; Maggie, March 17, 1875; Otto, April 17, 1878; Ezra, Aug. 5, 1881; Charles, June 27, 1885; Raymond, Aug. 15, 1888; Roscoe, Aug. 15, 1888 (the last two are twins)

2. April 25, 1883, (pension application is made) in Clark Co, IL. Rector Cornwell, age 41, a resident of the town of Melrose, Clark County, IL, states he enrolled Aug. 15, 1862, in Co. K, 130th Regiment, Illinois Infantry, commanded by J. W. Wilkin, and was honorably discharged at Springfield, Illinois, June 17, 1865. He is 41 years old, 5 ft. 8 inches tall, light complexion, light hair, and hazel eyes. While on duty at Memphis, Tennessee, on Dec. 27, 1862, he contracted the measles, took cold and they settled in his privates and he lost one of his testacles. He took measles between Christmas and New Years, 1862, and he had chronic diarrea all winter. He cannot work very much and if he takes cold it goes down. He makes claim for a pension based on the above.

3. He states that he was treated at Overton Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee, and then in April was sent to Lawson Hospital in St. Louis, MO, in sixth ward. He was treated first for measles then chronic diarrea from Dec. 1862 to July 17, 1863. Since leaving the service, h has resided in the town of Melrose and has been a farmer. He is disabled from manual labor. His post office address is Melrose, Clark Co, Illinois. He states he was captured April 8, 1864, and was kept a prisoner thirteen and a half months while his company consolidated with the 77th Illinois Infantry.

4. Sept. 18, 1883, the war dept. gives the following report on Rector Cornwell: Rector Cornwell was a pvt. in Co. K, 130th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers adn enrolled Aug. 15, 1862, at Camp Butler, Illinois, for three years and is reported on rolls from enrollment to Feb. 28, 1863. March and Apri 1863 is absent, sick in hospital at Memphis, Tenness. May and June the same. The same to Feb. 28, 1864. March and April, 1864, absent, missing in action near Sabine Cross Roads, April 8, 1864 (the company was in action at same time and place). The same to Aug. 30, 1864. Sept. and Oct., 1864. Absent, prisoner of War at Tyler, Texas. Nov. and Dec., 1864, the same. Transferred to Co. K, 77th Illinois Volunteers and reported on roll for Jan. and Feb., 1865. Absent, prisoner of war since April 8, 1864. March and April 1865 the same. May and June, 1865, absent. Parolled prisoner at Benton Barracks, Missouri, since May 24, 1865. Mustered out with distinction, June 17, 1865, at Springfield, Illinois. Prisoner of war record show him captured at Mansfield Louisiana, April 8, 1864. Paroled at Red River Landing, La, May 27, 1865. Reported at Benton Barracks, Mo, June 12, 1865, and sent to CHF M. O. of state June 16, 1865. No evidence of alleged disability. Nature of sickness in 1863 and date of return not stated. Regimental Hosp. records of above organization not on file.

5. Rector Cornwell on April 8, 1905, was dropped from pension rolls because of death on Jan. 27, 1905. Dr. J. W. Baker, age 53, Orange Twp, was the doctor. He states Rector and Thompson Rector are the same person.

In the matter of file no. 829488 Sarah E. widow of Rector Cornwell Co. K 130th Ill. Infantry.

On the 27th day of December, 1905, personally appeared before me a county clerk in and for the afore said county, state Sarah E. Cornwell, aged 56 years known to me as the above named claimant and whose post office address is RR No 1, West York, Clark County, Illinois and who after being by me duly sworn states as follows relative to her above noted claim. That her husband died intestate and that she and the heirs of the deceased soldier took it upon themselves to settle all indebtedness of the estate without having the same regularly administered upon.

That prior to the soldiers death, he had stated to his children what particular tract of land he wished each one of his children to have. After his death and each and all of thema have had respect for his desire, occupying that part of the estate and so much of it as he had requested they should.

That no part of said estate has been disposed of since the death of her husband: and that all the interest she now has or has had since the death of the soldier is the right of homestead and dower in the real estate of which he died and of which no particular portion has ever been set off to her as her homestead and dower: her interest in the estate remaining in the same condition as it was upon the husbands death occuring. From time to time as the children of the soldier arrived at a suitable age the father would give them full possession of a certain tract of land owned by him and allowing them to retain as their own any and all profits that might be derived from the same. He demanding or receiving nothing from them for the occupancy of said land. Each child managing his or her portion of his own making improvements there on and paying annually taxes assessed against that portion. The oldest members of the family had thus enjoyed possession for from three to six years prior to his death. That the property thus given into the possession of each amounted to from 60 to 90 acres.

Each according to value of each piece making the allowances as near equal between them as possible. To himself however and two minor children he assigned upon the same terms the house place consisting of 220 acres. EAch child to receive of the same 90 acres and the remaining 40 acres she was to have control, rents and profits of until her death, when it is to be divided equally among all the children of the soldier. These minors were to remain under her care and portection during their minority and the one of them who received as his portion the homestead with other improvements, she was to live with upon him attaining his majority. The husbands death was very sudden and in consequence he had no opportunity to execute a will other than that which he had before made verbally to herself and all the children, and all parties interested in the estate have used their best indescretion to have the wishes of the deceased carried out as he contemplated they should be. Therefore by observing, between all parties interested, the will of the soldier as expressed verbally by him. She only becomes entitled to the rents and profits of the aforesaid 40 acres her interest there in being only that of homestead and dower.

That the cash value of this tract she considers to be that of $1000: of it there are about 20 acres cleared the remainder being in a state of nature. That the product of the cultivated 20 for the present year was that of Oats amounting to about 300 bushels of the value of $60.

In addition thereto there was these products received from the 180 acres of the minor children: all of the cultivated land of the 220 being tilled by them or a tenant during the season of 1905 the benefits and the profits of the whole being for their joint benefit. Of these 180 acres there are 105 cultivable. The products of the same for 1905 were 735 bu. corn worth $240 on premises: of Oats 62 bu. worth $11 on premises.

That the annual tax upon said 220 acres will amount to about $50. That upon twenty and forty acres of said 220 there exist mortgages of $900 and also one of $2400 which covers the whole estate of the deceased husband this latter bearing 7% interst and the $900 incumbrances their being two of them 6% annually.

That the cash value of the 180 acres of which the boys are to become possessed she places at $4500.

Should she however severance the verbal will of her husband an act she considers unjust to her children under excisting circumstances, she would in addition to the foregoing become entitled to a dower interest in the following described property to Acc't.

Effie Stanfield has in her possession of said estate 80 acres worth about $2400 upon which there is a mortgage of $500 bearing 7% interest semi-annually and the mortgage of $2400. Also covers it which has been mentioned as being upon the whole estate: of this 60 acres are in cultivation the products consisting of corn 200 bu. worth $70. The remainder of the 80 acres being in pasture of the value of $45. That the taxes upon said tract will amount to about $18.00 annually.

Maggie Medsker another child has possession of 60 acres of the estate the cash value of which said $2400 mortgage also.

There are about 45 acres of it in cultivation and the products for 1905 were corn amount in value to $67 and oats amounting to $4.80. The taxes upon this said 60 acres will average annually over $11.00.

Charlie Cornwell another child has in his possession 60 acres of which 30 acres are in cultivation. The cash value of it is near $1200. The products for 1905, corn of the value of $10, oats $10 and privelege rent $22. That taxes upon the same will amount to near $9.50 annually with a mortgage of $400 interest 6% with service.

Otto Cornwell son of deceased has in his possession 80 acres the value of which is about $1600, upon 40 acres of this is an incumbrance of $250, 6% interest, with general mortgage of $2400. The products for the year 1905 can be best stated by saying that he fell about two dollars of receiving enough from it to pay the taxes and interest of the two incumbrances thereone.

Ezra a son has in his possession 90 acres the value of which is about $2200. There are about 70 acres of it in cultivation and the products for 1905 were corn $120. The remaining acres being in pasture of an inferior quality. There is upon this a mortgage of $1000 with 5% interest the general one of $2400 extending over it also. The taxes upon the same amount about $25 annually.

That the foregoing to the best of her ability describes the entire real estate of the deceased and the income she derived from the same for the year 1905: that which she actually received and that it was possible for her to receive were an interest claimed by her as decident widow in the whole estate.

That the tax assessment record for the year 1905 shows her personal assessment to be $101 or a total cash value of $505. In this was included two horses belonging to one of the widows children. There were also two other horses and eight head of cattle assessed in her name which she believes legally belongs to the estate of the deceased as they were in possession of the deceased at his death.

That she has no money, stocks, bonds, mortgages or other securities from which any income can be derived. That no one is legally bound for her support. That there is now due $50 note for insurance upon the dwelling of homestead.

That the full and correct christian name of deceased husband was that of Thompson Rector Cornwell.

Sarah E. Cornwell