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Note: 1880 Census Assyria Twp. Barry Co. MI
Ezra PACKER Self M Male W 48 NY Farmer NY NY Francis PACKER Wife M Female W 34 NY Keeping House CAN NY
William PACKER Son S Male W 15 MI Farmer NY NY Thomas PACKER Son S Male W 12 MI Farmer NY NY Charlie Floyd PACKER Son S Male W 11 MI Farmer NY NY Pension File of Ezra M Packer
This was a thick file filled with doctors reports, and numerous affidavits from other soldiers and friends as he fought red-tape to get a pension.
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DECLARATION FOR ORIGINAL INVALID PENSION State of Michigan:
Barry County
On this 10 day of March A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty 6 ... at the Circuit Court, a court .... for....aforsaid; Ezra M Packer aged 54 years , a resident of the Township of Assyria, county of Barry, State of Michigan, who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical Ezra M Packer who was ENROLLED on the Eighth September, 1864, Co B, 28 Regiment of Mich. Infantry commanded by Benjamin Evans, and was honorably DISCHARGED at Raleigh N.C,... Fifth..June, 1866; that his personal description is as follows: Age, 32,, height 5 feet 8 inches, complexion light, hair light, eyes blue; That while a member of this organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of duty at Nashville ... Tenn on or about the "seventh day of January, 1865, he contracted Rheumatism and he contracted Piles about the middle of March 1865 between Newbern and Kingston N.C."
That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the Township of Assyria Barry Co. ... Michigan, and his occupation has been that of a Farmer. That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a Farmer. That he is now Partially disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries, above described, received in the service of the United States; and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the invalid pension roll of the United States.
He hereby appoints, with full power of substitution and revocation, William B Bates his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim. That he has not received or applied for a Pension. That his POST OFFICE ADDRESS is Lacey couty of Barry, State of Michigan.
Claimant's signature, Ezra. M. Packer
ATTEST. Wm WCole
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I was a 1st Lieut of Co. B,28th Mich. Inft
Know Claimant - Ezra M Packer, he was a private of siad Co. & Reg't. I here
state as near as I can remember his condition
as it came under my observation. On or
about the middle of Dec. 1864 I was in
Command of a detailed guard to guard
prisoners from Nashville Tenn. to Louisville
Ky. Ezra M. Packer was a member of that
detail. The prisoners and guards were in box cars. When we arrived at Louisville Ky.
said Claimant complained that his
back hurt him, and appeared unable to
walk erect. I remember this incident
Claimant went on dress parade and was
repremanded by the Col. for not standing
erect. - Remained with the Co. In January
1865 the Co. & Reg't was transfered by
boat to Cincinatti Ohio, thense by Rail to
Alexandria Va. Claimant appeared some
better while at last named place.
In the month of Feb. 1865 said Co. & Reg't.
was transfered by Ocean Steamer to Morehead
City N.C. thense by rail to Newbern
N.C. said Claimant remaining with his Co..
during this time did not complain very much
untill during the month of March 1865
at or near Kinston N.C. while on the march
from New bern N.C. to Raleigh N.C.
said Claimantcomplained of piles, appeared
to suffer considerable pain. continued to
walk in a stooping fashion, remained with the
Co. untill mustered out June 1866, did not
appear to be altogether free from
lameness during this time.
Very Respectfully Eli F. Evans to John C. Block
Commis of Pensions --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. Pension [1st 2 digets of claim # reversed AMH]
In the matter of the^claim of Ezra M. Packer No. 657,167 I, James R Driscoll a resident of Assyria in the County of Barry , State of Michigan
on oath depose and say, That I a member of Co. B, 28th Regt Michigan Infantry
Vols. That Claimant Ezra M Packer was a member of the same Co.& Regt
That I have known Claimant since the organization of the Regt at Marshall
Michigan. That I was well acquainted with him and served with him during the service of the 28th Infantry until its muster out in June 1866.
that some time in March 1865 I first knew of the claimant Ezra M Packer
complaining of Rheumatism and piles. That he was unable to do
duty and the boys of his Co. done duty for him as he would not
go to sick call, nor to Hospital.. And know that he was treated
for his complaints by the Reg't. Surgeon in Camp. And that said Claimant, did not suffer nor complain of such Rheumatism or Piles until on or about the time the Reg't reached Kingston N. C. And after that time until the muster out of the Reg't.. he was a constrant suffer from the
Piles & Rheumatism. And that in my opinion the same was caused by exposure in the line of duty while on the march with
Sherman's Army "to the "sea" . And my opinion is based upon my personal knowledge, as I was with him there." And further deponant saith not. I have no interest whatever in this claim and am not related to the claimant.
(Witnesses) Charles Baker James R Driscoll
Alonzo Park Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of May 1886 at Assyria in the County of Barry , State of Michigan ,
I certify that I am disinterested, that the affiant is to me well known, and
worthy of full credit as a witness, and that the contents of the above affidavit
were made known to him before execution.
Wm C. Jewell Notary Public
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GENERAL AFFIDAVIT. Pension In the matter of the ^ claim of Ezra M Packer No.567,167 I, Lorenzo Dean a resident of Assyria
in the County of Barry , State of Michigan
on oath depose and say, that I have been acquainted with the
Claimant Ezra M Packer, since his return from the Army
in the summer of 1866. I worked for him in the spring
of 1867. I think in Febry. I know he was complain-
-ing at that time of being afflicted with Rheumatism
and Piles, and was unable to do his work and hired
me to drive his team in consequence of such sickness,
And at diferent times until his removal from his farm
on Dec 20, in the spring of 1883 ?, And since that time I have no knowledge of him, so far as his disability is concerned. And in my judgement from my knowledge and personal observation, the Claimant was not at any
time during my acquaintance with him, capable of doing or
earning more than half a mans wages or doing more than
half a Mans Manual Labor. And further deponant saith not. I have no interest whatever in this claim and am not related to the claimant.
(Witnesses) Charles Baker Lorenzo Dean
Alonzo Park Sworn to and subscribed before me this 29th day of May 1886
______at Assyria in the County of Barry ,
State of Michigan , I certify that I am disinterested, that the affiant is to
me well known, and worthy of full credit as a witness, and that the contents of the above
affidavit were made known to him before execution.
Wm C. Jewell Notary Public
The dates in lines from 1876 & 1877 changed to 1866 & 67 before signing
Wm C. Jewell Notary Public --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The handwriting of the entire document extracted below was exceedingly hard to discipher. -AMH
It was written on a quad-folded paper with the following written notes on 1st quarter column:
Mitchell Drolette
Bellview
[this line illegible - looks like: N r n 3 M ]
Frenchman & ignorant
Knows nothing
Specific as told [?, sloppy writing, used opinion of examiner below in 4th column to "translate"]
SUPERVISING EXAMINER
Aug 1, 1887 ILLINOIS DISTR CT [above the office date stamp on the document]
[2nd quarter column]
Mitchell Drolette is a french man quite ignorant. does not read or write and is regarded as an honest man His reputation is fairly good. And his testimony in a Court must be considered good. As to pension matters he depends upon others for his facts. In this case his testimony is worthless - He says
Was member of Co. B, 28th Mich from Aug. 1864 to 1866 Knew claimant. He was in same Co. He was not wounded He was sick. He had Piles.
[3rd column]
Can't tell when it was or where it was in N. Carolina near Raleigh and in 1865. I think he had Diarrhea also in Service Cant tell where or When. I know that When I made aff.[affidavit?] in his pension case he had two complaints put in & one was piles & I think the other was Diarrhea. I dont know of any thing else the trouble with him in the Army - When I made aff. he came to see me & I went with him to Bellview. I can not read English. I subscribed to an aff. which said he had Piles & Diarrhea in the Army. I dont think he went to Hospital I was at Nashville Tenn. with the Co. I dont remember that he was sick at or near Nashville Tenn
X X X X [signature- his mark] [4th column]
The old gentleman has forgotten one of the two complaints but must just as soon say Rheumatism as Diarrhea if he only knew the facts He does not forget the Piles however as that was impressed on his mind. When the app. was made & I think not before.
[signed] J.E. Knight Third Ex??? Charlotte Mich. July 28th/87 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
service file of Ezra M Packer:
Enlisted Sept 8 1864, Marshal MI for 3 years. Mustered in as Pvt. Sept 8, 1864 in
Marshall Co B, 29 reg't Michigan Infantry. Born Gayland NY, farmer, age 32, eyes blue, hair light, complexion light, height 5'8". Bounty paid $100
Mustered out Raleigh N.C. June 5 1866.
Last paid to Feb 28 1865______
Clothing account:
Last settled Oct 31, 1865
Due soldier $3.51____________
Bounty paid $100 ; due $100
Remarks: Promoted to Corp'l, Mar
1 1866 by order of Lt. Col. Shaffer Comd'g Regt
Stop & $6.00 for one S.R. Musket and Accoutrements
retained.
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May 21, 1912 info from pension appl. - residences since leaving the service - Kalamo Mich, 6 months, Assyria Center Mich 6 years, Assyria Center Mich 8 years, Battle Creek Mich ever since
witnesses - James Perry and Albert B Simpson
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Then there was the birthdate hold-up
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
BUREAU OF PENSIONS
WASHINGTON
November 8, 1912
Mr. Ezra M.Packer
#80-Liberty Street, Battle Creek, Calhoun Co., Michigan. Sir:
Referring to your above-entitled claim for pension under the act of May 11, 1912, filed May 23rd., I have to advise you that therein you state you were born Sept. 28th 1832, whereas, in your claim for pension under the act of Feb 6, 1907, filed September 7, 1907, you alleged that you were born September 28, 1831.
You should explain this discrepancy under oath, state the correct date of your birth and comply with the requirements indicated in the accompanying circular letter.
Very respectfully, ??? Davenport Commissioner ----------------------------------------------------
This is a verified copy of the family record taken from the family record in the bible
Ezra M Packer Born September 28th 1831. The bible was printed in the year 1823. The record does not bear any marks of erasure or alterations. I believe the record to be genuine and correct.
State of Michigan County of Barry
On this thirteenth day of November in the year one thousand nine hundred twelve before me this subscriber, a Justice of the Peace in and for said County personally appeared Ezra M Packer to me known to be the same person whose record is above.
Wesley R Grayburn Justice of the Peace -------------------------------------------
Questionnaire- sent to Ezra M Packer, RR1 Dowling, Mich
Date and place of birth - Sept 28 1831 [see above letter]
organizations in which you served - Co. B 28th Regiment Michigan Volunteers
Residence at enlistment - Assyria Center, Barry Co. Mich.
Wife's full and maiden name - Mary Francis Wilson
When, where, and by whom were you married - July 26th, 1863. At Assyria Center Michigan by Geo. E Bacon, Justice of the Peace
Is there any official or church record of your marriage? - No
Were you previously married? - No
Wife - all former husbands - No previous marriage.
Are you now living with your wife, or has there been a separation? - Separation by death
State the names and dates of birth of all your children, living or dead -
William H Packer Dec 4, 1864 Thomas J " Mar 23, 1865 Charles F " May 8, 1876 Lena M. " July 24, 1881 date Mar 22, 1915 (signature) Ezra M Packer
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The Dowling Postmaster returned Ezra's pension check noting that the pensioner died Jun 18 1916
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National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/
28th Regiment, Michigan Infantry
Organized at Kalamazoo and Marshall, Mich., by consolidation of 28th and 29th Michigan Infantry on October 26, 1864. Moved to Louisville, Ky., October 26-29, and duty there till November 10. Moved to Camp Nelson, Ky.; thence guard trains to Nashville, Tenn., November 10-December 5. Attached to Post of Nashville, Tenn., Dept. of the Cumberland, to January, 1865. 2nd Brigade, 1st Division, 23rd Army Corps, Army of the Ohio to February, 1865, and Dept. of North Carolina to April, 1865. District of Raleigh, N. C., Dept. of North Carolina, to August, 1865. District of Wilmington, N. C., Dept. of North Carolina, to January, 1866. District of New Berne, N. C., to June, 1865.
SERVlCE.-Occupation of Nashville, Tenn., during Hood's investment, December 5-14, 1864. Battle of Nashville December 15-16. Pursuit of Hood December 17-28. At Clifton, Tenn., till January 11, 1865. Moved to Louisville, Ky., January 11-18, thence to Alexandria, Va., January 18-25. Duty there till February 19. Moved to Morehead City, thence to Newberne, N. C., February 19-25. Campaign of the Carolinas March 1-April 26. Advance on Kinston and Goldsboro March 1-21. Battle of Wises Fork March 8-10. Kinston March 14. Occupation of Goldsboro March 21. Advance on Raleigh April 10-14. Occupation of Raleigh April 14. Bennett's House April 26. Surrender of Johnston and his army. Duty in District of Raleigh, Hardin County, N. C., till August. In District of Wilmington, Crook County, N. C., to October, and in District of Newberne, N. C., till June, 1866. Mustered out June 6, 1866.
Regiment lost during service 1 Officer and 5 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 1 Officer and 126 Enlisted men by disease. Total 133.
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Death Records of the Probate Court of Barry County - sons of Ezra and Mary Francis
1115487 1881 PACKER, CHARLES F A-126
1133714 1881 PACKER, THOMAS J A-126
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