Honnoll_Stephen_Thomas

In the matter of the application of S.T. Honnell (Stephen Thomas) for confederate pension. Affadavit of R.M. Whittle
I, R. M. Whittle, of Van Alstyne, Grayson Co., TX. Do solemnly swear that I am acquainted with S. T. Honnell of said town and county, who is an applicant for a pension under the act of May 12th, 1899; that I have known the said applicant for something like forty five or fifty years and personally know that he enlisted in the confederacy and served as a soldier, we enlisted in Company "B" 11th MS. Regt. Of Cav., but was transferred to Company "A" same regiment and served with that company until the end of the war. He enlisted, according to my best recollection, about the middle of the war in what was then Tishomingo County, MS. And as stated, served until the end of the war. He served in MS. And GA. And I think some in Alabama. I think he was there (in Alabama) at the time of the surrender. I know that the applicant is unable to earn for himself a support by labor. I never knew any other soldier of the name of S. T. Honnell who served in the confederate army. I am positive that S.T. Honnell, the applicant, is the identical person about whom I have testified. I am sixty two years old and my post office address is Van Alstyne, TX. Signed R. M. Whittle Feb. 21, 1907

Sept 13, 1907 From War Department The name S. T. Honnell has not been found on the rolls of any company of 11th MS. Cav., C.S.A., on file in this department. The records show, however, that S. T. Honnoll, private, Com. C, Ham's Regt. MS. Cav. Formerly 1st Battalion, MS. State Cav., was enlisted Oct 18 (year not stated), at Booneville, MS. For one year. He is reported present on a company roll to June 30, 1864, last on file. No later record of him has been found.

S.T. Honnell's pension file's First application Sept 24, 1907 Unable to do manuel work, tumor in his right side. House worth $300.00 W.T. Evatt said his property was only worth about $150. And S. T. is penniless except for his property Dec 19, 1907 Disapproved

To the Hon. J.W. Stephens, Comptroller, Austin, TX Now comes S.T. Honnell and respectfully prays a reconsideration of your decision denying him a pension under the laws of this state and assigns the following reason; First; The he is now, and at the time of making said application was, in actual want and destitute of property and means of subsistence; and that, but for the kindness of others, would have suffered before this time for the actual necessaries of life. Second: That the property shown in his application and therein valued at $300.00 is not of the market value of $300.00, but only of $150.00; that the same is of practically no rental value and is useful only as a shelter. He attaches hereto the affidavits of reputable citizens of Van Alstyne, TX., who are familiar with the market and rental value of said property and asks as above that his said application be reconsidered and that he be given the pension therein prayed for. Signed S.T. Honnoll Dec 17, 1907

Second Application Post Office Van Alstyne, Grayson Co., TX. Aug 6, 1909 He surrendered at Selma, Al. And was paroled at Montgomery, AL. Apr, 13, 1865. Age 65 years in Oct. Born in TN. 1844, County unreadable. Lived in Texas since Dec 1879, lived in Van Alstyne, TX. For 28 years. He had applied for pension 2 years ago at Sherman, owned to much property $300.00. Enlisted Feb or Mar 1863 and discharged Apr 13, 1865 Company A., 11th MS. Cav. Witnesses's: W.A. Parish J.H. Savage W. A. Parish coming first testified as follows: I am 77 yrs. Old reside in Grayson Co.. I have known S. J. Honnell all his life and I know that he served in the Confederate army and performed the dutied of a soldier because I was his Capt. And he served under me. I know he did not desert the confederacy. He served in Co. A., 11th MS. Cav. I know that he is the identical S. T. Honnell serving with me. W. T. Savage testified: I am 65 yrs. Old and reside in Grayson Co., TX. I desire that my answers shall in all respect be the same as those of W. A. Parish, except that he was a Capt and I was a private serving under him. Property assessed at $480.00. Approved Aug. 31, 1909

Ltr. To Commissioner June 11, 1918 Dear Sir, I am returning you treasury warrant issued to S.T. Honnell, confederate pensioner. Mr. Honnell died about April 25th, 1918. Please forward me mortuary warrant in order that his wife may make the required proof. Signed G. McDonough (Lawyer)

June 13, 1918 Ltr. To Mr. G. T. McDonough (lawyer) Dear Sir, I have your letter of the 11th inst., enclosing treasury warrant issued to S. T. Honnell, deceased, pensioner from Grayson County. I am enclosing you herewith blanks to be used in making application for the mortuary warrant of thirty dollars which the state allows for burial expenses, also a widow's application blank. Awaiting to serve you further. J. C. Jones Commissioner of Pensions

Ltr. To Mrs. Lillie Honnell, Van Alstyne, TX. July 9, 1918 Dear Madam, I have your application for the mortuary warrant on account of the death of your husband, S. T. Honnell who was a pensioner from Grayson County. This application shows that your husband died April 22nd and I was not notified of this death till June 11th. The law requires all deaths of pensioners to be reported within forty days in order to entitle the heirs to this mortuary warrant of thirty dollars. I cannot therefore issue you this warrant. Herewith enclosed you will find a copy of the law. Signed J. Jones Commissioner

Ltr. To Commissioner Oct 7, 1918 I am writing to you for information, concerning my fathers death; S. T. Honnoll. Have you issued any money for the burial expenses for S. T. Honnoll, which died April 23. I have been informed by some of the old soldiers that it was due him. If so please let me know who got it. Please write me at once. S.T. Honnoll's daughter Mrs. A.A. Ashley, Van Alstyne, TX.

Letter to Mrs. A. A. Ashley, Van Alstyne, TX. Oct 11, 1918 Dear Madam, I have your letter of the 7th inst., in which you inquire as to a mortuary warrant on account of the death of your father, S. T. Honnell who as a pensioner from Grayson Co. Beg to state that this death was reported June 11, 1918 by Mrs. Lillie Honnoll of Van Alstyne and pensioner died April 22nd. The law requires all notices of deaths of pensioners to be reported within forty days and as this notice was not reported within that time, the mortuary warrant could not be issued. A letter to this effect was mailed to Mrs. Lillie Honnoll July 9. J.C. Jones, COMMISSIONER OF Pensions.

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