Amanuensis Monday: The Civil War Pension File of Isaac Carter, Document #15

Below is a transcription of an affidavit sworn out by Theophilus George. This could either be Isaac's brother-in-law (b. 10 Jul 1850), or his father-in-law (b. abt. 1804). Upon completion, further analysis will determine the realtionship.

 North Carolina

Craven County

Also personally appeared before 

me a clerk of Superior Court

a court of record in and 

for the County & State aforesaid

Theophilus George age 40 yrs. 

well known unto be respectable and

entitled to credit & who being duly

declares: I have been acquainted

with Isaac Carter the soldier

all my Life. When he came home

from the war Dec 1865 he appeared

to be quite sick from Rheumatism

and was stiff in his joints of feet & 

Legs and he would be unable

to walk and he also complains 

of diarrhea & piles and asthma

soreness of throat and heart.

He has suffered to a great

excess each and every year

to the present that he has been

down for two or three times each

year or a month or more at a 

time. And I have lived near

his house ever since the war

and have been able to see

him every week at times and

I so on. When ever I see

He is complaining and is at times 

laid up from Rheumatism

diarrhea piles and asthma.

and he is continually sick

from said disabilities.

I have no interest in the

claim. My P.I. address is

Harlowe N. C. 

witness               )

E.W. Carpenter  )  Theophilus George

J.B. Willis         )

sworn & sub-

scribed to before me this 3rd day of

June 1890 & I certify that officiant states'that the foregoing was read to him before

signing same & that he is the identical

person he claims to be & is credible &

worthy of belief.                            E.W. Carpenter

[stamp]

Frederick Douglass,

U.S. Claim Agent.

Box 590, New Berne, N.C.

Analysis

• Taking into account that Theophilus George was 40 years old on 3 June 1890, he would have been born in 1850, which is compatible with Isaac Carter's brother-in-law. Certain he would have known Isaac all his life as Isaac was eleven years old when Theophilus was born. 
• Theophilus reports Isaac's condition following the war in 1865. He married Theophilus' older sister, Martha Ann, one and a half years later (15 May 1867). 
• The informant reports that I have lived near his house ever since the war. Perhaps an examination of land deeds and Census documents for 1870 and 1880 would determine the location of this land, whether it corresponds to the current Martha Ann (George) Carter Heirs Land. Also, where both Carter and George resided before the war.