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John Klugh - Civil War Pension Papers

INTRO - READ ME!

You will see throughout these documents where John's surname is sometimes spelled Klugh, sometimes Clugh, and other times Clough. The first thought that should come to mind is, how do we know that the Clugh or Clough mentioned in these documents is the same person as OUR John Klugh? My response is based on what I've learned from all the research I've engaged in during the past forty-five years, the serious research during the past seventeen years, as well as what other professionals have imparted to me. If anything else, remember the following...

The focus of this website isn't just documentation, but documents that can be cross-referenced with each other.

It stands to reason that the more documents you have with similar names, places, region, and dates, the more reliable is the data. Without going into every point I've come upon, as that's not the import of an introduction, you will see that there are instances where Elizabeth Klugh's last name is spelled as we know it, but that John's name is spelled "Clugh". There's even one document where Liz's last name is spelled as "Klugh" and John's second wife's name is spelled "Clough", even though his second wife's name is spelled "Clugh" on the 1900 Fed Census. Also, there's more than one affidavit where the affidant says he's the brother of John Clugh, even though the name of the affidant is spelled "Klugh". You've got to realize, it's always the Investigator who did all the transcribing, not the Affidant. There are many other examples throughout the 105 documents. I urge you to look through ALL the documents with an objective, unbiased eye. Be as skeptical as you want to be. I've made skepicism a major point when doing genealogical research until I see so much evidence that it either proves the point in question or does not. That's the way genealogical research is performed.

Regarding the quality of the documents, you have to realize they were folded into 3 sections for easier storage. While part of the front page is shown rightside up, the remaining portion is sideways. Others are the opposite. I couldn't decide which is easier on the eyes and neck so I rotated a few at random and left the others as is. You'll see what I mean as you read through them, or as the Chinese say, "Ma Ma Hu Hu"... it is what it is.

I divided up the documents according to decade, year, and month. Each line is linked to a large image, and all documents will come up in PDF. This will allow you to resize the document as you wish for easier reading. A PDF reader should have come with your computer. If you don't have a PDF reader, you can get one for FREE at the Adobe website. The documents have been in storage for as long as 150 years and some have "bled" into each other. You should look so good when YOU'RE 150. Some dates are from the date the document was signed, others are according to the date of register. All surnames are shown as they appear on the documents. If you see an asterisk (*) next to the date, it indicates it's an important document to prove family lineage and relationships.
All the links work on my end.

NOTE:
It takes a lot of time and energy to scan, label, convert to PDF, and write the code for 105 documents, what to speak of the monetary cost. Please, don't tranfer any of them to anywhere else on the Internet without getting my approval first.

1860s

1862-1863: John Clough's enlistment in Pittsburgh on Oct 23, 1862 and his Muster Roll at Harper's Ferry, Virginia through Feb 1863 (West Virginia didn't become a separate state until June of 1863). The photo to the right is of Harper's Ferry as it looked when John was there. I first saw it on the Library of Congress website, and I could have given a reference for it, but then I saw it's on multiple websites across the Internet and no one claims absolute ownership over it. Harper's Ferry
Harper's Ferry
early 1860s.
1863: John Clough's Muster Roll at Harper's Ferry, Virginia from Mar 1863 to his discharge on Apr 18, 1863.
1863: * Extra Muster Rolls filed by his Company after John's Discharge giving a few bio-stats on John: age, height, complexion, eye color, hair color, occupation, his home, and where John was born.
1863: John Clough's Certificate of Disability Front Page.
1863: John Clough's Declaration of Disability from Baltimore, MD.
1863: John Clough's Certificate of Disability.

1870s

1878: John Clugh's Pension Application Front page.
1878: John Clugh's Pension Declaration of Disability.
1879-Feb: Surgeon General's diagnosis, treatment and hospitalization of John Clugh.
1879-Mar: Affidavit of fellow soldier, John Bellas, for John Clugh.
1879-Mar: Affidavit of fellow soldier, W.A. Krider (Kider), for John Clugh.
1879-Mar: Affidavit of John Clugh, Armstrong Co, 1st page.
1879-Mar: Affidavit of John Clugh, Armstrong Co, 2nd page.
1879-Mar: Affidavit of Mathias Bowser, neighbor, for John Clugh.
1879-Mar: * Affidavit of Thomas Hepler, neighbor and brother of Elizabeth, for John Clugh.
1879-Mar: * Affidavit of William W. Mechling, neighbor, for John Clugh. William was married to Sarah Jane Klugh, John's sister.
1879-Mar: War Dept - Adjutant General's Office, for John Clough.
1879-May: Surgeon General Certificate of Disability Front page, for John Clugh.
1879-May: Surgeon General Certificate 1 for John Clugh.
1879-May: Surgeon General Certificate 2 for John Clugh.
1879-Jun: Armstrong Co Court of Common Pleas for John Clugh.
1879-Aug: Examining Surgeon's Certificate Front page for John Clugh.
1879-Aug: Examining Surgeon's Certificate for John Clugh.
1879-Sep: Synopsis of Pension requests for John Clough.

1880s

1880-Feb: Medical Evidence from J.G. Cunningham, MD as to John Clugh's condition.
1880-Feb: * Affidavit (pg1) from neighbor, Thomas Hepler, Elizabeth (Hepler) Klugh's brother, about John Clugh.
1880-Feb: Affidavit (pg2) from Thomas Hepler.
1880-Feb: * Affidavit from neighbor, William W. Mechling, husband of John's sister - Sarah Jane Klugh, for John Clugh.
1882-Apr: Affidavit (pg1) from fellow soldier, Francis A. Reges, regarding knowing John Clugh while in the Army.
1882-Apr: Affidavit (pg2) from fellow soldier, Francis A. Reges.
1882-Apr: Affidavit (pg1) from J.G. Cunningham, MD as to John Clugh's condition.
1882-Apr: Affidavit (pg2) from J.G. Cunningham, MD.
1882-Apr: Affidavit (pg1) from family physician, John K. Maxwell, MD as to John Clugh's condition.
1882-Apr: Affidavit (pg2) from family physician, John K. Maxwell, MD.
1882-Apr: * Affidavit (pg1) from William F. Clugh, brother of John Clugh.
1882-Apr: Affidavit (pg2) from William F. Clugh, brother.
1882-Apr: * Affidavit (pg1) from William W. Mechling, married to John's sister - Sarah Jane Klugh, for John Clugh.
1882-Apr: Affidavit (pg2) from William W. Mechling.
1882-Apr: Appeal (pg1) from John Clugh for his pension.
1882-Apr: Appeal (pg2) from John Clugh for his pension.
1882-Apr: Appeal (pg3) from John Clugh for his pension.
1882-Apr: Appeal (pg4) from John Clugh for his pension.
1882-Apr: Appeal (pg5) from John Clugh for his pension.
1883-Jan: Affidavit (pg1) from John Clugh.
1883-Jan: Affidavit (pg2) from John Clugh.
1887-Mar: * Affidavit (pg1) from brother, George A. Klugh, for John Clugh. George states he and John are brothers and were in the same Regiment at Harper's Ferry, Va.
1887-Mar: Affidavit (pg2) from brother, George A. Klugh.
1888-May: Affidavit (pg1) from neighbor, William W. Mechling, for John Clough.
1888-May: Affidavit (pg2) from William W. Mechling.
1888-Jun: Affidavit (pg1) from John Clough.
1888-Jun: Affidavit (pg2) from John Clough.
1888-Jun: Affidavit (pg1) from neighbor, John King, for John Clough.
1888-Jun: Affidavit (pg2) from neighbor, John King, for John Clough.
1888-Jun: Affidavit (pg1) from physician, J.W. Blaine, MD for John Clough.
1888-Jun: Affidavit (pg2) from physician, J.W. Blaine, MD for John Clough.

1890s

1890-Jul: Two witnesses, Baker and Rose, from Leechburg for John Clough.
1890-Nov: Affidavit (pg1) for the two witnesses, Baker and Rose, for John Clugh.
1890-Nov: Affidavit (pg2) for the two witnesses, Baker and Rose, for John Clugh.
1890-Nov: * Affidavit (pg1) from Charles K. Klugh (brother) for John Clugh.
1890-Nov: Affidavit (pg2) from Charles K. Klugh (brother) for John Clugh.
1891-Feb: Surgeons Certificate (pg1) for John Clough.
1891-Feb: Surgeons Certificate (pg2) for John Clough.
1891-Jun: Examiner's Approval for John Clough, Leechburg.
1891-Oct: Affidavit (pg1) from George Spielman, neighbor, for John Clugh.
1891-Oct: Affidavit (pg2) from George Spielman, neighbor, for John Clugh.
1891-Oct: Physician's Evidence (pg1) for John Clugh, Leechburg.
1891-Oct: Physician's Evidence (pg2) for John Clugh, Leechburg.
1892-Aug: Surgeon's Approval (pg1) for John Clough.
1892-Aug: Surgeon's Approval (pg2) for John Clough.
1893-Jan: Approval for Pension for John Clough.
1895-Mar: Approval for Pension for John Clough.
1897-Sep: Claim for Pension increase (pg1) for John Clugh and Clough, with two witnesses from Leechburg.
1897-Sep: Claim for Pension increase (pg2) for John Clugh and Clough, with two witnesses from Leechburg.
1898-Dec: Surgeon's Certificate for John Clough of Leechburg.
1899-Mar: Dept of Interior, Bureau of Pensions asking for more information on John.
1899-Apr: Surgeon's Certificate for John Clough.
1899-Aug: Two witnesses (pg1) vouching for John Clugh, of Leechburg.
1899-Aug: Two witnesses (pg2) vouching for John Clugh, of Leechburg.
1899-Dec: Approval for John Clough of Leechburg for his Pension increase from $6/month to $10/month.

1900s

1900-Jul: Claim (pg1) for Pension for John Clough from Gilpin Twp, Ar,strong Co, with two witnesses.
1900-Jul: Claim (pg2) for Pension for John Clough from Gilpin Twp, Ar,strong Co, with two witnesses.
1900-Jul: Claim (pg3) for Pension for John Clough from Gilpin Twp, Ar,strong Co, with two witnesses.
1900-Aug: Claim (pg1) for Pension for John Clough from Leechburg, with two witnesses.
1900-Aug: Claim (pg2) for Pension for John Clough from Leechburg, with two witnesses.
1901-Jan: John Clough's request (pg1) for an increase in his Pension, with two witnesses.
1901-Jan: John Clough's request for increase (pg2).
1901-Jan: Multiple witnesses (pg1) for John Clough through the years.
1901-Jan: Multiple witnesses (pg2) for John Clough through the years.
1905-Jan: Widow's Application (pg1) for Accrued Pension for Elizabeth Klugh, widow of John Klugh.
1905-Jan: * Widow's Application (pg2) with Elizabeth's maiden name "Hepler" connected to "John Klugh". First time ever!
1905-Jan: Widow's Application (Index).
1905-Jul: Notice of the Special Examiner of the Dept of Interior, for Elizabeth Klugh, with Liz's signature!

1910s and beyond

1916-Apr: * 1st Letter (1st page) from Emily (Klugh) Sanderson, daughter of John and Elizabeth Klugh asking to receive John's Pension benefits.
1916-Apr: 1st Letter (2nd page) from Emily (Klugh) Sanderson.
1916-Apr: * 2nd Letter (1st page) from Emily.
1916-Apr: 2nd Letter (2nd page) from Emily.
1916-May: * From Commissioner to Emily regarding her request and acknowledging her as a daughter of Elizabeth and John Klugh.
1916-Apr and May: Envelopes.
1916-May: * File paper for Elizabeth and Emily with respective dates.
1941-Jul: * Final Letter from Emily stating she is the only surviving child of John and Elizabeth Klugh and that she still wants John's Pension benefits.
1941-Aug: Response from the Director of Dependant Claims Service denying Emily's request.

No date docs

Liz Klugh Petition Card: Click on Title, then scroll down after window opens. For John Klugh.
Examiner's Report: * An evaluation of the reliability of the witnesses who appeared for Liz Klugh during her petition process, with the relationship of each person to Liz and John. Most have "Klugh" as their last name; one is listed as "Clough".
Enclosure List
Card Number List

(c) July 4, 2011: (All rights reserved)