Civil War Pension File – James B. Garrison
Partial transcription by Alexander Conrad, 2011

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DECLARATION OF ORIGINAL OR ADDITIONAL PENSION
Act of June 27, 1890. As Amended By Act of May 9, 1900

State of New Jersey, County of Cumberland.
On this 15 day of March A.D. one thousand nine hundred and one personally appeared before me, a Notary Public, within and for the County and State aforesaid, James B. Garrison aged 65 years, a resident of Bridgeton, County of Cumberland, State of N.J., who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical James B. Garrison who was enrolled on the 31 day of Dec, 1863, in Co H 3rd NJ Vols in the service of the United States in the War of the Rebellion, and served at least ninety days and was honorably discharged at Washington D.C. on the 1st day of August, 1865. That he is totally unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of general disability and rupture. Rupture is of right side and was incurred under following circumstances: brought on by shoveling coal, at the Bridgeton Gas Works, about 3 years ago.
That said disabilities are not due to his vicious habits, and are to the best of his knowledge and belief of a permanent character; that he has never applied for pension. That he has not been employed in the Military or Navel service other than as stated above.
That he did not serve prior to Dec 31/63 nor since Aug 1 1865.
That he hereby appoints with full power of substitution and revocation, Addison G. DuBois of Washington, D.C., his true and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim, and to receive therefor a fee of Ten dollars; that his Post-office address is 163 Fayette St Bridgeton, County of Cumberland, State of New Jersey.
[signed] James B. Garrison
Attest: [witnesses]
1.Isaac T Garton
2. William B Mires

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3-173
Eastern Division
Claim No. 1265.138
James B. Garrison
Co. H, 3rd Reg’t, NJ Vol. Cav.
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C., April 29, 1901

Sir:
Will you kindly answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below? The information is requested for future use, and it may be of great value to your family.
Very respectfully,
M. Clay [can’t decipher last name], Commissioner

Mr. James B. Garrison
163 Fayette st., Bridgeton,
Cumberland Co., New Jersey

No. 1. Are you a married man? If so, please state your wife’s full name, and her maiden name.
Answer: Yes, Emma M. Garrison. Maiden name Ireland

No. 2. When, where, and by whom were you married?
Answer: Jan 1, 1859. Bridgeton, NJ, by the Rev Chas E Hill of the ME Church

No. 3. What record of marriage exists?
Answer: Have the Marriage certificate

No.4. Were you previously married? If so, please state the name of your former wife and the date and place of her death or divorce.
Answer: No

No. 5. Have you any children living? If so, please state their names and the dates of their birth.
Answer: Henry F. Garrison Born Dec 24, 1859
George E. Garrison, March 21 1862, Irvin I Garrison, July 29 / 65
James B Garrison, Aug 30, 1869, Harriet S. Garrison, March 24 / 72
Elizabeth B Garrison Dec 8 / 74, John S Garrison Feb 26 / 77
William J Garrison Aug 30 / 81, Frank C Garrison March 12 / 85

Date of reply, May 2nd, 1901 [signed] James B Garrison

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3-447
Eastern Division
Claim No 1265.138
James B. Garrison
Co. H, 3 Reg’t N.J. Vol. Cav.
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C., April 29, 1901

Sir: To aid this Bureau in preventing anyone falsely personating you, or otherwise committing fraud in your name, or on account of your service, you are required to answer fully the questions enumerated below. You will please return this circular under cover of the inclosed envelope which requires no postage. Very respectfully, M. Clay [can’t decipher name]. Commissioner

Mr. James B. Garrison
163 Fayette st., Bridgeton,
Cumberland Co., New Jersey

1. When were you born? Answer. March 25 1836
2. Where were you born? Answer. Deerfield, Cumb Co, NJ
3. When did you enlist? Answer. Dec 31, 1863
4. Where did you enlist? Answer. Bridgeton NJ
5. Where had you lived before you enlisted? Answer. Bridgeton NJ
6. What was your post-office address at enlistment? Answer. Bridgeton NJ
7. What was your occupation at enlistment? Answer. Waterman
8. When were you discharged? Answer. Aug 1st 1865
9. Where were you discharged? Answer. Trenton NJ
10. Where have you lived since discharge? Give dates as nearly as possible of any changes of residence. Answer. Have always lived in Bridgeton since 1849.
11. What is your present occupation? Answer. Labourer
12. What is your height? Answer. 6 feet, — inches. Your weight? 150. The color of your eyes? Blue. The color of your hair? Grey. Your complexion? Fair. Are there any permanent marks or scars on your person? If so, describe them. Scar on the back cut by an axe when young.
13. What is your full name? Please write it on the line below, in ink, in the manner in which you are accustomed to sign it, in the presence of two witnesses who can write:
James B. Garrison [signed]
Witnesses:
1. Joseph F Ehrlen [Not positive on last name]
2. John B[can’t decipher rest]

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Act of April 19, 1908
DECLARATION FOR WIDOW’S PENSION

State of New Jersey, County of Cumberland.
On this 23 day of April A.D. one thousand nine hundred and eight, personally appeared before me a Justice of the Peace within and for the County and State aforesaid, Emma M. Garrison, aged 69 years, a resident of Bridgeton, County of Cumberland, State of N.J. who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of James B. Garrison, who enlisted under the name of [blank] on the 21 day of Dec, A.D. 1863, as a private in Company H in the 3 Regiment of N.J. Cav Vols and served at least ninety days in the late Ware of the Rebellion, in the service of the United States, who was honourably discharged Aug 1 1865 and died Apr 11 1908.
… That he was never employed in the military or naval service of the United States after the day of Aug 1 1865. That she was married under the name of Emma M. Irelan to said James B. Garrison on the 1 day of Jan A.D. 1859 by Rev. Charles E. Hill at Bridgeton, NJ, there being no legal barrier to such marriage; that she had not been previously married; that her said husband had not been previously married. That she has not remarried since the death of the said James B. Garrison.
… That her post-office address is 163 Fayette St. Bridgeton, County of Cumberland, State of N.J.
[signed] Emma M Garrison
Attest: [witnesses]
1. Frank C. Garrison
2. John Garrison

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Emma M Garrison
Bridgeton NJ
657697 ACT APR
163 Fayette St
DROP REPORT – PENSIONER
DISBURSING DIVISION
Oct 10 1922
Check No. 5258197 $30 dated Oct 4 1922, Section 5 returned by postmaster with information that the above-described pensioner died Sept 6 1922, has been canceled.

One of my New Year’s resolutions this year is to post more to this poor neglected blog. So I’ve decided to start a weekly post, This Week in my Genealogy, highlighting some of the people in my Conrad-Todd-Garrison-Carman database.

And to show how far behind I am in updating the web version of that database, I am going to start with two people who are not even on that site, along with their brother whose information is way out of date. Georg Peter & Johannes Hornef were born December 28, 1824 in Otterberg, Germany and are one of the few pairs of twins that I have in my database. They were born to Georg Peter Hornef & Katharina Cherdron. I found them through the FamilySearch Record Search pilot. Their older brother, Jacob Hornef, was my Great-great-great grandfather who emigrated to Philadelphia in the 1840’s. He was born on January 2, 1819 in Otterberg. I’ve already posted about my Hornef discoveries through Record Search, which is also where I found Jacob’s birth information, so I won’t go into it much here.

From some of my newest finds, to one of my earliest. Actually this wasn’t my find at all, but my grandfather’s. When I first became interested in genealogy, my grandmother brought out some papers of my late grandfather’s research into the family history. Included were the Civil War pension file records of his grandfather James B. Garrison. One hundred fifty years ago this week, on Jan 1, 1859, James B. Garrison married Emma M. Ireland in Bridgeton, NJ. The image below is from those pension file documents. Click on it to see the full-sized scan.

Civil War Pension file: Elon Carman, Private, Co. K, 5th Reg’t, Penna. Cav.
Abstracted and Transcribed from photocopies obtained from National Archives and Records Administration

From Declaration for Pension
(Act of Feb. 6, 1907)
State of Penna.
County of Philada.
On this 24 Day of September, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and ten (1910) personally appeared before me, a Notary Public within and for the county and State aforesaid, Elon Carman who, being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is 70 years of age, and a resident of Philada. county of Philada., State of Penna.; and that he is the identical person who was enrolled at Philada., Penna. under the name of Elon Carman, on the 19th day of September 1864 as a Private, in Co. K, 5th Reg’t Penna. Cavly Vols. (Full service has been stated) in the service of the United States in the Civil war and was honorably discharged at Richmond, Va., on the 19th day of May 1865.
…That his personal description was as follows: Height 5 feet 4 inches; complexion Light; color of eyes, Blue; color of hair, Brown; that his occupation was Bricklayer; that he was born on the 20 day of September, 1840 at Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania.

From form 3-389 Dept. of
the Interior, Bureau of Pensions.
Sir: Please answer, at your earliest convenience, the questions enumerated below.
…
No. 1. Date and place of birth?
Philadelphia September 20, 1840.
The name of organizations in which you served?
Bricklayers Union No 1, Phila.
No. 2. What was your post office at enlistment?
Kensington post office
No. 3. State your wife’s full name and her maiden name.
Catherine Carman ne Horneff [second f crossed out]
Bo. 4. When, where and by whom were you married?
Philadelphia, Twenty-first day of October 1862 by Minister John Wilson.
No. 5. Is there any official or church record of your marriage?
don’t know
…
No. 8. Are you now living with your wife, or has there been a separation?
death, dead
No. 9. State the names and dates of birth of all your children, living or dead.
Jacob Carman born May 26, 1863 Phila. living
Joseph Elon Carman born April 6, 1872 Phila living
Carolina Carman born August 26, 1869 Phila. dead.

March 31, 1915
(signature) X Elon Carman

From Application for Reimbursement
State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia
On this 13th day of Oct, A.D. one thousand nine hundred and nineteen (1919) personally appeared before me a Notary Public within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary J. Hoy, aged 77 years, a resident of Phila., County of Philadelphia, State of Pennsylvania, who being duly sworn according to law, makes the following declaration in order to obtain reimbursement from the accrued pension for expenses paid (or obligation incurred) in the last sickness and burial of Elon Carman, who was a pensioner of the United States by certificate No. 1083859 on account of the service of Elon Carman in Private Co. K 5th Reg
Penna. Calvary.
…
6. Were any sick or death benefits paid on pensioner’s account?
Bricklayers Union #300.
[Schuyler] Post G.A.R. #30
…
19. What was your relation to the deceased pensioner?
Sister
20. Are you married?
Widow
…
24. Give the name and post-office address of each physician who attended the
pensioner during last sickness.
Howard M. [Shriner] Cumberland St. near Jasper St.
…
28. When did the pensioner die?
Sept. 8, 1919.
29. Where was the pensioner buried?
Mt. Moriah Cemetery, Phila. Pa.
…
Also appeared Anna Doyle and Rose Henry.
…We knew pensioner 21 years.
…
Give name of each person who rendered service as nurse, and who has made or will make a charge for such service.
Sister Mrs. Mary J. Hoy 338 E. Somerset St.
Nephew John P. Hoy 338 E. Somerset St.

Civil War Pension file: David M. Craner, Private, Co. D, 25th Reg’t,
NJ Vol Inf.
Abstracted and Transcribed from photocopies obtained from National Archives and Records Administration

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Declaration for Original Invalid Pension
State of New Jersey, County of Cumberland
On this 8 day of Aug A.D. one thousand eight hundred and eighty-one personally appeared before me Dep Clerk of the Com. Pleas Ct. a Court of Record within and for the county aforesaid, David M. Craner aged 40 years, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical David M. Craner who was enrolled on the First day of September, 1862, in company D of the 25th regiment of N.J. commanded by Capt. E.T. Garrison and was honorably discharged at Beverly, N.J. on the 1st day of Sept, 1862; That his personal
description is as follows: Age 40 years; height Five feet 5 1/2 inches; complexion Light, hair, Blue; eyes . That while a member of the organization aforesaid, in the service and in the line of his duty at Fairfax Seminary in the State of Virginia on or about the 1st day of Dec, 1862, he contracted deafness. I contracted deafness in right ear and neuralgia in
right eye, also disease of the kidneys.

That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the County of Cumberland in the State of N.J., and his occupation has been that of a farmer.

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Declaration for Widow’s Pension
State of New Jersey, County of Cumberland

On this 29 day of August, A.D., one thousand eight hundred and ninety-three, personally appeared before me, John G. Ayars, a Notary Public, within and for the County and State aforesaid, Mary Craner, aged 52 years, a resident of the City of Bridgeton, County of Cumberland, State of New Jersey, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that she is the widow of David M. Craner, who enlisted under the name of David M. Craner at _____________, on the First day of September A.D. 1862, in Company D, 25th Regiment- New Jersey Volunteer Infantry as a private and served at least ninety days in the late War of the Rebellion, who was honorably discharged June 20th 1863, and died August 12th
1893.
That she was married under the name of Mary Brown, to said David M. Craner, on 24th day of August 1862, by Rev J.H. Stockton, at Blackwoodtown, N.J., there being no legal barrier to said marriage and that neither she nor David M. Craner were ever married prior to that time.

That she has not remarried since the death of the said David M. Craner.

That she is without other means of support than her daily labor. That names and dates of birth of all the children now living under sixteen years of age of the soldier are as follows:
George C., born May 14, 1879
Estella T., born Oct 28, 1882
Mary B., born Dec 13, 1887

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Widow’s Pension
Claimant: Mary Craner
P.O.: Bridgeton
County: Cumberland, State: NJ

Soldier: David M. Craner
Rank: Private, Co. D
Regiment: 25 NJ Vol Inf
Rate, $8 per month, commencing Aug 31, 1893, and $2 per month for each child, as follows:

George C., Born, May 14, 1879; Sixteen, May 13, 1895; commencing Aug 31, 1893
Estella T., Born, Oct 28, 1882; Sixteen, Oct 27, 1898; commencing Aug 31, 1893
Mary B., Born, Dec 13, 1887; Sixteen, Dec 12, 1903; commencing Aug 31, 1893

Enlisted: Sept 1, 1862
honorably disch’d: June 20, 1863

Died: Aug 12, 1893
Declaration filed: Aug 31, 1893

Soldier’s app’n filed: Aug 12, 1881
Clt’s marriage to soldier: Aug 24, 1862

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Sept. 14, 1916
Widow’s Certificate Number 403.131

Name of soldier (or sailor): David M. Craner
Service of soldier (or sailor): Co D – 25th N.J. Vol Inf

Commissioner of Pensions, Washington, D.C.
Sir:

I am pensioned under the above certificate number, because of the service of the soldier (or sailor) named. I was yes his wife during the period of his service in the Civil War. (If not, write word “not” in blank space.)
I am 74 years of age, having been born Feb’y 11/1842 at Camden Co’ N.J.
I am entitled to the increase of pension provided by the first section of the Act of September 8, 1916.
(Signature) Mary Craner
(Post-office address) Vineland NJ Soldiers Home

Civil War Pension file: Charles R. Carman, Private, Co. A, 81st Reg’t,
Penna. Vols.
Abstracted and Transcribed from photocopies obtained from National Archives and Records Administration

Army of the United States.
Certificate of Disability for Discharge.
Private Charles Carman of Captain John Alexander Company A of the 81 Penna Regiment of United States Vols was enlisted by Capt. Schuyler of 81 Regiment of Penna Vols at Philadelphia on the 10 day of August 1861, to serve three years; he was born in Bucks Co. in the State of Pennsylvania is forty seven years of age, 5 feet 8&#189 inches high, Dark complexion, Dark eyes, Dark hair, and by occupation a Bricklayer. During the last two months said soldier has been unfit for duty for 61 days.
Station: Convalescent Camp Va
Date: May 8th 1863

I certify, that I have carefully examined the said Pr. Charles Carman of Captain Alexanders Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of over age (47 years) and dimness of vision pterygiam [?] and amanrosis [?], the[?] eye disease since enlistment.
Degree of disability one-half.
[signed by] Surgeon in Charge [can’t decipher name]
Discharged this Thirteenth day of May 1863 at Convalescent Camp Va.
[Signed by Camp Commander]
The soldier desires to be addressed at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Widow’s Claim for Pension
State of Pennsylvania
County of Philadelphia

On this 29 day of June 1880, personally appeared before me, a Dep. Proh of a Court of Record in and for the County and State aforesaid Caroline Carman a resident of Philadelphia in the County of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania aged 57 years, who being duly sworn, makes the following declaration, in order to obtain the Pension provided by the Act of Congress approved July 14, 1862. That she is the widow of Charles R. Carman who was a private in Company A commanded by _______________________ in the 81st Regiment of Pennsylvania and that she was married to said soldier on or about 14 day of September 1839, at Philadelphia in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania by Rev. Father Weiland and that she knows of no record evidence of said marriage.
She further declares that said Charles R. Carman her husband, died at Philadelphia in the State of Pennsylvania on or about the 3rd day of December 1879 of disease contracted in the Service of the United States. She also declares that she has remained a widow ever since the death of said Charles R. Carman and that she has not in any manner been engaged in, or aided, or abetted, the rebellion in the United States; and hereby appoints Thomas Christy Jr. #717 Sansom Philada Penna as her lawful attorney…
My Post Office address is Somerset St. 3 doors from C St. Philada.
Caroline Carman (Signature of Claimant)

War Department,
Adjutant General’s Office,
Washington, Dec 14, 1882

Respectfully returned to the Commission of Pensions.
Charles __ Carman, a Private of Company B, 81 Regiment Pa Inf Volunteers, was enrolled in the 10 day of August, 1861, at Philadelphia Pa. for 3 yrs and is reported on Muster Roll for Sept + Oct. 1861, present.
He was transferred to Co. A. same Reg’t Nov 1 1861. On Muster Roll to June 30, 1862, present: to Oct 31 1862 (4 Mons Mus), absent, “in Hospital at Baltimore Md”: same to Feby 28, 1863: to April 30 1863, absent “a nurse at Convalescent Camp, Alexandria Va,”: to June 30 1863, absent, “discharged.” The name Charles R. Carman not borne. Regtl. Return prior to Nov. 1862 not on file.
Certificate of Disability reports him discharged at Convalescent Camp Va. May 13th 1863. W.S.B.
The records of this office furnish nothing additional. Cause for which in Hospital not stated. U.S.S. Regimental Hospital records are not on file.

Secondary Proof of Marriage
State of Penna
County of Philada

On the 21st day of May A.D. 1883, before the undersigned, a Deputy Prothy C.C.P., personally appeared Caroline Carman who, being duly sworn, deposeth as follows: I am the widow of Charles R. Carman deceased, who was a Private in Captain Alexander Company A, 81st Regiment Penna Vols; that my maiden name was Caroline Brill that I was lawfully married to said deceased at Philada, County of Philada, State of Penna by Rev Father Weiland, on or about 14th day of September 1839 that I have by said marriage the following children, whose ages and dates of birth are correctly set forth, to wit:
Elan Joseph aged 42 Years born Sept 20th 1840, Mary Josephine aged 40 Years born Nov 1st 1842, William P. aged 38 Years born May 16th 1845, Sarah Jane aged 30 years born Nov 10th 1852.
That these are the only legitimate children now living of myself and my deceased husband, and that said husband left no children by any former marriage. That I have made repeated and diligent efforts to procure a copy of the record of my marriage, but have been unable to do so, because The Records were destroyed when the Church was destroyed by fire during the Riots of 1844. That I cannot obtain the affidavit of the party who performed the marriage ceremony, because He is now deceased, that my said husband died in the 3rd day of December A.D. 1879; that I lived with deceased from the date of my marriage up to the date of his death, and that I file herewith the best evidence of my marriage that I can obtain.
Mrs. Caroline Carman (Signature of Claimant)

War Department,
Surgeon General’s Office,
Record and Pension Division,
Washington, D.C., July 20th, 1883.

Sir:
I have the honor to return herewith your request for a report of hospital treatment in Claim No. 274.022, with such information as is furnished by the records filed in this Office, viz: that Charles Carman, Priv. Co. A 81st Penna Vols. was admitted to Armory Square G.H. Washington D.C. on or about Aug. 27″/62 with Debility, disposition not stated; admitted to G.H. Camden St. Baltimore Md. Sept 1″/62 with Gunshot Wound, and returned to duty Dec 12″/62. Records of the Regiment Dec 12″/62 to May 13″/63 and of Post Hosp. Convalescent Camp, Alexandria, Va. Dec 12″/62 to May 13″/63, furnish no information in this case. No records of the Regiment on file prior to Nov. 23″ 1862.
By order of the Surgeon General:
B.F. Pope
Assistant Surgeon, U.S. Army
To the Commissioner of Pensions.

General Affidavit
State of Penna County of Philada
In the matter of Caroline Carman widow of Charles R. Carman Co. A. 81st P.V. Claim no. 274.022
On this 8th day of June A.D. 1885; personally appeared before me a Depy Prothy CCP in and for the aforesaid county, duly authorized to administer oaths, James R Deno aged 45 years, a resident of Philada in the County of Philada State of Penna whose Post Office address is Clementine Street, below Frankford Road and Edward Turnbull aged 67 years, a resident of Philada in the County of Philada State of Penna whose Post Office address is 2945 E Street (Kensington Phila) and who being duly sworn according to law, depose and say in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
We were well and intimately acquainted with Charles R. Carman (Deceased) having known him prior to his enlistment in the Army, he was sound and healthy and free from any disease more especially disease of kidneys at time of enlistment. We also served in same Regiment with him, he continued in good health until the Seven days fight on the Peninsula, the latter part of June 1862 when he was taken sick from exposure and hardship incident to the service of the campaign, he was sent to Hospital and did not rejoin his company after, he complaining at the time of pains around his loins and back. Our knowledge is gained James E. Deno by being a Sergeant Captain Co C. and Edward Turnbull by being a Private + Corporal Co C. 81st P.V. and present with the command at the time.
We further declare that we have no interest in said case and are not concerned with its prosecution.
James E. Deno Late Capt Co C 81 PV
Edward Turnball
(Signature of Affiants)

Affidavit
State of Penna County of Philada ss.
In the matter of Caroline Carman Widow of Charles R. Carman Co A. 81st Pa Vols. Claim no 274.022 on this 4th day of September 1888: personally appeared before me a Depy Prothy C.C.P. in and for the aforesaid County, duly authorized to administer oaths, Edward Turnbull aged 41 years, a resident of Philada in the County of Philada State of Penna whose Post Office address is 2930 Kensington Avenue. who, being duly sworn according to law, deposes and says in relation to aforesaid case as follows:
I was well and intimately acquainted with Charles R. Carman having served in same Company and Regiment with him during the war and know from personal knowledge that while in line of duty and during the Retreat from [in f_____?] of Richmond in latter part of June 1862 (Seven days fight) the said Charles R. Carman contracted disease of Kidneys from exposure + incident to the service, he complained of violent pains in his back and loins and when we were between White Oak Swamp and Malvern Hill on June 30th 1862 he was compelled to fall out of line. I did not see him again as I was taken Prisoner of War at Malvern Hill on July 1st 1862 and when I rejoined the Company again in October 1862 I was informed that Carman had been sent to General Hospital at the time he was taken sick. He never rejoined the Company after. I was Corporal Co C 81st P.V. and present with the command at the times stated. I was also very intimate with Charles R. Carman prior to enlistment and worked with him and know that he was sound and healthy and free from Kidney or any other disease.
and affiant further declares that he has no interest in said case and is not concerned in its prosecution.
Edward Turnball
(Signature of Affliant)