SAMUEL METTY becomes a Pensioner
On May 23rd, 1891, Samuel Metty filed his Declaration for Original Invalid Pension in St. Joseph County, Michigan. In it he declares that he is 56 years of age and that he is unable to earn a support by manual labor by reason of deafness and rheumatism, attributable to his service in Company K, 9th Regiment of Michigan Volunteer Cavalry in the war of 1861. In a supporting statement given on the 25th day of May 1892 he further states that while in the army in February 1865 he contracted a severe cold in his head, from which he has suffered more or less since, but did not know it was catarrh until so informed by the examining physicians. On the 25th of May 1900, Samuel again filed a petition to include in his claim additional disabilities. Based on his physical examination at Three Rivers on September 13, 1899, the doctors discovered that he had “disease of liver and arteries.”
In the original declaration his surname appears to be spelled Methy, but when he signed the form, he signed it SAMUEL METTY.
On May 9th, 1900, the Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions requested a fulll military and medical history of Samuel Metty, pension #836,384. They received in reply the following: Samuel Metty, Co K, 9th Reg’t Mich Cavy was enrolled April 4, 1863 and mustered out July 21, 1865, during which time he held the ranks of corporal and sergeant. At time of enlistment he was 26 years, 5’ 8”, light complexion, gray eyes, brown hair, born at St. Joseph Michigan and his occupation is laborer. In a later document dated 23 March, 1907, it appears that Samuel’s unit was originally Battery L, 1st Regiment Michigan Light artillery and was later renamed or perhaps incorporated into Company K, 9th Cavalry in February 1864. He was mustered out at Lexington, N.C. on 21 July 1865. (Today there is a small park there commemorating the events of that time.)
It appears from the documents in his pension file, that he was originally pensioned at the rate of $12.00 per month. At some point, perhaps in early 1903, the rate was reduced and on 4 May of that year he submitted a statement asking for reinstatement of the original amount. At the time of his death his monthly pension was $15.00.
In the original declaration his surname appears to be spelled Methy, but when he signed the form, he signed it SAMUEL METTY.
On May 9th, 1900, the Department of Interior, Bureau of Pensions requested a fulll military and medical history of Samuel Metty, pension #836,384. They received in reply the following: Samuel Metty, Co K, 9th Reg’t Mich Cavy was enrolled April 4, 1863 and mustered out July 21, 1865, during which time he held the ranks of corporal and sergeant. At time of enlistment he was 26 years, 5’ 8”, light complexion, gray eyes, brown hair, born at St. Joseph Michigan and his occupation is laborer. In a later document dated 23 March, 1907, it appears that Samuel’s unit was originally Battery L, 1st Regiment Michigan Light artillery and was later renamed or perhaps incorporated into Company K, 9th Cavalry in February 1864. He was mustered out at Lexington, N.C. on 21 July 1865. (Today there is a small park there commemorating the events of that time.)
It appears from the documents in his pension file, that he was originally pensioned at the rate of $12.00 per month. At some point, perhaps in early 1903, the rate was reduced and on 4 May of that year he submitted a statement asking for reinstatement of the original amount. At the time of his death his monthly pension was $15.00.
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