Julia Ann Bowman Depostion 2
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| Deposition A Case of Julia A Bowman, No. 327216 On this 6 day of August, 1896 at Brown Twp, County of Martin, State of Ind before N H Proctor, a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally appeared Julia A Bowman, claimant, who, being by me first duly sworn to answer truly all interrogatories propounded to her during this Special Examination of aforesaid pension claim, deposes and says: 78 years, resident as above, P.O. Burns CIty Ind. The name Keck's Church has been changed to Burns City. My husband William Bowman died March 26, 1893. He left a will. He willed me $50 and 176 acres of land to use during my lifetime. The land is the home farm. There was a little stock on the farm but the will provided for selling it and the proceeds went to the children. I had a cow left me, but I gave her to my daughter because I could not care for her. I have nothing but my bed and land. I stay on the farm part of the time and with my children part of the time. When I live on the farm I keep house but I am not able to cook very much. My son Jacob Bowman worked my farm in 1894. His present address is Brownsville Ill. He worked the farm and I lived with him. This was no bargain. I just lived with him and he took what he made. He did not furnish me any clothes or money. I had clothes and he boarded me. William Bowman worked the farm in 1895. I had no bargain with him. He was to take care of me while I was with him. He only furnished me my board. James Crane who is a distant relation by marriage works my farm this year. My son William made the bargain with Mr Crane and I do not know just how the bargain is. I understand that I am to get 1/3 of the crops and pay the taxes. There are two rooms in the house and when I am there I live with the Crane family. I board with them. Don't pay for my board, only look after the baby though it may come that I have to pay board. I stay with my daughter Mary Jane Scott for two or three weeks at a time whenever I want to, but for no board. My farm is all on the ridge - no bottom land. I got a few bushels of wheat last year but do not know what was done with the proceeds. It was sold. My son William is the executor of the will and he manages my affairs and I know but very little of them. Q Have you had a comfortable support, plenty to eat and drink and wear since your husbands death? A I have had enough to eat so far as that is concerned but not such as I would like to have had if I could have got it myself. I have had no clothing bought since his death except one flannel dress but had clothing at his death that has had to do me since. I could not tell how much of the farm is under cultivation. I have no property or source of income but the farm. Q Could not your sons afford to give you something more for the use of the farm during the two years they rented it than your board? A It appears like they are hard run and with big families and can hardly help themselves. I take a sick spell every winter and down a good deal with heart and lung trouble. My sons took care of me and visited me when I was sick. There is some timber on the farm. I suppose I could sell some timber but the land is so _______ the children are afraid they cannot sell the land after the timber is sold. Signed by Mary J Scott and Julia A Scott |
