VanDevender, Sam C.

Submitted by Linda Jenkins

He was living in Anderson Co. TX in 1870-1920. In 1930 he was living in the Men's Confederate Home in Austin, TX. He died June 27, 1931 and is buried in the Texas State Cemetery. It gives his birth as 1841. He was the son of Hiram and Mary Vernon VanDevender.

From the pension application of Sam C. VanDevender:

I was wounded and captured at Allatoona, Georgia, Oct. 5th 1864, paroled
after two months enprisonment, and was never exchanged. My parole
sufficed for a discharge at the close of the war.
Age: 70 yrs.
Born: Mississippi
How long in Texas: 49 yrs.
How long in said county (Anderson) 42 yrs. Post Office address is Palestine.
Occupation: Bookkeeper, but not now employed
State in which you served: Mississippi
Length of service: 3 yrs. & 7 months.
Company served: Company K 46th Miss. Infantry.
I got a transfer from Co. A 35th Miss to Co. K 46 Miss in January 1863.
Wittnesses: Abe Childress, A. G Greenwood

Statement of witness D. C. Chamberlin 1st. Lt. Co. K 46th Miss:

I have been intimately acquainted with the applicant since boyhood. From the time he joined my company I never knew him to be the least derilect in performance of his duties as a soldier for the many hardships and deprivations we went through. He was always cheerful and obedient and zealous in the cause for which we were battling. I cheerfully recommend him. I am sure he is entitled to all the consideration the state can bestow on a faithful valiant Confederate Soldier.
Signed: D. C. Chamberlin 1st. Lt.-Co. K 46th Miss
6th day of Sept. 1913

31st day of October 1913 State of Mississippi, Lauderdale County

appeared Capt. D. C. Durham who states that he is personally acquainted with Sam C. VanDevender of Palestine, Texas, who is an applicant for a pension in said State of Texas; and that he has no interest in this claim. I have personally known S.C. VanDevender since his boyhood. He was a valiant soldier in the Confederate Army. And was a member of my Company, Co. K 46th Miss. Regt., and served until near the close of the war, when he was wounded in one of the battles in Georgia, taken prisoner and was never exchanged. As a soldier he was faithful, obedient and loyal to the Cause for which we were fighting.
Signed: D.C. Durham, Capt. Co. K 46th, Regt. Miss.

State of Mississippi, Kemper County

Before me appeared J.M. Weir (Teir?) and G.P. Sanford who swear that
they personally know Sam O. VanDevender of Palestine, Anderson County Texas, and that he is a man of good habits and free from dishonor, and that they served with him in the late war between the States in the same Company and Regiment, Co. K 46th Miss. Regiment Infantry and that he was a gallant Soldier and never shirked duty nor a fight. He served the Confederacy to the 5th day of October 1864, when he was wounded in a battle and captured by the enemy and was never exchanged.
Signed: Geo. P. Sanford and J. M. Weir