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Civil War Veteran
Joseph Chason was born 22 Sep 1823 in Decatur County, Georgia, the son of John Chason (1785-1862) and Elizabeth Mims(1785-1840). His parents were born in North Carolina but were living in Decatur County Georgia by about 1805. Some members of the family moved to Florida in the late 1840s and most settled in Liberty County.
On June 27, 1856, Joseph married Rebecca E. Brown, also a native of Georgia transplanted to Florida. The couple were married in Quincy, Gadsden County, but set up household in Liberty County. Before war broke out Joseph and Rebecca had two children - Susan Florence Chason (1858) and Lawson Alison Chason (1860-1926) (married Celesta Hodge and Ida C Hayes).
Joseph enlisted with Company B (Capt Smith's Company), 5th Battalion, Florida Cavalry. 5th Cavalry Battalion was organized during the summer of 1863 with eight companies. Its members were recruited in the counties of Jackson, Gadsden, Leon, Escambia, Columbia, and Wakulla. It served in the Department of South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida, and took an active part in the battles of Olustee, Gainesville, Milton, and Braddock's Farm. The unit surrendered at Tallahassee on May 10, 1865. Lieutenant Colonel George W. Scott and Major William H. Milton were in command. Joseph served until the end of the war and then returned home to Liberty County.
He and Rebecca had seven more children before his death on April 2, 1886. Laura (1864); Joseph W (1866); Lafayette (1868); Stephen S (1869-1904 - married Avery E Bracewell); Eugenia (1871); Anna (1872) and Olivie (1874). Many members of the family are buried in Chason Cemetery, Telogia.
Rebecca lived in Liberty County until her death on August 14, 1914. In 1904 she filed for her widows pension.
Pension Application Nr. AA00252 (Click to search and view at the Florida Memory Project)
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