Professor Tate stayed active even in the latter part of his life. He applied for his military pension and in so doing made contact with his two old comrades in arms, J. Alexander and John Drakeford. These were the same two that carried him to a field hospital at the Bloody Angle during the war. John sent him their two affidavits testifying as to his military service. He also told him that the “boys” in Alabama were not pulling pensions in their state as high as those in Florida. Another friend of his told him the boys in Georgia were only getting paid $50.00 a year for a disability and $60.00 a year for indigence.
Drakeford, who was the tax collector back home in Macon County, Alabama listed a few of the old soldiers from their unit that were still alive as far as he knew to include John Pride, John Alexander, Ed Varner, Charlie Smith, and Hal Martin. It was required that every applicant be examined by two certified physicians. Both Dr. W. C. Dewberry and Dr. William D. Nobles of Pensacola looked the old academic over and verified that he suffered from rheumatism in his right arm. He was approved for his annual pension in the amount of $120.00 as of July 6, 1907 and reaffirmed in the same amount two years later on July 1, 1909.
He spent his later years writing letters and serving as the chaplain for the United Confederate Veterans Camp #10. All was blissful until he lost his beloved Sarah on April 1, 1916. Born on March 8, 1846, she would pass away in their home and was buried in the Gonzalez Methodist Church Cemetery in Gonzalez, Escambia County, Florida. With the approach of World War I, his grandson Bill Cary enlisted in the Army. According to Wayne Perkins the old man wrote to Bill, "you are now fighting under the banner once opposed by (me), but now sacred to the Cause of Universal Liberty, and under whose folds Grandpa would now be fighting himself if he were not prevented by old age and infirmities." As his life came to a close, he was fortunate to be active until the end.
He passed away on November 7, 1921 and was buried beside Sarah in the Gonzalez Methodist Church Cemetery. He also lay next to his beloved daughter Louisa Tate Cary and his brother and Confederate comrade Clarence William Tate.
Professor James Madison Tate in his later years c1916
Sarah Elizabeth Clark Tate 1846-1916
Grave of James Madison Tate, Gonzalez
Methodist Cemetery, Gonzalez, Florida
Grave of Mrs. Sarah Elizabeth Clark Tate, wife of
Professor J. M. Tate, Gonzalez Methodist Cemetery
