Records of Veterans' Benefits - Revision history

Wesexon at 17:52, 13 April 2013

Wesexon — Sat, 13 Apr 2013 17:52:39 GMT

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:52, 13 April 2013
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	The pension records for the Revolutionary War and later wars can contain much of genealogical value: affidavits made by the veteran and his neighbors or associates to support his claim, summaries of his service, the military organization in which he served, the dates of his service, his date and place of birth, names of heirs, relationship to others who served with him, his movements after the war, and information from family Bible records. Sometimes the Bible pages, torn out of the book, are enclosed as evidence.		The pension records for the Revolutionary War and later wars can contain much of genealogical value: affidavits made by the veteran and his neighbors or associates to support his claim, summaries of his service, the military organization in which he served, the dates of his service, his date and place of birth, names of heirs, relationship to others who served with him, his movements after the war, and information from family Bible records. Sometimes the Bible pages, torn out of the book, are enclosed as evidence.

-	For example, the Revolutionary War pension file of Reuben Johnson was filed in Anderson District, South Carolina, on 19 November 1832. The file is too long to reproduce in its entirety but is illustrative even in summary. Reuben Johnson filed a sworn statement with the justice of the peace of Anderson District to apply for a pension for his Revolutionary War services as a member of the Fourth Regiment of the North Carolina Line. He enlisted with Richard Phillips in 1776 at Surry County, North Carolina, and served for two and one-half years in the command of Captain Joseph Philips. On his statement he also named the marches in which he took part. After reenlisting, he was present at the siege of Charleston, where he was taken prisoner by the British.	+	For example, [http://www.ancestry.com/revolutionarywar the Revolutionary War] pension file of Reuben Johnson was filed in Anderson District, South Carolina, on 19 November 1832. The file is too long to reproduce in its entirety but is illustrative even in summary. Reuben Johnson filed a sworn statement with the justice of the peace of Anderson District to apply for a pension for his Revolutionary War services as a member of the Fourth Regiment of the North Carolina Line. He enlisted with Richard Phillips in 1776 at Surry County, North Carolina, and served for two and one-half years in the command of Captain Joseph Philips. On his statement he also named the marches in which he took part. After reenlisting, he was present at the siege of Charleston, where he was taken prisoner by the British.

	While his affidavit does not indicate his birth date or place of birth, many applications do contain that information, as well as the veteran’s residences after the war.		While his affidavit does not indicate his birth date or place of birth, many applications do contain that information, as well as the veteran’s residences after the war.

Murphynw1: /* Pension Records (1789–1861) */ online access

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:03:29 GMT

Pension Records (1789–1861): online access

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:03, 20 December 2012
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	Find Revolutionary War Pensions online at:		Find Revolutionary War Pensions online at:
	*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1995 Ancestry.com]		*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1995 Ancestry.com]
		+	*{{FS\|1417475\|FamilySearch.org}}
	*[http://www.fold3.com/browse.php#246\|hv1Ctkb2D Fold3.com]		*[http://www.fold3.com/browse.php#246\|hv1Ctkb2D Fold3.com]
	*[http://www.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/index HeritageQuestOnline.com]		*[http://www.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/index HeritageQuestOnline.com]

Murphynw1: /* War of 1812 Pensions */ online access

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:02:16 GMT

War of 1812 Pensions: online access

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:02, 20 December 2012
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	Find War of 1812 Pensions online for free at:		Find War of 1812 Pensions online for free at:
	*[http://go.fold3.com/1812pensions/ Fold3.com]		*[http://go.fold3.com/1812pensions/ Fold3.com]
		+
		+	Find this collection at FamilySearch.org:
		+	*{{FS\|1834325\|United States, War of 1812 Index to Pension Application Files, 1812-1910}}

	These pension files give the veteran’s name, age, and place of residence. If he was married, the marriage date and the maiden name of his wife are stated. The unit in which he served, the date and place of enlistment, and the date and place of discharge are also given. The widow’s pension file will provide her name, age, place of residence, their pertinent marriage information, the date and place of the veteran’s death, his enlistment date and place, and the date and place of his final discharge. The pension files are available from the National Archives, but the microfilmed indexes are available in various libraries throughout the United States.		These pension files give the veteran’s name, age, and place of residence. If he was married, the marriage date and the maiden name of his wife are stated. The unit in which he served, the date and place of enlistment, and the date and place of discharge are also given. The widow’s pension file will provide her name, age, place of residence, their pertinent marriage information, the date and place of the veteran’s death, his enlistment date and place, and the date and place of his final discharge. The pension files are available from the National Archives, but the microfilmed indexes are available in various libraries throughout the United States.

Murphynw1: /* Civil War and Later Pension Records (1861–1934) */ online

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:01:33 GMT

Civil War and Later Pension Records (1861–1934): online

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:01, 20 December 2012
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	*{{FS\|1922519\|United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files}}		*{{FS\|1922519\|United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files}}
	*{{FS\|1471019\|United States, Civil War and Later Pension Files, 1861-1917}}		*{{FS\|1471019\|United States, Civil War and Later Pension Files, 1861-1917}}
		+	*{{FS\|1979426\|United States, Remarried Widows Index to Pension Applications, 1887-1942}}
	*{{FS\|1834308\|United States, Index to General Correspondence of the Pension Office, 1889-1904}}		*{{FS\|1834308\|United States, Index to General Correspondence of the Pension Office, 1889-1904}}

Murphynw1: /* Mexican War Pensions */ online access

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:00:58 GMT

Mexican War Pensions: online access

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:00, 20 December 2012
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	These files contain basically the same information required in other pension applications, but also required the maiden name of the wife, the names of former wives, death or divorce information about previous wives, and the names and birth dates of living children. Pension applications were accepted between 1887 and 1926. They are indexed by name, and the index has been microfilmed as ''Index to Mexican War Pension Applications, 1887–1926''.<ref>''Index to Mexican War Pension Applications, 1887-1926,'' NARA microfilm T317.</ref> Copies of the files can be obtained from the National Archives. Published versions of the index to Mexican War pensions include ''An Index to Mexican War Pension Applications'' transcribed by Barbara Schull Wolfe; Index to Mexican War Pension Files by Virgil D. White; and Navena Hembree Troxel’s thirteen volume ''Mexican War Index to Pension Files, 1886–1926''.<ref>Barbara Schull Wolfe, transcriber, ''An Index to Mexican War Pension Applications'' (Indianapolis: Heritage House, 1985); Virgil D. White, ''Index to Mexican War Pension Files'' (Waynesville, Ten..: National Historical Publishing, 1989); Navena Hembree Troxel, ''Mexican War Index to Pension Files, 1886-1926'' (Gore, Okla.: VT Publications, 1983-95).</ref> Each of these indexes has its own unique attributes.		These files contain basically the same information required in other pension applications, but also required the maiden name of the wife, the names of former wives, death or divorce information about previous wives, and the names and birth dates of living children. Pension applications were accepted between 1887 and 1926. They are indexed by name, and the index has been microfilmed as ''Index to Mexican War Pension Applications, 1887–1926''.<ref>''Index to Mexican War Pension Applications, 1887-1926,'' NARA microfilm T317.</ref> Copies of the files can be obtained from the National Archives. Published versions of the index to Mexican War pensions include ''An Index to Mexican War Pension Applications'' transcribed by Barbara Schull Wolfe; Index to Mexican War Pension Files by Virgil D. White; and Navena Hembree Troxel’s thirteen volume ''Mexican War Index to Pension Files, 1886–1926''.<ref>Barbara Schull Wolfe, transcriber, ''An Index to Mexican War Pension Applications'' (Indianapolis: Heritage House, 1985); Virgil D. White, ''Index to Mexican War Pension Files'' (Waynesville, Ten..: National Historical Publishing, 1989); Navena Hembree Troxel, ''Mexican War Index to Pension Files, 1886-1926'' (Gore, Okla.: VT Publications, 1983-95).</ref> Each of these indexes has its own unique attributes.
		+
		+	Find this collection at FamilySearch.org:
		+	*{{FS\|1979390\|United States, Mexican War Pension Index, 1887-1926}}

	=Civil War and Later Pension Records (1861–1934)=		=Civil War and Later Pension Records (1861–1934)=

Murphynw1: /* Indian Wars Pensions */ online access

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 18:00:05 GMT

Indian Wars Pensions: online access

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:00, 20 December 2012
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	The pension files are located at the National Archives. For pension application files concerning men who were disabled or killed in Indian wars and in whose behalf no service claims were made, see the records in the Old Wars series (discussed earlier). For pension applications relating to persons who served in an Indian campaign during the War of 1812, Mexican War, or Civil War, see the pension indexes relating to claims based on service in that war (following).		The pension files are located at the National Archives. For pension application files concerning men who were disabled or killed in Indian wars and in whose behalf no service claims were made, see the records in the Old Wars series (discussed earlier). For pension applications relating to persons who served in an Indian campaign during the War of 1812, Mexican War, or Civil War, see the pension indexes relating to claims based on service in that war (following).
-		+
		+	Find these collections at FamilySearch.org:
		+	*{{FS\|1979427\|United States, Old War Pension Index, 1815-1926}}
		+	*{{FS\|1979425\|United States, Index to Indian Wars Pension Files, 1892-1926}}
		+
	==Mexican War Pensions==		==Mexican War Pensions==

Murphynw1: /* Civil War and Later Pension Records (1861–1934) */ online access

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:58:11 GMT

Civil War and Later Pension Records (1861–1934): online access

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:58, 20 December 2012
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	After James’s death, his widow, Matilda Raddish [sic] filed a Declaration for a Widow’s Pension. She gives James’s death date as 19 February 1894. She noted that she was married on 5 January 1885 at Owensboro, Kentucky, and that both she and James were widowed at the time of their marriage. The dates of death for each of the former spouses is provided. She gives her maiden name as Matilda Sweat. She had one minor child, Alonzo Reddish, born in March 1884.		After James’s death, his widow, Matilda Raddish [sic] filed a Declaration for a Widow’s Pension. She gives James’s death date as 19 February 1894. She noted that she was married on 5 January 1885 at Owensboro, Kentucky, and that both she and James were widowed at the time of their marriage. The dates of death for each of the former spouses is provided. She gives her maiden name as Matilda Sweat. She had one minor child, Alonzo Reddish, born in March 1884.

-	The brother of James W. Reddish was Markus L. Reddish, who also served in the Civil War. A Declaration for Dependent Pension of a Mother or Father was submitted ~~by Polly~~ Ann Right, their mother. She stated that Markus had died of measles while in the service at Corinth, Mississippi, on 6 July 1862. She had married his father 2 October 1836 at Daviess County, Kentucky. After her husband died 1 March 1863 at Ohio County, Kentucky, she married Amos Right, who had in turn died 5 July 1880.	+	The brother of James W. Reddish was Markus L. Reddish, who also served in the Civil War. A Declaration for Dependent Pension of a Mother or Father was submitted by  Polly Ann Right, their mother. She stated that Markus had died of measles while in the service at Corinth, Mississippi, on 6 July 1862. She had married his father 2 October 1836 at Daviess County, Kentucky. After her husband died 1 March 1863 at Ohio County, Kentucky, she married Amos Right, who had in turn died 5 July 1880.

	Polly Ann Right had four sons in the Union Army at one time, and her husband was killed by Confederate troops as he worked on their farm. This unusual family situation is fully explained in the collected Civil War pension files of the entire family. This family’s files are representative of the majority of the records on file.		Polly Ann Right had four sons in the Union Army at one time, and her husband was killed by Confederate troops as he worked on their farm. This unusual family situation is fully explained in the collected Civil War pension files of the entire family. This family’s files are representative of the majority of the records on file.
		+
		+	Find these collections at FamilySearch.org:
		+	*{{FS\|1919699\|United States, General Index to Pension Files, 1861-1934}}
		+	*{{FS\|1922519\|United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files}}
		+	*{{FS\|1471019\|United States, Civil War and Later Pension Files, 1861-1917}}
		+	*{{FS\|1834308\|United States, Index to General Correspondence of the Pension Office, 1889-1904}}

	Pensioners also completed periodic requests for additional information. The file of Solomon Winne, Kingston, New York, shows documentation of the maiden name of his wife, the date of their marriage, and the names and birth dates of their living children. Because she died a few months before her husband, his pension file included a copy of her death certificate. The document provides the exact date of her death, her age at the time of her death, the names and birthplaces of her parents, and where she was buried.		Pensioners also completed periodic requests for additional information. The file of Solomon Winne, Kingston, New York, shows documentation of the maiden name of his wife, the date of their marriage, and the names and birth dates of their living children. Because she died a few months before her husband, his pension file included a copy of her death certificate. The document provides the exact date of her death, her age at the time of her death, the names and birthplaces of her parents, and where she was buried.
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	Another document in the pension file is the termination of the pension. If the cause was death—the most common reason—the death date is usually listed.		Another document in the pension file is the termination of the pension. If the cause was death—the most common reason—the death date is usually listed.

-	One of the most valuable contributions that a pension file from any era can make in genealogical research is listing the veteran’s residences after discharge The World War I pension file of Giovanni Tenuta shows residences in Wisconsin and Italy. Westward expansion sent many families leapfrogging states between censuses in the post–Civil War years. Tracing the exact movements of individuals and families during that period is difficult at best and sometimes impossible without the assistance of the “road maps’’ provided in these pension files.	+	One of the most valuable contributions that a pension file from any era can make in genealogical research is listing the veteran’s residences after discharge. The World War I pension file of Giovanni Tenuta shows residences in Wisconsin and Italy. Westward expansion sent many families leapfrogging states between censuses in the post–Civil War years. Tracing the exact movements of individuals and families during that period is difficult at best and sometimes impossible without the assistance of the “road maps’’ provided in these pension files.

	==Confederate Pensions==		==Confederate Pensions==

Murphynw1: /* Confederate Pensions */ online access

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:53:24 GMT

Confederate Pensions: online access

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:53, 20 December 2012
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	==Confederate Pensions==		==Confederate Pensions==

-	Because the Confederacy was dissolved after the war, no central governmental agency provided pensions for service or disability of Confederate soldiers. Some of the former Confederate states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, authorized pensions to veterans and their widows. Each state had its own regulations which applicants had to meet. In each case, however, the pension could be paid only if the applicant continued to reside within the borders of the state. If he or she moved elsewhere, the applicant had to qualify under the regulations of the new jurisdiction. State repositories may provide online searches of collections relating to pensions and other assistance that was given to veterans who resided in their states (regardless of their state of enlistment). The Library of Virginia website at http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/mil offers several databases of state-created Confederate files. “Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans and Widows,” consists of pension applications and amended applications filed by resident Virginia Confederate veterans and their widows, and “Confederate Disability Applications and Receipts” are applications to the Board of Commissioners on Artificial Limbs from injured soldiers. Other online indexes are in the list of websites that appears at the end of this chapter.	+	Because the Confederacy was dissolved after the war, no central governmental agency provided pensions for service or disability of Confederate soldiers. Some of the former Confederate states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia, authorized pensions to veterans and their widows. Each state had its own regulations which applicants had to meet. In each case, however, the pension could be paid only if the applicant continued to reside within the borders of the state. If he or she moved elsewhere, the applicant had to qualify under the regulations of the new jurisdiction. State repositories may provide online searches of collections relating to pensions and other assistance that was given to veterans who resided in their states (regardless of their state of enlistment). The Library of Virginia website at http://www.lva.lib.va.us/whatwehave/mil offers several databases of state-created Confederate files. “Confederate Pension Rolls, Veterans and Widows,” consists of pension applications and amended applications filed by resident Virginia Confederate veterans and their widows, and “Confederate Disability Applications and Receipts” are applications to the Board of Commissioners on Artificial Limbs from injured soldiers. Other online indexes are in the list of websites that appears at the end of this chapter.
		+
		+	Collections at FamilySearch.org:
		+	*{{FS\|1837922\|Arkansas, Confederate Pensions, 1901-1929}}
		+	*{{FS\|1913411\|Florida, Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1885-1955}}
		+	*{{FS\|1916017\|Kentucky, Confederate Pension Applications, 1912-1950}}
		+	*{{FS\|1838535\|Louisiana, Confederate Pensions, 1898-1950}}
		+	*{{FS\|1936413\|Mississippi, Confederate Veterans and Widows Pension Applications, 1900-1974}}
		+	*{{FS\|1865475\|Missouri, Confederate Pension Applications and Soldiers Home Applications}}
		+	*{{FS\|1911763\|North Carolina, Confederate Soldiers and Widows Pension Applications, 1885-1953}}
		+	*{{FS\|1874474\|Tennessee, Confederate Pension Applications, Soldiers and Widows, 1891-1965}}

	The attached images illustrate pages from the the Soldier’s Application for Confederate Pension from the State of Texas. The record lists the veteran’s name, date and place of enlistment, residence, date and place of birth, injuries resulting from military service, marital status, the number and ages of his children, the age of his wife, the number of years he resided in Texas, and his occupation. There is no standard format for pension applications for the Confederacy, but the Texas application is representative of most of the others. The attached image is a Widow’s Application for Confederate Pension.		The attached images illustrate pages from the the Soldier’s Application for Confederate Pension from the State of Texas. The record lists the veteran’s name, date and place of enlistment, residence, date and place of birth, injuries resulting from military service, marital status, the number and ages of his children, the age of his wife, the number of years he resided in Texas, and his occupation. There is no standard format for pension applications for the Confederacy, but the Texas application is representative of most of the others. The attached image is a Widow’s Application for Confederate Pension.

Murphynw1: /* Pension Records (1789–1861) */ Rev

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:48:18 GMT

Pension Records (1789–1861): Rev

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:48, 20 December 2012
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	Find Revolutionary War Pensions online at:		Find Revolutionary War Pensions online at:
-		+	*[http://search.ancestry.com/search/db.aspx?dbid=1995 Ancestry.com]
		+	*[http://www.fold3.com/browse.php#246\|hv1Ctkb2D Fold3.com]
		+	*[http://www.heritagequestonline.com/hqoweb/library/do/index HeritageQuestOnline.com]

	The USGenWeb Archives has embarked on a project to provide transcriptions of pension-related materials for all wars prior to 1900. The project, named the USGenWeb Pension Project, will accept transcripts, extracts, and abstracts of pensions and pension-related material. Submissions are placed in the USGenWeb Archives directory of the state and county of principal residence of the pensioner. An early submission to the project is the application for Mexican War veteran James M. Phelan, filed in Clay County, Arkansas, under the act if January 29, 1887. The Survivors Brief states that Phelan served in Hacker’s Company, the 20th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, as a private. He enlisted 25 June 1846 and was discharged 18 June 1847. Phelan was born 8 October 1824. The General Affidavit shows he is a resident of Piggott in Clay County, Arkansas, and owns 103 ½ acres of land in Union County, Illinois, three miles north of Dongola, with a value of about $25. His income is derived from renting the farm for “about $67 per year after taxes and other expenses” and the $8 per month pension he already receives.<ref>Mexican War Survivors Brief and General Affidavit for James M. Phelan, Clay County, Arkansas, dated 02 June 1894, [ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/clay/military/mexwar/pensions/phelanj.txt ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/clay/military/mexwar/pensions/phelanj.txt]</ref> Details about the USGenWeb Pension Project are provided at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pensions.		The USGenWeb Archives has embarked on a project to provide transcriptions of pension-related materials for all wars prior to 1900. The project, named the USGenWeb Pension Project, will accept transcripts, extracts, and abstracts of pensions and pension-related material. Submissions are placed in the USGenWeb Archives directory of the state and county of principal residence of the pensioner. An early submission to the project is the application for Mexican War veteran James M. Phelan, filed in Clay County, Arkansas, under the act if January 29, 1887. The Survivors Brief states that Phelan served in Hacker’s Company, the 20th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, as a private. He enlisted 25 June 1846 and was discharged 18 June 1847. Phelan was born 8 October 1824. The General Affidavit shows he is a resident of Piggott in Clay County, Arkansas, and owns 103 ½ acres of land in Union County, Illinois, three miles north of Dongola, with a value of about $25. His income is derived from renting the farm for “about $67 per year after taxes and other expenses” and the $8 per month pension he already receives.<ref>Mexican War Survivors Brief and General Affidavit for James M. Phelan, Clay County, Arkansas, dated 02 June 1894, [ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/clay/military/mexwar/pensions/phelanj.txt ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/clay/military/mexwar/pensions/phelanj.txt]</ref> Details about the USGenWeb Pension Project are provided at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pensions.

Murphynw1: /* Pension Records (1789–1861) */ 1812

Murphynw1 — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 17:47:04 GMT

Pension Records (1789–1861): 1812

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:47, 20 December 2012
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	Pension records exist for the period between the end of the Revolutionary War and the beginning of the Civil War, primarily dealing with the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, and the Mexican War. All of the indexes to these pension records have been published. These records are classified in three groups as the Old War Series Pension Records. These records pertain to pension applicants who were disabled or killed while serving in any war after the close of the Revolutionary War and before the start of the Civil War (except for the War of 1812 pensions included in the regular War of 1812 pension application files). A few files relating to naval service of men who were killed or disabled during the Civil War are included.<ref>Anne Bruner Eales and Robert M. Kvasnicka, ''Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States'' (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2000), 174.</ref> The original applications are located at the National Archives and can be requested in the same manner as all of the records discussed earlier using NATF Form 85. These pension applications have been indexed; the microfilmed indexes are available at NARA regions, the Family History Library, and some other libraries. Indexes for Revolutionary War pension applications and the index for Civil War Union pension applications are increasingly available online.		Pension records exist for the period between the end of the Revolutionary War and the beginning of the Civil War, primarily dealing with the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, and the Mexican War. All of the indexes to these pension records have been published. These records are classified in three groups as the Old War Series Pension Records. These records pertain to pension applicants who were disabled or killed while serving in any war after the close of the Revolutionary War and before the start of the Civil War (except for the War of 1812 pensions included in the regular War of 1812 pension application files). A few files relating to naval service of men who were killed or disabled during the Civil War are included.<ref>Anne Bruner Eales and Robert M. Kvasnicka, ''Guide to Genealogical Research in the National Archives of the United States'' (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2000), 174.</ref> The original applications are located at the National Archives and can be requested in the same manner as all of the records discussed earlier using NATF Form 85. These pension applications have been indexed; the microfilmed indexes are available at NARA regions, the Family History Library, and some other libraries. Indexes for Revolutionary War pension applications and the index for Civil War Union pension applications are increasingly available online.
		+
		+	Find Revolutionary War Pensions online at:
		+

	The USGenWeb Archives has embarked on a project to provide transcriptions of pension-related materials for all wars prior to 1900. The project, named the USGenWeb Pension Project, will accept transcripts, extracts, and abstracts of pensions and pension-related material. Submissions are placed in the USGenWeb Archives directory of the state and county of principal residence of the pensioner. An early submission to the project is the application for Mexican War veteran James M. Phelan, filed in Clay County, Arkansas, under the act if January 29, 1887. The Survivors Brief states that Phelan served in Hacker’s Company, the 20th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, as a private. He enlisted 25 June 1846 and was discharged 18 June 1847. Phelan was born 8 October 1824. The General Affidavit shows he is a resident of Piggott in Clay County, Arkansas, and owns 103 ½ acres of land in Union County, Illinois, three miles north of Dongola, with a value of about $25. His income is derived from renting the farm for “about $67 per year after taxes and other expenses” and the $8 per month pension he already receives.<ref>Mexican War Survivors Brief and General Affidavit for James M. Phelan, Clay County, Arkansas, dated 02 June 1894, [ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/clay/military/mexwar/pensions/phelanj.txt ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/clay/military/mexwar/pensions/phelanj.txt]</ref> Details about the USGenWeb Pension Project are provided at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pensions.		The USGenWeb Archives has embarked on a project to provide transcriptions of pension-related materials for all wars prior to 1900. The project, named the USGenWeb Pension Project, will accept transcripts, extracts, and abstracts of pensions and pension-related material. Submissions are placed in the USGenWeb Archives directory of the state and county of principal residence of the pensioner. An early submission to the project is the application for Mexican War veteran James M. Phelan, filed in Clay County, Arkansas, under the act if January 29, 1887. The Survivors Brief states that Phelan served in Hacker’s Company, the 20th Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment, as a private. He enlisted 25 June 1846 and was discharged 18 June 1847. Phelan was born 8 October 1824. The General Affidavit shows he is a resident of Piggott in Clay County, Arkansas, and owns 103 ½ acres of land in Union County, Illinois, three miles north of Dongola, with a value of about $25. His income is derived from renting the farm for “about $67 per year after taxes and other expenses” and the $8 per month pension he already receives.<ref>Mexican War Survivors Brief and General Affidavit for James M. Phelan, Clay County, Arkansas, dated 02 June 1894, [ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/clay/military/mexwar/pensions/phelanj.txt ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ar/clay/military/mexwar/pensions/phelanj.txt]</ref> Details about the USGenWeb Pension Project are provided at http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgenweb/pensions.
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	Pension application files for veterans of the War of 1812 include applications of veterans still living after 1871, when Congress authorized pensions to veterans who did not later support the Confederate States of America. Applications for death, disability, and regular service from widows and other claimants are included in the same collection. A second act of Congress in 1878 authorized pensions for veterans who saw as few as fourteen days of active duty. Virgil D. White’s two-volume ''Index to War of 1812 Pension Files'' indexes applicants eligible for pensions or bounty lands under these two acts.<ref>Virgil D. White, ''Index to War of 1812 Pension Files'' (Waynesboro, Tenn.: National Historical Publishing Co., 1989).</ref>		Pension application files for veterans of the War of 1812 include applications of veterans still living after 1871, when Congress authorized pensions to veterans who did not later support the Confederate States of America. Applications for death, disability, and regular service from widows and other claimants are included in the same collection. A second act of Congress in 1878 authorized pensions for veterans who saw as few as fourteen days of active duty. Virgil D. White’s two-volume ''Index to War of 1812 Pension Files'' indexes applicants eligible for pensions or bounty lands under these two acts.<ref>Virgil D. White, ''Index to War of 1812 Pension Files'' (Waynesboro, Tenn.: National Historical Publishing Co., 1989).</ref>
		+
		+	Find War of 1812 Pensions online for free at:
		+	*[http://go.fold3.com/1812pensions/ Fold3.com]

	These pension files give the veteran’s name, age, and place of residence. If he was married, the marriage date and the maiden name of his wife are stated. The unit in which he served, the date and place of enlistment, and the date and place of discharge are also given. The widow’s pension file will provide her name, age, place of residence, their pertinent marriage information, the date and place of the veteran’s death, his enlistment date and place, and the date and place of his final discharge. The pension files are available from the National Archives, but the microfilmed indexes are available in various libraries throughout the United States.		These pension files give the veteran’s name, age, and place of residence. If he was married, the marriage date and the maiden name of his wife are stated. The unit in which he served, the date and place of enlistment, and the date and place of discharge are also given. The widow’s pension file will provide her name, age, place of residence, their pertinent marriage information, the date and place of the veteran’s death, his enlistment date and place, and the date and place of his final discharge. The pension files are available from the National Archives, but the microfilmed indexes are available in various libraries throughout the United States.

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:01, 20 December 2012
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	*{{FS\|1922519\|United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files}}		*{{FS\|1922519\|United States, Civil War Widows and Other Dependents Pension Files}}
	*{{FS\|1471019\|United States, Civil War and Later Pension Files, 1861-1917}}		*{{FS\|1471019\|United States, Civil War and Later Pension Files, 1861-1917}}
		+	*{{FS\|1979426\|United States, Remarried Widows Index to Pension Applications, 1887-1942}}
	*{{FS\|1834308\|United States, Index to General Correspondence of the Pension Office, 1889-1904}}		*{{FS\|1834308\|United States, Index to General Correspondence of the Pension Office, 1889-1904}}