United States, Revolutionary War, Virginia Pension Application Files - FamilySearch Historical Records: Difference between revisions

|RW_URL_10= [https://www.amrevmuseum.org/ Museum of the American Revolution]

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== What is in This Collection? ==

United States Revolutionary War, Virginia Pension Application Files, 1830–1875 record collection contains half pay pensions for Virginia soldiers and sailors based on their service in the Revolutionary War.  In May of 1779 the Virginia General Assembly granted the payment of half pay pensions for life to the state's military and naval officers and others who served until the end of the war in state units within the state's borders or in the Continental Army. This collection is part of Record Group 15, Records of the Veterans Administration, and is National Archives Microfilm publication M910. A copy of the microfilm publication pamphlet can be viewed at [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/FamilySearch_Wiki:United_States_Revolutionary_War,_Virginia_Pension_Application_Files_Introduction_and_Coverage_Table Introduction and Coverage Table] or downloaded from the NARA microfilm catalog at [https://eservices.archives.gov/orderonline/start.swe?SWECmd=GotoView&SWEScreen=GPEA+Microfilm+MIF&SWEView=GPEA+Microfilm+Landing+Page+View+MIF The National Archives] by entering the microfilm publication number M910 into the search field.

===General Information about Revolutionary War Records===

After the French and Indian war ended 1773, the British Parliament imposed a series of taxes on their American colonies in an attempt to recover some of the cost of the war, to have the colonies pay for their own defense, and to assert authority over the colonies. The taxes were not well received by the colonists, who felt that as they lacked representation in the Parliament, their rights as Englishmen were being violated and the taxes were unlawful. The colonists attempted to gain representation in the British Parliament without success. When gaining representation failed each colony began to form their own parliaments or governments. These colonial government bodies would then overturn British laws that they felt were unlawful and created an undue burden.  In response, Britain sent in more soldiers, and the colonies were occupied by a standing army. The already overburdened colonists were required to feed and clothe the army. This series of events lead to the outbreak of war on April 19, 1775. The colonists’ original aim was to restore their rights as Englishmen; however, by early 1776 the idea that the American Revolution was a bid for independence began to form and take root, and by July the Colonists had declared their independence from the rule of the British Empire.  

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'''Pension application files''' may contain the following information:  

Image:United States, Revolutionary War, Virginia Pension Application Files (12-0422) DGS 7206584_109.jpg|Revolutionary War Payment Record

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===Introduction and Coverage Table===

The [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/FamilySearch_Wiki:United_States_Revolutionary_War,_Virginia_Pension_Application_Files_Introduction_and_Coverage_Table Virginia Pension Application Files Introduction and Coverage Table] provides a copy of the NARA Microfilm pamphlet introduction and a coverage table that lists the names of soldiers and sailors that you can find in this collection and matches them with their corresponding record in the M804 microfilm publication which can be located at [https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/United_States,_Revolutionary_War_Pension_and_Bounty_Land_Warrant_Applications_(FamilySearch_Historical_Records) Unitesd States, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Applications].

== How Do I Search This Collection ==

Before searching this collection, it is helpful to know:

*The name of the person you are looking for

*The type of military service, whether soldier or sailor

View images in this collection by visiting the '''{{RecordSearch|2070137|Browse Page|access=browse}}'''

# Select ‘’’Soldiers or Sailors’’’

{{Tip|More images are available in the FamilySearch Catalog at [https://familysearch.org/search/catalog/2070137 United States Revolutionary War, Virginia Pension Application Files, 1830-1875]. Some catalog records link to multiple references. In this case, click on a reference to find a camera icon to see images.}}

== What Do I Do Next? ==                       

Muster Rolls, rosters, and pension records also provide details on family relationships as dependents had to provide proof of relationship through marriage or birth records), and verify military service. Pension files can include signed affidavits, marriage licenses, and letters that provide personal testimonies of service. These records and letters provide a soldier or sailor’s name, rank, branch of service, dates of service. Land-Bounty-Warrants show where a soldier may have moved. Each detail provides a piece of the soldier of sailor’s life story.  

The following case studies demonstrate how to search through related record collections to find information about an individual’s life story and show that by searching through related records you can find different pieces of your ancestor’s life story:

==Citing This Collection==

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