Revolutionary War, 1775 to 1783: Difference between revisions

The first pension law in 1776 granted half-pay for life to soldiers disabled in the service and unable to earn a living. The first pension law based on service was passed in 1818, but it was later amended to make eligible only those soldiers unable to earn a living. The pension act of 1832 allowed pensions again based on service and made widows of veterans also eligible to receive pension benefits. Fires in 1800 destroyed the earliest Revolutionary War pension application records. As a result, pension application papers on file at the National Archives begin after 1800. Certain pension records predating 1800 survive in the form of [http://www.familysearch.org/Eng/Library/fhlcatalog/supermainframeset.asp?display=titlefilmnotes&columns=*%2C0%2C0&titleno=309454&disp=American+state+papers++ Congressional reports and other legislation]. Reports available are arranged by state; they give name, rank, regiment, description of wounds, and disability; they also give information regarding pension, place of residence, and physical fitness. (FHL film 0944495.)<br>  

See more general information about [[Bounty Land Warrants|Bounty Land Warrants]].<br>  

Revolutionary War Pension Files with Index and supporting file images to particiation in the Revolutionary War are available from [http://www.heritagequestonline.com Heritage Quest], a paid subscription site available in the Family History Library and the Family History Centers.