CAMPBELL COUNTY REVOLUTIONARY WAR PENSIONERS
 

Report from the Secretary Of War
In Obedience To
Resolutions of the Senate of the 5th and 30th of June, 1834, and the 3rd. of March, 1835
In Relation To The
Pension Establishment Of The United States
Washington:
Printed by Duff Green 1835

Statement, &c. of Pendleton County, Kentucky
 

Please Note:  If your ancestor does not appear in this list it does not necessarily mean he didn't serve.  Perhaps he didn't apply for a pension, perhaps he applied in a different area.  You might also want to see if he applied for a Bounty Land Warrant.  Bonnie Snow
 

To obtain Military Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Records 1775-1916  you will need NATF Form #85.  You can request up to 5 copies of this form via e-mail.  The address is : inquire@nara.gov
Send them your name, postal mailing address, the Form number "85", and the number of copies you want.  Once you send you completed form to the National Archives be prepared to wait about 8 weeks to receive what you requested.
 

Pension Information

Under the March 18,1818 act of Congress entitled, "An Act to provide for certain persons engaged in the Land and Naval Service of the United States in the Revolutionary war," surviving Revolutionary war veterans were allowed to apply for pensions. Pensions for life were authorized for veterans with at least nine months of Continental service AND was in need of assistance.

Each petitioner was required to appear in person before a court in their state of residence to prove their service and if required, their disability. The pension applicant was required to make a "declaration" of his eligibility including his age; the name of his commanding officer or officers; and the state, company and regiment he served in. The applicant was required to list his occupation; present an inventory of his personal and real estate including his home and amount of acreage; livestock; farming equipment or tools of his trade; and all household articles. Lastly, the applicant named all family members, along with their ages, who were living in the household at the time of application. This would include grandchildren and other blood relatives if they were also living in the household.

After the official declaration was made the applicant was assigned a pension number. The widowed applicant was required to follow the same procedure and produce proof of marriage to the veteran.

Prior to the Act of March 18,1818, there were no laws enacted by Congress pertaining to pensions, with the exception of some provisions for soldiers and officers disabled in the line of duty; therefore, any soldier who was not disabled prior to that date, did not receive a pension.

The Act of May 1, 1820 required that all pensioners produce certified inventories of their estates and income to prove Need Of Assistance, if need was not proven the pensioner was removed from the rolls but were allowed to reapply.

Pension Act Time Lines:
August 26, 1776-Provided half pay for officers and soldiers disabled in the line of duty for the duration of their disability.

May 15, 1778-Provided half pay for Officers for seven years at the conclusion of the war for all who remained in Continental service for the duration of the war.  Provided an $80.00 gratuity for all Enlisted men who remained in Continental service for the duration of the war.

August 24, 1780-Provided half pay for seven years to the widows and orphans of Officers who qualified under the Act of May 15, 1778.

March 22, 1783-Provided that half pay for life to Officers be reduced to five years.

September 29, 1789-Provided the Federal Government assume responsibility for all state pensions.

March 23, 1790-Provided veterans not yet receiving a state pension were authorized to apply directly to the Federal Government.

April 10, 1806-Provided the authorization of pensions for state regulars and state militia.

March 18, 1818-Provided authorization for pensions for life to veterans who served for nine months in the Continental Service who were in Need of Assistance.

May 1, 1820-Provided that proof of need be established for all pensioners placed on the rolls under the Act of March 18, 1818.  Pensioners were required to supply certified inventories of their estate and an account of their income.  If need was not established the pensioner was removed from the rolls but was allowed to reapply.

May 15, 1828-Provided that Officers and Enlisted men who were eligible for pensions under the Act of May 15, 1778 be granted pensions for life.

June 7, 1832-Provided authorization for full pay for life for all Officers  and Enlisted men who served for at least two years and partial payment to Officers and Enlisted men who served for at least six months. Widows and children of deceased pensioners were allowed to receive payments that were due the pensioner that were not paid prior to his death.

July 24, 1836-Provided authorization to widows to receive the pension that would have been available to their veteran husband had he lived, provided they were married to the veteran prior to his leaving service.

July 7, 1838-Provided a five year pension to widows of veterans who were married prior to January 1, 1794.

July 29, 1848-Widows of veterans were provided a pension for life provided they could prove marriage to the veteran prior to January 2, 1800.

February 3, 1853-All widows, regardless of  their date of marriage to the veteran, were provided a pension for life.

March 9, 1878-The last Revolutionary War Pension Act provided authorization for pensions to widows of veterans who had served at least fourteen days or participated in any engagement.

 

Return to the Military Index