Michael John Neill's genealogy website. Things that cross my path, general research suggestions, and whatever else ...with a little bit of attitude. I don't post "news" just to post it, never post a press release (edited or otherwise), don't feign excitement, and pretty much say what I think.
04 March 2008
Civil War Pension Card Question
A participant in our workshop today on Footnote.com noticed the following Civil War pension index card.
I'm curious about the reference to "father" in the class of pension. Any thoughts?
My guess would be that the father was dependent on his son for his livelihood and was filing a pension request in a similar manner to a widow or minor. 1870 census might be a clue.
The step-father of one of my female ancestors applied successfully for his deceased son's pension. His son had been captured by the Confederates, held captive in the infamous Libby Prison, went mad, was released and soon after committed suicide. The pension application was full of great genealogical information, as several of my own biological ancestors testified as witnessed on behalf of my step-ancestor in order for him to receive his pension. See the pension index card at Footnote for Angelo Crapsey of Co. I, 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry to view a similar card to the one you've displayed. For more of the story, read here.
I actually just created a page on my website related to this topic. My indirect ancestor Quincy Plaisted died of disease in the Civil War and his parents applied for the pension after his death. They had to prove that they were dependent on the son for support, and one of the ways they did that was to send the original copies of all his letters to the Pension office. They were all on file in his pension records and I have transcribed them with an introduction that includes additional information at this site: http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mabgenealogy/qplaisted.html
Good luck in your research! Hope you hit the same kinds of gold mines I did.
3 comments:
My guess would be that the father was dependent on his son for his livelihood and was filing a pension request in a similar manner to a widow or minor. 1870 census might be a clue.
The step-father of one of my female ancestors applied successfully for his deceased son's pension. His son had been captured by the Confederates, held captive in the infamous Libby Prison, went mad, was released and soon after committed suicide. The pension application was full of great genealogical information, as several of my own biological ancestors testified as witnessed on behalf of my step-ancestor in order for him to receive his pension. See the pension index card at Footnote for Angelo Crapsey of Co. I, 42nd Pennsylvania Infantry to view a similar card to the one you've displayed. For more of the story, read here.
I actually just created a page on my website related to this topic. My indirect ancestor Quincy Plaisted died of disease in the Civil War and his parents applied for the pension after his death. They had to prove that they were dependent on the son for support, and one of the ways they did that was to send the original copies of all his letters to the Pension office. They were all on file in his pension records and I have transcribed them with an introduction that includes additional information at this site:
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~mabgenealogy/qplaisted.html
Good luck in your research! Hope you hit the same kinds of gold mines I did.
Meg
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