Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts - Federal pension records, 1814-1842

Access and use

Location of collection:
Library of Virginia
The Library of Virginia
800 East Broad Street
Richmond, VA 23219
Contact for questions and access:
POC: Archives Reference Services
Phone: (804) 692-3888
Restrictions:

There are no restrictions.

Terms of access:

There are no restrictions.

Preferred citation:

Virginia. Auditor of Public Accounts (1776-1928). Federal Pension Records, 1814-1842. Accession APA 233, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Summary

Extent:
.70 cu. ft. (2 boxes)
Creator:
Virginia Auditor of Public Accounts (1776-1928)
Language:
English
Preferred citation:

Virginia. Auditor of Public Accounts (1776-1928). Federal Pension Records, 1814-1842. Accession APA 233, State government records collection, The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.

Background

Scope and content:

Records, 1814-1842, including correspondence, oaths, power of attorney, and receipts sent to the Auditor of Public Accounts from agents representing the pensioners and requesting payments. There is very little concerning the pensioners' service besides noting that they served during the Revolutionary War. The notable exceptions are the files of Abraham Burner, Robert Combs, John Cross, Hugh Davis, Thomas Flatford, Nicholas Fry, John Gill, James Holliday, Robert Humphrey, James Jones, William Kennahorn, Philip Langfit, George Leach, Charles Owens, Severn Scott, William Thayer, and Sylvester Welch. These notable files name the units in which they served and some include names of wives and children. Agents include W.A. Harris, Charles Hunton, James M. Laidley, James E. Heath, and Joseph Janney.

Biographical / historical:

On 7 June 1785, the United States Congress passed an act authorizing the federal government to assume the payment of pensions to some of the pensioners of the Virginia rolls. Subsequent acts liberalized the rules by which applicants could qualify for pensions. Although the pensioners were listed on federal rolls, the state was responsible for paying the pensions.

Acquisition information:
Transferred from the Auditor of Public Accounts in 1913.
Arrangement:

This collection is arranged alphabetically by pensioner's last name.