Wythe County, Virginia, Soldier Benefit Receipts,

Access and use

Location of collection:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Special Collections, University Libraries (0434)
Newman Library
Virginia Tech
P.O. Box 90001
560 Drillfield Drive
Blacksburg, VA 24062-9001
Contact for questions and access:
Phone: (540) 231-6308
Fax: (540) 231-3694
Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish material from Wythe County, Virginia, Soldier Benefit Receipts, must be obtained from Special Collections, Virginia Tech.

Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Wythe County, Virginia, Soldier Benefit Receipts, Ms2011-028, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Summary

Extent:
0.1 Cubic Feet 1 folder
Abstract:
The collection contains four receipts from Wythe County [Virginia] Court for funds paid to the families of 3 soldiers: William Ayers, Andrew Aker, and Wiliam Landers.
Language:
English .
Preferred citation:

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: Wythe County, Virginia, Soldier Benefit Receipts, Ms2011-028, Special Collections, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg, Va.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection contains four receipts from Wythe County Court for funds paid to the families of 3 soldiers: William Ayers, Andrew Aker, and Wiliam Landers.

Biographical / historical:

In 1861, shortly after the Civil War began, Congress, in large part to attract recruits to the military, enacted legislation providing pensions for soldiers who suffered war-related disabilities, as well as the widows and orphans of soldiers killed in action. Congress amended the law in 1862 to provide a maximum pension of $8 per month for total disability, with proportionately reduced awards for partial disability. The same award was made for widows and orphans, although amendments to the law increased the allowance to widows by $2 per dependent child. Where a veteran left no widow or children, the law provided benefits to dependent mothers or sisters, and eventually, if there were no dependent mother or sister, dependent fathers and brothers.

Acquisition information:
The Wythe County, Virginia, Soldier Benefit Receipts were purchased by Special Collections in 2010.
Processing information:

The processing, arrangement, and description of the Wythe County, Virginia, Soldier Benefit Receipts, was completed in March 2011.