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Library of Virginia
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Processed by: M. Long
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Henrico County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1820-1839. Local government records collection, Henrico County Court Records. The Library of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia, 23219.
These items came to the Library of Virginia in a transfer of court papers from Henrico County.
Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1820-1839, were removed from the Henrico County Court papers and processed by M. Long.
Encoded by M. Long: February 2025.
Context for Record Type: In 1818, Congress passed the first of three major Revolutionary War pension acts. The act granted lifetime pensions to all men who had served as regular army soldiers in the Continental Line and who could demonstrate financial need. Prior to the passage of this act, pensions had been restricted to former soldiers who were no longer able to support themselves due to injuries sustained while in service. The second act, passed by Congress in 1820, required applicants to provide more concrete evidence of this financial need in the form of a certified inventory of his property and income. They also had to include an account of all members of the applicant's family, including their health and ability to contribute to household income. In 1832, the third act extended pension benefits to include soldiers who had served in the state troops or militia. Congress also passed a related act in 1836 granting pensions to the widows and orphans of Revolutionary War veterans.
Locality History: Henrico County was named for Henry, Prince of Wales, eldest son of King James I. It was one of the eight original shires, or counties, first enumerated in 1634. The county seat is in the western part of the county.
Lost Locality Note: Henrico County is one of Virginia's Lost Records Localities. All county court records prior to 1655 and almost all prior to 1677 are missing. Many records were destroyed by British troops during the Revolutionary War. Post–Revolutionary War county court records exist. Almost all circuit superior court of law and chancery and circuit court records were destroyed by fire during the evacuation of Richmond on 3 April 1865 in the Civil War. The county's circuit court held its sessions at the state courthouse in Richmond.
Henrico County (Va.) Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1820-1839, primarily record the declarations of individuals seeking to obtain Revolutionary War pensions provided by various acts of Congress. The applicants present detailed testimony of their time of service during the Revolutionary War. Information found in the declarations include date and location applicants entered into service, names of military companies they served in, names of military commanders they served under, names of fellow soldiers they served with, length of service, their age, and their place of birth. The predominant portion of the declarations are narratives of their tours of duty during the Revolutionary War with emphasis on battles they fought. The declarations also include affidavits from witnesses who could verify information provided by applicants.
This collection is arranged into the following series:
Series I: Declarations for Revolutionary War Pensions, 1820-1839, arranged chronologically.See also the Henrico County (Va.) Military and Pension Records, 1790-1942 at the Library of Virginia.
Additional Henrico County Court Records can be found on microfilm at The Library of Virginia. Consult "A Guide to Virginia County and City Records on Microfilm."
Henrico County is one of Virginia's Lost Records Localities. Additional Henrico County Court Records may be found in the Lost Records Localities Digital Collection available on the Library of Virginia. Search the Lost Records Localities Digital Collection available at Virginia Memory.