Revolutionary War Pension Highlights James to Congress contained an appeal to act on behalf Monroe’s First Annual Message of poor and aging Revolutionary war veterans. It resulted in the Pension Act of 1818. Act allowed any or marine who had served for at least nine months in “officer, soldier, mariner, a Continental line or served until the war ended and was in to collect a ‘reduced circumstances’” pension, provided that of service and an oath of was made before a court “testimony indigency” It excluded men who had seen service solely as members of the militia Costs of the program ballooned far beyond projections as nearly fifteen times the number of expected pensioners filed claims. An 1820 amendment suspended all pensions until claimants proved their poverty before a court official—only the most poverty-stricken veterans could obtain a pension. A 1823 revision expanded the asset test eligibility to veterans with estates not in excess of $300. The War Department raised the amount to $960 in 1828. Pension Bill of 1832 removed a means test and broadened eligibility to include members of the state troops and militia. July 1838, Congress further extended the pension act to provide half pay and pensions to widows, who married Revolutionary War veterans prior to January 1794. 20
Revolutionary War Pension Highlights James Monroe’s First Annual Message to Congress contained an appeal to act on behalf of poor and aging Revolutionary war veterans. It resulted in the Pension Act of 1818. Act allowed any “officer, soldier, mariner, or marine who had served for at least nine months in a Continental line or served until the war ended and was in ‘reduced circumstances’” to collect a pension, provided that “testimony of service and an oath of indigency” was made before a court It excluded men who had seen service solely as members of the militia Costs of the program ballooned far beyond projections as nearly fifteen times the number of expected pensioners filed claims. An 1820 amendment suspended all pensions until claimants proved their poverty before a court official—only the most poverty-stricken veterans could obtain a pension. A 1823 revision expanded the asset test eligibility to veterans with estates not in excess of $300. The War Department raised the amount to $960 in 1828. Pension Bill of 1832 removed a means test and broadened eligibility to include members of the state troops and militia. July 1838, Congress further extended the pension act to provide half pay and pensions to widows, who married Revolutionary War veterans prior to January 1794. 20
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