Civil War Veteran's Widow's Pension File: Useful or Not? - Military Monday

I'm uncertain about the usefulness of this particular widow's pension file because the widow is the third wife of my great-great-grandfather and I'm am a descendant of his first wife. Can there possibly be helpful information in this pension file? Is it worth my time to transcribe all the documents? Let's see.

The veteran is Ellis H. Biggerstaff/Bickerstaff who served in Company D, 157th Regiment, Ohio Volunteer Infantry, from May 2, 1864 to September 2, 1864. The widow is Lucy Biggerstaff/ Bickerstaff.

There are 25 documents in Lucy's widow's pension file. They span nearly six years, from July 27, 1907 until March 4, 1913. Lucy died on May 14, 1913.

Below are the documents from the pension file that contain genealogy information, the date they were written, and information garnered from the documents.

Declaration for Widow's Pension, form 3-007, September 6, 1907

• Lucy Biggerstaff was 65 years old [therefore born abt. 1842]
  
• Lucy Irwin married Ellis H. Biggerstaff on January 15, 1883
• Lucy was previously married to Ruben Irwin who died in Pittsburgh, PA, in 1871
• Ellis's first wife [not named] died in Steubenville, Ohio
• Ellis's second wife died in Homestead, PA in 1881
• there were no children under the age of 16

Notarized statement dated 4 Jan 1908

• Lucy owned 35 acres of land in Austintown, Mahoning County, Ohio; the deed was recorded March 26, 1901. She paid $40.00/acre and was willing to sell the acreage for that amount. There was a $400.00 mortgage on this property.
  
• She owned 4 lots of ground in Versailles Township, Allegheny County, Pa. She was willing to sell the lots for $200.00 each.
• Ellis had no life insurance
  

Statement of pastor who married Lucy Irwin and E. H. Biggerstaff stating

• marriage date (January 15, 1883)
  
• marriage location (Homestead, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania)
  

On April 15, 1910, Lucy finally obtained a widow's pension of $12.00/month

General Affidavit of Lewis B. Bickerstaff, 52 years; and John Bickerstaff, 57 years; dated January 19, 1920

• Ellis's first wife was Emma Nelson who died on or about May 3, 1878, and is buried in Union Cemetery, Steubenville, Ohio
• Ellis's second wife was Sallie McCune who died at Homestead, Pa., on or about May 1, 1881, and is buried in Union Cemetery, Steubenville, Ohio
  

Possible family members mentioned
John Biggerstaff, Nellie Biggerstaff - Notarized statement dated 30 Nov 1907
Lewis B. Bickerstaff, John Bickerstaff - General Affidavit dated 19 Jan 1920
...........................

If I had no other information about Ellis, I would have learned that

• he had three wives
• the names of the wives
  
• approximate death dates of the first two wives and their burial locations
• the date and location of Ellis's and Lucy's marriage

The other information is probably not helpful in regards to further research on Ellis and his first wife, Emma Nelson, and their descendants. I will not transcribe all documents and may not transcribe any. I will search for other sources to corroborate the information in the file.

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Genealogy Information in a Civil War Pension File - Military Monday

If you'd like to learn more about my experiences with a Civil War pension file, scroll down to "Post Topics" on the left side of this page and click on "Civil War Pension File."

As I transcribed Ellis's file I realized that the only forms in the file were ones that he or his attorney had submitted or that the pension office had collected (as in surgeon's reports). There were no forms that had been sent to Ellis.

Below, in chronological order of filing, are the most helpful documents for genealogy purposes in a Civil War Pension File. Below each document name/date is the information I found.

Claim for Disability Pension, filed July 19, 1890
(Click on image at right to enlarge it.)

• Attorneys handling his claim
• Company, regiment, state of enlistment
• Enlistment and discharge dates
• City and county of residence in July, 1890
• Age, height, complexion, hair color, eye color
• Place and date of birth
• Ailment and reason for requesting pension
• Occupation in July, 1890
• Occupation at time of enrollment in military
• Signature
  

Form 3-111 c (probably a Surgeon's Certificate), filed July 11, 1894

• Post Office address (which was different than in 1890)
• Height, weight, age
  

Form 3--402, completed July 4, 1898

• Current wife's first and maiden name
• Current wife's previous surname (she was a widow when she married Ellis)
  
• Marriage date and location, who performed the marriage
• Previous wife's first and maiden names (Ellis's first wife & my gg-grandmother)
  
• Location and date of death of previous wife
• Names of living children
• Birth dates of living children
  

Soldier's Application, Declaration for Invalid Pension, dated December 16, 1901

• City, county, and state of residence as of this date
• Age, as of this date
• Location of discharge from military service
  

Surgeon's Certificate, Form 3--155, dated June 4, 1902

• City of residence
• Birthplace, age, height, weight, complexion, eye color, hair color, occupation
  

Soldier's Application, Declaration for Invalid Pension, dated November 30, 1904

• Age
• Street, city, county, state of residence
  

Declaration for Pension, Form 3--014, dated February 25, 1907

• Age
• City, county, and state of residence
• Birth date and location
• Cities of residence from birth to date of form
  

Certificate of Death, dated June 29, 1907

• Date of death
• Cause of death
• Street, ward, township, county, and state of death
  

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DEAD - Military Monday

I usually work backward in time when searching for resources to document an ancestor's life. From death to marriage to birth (and events in between). I often know the end of his or her life before the middle and beginning. So it shouldn't have come as a surprise to see "DEAD" stamped across one of the last pages of my great-great-grandfather Ellis Bickerstaff's Civil War Pension File. I knew he was dead and has been for nearly 105 years. And yet, seeing "DEAD" in big, bold letters brought an unexpected wave of sadness when I saw it.

In recent months I've been following Ellis's life as I've worked my way through his pension file, page by page, document by document, transcribing each. It seems like I've just been getting to know him.

Toward the end of 1890, at the age of 50, he filed a claim for disability for chronic catarrh and chronic bronchitis. At his physical exam in February, 1891, the doctor noted that Ellis was 6' tall, weighted 160 pounds, and was 51 years old. Several months later he was awarded a pension of $8.00 per month for disease of respiratory organs.

As I followed Ellis through his exams in 1890, 1892, 1894, and 1899, I saw a man who felt worse than the doctors recorded him to be. At each exam his height and weight decreased. His hair went from brown to gray. He was rejected for an increase each time he requested one until finally, in 1902, the doctors recommended an increase to $10.00 per month. By then he was 5' 10" tall, weighed 140 pounds, was 62 years old, and, the doctors noted, was a victim of senile debility. In 1905 the doctors recommended a pension of $12.00 per month.

Maybe he had never been in robust health. Maybe he had and the Civil War took it out of him. He had been a farmer in his early adulthood and a carpenter in the years after the war, but by 1890 even the doctors saw that his ability to work as a carpenter had become limited.

All the while I was transcribing I was cheering Ellis on. Try one more time for an increase. Don't work too hard, don't tire yourself beyond what you can do. Don't give up. Exercise a little and eat healthy foods. I hoped he'd found some medication that helped his respiratory symptoms and gave him a little peace from his aches and pains.

For 17 years I followed Ellis's trail through moves, affidavits stating he was who he said he was, and doctors' exams. And then, "DEAD." In 1907 Ellis took his own life. Perhaps the senile debility played the largest part in his choice but I can't help but think that he was worn out from dealing with his health problems.

Transcribing a pension file is almost like watching a life in fast forward. Unlike the near-perfect view of an ancestor one sees in a series of photographs, a pension file compresses years into the nitty gritty unpleasantness of illness. A few dozen pages of records span a dozen or more years. An ancestor goes from a single health problem to decreased health, multiple problems, senility, and death in the time it takes to read the records. The years go by quickly and the effects of the passage of time surprise the reader.

"Dead." Yes, I knew he was but it came so quickly and, once again, it fills me with sadness.
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Reading the Doctors' Handwriting - Military Monday

When I began to scan and transcribe Ellis Bickerstaff's Civil War Pension File it honestly hadn't occurred to me that I would be spending most of the time transcribing the handwriting of doctors who examined Ellis. Of the 15 documents I've transcribed, 5 of them have been Surgeon's Certificates. There's more handwriting in one of those certificates than in any other document. All five surgeons have nearly-illegible handwriting! (Click on the image and you'll be able to see what I mean.)

As I work on this file I find myself wondering why I decided to transcribe every document. Is it

1. because I want to find genealogy information: the names of Ellis's wives, the dates of their marriages, addresses, and any other dates and and places? Or
2. because I want to learn about the final years of Ellis's life and the challenges he faced?
   

I've decided it's for both reasons. I'm beginning to get a picture of Ellis's last years. He was given a pension of $8.00/month. Every several years he requested an increase which (as far as I've transcribed) was always denied. How frustrated he must have felt as his health deteriorated and he was unable to work to earn a living.

Because Ellis's widow is not my great-great-grandmother, I think I will only transcribe the documents from her file while are specifically genealogy-related.

It's slow going. Transcribing is slower than scanning. I think I was hasty to expect (and/or ignorant of the time it would require) to finish the file in one month. I could do it if I set aside the rest of my life for the month. Transcribing this file may be one item on my to do list that I don't finish in March.
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Invalid Pension: $8.00/month - Civil War Pension File

While working my way through Ellis Bickerstaff's Civil War Pension File I realized that most of the documents in the file are ones that Ellis, his attorneys, or doctors sent to the pension office. A few are documents completed and retained by the pension office; it's likely that a few of them are duplicates of ones sent to Ellis.

After Ellis's initial claim request, he was given a pension number which follows his paperwork through the pension file. Every paper has that number, even the earliest papers when he had not yet been approved for a pension for his service in the Civil War.

Ellis was examined by two physicians who submitted affidavits on "Additional Evidence" forms. Dr. W. J. McDowell submitted an affidavit on December 11, 1890, which, in part, reads:

I have personally examined the applicant Ellis H. Biggerstaff of Co. D. 157 Regt, Ohio [illegible] [illegible] on this 10th day of December 1890–
I find him with history and present existence of Catarrhal trouble and chronic bronchial troubles. Symptoms. Headache, discharge from the nose, cough and almost constant throat iritation [sic], and reports constant tendency to take “cold” - Inability to withstand exposure. Has had trouble with his stomach and bowels, – gives history of lung trouble Unable to work any whatever for several months at a time. – There is some dullness on percussion over left lung . – Applicant states that he suffers constantly with his lung –––
I further declare that I have no interest in said case and am not concerned in its prosecution.
Wm. J. McDowell [signature]

Two weeks later, Dr. R. F. Gant examined Ellis and submitted another affidavit in which he stated:
Ellis H. Biggerstaff Personally appeared at my Office for examination for pension. I find the applicant Suffering from Chronic Catarrh and Chronic Bronchitis. The symptoms [illegible] are headache, (almost continuously) discharge from the posterior naries, constant irritation of the naries and throat, with cough and constant secretion from bronchial tubes. Halking [?] and spitting with pains in lungs. Petitioner claimed to have had these troubles for years, incapacitating him to perform manual labor to considerate extent, being obliged to have his work [illegible] indoors in cold or rough weather. Being a carpenter by trade his work necessitates him to be outdoors a good deal of his time in this way is hindrance to some extent in his work. Applicant is a soldier of company (D) 157th Regiment of Ohio State Guards Volunteer.
I further declare that I have no interest in said case and am not concerned in its prosecution.
R. F. Gant, MD [signature]

In a Surgeon's Certificate, form 3--111, the examiner concurs with the findings of the other two physicians. The next document (by date) is "Invalid Pension."

Ellis was awarded a pension of $8.00 per month commencing on July 26, 1890. Ellis began the paperwork to obtain a pension on July 19, 1890, and after 8 1/2 months was finally approved.

The value of $8.00 in 1891 was approximately equivalent to the value of $192.00 in 2010.

(You can click on any image to view it larger. When you're finished looking, click the back arrow on your browser.)



Also about Ellis Bickerstaff's Pension File:
Ordering Civil War Compiled Military Service Records
Reviewing Civil War Compiled Military Service Records
Ordering a Civil War Pension File
His Civil War Pension File Arrived
Civil War Pension File: First View
Civil War Pension File: Inventory
Civil War Pension File: Chronological Overview of Papers Pertaining to Ellis
Claim for Disability Pension - Civil War Pension File

Claim for Disability Pension - Civil War Pension File

Ellis Bickerstaff's effort to obtain a pension for his service in the Civil War began with this document, dated July 19, 1890. It appears to have been a two-sided document. In the transcription below, the words and numbers in italics indicate the handwritten responses on blank lines in the printed document. (You can click on the images to see them larger. The image will open in a new window. When you're done viewing it, click the back arrow on the upper left of your browser window.)

This document gives me Ellis's birthdate which, until I received this, I was only able to calculate to the year based on census records. It also gives me some information about his physical appearance.

Catarrah is a disease of the mucous membranes of the naval cavities. (The link sends you to a transcript of an article in the The New York Times dated March 3, 1865. No modern definitions here when we can find something closer to the time period!)

________________________________________________________________

[Transcription of front]
220848 [rubber stamped in upper left]
CLAIM FOR DISABILITY PENSION
SOLDIER.

E. H. Biggerstaff Applicant
Co. D , 157 Reg’t.,
Ohio Vols.
Enlisted 2nd May, 1864
Discharged 2nd Sept, 1864
Act approved June 27 , 1890

Filed by
McNEILL & BIRCH,
ATTORNEYS,
P.O. DRAWER 457 WASHINGTON, D. C.


[Transcription of inside]
Declaration of Soldier for a Disability Pension.

This must be executed before some officer of a court of record having custody of the seal.

State of Pennsylvania, County of Westmoreland SS.
On this 19 day of July, A.D., one thousand eight hundred and ninety ........... personally appeared before me a Notary Public of the County of Westmoreland a Court of record within and for the County and State aforesaid E. H. Biggerstaff aged 50 years, who being duly sworn according to law, declares that he is the identical E. H. Biggerstaff who was Enrolled on the 2nd day of May 1864, in Company D of the 157 Regiment of Ohio Vols., commanded by Captain Robert Bouls and was honorably Discharged at Camp Chase Ohio on the 2nd day of Sept 1864, and that he served for a period in excess of ninety days; That his personal description is as follows; Age 50 years; height 6 feet ...... inches; complexion Fair hair Brown; eyes Blue and was born at Steubenville Ohio on the 11th day of April 1840.
That he is now disabled for manual labor by reason of Catarrh and lung trouble and that said disability is in no respect due to any vicious habit on his part; and that he claims pension under the disability pension bill, being entitled thereto by reason of his inability to earn a support by manual labor.
That he has not applied for pension.
That he has not been employed in the military or naval services otherwise than as stated above
That he has not been in the military or naval service of the United States since the 2 day of Sep 1864
That since leaving the service this applicant has resided in the City of Steubenville Ohio in the State of Ohio and that his occupation has been that of a Carpenter
That prior to his entry into the service above named he was a man of good, sound, physical health, being when enrolled a Farmer. That he is now three fourths disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reasons of his disabilities above described, and he therefore makes this declaration for the purpose of being placed on the pension roll of the United States, under the Act approved June 27 1890. He hereby appoints with full power of substitution and revocation McNEILL & BIRCH of Washington, D.C. his true and lawful attorneys to prosecute his claim; that his residence is No. ............, in ............................ street of Scottdale County of Westmoreland and State of Penna and his Post Office address is the same
Samuel B. McMillan [signature]
E. H. Biggerstaff [signature] Claimant's Signature.
Edward L. Rutherford [signature]
Attest--Two witnesses who can write


[Transcription of back side]
Also personally appeared Sam. B. McMillan residing at Scottdale State of Penna, and Edward L Rutherford residing at Scottdale, State of Penna, persons whom I certify to be respectable and entitled to credit, and who being by me duly sworn, say that they were present and saw E. H. Biggerstaff, the claimant, sign his name, (or make his mark) to the foregoing declaration; that they have every reason to believe, from the appearance of said claimant and their acquaintance with him, that he is the identical person he represents himself to be; that his condition is as stated and that they have no interest in the prosecution of this claim.

Samuel B. McMillan [signature]
Edward L. Rutherford [signature] signature of Affiants.

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 19th day of July A.D. 1890 and I hereby certify that the contents of the above declaration, &c., were fully made known and explained to the applicant and witnesses before swearing, including the words................ erased and the words ....................... added, and that I have no interest, direct or indirect in the prosecution of this claim.
John Rutherford [signature]
Clerk of the Notary Public

________________________________________________________________

Other posts concerning Ellis Bickerstaff's Civil War Records:
Ordering Civil War Compiled Military Service Records - posted on 10/20/11
Reviewing Civil War Compiled Military Service Records - posted on 11/14/11
Ordering a Civil War Pension File - posted on 12/3/11
His Civil War Pension File Arrived - posted on 12/15/11
Civil War Pension File: First View - posted on 1/4/12
Civil War Pension File: Inventory - posted on 1/5/12
Civil War Pension File: Chronological Overview of Papers Pertaining to Ellis - posted 1/16/12

Civil War Pension File: Chronological Overview of Papers Pertaining to Ellis

When I typed the inventory of Ellis Bickerstaff's 79-page Civil War Pension File the papers were in no order and I wasn't sure which papers were part of the same document. I wasn't quite sure how to proceed. Since that post I've dated all the papers and put together the ones that I believe belong together. This is an overview post of the file's contents that related to Ellis, organized into chronological order.

Ellis served in the Civil War from May 2, 1864 until September 2, 1864. Nearly every document contains this information as well as his company. After his initial declaration form, the earliest documents have a claim number on them. Later documents have a certificate number.

Some forms have several different dates, as though they may have been kept at the front of the file for review and signed and dated during those reviews.

Nearly half the papers in the file pertain to Ellis's wife Lucy's attempt to continue receiving a pension. I will not include those papers in this post.

1890
Ellis's initial claim, "Declaration of Soldier for a Disability Pension," was filed on July 19. Additional evidence was filed on December 11 and December 26, 1890.

1891
Toward the end of January the War Department verified Ellis's Civil War service. In early February Ellis was examined by a physician. On April 5 a pension was granted for "Disease of Respiratory organs." In July he filed for an increase in disability.

1892
On October 18 Ellis was examined by a physician.

1893
Ellis filed for an increase of pension on February 21.

1894
One of the multi-dated papers was first dated April 5 (with a final date of April 1, 1895). On July 11, Ellis was again examined by a physician.

1895
Early in January a physician gave additional evidence.

1898
In July the Department of the Interior requested that Ellis complete a form stating marriage information and give names and birth dates of his children.

1899
In January Ellis requested an increase in his disability pension. In May the Department of the Interior completed a form stating that no medical record was found. In early June, Ellis was again examined by a physician.

1900
In June a response was sent regarding Ellis's January 1899 request for an increase.

1901
In December, Ellis again completed an application for a pension.

1902
Ellis was examined by a physician in early June. In October he completed an application for an increase.

1904
In November Ellis completed an application with the request for an increase in his pension.

1905
In early February Ellis was examined by a physician and filed for an increase in his pension. In March he sent a postcard with a change of address.

1907
Ellis completed a declaration for a pension in February. The file contains a copy of his death certificate dated June 30, 1907. He committed suicide on June 29.

. . . . . . . . . .
Other posts relating to Ellis Bickerstaff's Civil War Service and Pension File
Ordering Civil War Compiled Military Service Records
Reviewing Civil War Compiled Military Service Records
Ordering a Civil War Pension File
His Civil War Pension File Arrived
Civil War Pension File: First View
Civil War Pension File: Inventory

Civil War Pension File: Inventory

It will help me and it might interest some of you to see a list of the contents of the papers/documents in Ellis Bickerstaff's Civil War pension file. The list below records the papers in the order I found them when the file arrived.

Some forms have titles, some have only numbers, some have both. If you peruse the list you'll notice that some were filed more than once on different dates.

Ellis died on June 29, 1907. All forms after that date involve only his wife, Lucy, and her efforts to obtain/maintain Ellis's pension or refer to her death.

As I looked through the papers to identify their dates, it became obvious to me that Civil War veterans had to petition to receive pensions and that not all veterans qualified. If a veteran received a pension and after some years wanted to increase the amount, there was more paperwork to be done. There were fees involved with obtaining a pension: an attorney was involved with nearly a dozen of the forms; a notary was required for almost as many; Ellis was examined by physicians at least three times. Do you suppose they used the term "red tape" in the late 1800s and early 1900s?

I will put these papers in chronological order then transcribe, compare, and evaluate them. I'll continue to share what I find.

The List of Papers/Documents
Card (4" x 6") with Certificate Number and names of pensioner and veteran
Form 3-732 - Apr 15, 1910
Form 3-230 - Apr 25, 1891 (initial date) through Oct 30, 1902
Form 3-730 - Jul 12, 1907
Form 3-060a Military Service, Jan 21, 1891
Form 3-453 - Apr 11, 1900
Form 3-216a - Jul 26, 1890 (application filing date)
Form 3-1647 - Feb 27, 1907
Form 3-859 - Sep 6 & 13, 1907
Form 3-852 - Dec 14 & 18, 1909
Form 3-357 Increase Invalid Pension - Feb 1, 1905
Note from Ellis to attorneys with current address - Mar 6, 1905
Form 3-357 Increase Invalid Pension - Oct 15, 1902
Form AA Declaration for Invalid Pension, (filed by atty.) 2 pages - Dec 16, 1901
Form 3-145b Increase Invalid Pension - Jun 12, 1900
Form 3-127 History of Claim - Jul 26, 1890
Form 3-146b - Apr 5, 1894
Form 3-145b Increase Invalid Pension - Feb 21, 1893
Form 3-145a Invalid Pension - Jul 26, 1890
Claim for Disability Pension (filed by atty.), 2 pages - July 19, 1890
Declaration for Increase and Additional Disability (filed by atty.), 2 pages - Jan 20, 1899
Declaration for Transfer Increase & Additional Disability, 2 pages - Jul 18, 1891
General Affidavit (filed by atty.), 2 pages - Jan 2, 1895
Form 3-111 Surgeon's Certificate, 2 pages - Oct 19, 1892
Form 3-111c - Jul 11, 1894
Form 3-516 (from Medical Division) - Jun 14, 1899
Form 3-111 Surgeon's Certificate, 2 pages - Jun 5, 1899
Form 3-155 (old Form 3-111) Surgeon's Certificate, 2 pages - Jun 4, 1902
Form 3-156 Surgeon's Certificate, 2 pages - Jun 4, 1902
Form 3-111 (partial?) - Feb 4, 1891
Form 3-438 Accrued Pension - Apr 6, 1910
Notary Public Certificate - Nov 30, 1907
General Affidavit (filed by atty.), 2 pages - Feb 1, 1910
General Affidavit (filed by atty.), 2 pages - Jan 19, 1910
Form 3-361 Widow's Pension, 2 pages - Apr 11, 1910
Notary Public Certificate, 2 pages - Jan 4, 1908
Form 3-155 Surgeon's Certificate, 2 pages - Feb 1, 1905
Form 3-367 Widow's Pension - April 6, 1910
Form 3-202 Board of Review - Apr 13, 1910
Note from Lucy to attorneys - Feb 5, 1910
Note from Lucy with current address - Apr 5, 1910 (U.S. Pension Office stamp)
General Affidavit (filed by atty.), 2 pages - Mar 21, 1910
Letter to Commissioner of Pensions from attorneys filing power of attorney - Jul 30, 1909
Power of Attorney, 2 pages - Jul 29, 1909
Statement from Pastor - Feb 25, 1908 (U.S. Pension Office stamp)
Form 3-007 Declaration for Widow's Pension - Jul 27, 1907
Claim for Pension. Widow. - Jul 27, 1907
Declaration for Widow's Pension - Dec 11, 1909
Widow's Claim (filed by atty.) - Dec 11, 1909
Form 3-014 Declaration for Pension - Feb. 25, 1907
Statement of Marriage, Children - Jul 4, 1898
Certificate of Death for Ellis Bickerstaff - June 30, 1907
Form AA Declaration for Invalid Pension - Nov 30, 1904
Form AA Soldier's Application (filed by atty.) - Nov 30, 1904
Additional Evidence (filed by atty.), 2 pages - Dec 26, 1890
Additional Evidence (filed by atty.), 2 pages - Dec 11, 1890
Form 3-464aa - May 19, 1899
Form 3-798 Drop Order and Report - Jul 12, 1907
Form 1081 Pensioner Dropped - Jun 21, 1913
Statement of Pastor - Aug 17, 1909

Civil War Pension File: First View

It was exciting to receive my first Civil War pension file in the mail from the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).  I didn't know what to expect: one doesn't know how many pages there will be until it arrives.

The file came in a 10" x 15" tyvek envelope.  The original documents had been photocopied onto legal sized 8 1/2" x 14" paper.  Enclosed with the papers were my original order form (printed by NARA from my internet order request) and a disclaimer stating that the copies were the best available and that it was a complete file.  There were 79 pages.

The file arrived in December but I was only able to take the briefest look at it then.   Now I'm ready to sort, organize, transcribe, and evaluate what I find.  (Sort and organize are key words here!)

My initial observations:

• Some of the original documents were double-sided as evidenced by bleed-through on the copies.   The photocopies are single-sided.  (You can see bleed-through on the image below.)
• Some of the original documents appear to have been long sheets folded into fourths.
• There were no paper clips on the papers to tell me which pages belong together.  Bleed-through sometimes helps to indicate the front and back of one document; otherwise, it's hard to tell which pages go together.
• Not all pages are numbered or dated.
• The file may have been copied with the first page at the back or the first page at the front.   I can only hope that the copies of individual documents are together.
• Documents are not in chronological order.

All of that being said, this first overview gives me new information about Ellis:

• His birthdate (not just the year of his birth)! April 11, 1840.
• A physical description:  he was 6' tall, had blue eyes, a fair complexion, and brown hair (when younger)
• Addresses include 102 Grandview Avenue, McKeesport, Allegheny County, Pennsylvania; West Austintown, Ohio; and Scottsdale, Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania.

It's clear that Ellis was not granted a pension at his first request.   It is also clear that his widow, Lucy, had to be diligent to continue receiving the pension after Ellis's death.

Ellis's signature. Interestingly, on official papers throughout his lifetime Ellis spelled his last name Biggerstaff.   His death certificate gives the spelling Bickerstaff.  Among his ancestors and descendants, Bickerstaff is the most common spelling.

There's more to come about Ellis Bickerstaff's Civil War Pension File.  I'll post as I sort, organize, and scan.  Maybe there are others of you who wonder what you might find if you order your own ancestor's pension file.

--Nancy.

Copyright ©2012-2020, Nancy Messier.  All Rights Reserved. 
Do not copy or use any content from this blog without written permission from the owner. 
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Ordering a Civil War Pension File

I assumed Ellis Bickerstaff, my great-great-grandfather, did not file for a Civil War pension. But after receiving and posting his Civil War Compiled Military Service Records, another blogger encouraged me to check.

I went to FamilySearch's Civil War site which offers various records including Civil War Pension Index Cards. Clicking on the link took me directly to "United States, Civil War and Later Pension Files, 1861-1917" where I was able to type in my great-great-grandfather's name.

I learned that Ellis does, indeed, have a Civil War pension file, or at least he filed an application for a pension. I decided to order the file.

I went to the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) site for pre-World War II Veterans' Service Records and moved down to the section "Military Pension/Bounty Land Warrant Applications." I learned that I could order online or download a form and order by mail.

There are several categories of files available. The two that pertained to Ellis were either
1) A complete Civil War and later pension application file (up to 100 pages), based on Federal (not State or Confederate) military service during the Civil War or later (includes the Pension Documents Packet.) NARA calls this file NATF 85D.
or
2) A pension document packet that contains reproductions of eight documents containing genealogical information about the pension applicant, to the extent those documents are present in the file. NARA calls this file NATF 85B.

Which did I want? If I were solely interested in the genealogical information I would probably have chosen the Pension Documents Packet. But since I'm also interested in learning about Ellis' experiences in the war -- and I understand that experiences and injuries are sometimes described in the letters the veteran and his family wrote when filing for a pension -- I decided to order a complete pension application file.

If you are interested in viewing the files available to order along with descriptions, you can find those here. From that site I chose the file I wanted to order, clicked on the link and was taken to a screen that looks like the one at right. (That screen offered the option to view sample images of several kinds of files, including a pension file.)

From there I chose whether to order a paper copy or a CD. It tells me that the order will ship in 42 to 120 days. When I clicked the "Add to Cart" button, I was taken to the User Login Screen. If you've ordered from NARA before, you'll already have a User name and ID; if not, you can create one.

The next screen asked for the information I found at FamilySearch on Ellis' pension index card and some other vital information. NARA has fields for more information than is required. The required information fields are:
» Veteran's First Name
» Veteran's Last Name
» Branch of Service in Which he Served
» Kind of Service (Not Sure, Volunteer, Regular)
» War in Which He Served
» State from Which he Served

If you find that you don't have all the required information when you get to this screen you will be able to save the request and return later to continue the process without having to start from the beginning.

With all the boxes completed it was easy to click and pay (though not easy on my pocketbook!). And now the waiting begins. December's too busy a month for me to count the days but by the middle of January I'll start anticipating the arrival of Ellis Bickerstaff's Civil War pension file. I hope it will be a large file with plenty of information.

I happened upon this NARA video that describes the process of finding, copying, and mailing requests for military records. Considering how many records The National Archives has I will be patient while waiting for Ellis's pension file.