Confederate Pension Applications

The State Board of Pensions was established by law on February 16, 1885 (Ch. 3570, Laws) and consisted of three members: the Governor, the Comptroller, and the Adjutant General. After 1915, the Treasurer took the place of the Adjutant General as the third member. The Board was responsible for creating the rules and regulations necessary for carrying out the state's pension laws and for reviewing the claims of individuals applying for pensions. The Board was required to report to the Governor prior to the meeting of the Legislature. The Board dealt solely with Confederate pensions and was also referred to as the Board of Confederate Pensions. In 1969, the Board's functions were transferred to the Division of Personnel and Retirement, Dept. of Administration (Ch. 69-106, Laws).

The series includes files on approved and denied pension claims from 1885 to 1954. Most files contain the original application, any supplemental applications, proof of service and residency, and occasional correspondence between the applicant and the Board. Veterans' applications generally include name, date and place of birth, unit dates and places of enlistment and discharge, brief description of service, wounds received, sworn statements on proof of service by comrades, War Department service abstracts, and place and length of Florida residency. Widows' applications generally include, in addition to the above, her full name, date and place of marriage to the veteran, and date and place of the veteran's death. Widows' applications are filed under the name of the veteran.