War of 1812, Pension & Bounty Land

War of 1812 case files for men who served in the Mathews County, Virginia militia, as well as, other Virginia militia units.

 

Bounty Land was issued to non-commissioned officers and soldiers who served for at least 5 years. The first act issuing land was passed on the 24th of December 1811. All warrantees received 160 acres. A second series of warrants related to soldiers who enlisted after December 1814. The second series of warrants was for 320 acres of land. The land was located in one of three districts in Arkansas, Illinois or Missouri. Prior to 1842 the warrants could not be used outside these three districts and could not be sold or assigned until after 1852. The warrants could be passed on to heirs through inheritance. Some of the warrants list the name of the heirs and their relationship to the deceased veteran. The last warrant
was issued in 1858.

The Congressional Acts that authorized giving veterans of the War of 1812 to apply for bounty land are:

• Act of 1811
• Act of 1812
• Act of 1814

The following are the requirements listed from 1812-1815, to be eligible to obtain bounty land for military service:

• Enlisted men serving for five years or duration of the war but did not include officers
• It was for 160 acres, or 320 for those enlisting December 1814
• These warrants could not be sold or assigned to others; although power of attorney helped in getting around this limitation
• Warrants had to be used in designated districts in Illinois, Missouri, and Arkansas
• Soldier could only select district but could not pick the plot.

 

Pensions were first granted to soldiers who were disabled while in the service and to heirs of soldiers who died during the war. The first pension acts based on service were not passed until 1871 and a second was passed in 1878. 

The files may contain any of the following information: