Revolutionary War Pension for Elijah Elmer - Connecticut - 1854 dated American Revolutionary War

Letter regarding Revolutionary War Pension for Elijah Elmer.

After the American Revolutionary War, pensions for veterans became an important but uneven form of recognition for their service. Initially, pensions were granted mainly to officers or soldiers who had been disabled during the war, reflecting the young nation’s limited financial resources and cautious approach to federal spending. Over time, public sentiment shifted, and Congress passed broader pension acts, especially in 1818 and 1832, which extended benefits to many surviving enlisted men and, later, to their widows. These pensions not only provided modest financial support to aging veterans but also created valuable historical records, as applicants were required to document their service through affidavits and testimony. Today, Revolutionary War pension files are a crucial resource for historians and genealogists, offering personal insights into the lives, hardships and sacrifices of those who helped secure American independence.