"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17526-124760-96?cc=1832324&wc=M9WT-11Q:n1440969177 : accessed 22 Feb 2014), Bass, Adaline C. - Bassuener, Henry > image 178 of 702.
Pension Payment Card for Sephus Bass of 111th US Colored Infantry
"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17526-124760-96?cc=1832324&wc=M9WT-11Q:n1440969177 : accessed 22 Feb 2014), Bass, Adaline C. - Bassuener, Henry > image 178 of 702.
For those who research ancestors from the Civil War, it is quite common to note that an ancestor filed for and received a pension. However, it has never been clear even from a pension file how much a soldier received for his service. And how often was the soldier paid? Can this even be determined? Well with an interesting set of records recently digitized, this can now be determined.
Thankfully the folks at Family Search have a collection that I had not noticed before, which is the Collection of US Veterans Administration Payment Cards. This covers the years from 1907 to 1933. If there is interest in a former soldier who may have been paid during those years, then you can learn how much they received and how any times they were actually paid. Note that the collection is not yet complete, as 80% of the cards have been digitized so far.
Thankfully payments made to US Colored Troops are included in this record set. I was quite pleased to find the records of an ancestor whose payment card I found illustrated in the images above. This information is so useful since the details of when the soldier was paid and how much he was paid, is clearly outlined on the card, and in addition, you can see when a raise was made to the ongoing payments.
I looked at a card of another soldier, Adam Westfield of Crawford County Arkansas.
Payment Card of Sgt Adam Westfield Col B 1 US Col. Heavy Artillery
"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17428-26665-37?cc=1832324&wc=M9WY-SFZ:961268127 : accessed 21 Feb 2014), Westeiude, Hubregt Vant - Westlake, William H. > image 484 of 632.
2nd card reflecting payment schedule for Sgt. Adam Westfield
"United States Veterans Administration Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.3.1/TH-1-17428-26665-37?cc=1832324&wc=M9WY-SFZ:961268127 : accessed 21 Feb 2014), Westeiude, Hubregt Vant - Westlake, William H. > image 485 of 632.
When examining the card data such as the date and place of death can also be noted on the card.
Close up of image from Westfield Card.
Although this data is limited, it still provides a glimpse into the life of the soldier and how often some assistance may have come for the soldier. And even when the soldier died the widow's payments are also noted.
Hopefully other researchers will find this set of records valuable and will add to learning a small amount more about the soldier and how he lived after the Civil War.
