The Last Confederate Widow Died When?

[armchairQB30]

In the "things that make you go hmmmm dept" I was in Alabama about 3 weeks ago and I visited the former old confederate home for soldiers who were indigent. There is a picture in there that they claim is the last confederate widow who died in 2004, I stopped and read it again? 2004 yea right...I asked the lady in front how that happened and she said that she married a 81 year old confederate vet when she was 21 years old. Like I said things that make you go hmmm?

[armchairQB30]

www.lastconfederatewidow.com

[Gypsy Heart]

I read her book and found it fascinating....why would it be strange for her to marry an 81 year old man? Like she states....it was a marriage of convenience....she was young with a son and needed help.....maybe an early Anna Nichole Smith............

[BuckleBoy]

grave robber.

[Gypsy Heart]

My great grandfather was 96 when my grandpa was born and he has a younger brother....great grandma was 33.....I find nothing strange about this at all.....

[godisnum1]

My great grandfather was 96 when my grandpa was born and he has a younger brother....great grandma was 33.....I find nothing strange about this at all.....

I agree with you Gyps. The older I get (I know, I know; I'm still fairly young), the more I'm realizing that age really means nothing...
If she found security through him, I really don't see that there's an issue there. Sometimes you just do what you have to by putting your family before yourself. But who's to say that you can't fall in love with someone who is much older or younger than yourself?

Bran <><

[Pimp Lenin]

This happened a lot more than you think. The Confederate pensions given out in those days was dang good money for the times.

[Gypsy Heart]

Confederate Pension Payment Amounts Received by Pensioners
The following table lists the annual amount each pensioner was paid from enactment of the cash pension law in 1899 through the fiscal year ended August 31st, 1928, the last year in which payments were made without regard to age or date of marriage.

FISCAL YEAR ANNUAL AMOUNT
1899-1900
$22.32

1900-1901
$24.30

1901-1902
$31.60

1902-1903
$29.80

1903-1904
$37.00

1904-1905
$36.00

1905-1906
$55.00

1906-1907
$66.00

1907-1908
$64.50

1908-1909
$61.00

1909-1910
$43.50

1910-1911
$42.00

1911-1912
$42.00

1912-1913
$42.00

1913-1914
$67.50

1914-1915
$67.00

1915-1916
$53.50

1916-1917
$63.00

1917-1918
$66.00

1918-1919
$82.00

1919-1920
$91.00

1920-1921
$96.00

1921-1922
$97.00

1922-1923
$108.00

1923-1924
$127.00

1924-1925
$146.00

1925-1926
$170.00

1926-1927
$190.00

1927-1928
$208.00


During the year 1928-1929, all pensioners were paid $56.00 per quarter for the first and second quarters of the year; for the third quarter men with wives were paid $150.00, without wives $75.00, and widows received $37.50, while the fourth quarter pensioners over 75 years of age were paid $67.00.

Beginning in 1929 and continuing through the fiscal year ended August 31st, 1943 the amounts paid monthly are listing in the following table.


Pensioner Amount
To soldier pensioners who had living wives whom they married prior to January 1st, 1900
$50.00

Soldier pensioners married after that date and single pensioners
$25.00

Widows
$25.00





The 48th Legislature amended the law to provide $80.00 per month for each married Veteran, $50.00 per month for each unmarried Veteran or widower and $30.00 per month for each widow. The 49th Legislature further amended the law (H.B. 167) to provide $150.00 per month for married Veterans, $100.00 per month to unmarried Veterans or widowers, and $50.00 per month to widows, with pensioners in the Confederate homes drawing one-half of the amount they would if not in the homes.

The 51st Legislature provided the rates listed in the following table.


Pensioner Amount
Veterans, Married
$150.00 per month

Veterans, Single
$100.00 per month

Veterans, In Home
$ 50.00 per month

Widows
$100.00 per month

Widows - In Home
$ 25.00 per month



The 53rd Legislature allotted the Confederate pension amounts as listed in the following table.

Pensioner Amount
Veterans, Married
$200.00 per month

Veterans, Single
$100.00 per month

Widows, Not in Home
$100.00 per month

Widows, In Home
$ 25.00 per month
In 1957, the 55th Legislature increased the allotment for a Confederate veteran living with his wife to $300.00 per month. Unmarried veterans or widowers were allotted $200.00 per month. However, during the Second Called Session of the 55th Legislature, it was decided that the veteran would receive an allotment of $300.00 per month, regardless of marital status.

The final legislative adjustment to the Confederate Pension Fund allotments was made in 1969 by the 61st Legislature. The widow's pension was increased to $150.00 with no stipulation of residence.

Beginning in 1917, the Texas Legislature also provided for a mortuary payment not to exceed $30.00 to be awarded after the death of the pensioner. In 1923, the allotment was increased to $65.00; in 1929 to $100.00; and, finally, in 1947 to $200.00.