The Revolutionary War Pension Papers of the Vrooman Family

“Are you the widow of a Revolutionary War soldier who was collecting on a verified pension? If so, you may be entitled to compensation!” Much like the ads of today, Sally Vrooman, widow of Revolutionary War soldier Simon J. Vrooman, was bombarded by newspaper articles, calling cards, and correspondence from attorneys and pension agents urging her to employ them to help her navigate the challenging process. This new challenge that Sally faced in 1848 was the result of a newly passed Federal Pension Act that changed the rules for qualifying widows. This session will follow the Vrooman family's pension journey, from the qualifying soldier, to missing records, depositions, a new Clerk's rescinding status, payment increases, banking complications, powers of attorney, an unfinished application, and the children's final struggle to obtain their mother's rightful pay in 1853 as her legal heirs.