Robert Nixon Northen

Pension Application for a Disabled Confederate Soldier

October 29, 1914 

Go to copy of actual Pension Document

Contributed by Nancy Slater

Under the Act of 1902, Robert Nixon Northen filed an application for a pension as a disabled confederate soldier on August 10, 1914.  He was 69 years old at the time he filed.   

“I, Robert Nixon, Northen, do hereby apply for a pension under the provision of the act of the General Assembly of Virginia, approved April 2, 1903, as amended, entitled “An act to aid the citizens of Virginia who were disabled by wounds received during the war between the states while serving as soldiers, sailors or marines of Virginia, who are now disabled by disease contracted during the war, or the infirmities of age * * * * and providing penalties for violating the provisions next preceding the date of this application, and that I was a soldier (sailor or marine) of the Confederate States in the ware between the States , and that I am now disabled, and that from the effects of such disability I am incapacitated from following my usual and ordinary occupation of any other occupation for a livelihood;  and that during the said war I was legal and true in my duty, and never, at any time, deserted my command or voluntarily abandoned my post of duty in the said services, and that by reason of such service and disability, I am now entitled to receive a pension under the provisions of said act.  And I do further swear that I do not hold any national, state, city or county office which pays me in salary or fees TWO HUNDRED ($200.00) dollars per annum; nor do I have an income from any other employment or any sources whatever which amounts to TWO HUNDRED ($200.00) dollars per annum; nor do I receive from any other sources whatever money or other means of support amounting in value to the sum of TWO HUNDRED ($200.00) dollar per annum; nor do I own in my own right, nor does any one hold in trust for my benefit or use, nor does my wife own, nor does any one hold in trust for my wife , estate or property, either real, personal or mixed, either in fee or for life, of the assessed value of SEVEN HUNDRED AND FIFTY ($750.00) dollars: provided, however, that a soldier, sailor, or marine who is totally blind, or who lost a hand or a foot while in the discharge of his duty during the war shall be entitled to a pension, unless he or his wife has an amount of the assessed value of ONE THOUSAND ($1000.00) dollars, but also that a soldier, sailor or marine who has reached the age of eighty years shall be entitled to a pension, unless he or his wife shall have an estate of the assessed value of FIFTEEN HUNDRED ($1500.00) dollars, nor do I receive any aid or pension from any other State or the United States, or from any other source and that I am not an inmate of any soldiers’ home and am without means of support, either direct or indirect, and I do further swear that the answers given to the following questions are true.” 

1.      What is your name?  Ro. Nixon Northen

2.      What is your age?  70

3.      Where were you born?  Northumberland County, Va

4.      How long have you resided in Virginia?  70 years

5.      How long have you resided in this City or County at your present residence?  50 years

6.      In what branch of the service were you?  Company B, 12^th Virginia Infantry

7.      Who were your immediate superior officers?  A. D. Wisenger and John Lyon

8.      Where did you enter the services?  Petersburg, Virginia

9.      When did you enter the services?  April 19, 1861

10.  When did you leave the services?  On the 10^th day of April 1865 at the close of the war

11.  Where do you reside?  If in a city, give street address.

Post Office:  No. 12 South 26 Avenue

County of:  Richmond Va

12.  Have you ever applied for a pension in Virginia before?  If so, why are you not drawing one at this time?  No

13.  What is your usual and ordinary occupation for earning a livelihood?  Bookkeeper

14.  Are you following such occupation or any other occupation or employment at this time?  If yes, state the nature and extent of the same.  Sometimes

15.  What is your annual income?  None

16.  How much property do you own?  Real estate:  None      Personal Property:  None

17.  What is the exact nature of your disability and the cause thereof?  Old age and disability

18.  Are you totally or partially incapacitated by such disability?  Totally

19.  Give the names and addresses of two comrades who served in the same command with you during the war.  (1) Thomas J. Walter, 110 So. Belvedere Street                (2) Benjamin F. Echols, Confederate Soldiers’ Home

20.  Is there a Camp of Confederate veterans in your city or county?  Yes

21.  Give here any other information you may possess relating your service or disability, which will support the justice of your claim.  None 

The Affidavit of Comrades was signed by Benjamin F. Echols and Ro. Nixon Northen as comrades in Company B, the 12^th Regiment of Virginia Infantry. 

T. J. Waller and James A. Cheatham signed the Oath of Resident Witnesses. 

The Certification of Physician was signed by Dr. F. M. Reade, who examined Mr. Northen on August 11, 1914 and determined that Mr. Northen had “an old wound through the thigh, a double hernia and the feebleness of old age.  The applicant is deprived thereby of all ability to pursue his normal and ordinary occupation or any other occupation for a livelihood.” 

The Certification of the Camp of Confederate Veterans was signed by C. R. Wingfield, Commander of the George E. Pickett Camp, Richmond, Virginia. 

The Certificate of the Commissioner of Revenue was signed by George W. Debb. 

The Certificate of Pension Board was signed by C. T. Locke. 

The Certificate off Judge was signed by A. C. Richardson. 

The Auditor of Public Accounts, J. K. Johnson, certified that Mr. Northen had served in Company B of the 12^th Regiment of Virginia Infantry under Colonel A. D. Waserger and Captain John Lyon.  The Secretary of Virginia Military Records, James N. Bridgeforth,  confirmed that Mr. Northen had enlisted on April 19, 1861 in Company B of the 12^th Regiment of Virginia Infantry.  He was wounded at Seven Pines and transferred to “2” M Department and surrendered at Campbell Courthouse on April 10, 1865.   

Mr. Northen’s application was approved on October 29, 1914, field warrant 13431, roll 351 for the amount of $43.20 per month.  At the time he was living at 12 So. Harrison Street, Richmond, Virginia. 

Pension Document