M850 - US, VA Pension Payment Cards, 1907-1933
M850 serve as the financial tracking system for pensions already awarded under earlier laws. These cards do not grant a pension, but document the disbursement of pension payments once a veteran—or their dependent—was approved.
M850 covers pension payments to veterans and their dependents from the Civil War, Indian Wars, Spanish-American War, and Philippine Insurrection. Note: World War I pensions are generally not included.
Cards are categorized into four main types: Army Invalid, Navy Invalid, Army Widow, and Navy Widow. Widow cards often include information about minor children and their benefit periods. Some cards may also note legal representatives and associated fees.
- Arrangement: Alphabetically by surname.
- Multiple Cards: A single individual may have multiple cards, especially if there were changes in pension rates or if payments transitioned from quarterly to monthly in 1923.
| Monthly Pension Payment Amounts (1907–1933) | ||
| Year | Common Law | Typical Payment Rates (Monthly) |
| 1890–1907 | Act of 1890 | $6 to $12 (based on disability) |
| 1907–1912 | Age-based (Act of 1907) | $12, $15, or $20 based on age (62+, 70+, 75+) |
| 1912–1918 | Revised Act of 1912 | $30 to $40+ for age and service |
| Post-1918 | WWI-era updates | Up to $72+ (especially for total disability) |
| 1923 Onward | Monthly payments began (vs. quarterly) | Same amounts, paid monthly |
How M850 Cards Fit into the Veterans Pension Process
Initial Pension Application (Not Part of M850)
Before a card exists:
- A veteran, widow, or dependent files a pension claim.
- The claim is based on military service and eligible under specific pension laws, such as:
- Act of 1862 – For disability from war-related injury/disease.
- Act of 1890 & 1907 – Based on age and service, not necessarily injury.
- If approved, they receive a Pension Certificate Number (a key ID used on M850 cards). These application files are found in:
- T288 (Pension Index)
- M1784, M1785 (Remarried Widow Indexes)
- Full pension files are stored at NARA (National Archives)
M850 Pension Payment Cards and related records in biographical research.
Case Study:Richard Bryan Aka Blakes – Company C, 33rd U.S. Colored Infantry
Military Service Overview
- Enlistment: Richard Bryan, originally known as Richard Blake, enlisted in Company E of the 21st U.S. Colored Infantry during the Civil War.
- Service Details: His service included various engagements typical for the 21st USCT, which was organized in 1864 and participated in operations in the Department of the South.
- Discharge: Details of his discharge would be recorded in his compiled military service records, which are accessible through the National Archives.
Pension Application and Payment Records
- Application Number: #920400
- Certificate Number: #595203
- Private Strobert applied for an invalid pension due to ailments incurred during his military service.
- View M850 Payment Record (Fold3)
- View General Index to Pension File T288 (Ancestry.com)
- View Veteran - Pension Certificate (SC) Fold3
- View Widow - Dependent Pension Certificate (WC) Fold3
Insights from the Pension Records
- Name Change: The records indicate that Richard originally went by the surname Blake but adopted Bryan post-war, stating it was his father's name. This change is crucial for accurate historical and genealogical tracking.
- Widow's Testimony: Rebecca Bryan's statements provide personal details, such as their marriage, his service, and circumstances surrounding his death, offering a richer narrative for biographical work.
- Payment Details: The M850 card outlines the pension amounts disbursed, adjustments over time, and the transition of payments to his widow, reflecting the financial aspects of post-service life.
