Irene Triplett was the last person to receive the United States government pension from the Civil War. She passed away on 31 May 2020 at the age of 90 in North Carolina. She received a monthly stipend of dollars 73.13 from the American government.
Miss Triplett received the pension because she was suffering from cognitive impairments, and she qualified as the helpless adult child of a veteran. Her father, Mose Triplett, was in the American Civil War. The American Civil War started in 1861 and ended in 1865. He applied for the pension after 20 years of the war in 1930 when Irene was born; he was 83 at that time.
Miss Triplett received the pension because she was suffering from cognitive impairments, and she qualified as the helpless adult child of a veteran. Her father, Mose Triplett, was in the American Civil War. The American Civil War started in 1861 and ended in 1865. He applied for the pension after 20 years of the war in 1930 when Irene was born; he was 83 at that time.
The Last Person To Receive A Civil War Pension
While Irene was the last person to receive a pension for the war fought in the 19th century, she was not the only one. There were around 33 surviving spouses and about 18 children who received the benefits related to the American war. Irene broke her hip and died due to its complications.
Every month Irene received a pension amounting to $73.13 from the DVA, or the Department of Veterans Affairs, and she collected a total of $877.56 per year.
Every month Irene received a pension amounting to $73.13 from the DVA, or the Department of Veterans Affairs, and she collected a total of $877.56 per year.
In 1956, the last surviving civil war veteran died at the age of 109, while in 2008, the last civil war widow passed away at the age of 93.
An 83-Year-Old New Dad
Triplett's father married Elida Hall, who was about 50 years his younger, in 1924, at the age of 83. According to press accounts, it was his second marriage; his first wife died in 1923.
At the time, such an age discrepancy in weddings was not uncommon. According to researcher Jay Hoar, he discovered 72 marriages of Civil War soldiers with at least a 19-year age gap between husband and wife. One such marriage was a 93-year-old guy and his 26-year-old bride. Many weddings took place during the Great Depression when a military pension provided financial stability, and the woman could care for her elderly husband.
At the time, such an age discrepancy in weddings was not uncommon. According to researcher Jay Hoar, he discovered 72 marriages of Civil War soldiers with at least a 19-year age gap between husband and wife. One such marriage was a 93-year-old guy and his 26-year-old bride. Many weddings took place during the Great Depression when a military pension provided financial stability, and the woman could care for her elderly husband.
Irene Triplett was born when her father, Mose Triplett, was 83 years old. Elida Hall was 34 years old when she gave birth to Irene in 1930.
The Pensions Were Life-Savers
The civil war pensions proved to be financial security for the younger women. Reportedly, Mose Triplett died in 1938 at the age of 92, and Elida Hall passed away in 1967. The couple had five children; however, only two managed to survive- Irene and Everette. Irene, just like her mother, had a mental illness.
After Mose Triplett died in 1938, Irene and her mother shifted to Wilkes county's poor house. And later, in 1960, they shifted to the care home. After both her mother and her brother died, Irene lived on. The civil war pension and Medicaid helped take care of her.
After Mose Triplett died in 1938, Irene and her mother shifted to Wilkes county's poor house. And later, in 1960, they shifted to the care home. After both her mother and her brother died, Irene lived on. The civil war pension and Medicaid helped take care of her.
A Harsh Life
According to some reports, Irene had a tough childhood and that led to the development of mental issues. It is reported that she was beaten by her parents and was not taken well care of. During her school life as well, she was teased for being the daughter of a 'traitor.'
Triplett's death marks the end of another direct link between today and the Civil War. The last known Confederate and Union soldiers died in the 1950s, while the final known veteran widow died in 2004.
Triplett's death marks the end of another direct link between today and the Civil War. The last known Confederate and Union soldiers died in the 1950s, while the final known veteran widow died in 2004.
Irene was as near to a Civil Warfighter as you could get. People around her always tried to appreciate and honor her for her position as well as her life.