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Florida. Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home
Title, Dates:
Florida Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home admission application records, 1908-1929.
Amount:
1.00 cubic ft.
Medium Included:
Organization/Arrangement:
Alphabetical by last name.
Restrictions:
Terms Governing Use:
Biographical/Historical:
The Florida Soldiers' Home Association began in 1888 with Albert J. Russell, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction and a Confederate veteran, serving as president. Four years later, the organization purchased ten acres of the Whitney homestead near Jacksonville in which to care for aging Confederate veterans. The Florida Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home began operations in April 1893. In addition to President Russell, ex-Governor Fleming, William Baya, David E. Maxwell, and Walter R. Moore served as trustees.
In 1893, the Florida Legislature passed "An Act to Aid in the Maintenance and Support of a Home for Disabled and Indigent Ex-Confederate Soldiers and Sailors" that authorized the state to pay to the Home $100.00 annually for each inmate (excluding those already receiving a Florida pension), not to exceed $2,500.00 per year (Chapter 4250, Laws of Florida). Subsequent legislation in 1909, 1915, and 1919 increased the state appropriation for the Home. It operated for the next forty-five years, surviving on its state appropriation and donations from veterans' organizations and the United Daughters of the Confederacy.
In 1921, the legislature dissolved the Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home Association and transferred its assets to the Board of Commissioners of State Institutions (Ch. 8505, Laws). The act authorized the governor to appoint a Board of Managers to administer the Home, consisting of the president of the Florida Division of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, the State Commander of the United Confederate Veterans, the State Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Comptroller of the State of Florida, and an at-large position nominated by the four other board members. It further authorized the expenditure of up to $10,000.00 for repairs and improvements to the Home.
In the Home's final years, the United Daughters of the Confederacy played an increasing role in its operation. The Home remained in operation until 1938, when its last resident died. The property was then sold, and the state commander of the United Confederate Veterans transferred funds to the state for the establishment of an endowment fund for scholarships at the Florida State College for Women and the University of Florida.
Summary:
This collection consists of applications for admission to the Florida Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home (Florida Confederate Soldiers Home), including a small amount of supporting documentation attesting to the veracity of the applicant's claim. Applications provide information about each applicant's current residence and medical condition as well as their Civil War service, including such information as unit, dates served, and wounds incurred/cause of disability. The United Daughters of the Confederacy, Florida Division, maintained the records.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available. 0
Additional Physical Form:
This collection has been digitized and is available on the Florida Memory web site: https://www.floridamemory.com/discover/historical_records/confedhome/
Florida. Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home United Daughters of the Confederacy. Florida Division. Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home.
Veterans Florida.
Florida History Civil War, 1861-1865 United States History --Veterans Civil War, 1861-1865 Florida
for detailed listing.