On April 29, 1864, under “Ordinance of the Common Council,” Mrs. Mary Connell, mother of William Connell, a soldier in the 39th Regiment of Company F, was entitled to receive one dollar and fifty cents, weekly, until otherwise ordered. Mrs. Connell resided at 121 Mulberry Street, rear, 3rd floor, in the Fourth Senatorial District within the Fourteenth Ward of Manhattan.   

The Civil War, the War Between the States, the War of Northern Aggression—whatever the label, the conflict had a profound impact on communities throughout the country. In New York City, numbers tell the story: 100,000 men joined the Union cause, more than from any other city and almost as many as any state.    

There are more than two dozen series in the Municipal Archives that document aspects of the Civil War, including The New York City Draft Riot Claims Collection featured in a recent For the Record post.    

This week’s article looks at another series, “Orders for Relief of Soldier’s Families.” Soon after soldier recruits departed for training and combat, City leaders recognized that military pay would not be sufficient to support family members. The Proceedings of the Board of Aldermen, available in the Municipal Library, records legislation introduced to address the hardship. Further research will be necessary to determine when the Board first proposed “Relief of Soldier’s Families,” but an entry from the Proceedings that took place on June 12, 1862, is a typical example. “An Ordinance” appropriating five hundred thousand dollars “for the purpose of aiding to support the families of the soldiers from this city who are now serving, or who may hereafter volunteer, or be ordered to serve, in the army of the United States engaged in defending the integrity of the National Union.”   

In sixteen sections, the Ordinance detailed how the money would be disbursed, amounts to be awarded, frequency of payments, how to verify dependent status, etc. It specified that a “Visitor” would be required to “ascertain by careful investigation,” all applicants at their residences. Subsequent Proceedings record amendments to the legislation, e.g. “No payments shall be made to or behalf of the families of commissioned officers, or of soldiers who have deserted.” (November 3, 1862.)   

The scope of the aid effort and the City’s response is evident in a Department of Finance statement, dated May 5, 1862, incorporated into the Proceedings for May 12, 1862. Broken down by the twenty-two Wards in the City, disbursements totaled $138,574.50 provided to 31,954 adults and children.    

Other legislation addressed how the City financed the aid program by issuing bonds: “The Comptroller is hereby authorized to borrow on the credit of the Corporation of the City of New York . . . which shall be designated and known as Volunteer Family Aid Bonds . . . They shall bear interest at a rate not exceeding seven per cent, per annum, and shall be due and payable within three years.” (May 19, 1862.)  

In the 1970s, city archivists discovered the “Orders for Relief of Soldier’s Families” and other Civil War-related records in the basement of the Municipal Building. The series had been originally maintained by the Office of the Comptroller. The “Orders” consist of double-sided 3x5 cards. Information recorded on the cards includes the name of the soldier, the regiment and company, the name of the soldiers’ spouse and number of children, or other dependents, e.g. mother. It indicates their residence, and the amount and frequency of disbursement. The reverse of the card provides the name of the “visitor” certifying their entitlement. “Soldier deceased” is noted on several cards.   

The cards date from 1861 to 1865. They are arranged by Senate District within each Ward. Given the numbers of persons provided with aid (see above) it is apparent that the cards in this series, approximately 4,000 items, represent only a very small fraction of the original total. There is no indication of why these particular cards survived. They have not been processed or reformatted.    

Look for future For the Record articles to learn about other series in the Archives’ Civil War collection.