In 1891 Tennessee established the Board of Pension Examiners to determine if Confederate veterans applying for pensions were eligible. Eligibility requirements included an inability to support oneself, honorable separation from the service, and residence in the state for one year prior to application.
Confederate veterans applied to the pension board of the state in which they resided at the time of application, even if this was not the state from which they served.

The application lists the veteran's place of enlistment, unit, period of service, battles participated in, and whether he was wounded or captured, as well as place of birth, number and gender of children, and value of personal and real property.

Singer Lionel Ritchie's ancestor was a recipient of one of these Tennessee Pensions.  

Photo: Pension Board Members Standing: Gen. John P. Hickman, 
Col. Harry Rene Lee. Sitting: Gen. R. C. Crouch, Col. N. L. McKay