Note 151 — Chapter IV · THE WORK OF THE NAVY BOARDS AND THE MARINE COMMITTEE

Ibid., September 14, 23, 1778. The Marine Committee reported and Congress agreed that “the eastern navy board be directed to supply 400 dollars annually, in quarterly payments, for the support of Captain Skimmer’s widow and nine youngest children, and that this provision be continued three years.” This is the first instance of the granting by the United States of a pension to the family of a naval officer upon his death.