Claims from the Burning of Chambersburg, 1865-1868

Confederate troops destroyed over $1.6 million in real estate and personal property when they burned the town of Chambersburg in 1864. To help residents rebuild, the Pennsylvania legislature set aside funds and authorized a commission to evaluate the claims of those with damaged property. The commission received claims from a total of 593 Franklin County residents. Most claimants received only one third to one half the amount they requested.

Search the Chambersburg Claims

This database contains information drawn from all 593 claims made by residents of Franklin County. You may search for specific individuals, or by race, gender, or amount awarded to develop a composite picture of the county's claimants.

Browse a Selection of Chambersburg Claims

This list contains more extensive transcriptions of the claims applications made by Chambersburg residents. The information available here includes descriptions of the property destroyed during the 1864 burning.