Texas Confederate Indigent List
Texas Confederate Indigent List
On November 24, 1863, the Texas Legislature passed a Joint Resolution stating that the government pledged "support and maintenance of [the soldiers'] families during their absence from home." In accordance with this Resolution, an "Act to Support the Families and Dependents of Texas Soldiers" passed on December 15, 1863. The Act set aside $1,000,000 annually to be paid the "families, widows, and dependents of soldiers currently serving in State or Confederate forces, or of soldiers killed or disabled in service." Chief Justices of the counties, on or before March 1 in 1864 and 1865, submitted lists of servicemen and the number of their dependents eligible for relief. The County Clerk administered the money distributed to the county for this purpose.
https://www.tsl.texas.gov/arc/cif/index.html

Thomas Cussen was on the list with 3 eligible dependents.
Often it would list the widow of the soldier.
I did research many of the soldier’s names on the Indigent List and most made applications for pensions.
From what I can surmise, the soldier could still be alive but away from home, injured or dead. But, mostly, unable to provide for his family.