Widow's Pension File of Harriet Tubman Davis
7/24/1890 - 1/4/1913
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This is the pension file of Harriet Tubman Davis, widow of Nelson Davis who served in Company G of the 8th United States Colored Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. Included are affidavits about Harriet Tubman Davis and Nelson Davis's identities and relationship, information about both of their military service, a House of Representatives report recommending an amendment to a bill to grant "an increase of pension to Harriet Tubman Davis," and biographer Earl Conrad's request for information about Tubman's pension files.
After receiving a pension as the widow of a veteran, Tubman petitioned Congress for additional benefits for her own service. Congress received numerous documents and letters supporting Tubman’s claim. In 1899 Congress passed, and the President signed, an increase of Tubman’s pension to 25 dollars per month for her service as a nurse.
Select pages of this 113-page document are shown. See the
entire document in the National Archives online catalog.
Show/Hide TranscriptTranscript
Act of June 27, 1890
(3-232.)
No. 415288.
Harriet Davis
Widow of
Nelson Davis alias Nelson Charles
Rank Pvt.
Company G.
Regiment 8" Mw. S. C. Rol Inft.
Rate per Month, $8.
Commencing July 24, 1890.
Ending
Buffalo Agency.
Issued Oct. 16, 1895.
Mailed 11 23, 1895.
Fee, $10
3-1081.
SPECIAL ACT.
PENSIONER DROPPED
United States Pension Agency.
Washington, D.C.
APR 18, 1913, 190---
Certificate No. 415.288
Class Widow
Pensioner Harriet Tubman Davis
Soldier Nelson
Service Pr. G. 8 U.S. Cvl.
The Commissioner of Pensions.
SIR: I have the honor to report that the above-named pensioner who was last paid at $20 to 4 Jany, 1913 has been dropped because of death 10 Mch. 13-
Reported by Postmaster
Auburn, N.Y.
Very respectfully,
A.H. Thompson
United States Pension Agent.
Disbursing Clerk
NOTE.-Every name dropped to be thus reported at once, and when cause of dropping is death, state date of death when known.
P.
0-9
State of New York}
County of Cayuga} SS
Harriet Davis being duly sworn deposes and says that she is the same Harriet Davis named and described in claim for Widow's Pension No 449,592 filed under act of June 27, 1890. That the correct name of her late husband was Nelson Davis. He was born in Slavery, his Master's surname being Charles.
Nelson was known and called while in Slavery, as Nelson Charles after the surname of his Master. The said Nelson Davis who also went by the name of Nelson Charles escaped from his Master and Slavery after he was grown up, and some time before the late war of the rebellion, and came North, still holding and known under the name of Nelson Charles. He was Enrolled (Drafted, she thinks), Served, and discharged under the name of Nelson Charles. When he came to Auburn, N. Y. to live (after his discharge) in or about 1866 or Early in 1867 he was known and recognized both as Nelson Charles and Nelson Davis.
but generally as Nelson Davis as he said Davis was his correct name
When affiant and said Davis were married, it appears from the church record of marriage that he gave his name to the Rev Henry Fowler as Charles Nelson Davis. Affiant cannot assign any reason why he gave his name as he did. Except that he wanted all three of the names to appear upon the church record.
Affiant positively and un-equivocally swears that the Nelson Davis who was married under the name Charles Nelson Davis, and who died as Nelson Davis, was the identical person who served in co "G" 8th U.S.C. Infty as Nelson Charles.
her
Harriet X Davis
mark
Witnesses to Mark
G W Benham
John T Diggs
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 28 day of May 1892, and I certify that I have no interest direct or indirect in any matter to which this relates.
G W Benham
Dep
[stamped] CLERK OF COUNTY COURT OF CAYUGA COUNTY NEW YORK.
State of Newyork}
County of Cayuga} SS
In the matter of orign'l Pension No 449,592 of Harriet Davis as Widow of Nelson Davis, late of Co "G" 8th Reg't U.S.C.T. on this 10 day of Nov 1894 personally appeared before me Harriet Davis who is well known to me to be Entitled to full credit and belief and who being by me duly sworn deposes and says in relation to the aforesaid case as follows,
I was born at Cambridge Dorchester County Md.
My residence at the time I became acquainted with the above named Soldier, was in the town of Fleming Cayuga Co N.Y. (adjoining the city of Auburn N.Y.) My P.O. address was then, and is now Auburn, Cayuga co. N.Y.
There has been no change of my P.O. address nor residence since.
I had known the solider before my marriage to him a little over three years.
I was married to the solider in the city of Auburn N.Y. March 18th 1869 by the Rev Henry Fowler. See proof of my marriage on file.
I was a slave in the state of Maryland before the war. My owner's name was Edward Broadice.
over
I Escaped from Slavery before the war and came North.
I was not a slave at the time of my marriage to the soldier I having been freed by the Proclamation of President Lincoln. My name before I married my first husband John Tubman, was Harriet Ross. After my marriage to him my name was Harriet Tubman, and so continued and I was known and recognized by that name until my marriage to Nelson Davis. See my affidavit of Nov 28, 1892 and proof of Tubmans death dated Nov 22nd 1892, all on file with my claim. I have had no husband since the death of the soldier Nelson Davis.
I have no knowledge as to where he enlisted (or was drafted) but I have heard him say it was at Oneida or Rome, Oneida Co N.Y. I have his certificate of discharge which shows that he was Enrolled Sept 25, 1863 and discharged at Brownsville Texas Nov 10, 1865, and did not reenlist.
I never had any children nor child by the soldier nor by John Tubman.
The soldier was born (as he informed me) in or near Elizabeth city North Carolina His actual residence when I became acquainted with him was at my house in the town of Fleming, Cayuga co. N.Y. as a boarder and so continued to live until
the date of our marriage, and continue to live at the same place as my husband till he died, Oct 14, 1888, during all of that time his P.O. address was Auburn, Cayuga co. N.Y. and we were never divorced from each other. I have no knowledge of his changes of residence before his enrollment, as I did not him till after he was discharged from the service, and came to my house to live.
His occupation was that of a brick maker and laborer. His age as given in his certificate of discharge is 21, and in the record of his death it is 44. See proof of death on file. His hight 5ft-11 inches, color of skin black.
The name of his owner (when a Slave) was Fred Charles. His father's name was Milford Davis.
The soldier was not a slave at the time of his marriage to me, nor at the time of his enrollment, he having been freed from Slaver by the proclamation of President Lincoln Sept 22, 1862 which gave him his freedom on January 1st 1863. He was known as Nelson Charles and Nelson Davis. He never had any other wife but me, see proof upon this point on file with the claim, and my affidavit of Nov 28, 1892.
See my affidavit of Febr'y 1st 1892 showing the character, location, extent and value of my property, real, and personal, owned
or possessed by me, also the affidavit of William H. Stewart and George Washington of July 21, 1892.
There has been but little change in the character and extent of my property since my former statement, except my old horse has since died, and the mortgage of "two hundred" has been increased to five hundred. See certificate of C. G. Adams of Sept 4, 1894.
There is no one legally bound for my support.
her
Harriet X Davis
Mark
Witnesses Helen M. Wendover S J Westfall
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 10 day of Nov 1894 and I certify that I have no interest or bias in any matter to which this relates,
HG Adam
Clerk of County Court of Cayuga County New York,
[page turned]
Harriet Davis
Widow of
Nelson Davis
Priv't co "G" 8th Reg't
U.S.C.T.
****************************
Widow's Pension
No 449,592
****************************
Act June 27, 1890
****************************
[Af]fidavit of
Claimant
****************************
[receipt stamp] PENSION NOV 12 1894 U S OFFICE
[stamped] ORIN McCARTY
PENSION ATTORNEY
187 GENESSEE ST.
AUBURN, N. Y.
Auburn, N.Y., July 15, 1890.
I find on the Register of the Central Presbyterian Church of this city, a record of the marriage of Charles Nelson Davis and Harriet Tubman, on March 18, 1869, in the hand writing of the pastor, now deceased, the Rev. Henry Fowler.
Charles C. Hemingway
Pastor of the Central Presb. Ch.
State of NY Cayuga Co.} SS
On this 15 day of July AD 1890 before me formally appeared, Charles Hemingway, to me Known to be the pastor of the Central Presby. Church, and he acknowledged the execution of the forgoing certificate.
Signature appears to be J. P. Anderson
Notary Public
GENERAL AFFIDAVIT
State of New York, County of Cayuga, ss:
In the matter of Orign'l Pension No 449.592 of Harriet as widow of Nelson Davis, Co. "G" 8. Reg't U.S.C Infty on this 3 day of June, A.D. 1892 personally appeared before me a Clerk of County Court, in and for the aforesaid County duly authorized to administer oaths Maggie Lucas, aged 42 years, a resident of Auburn in the County of Cayuga and State of New York well known to me to be reputable and entitled to credit, and who, being duly sworn, declared in relation to aforesaid case as follows: That she was well acquainted with the late Nelson Davis the husband of Harriet Davis
Note, - Affiants should state how they gain a knowledge of the facts to which they testify
from the time he came to Auburn Ny in 1866 or 67, and up to the date of his death in October 1888. Said Nelson Davis was also sometimes called Nelson Charles. and he called Nelson Charles as affiant understood after his Masters name, Charles, while in slavery. Affiant is informed that said Nelson Davis was married under the name of Charles Nelson Davis. and died as Nelson Davis and she understood that Nelson Davis was his correct name. Affiant knew said Nelson Davis intimately during all these years was brought up by, said lived with the widow Harriet Davis and lived with her from a small girl and was living with her both before and at the time of said Harriet's marriage to said Nelson Davis and continued so to live up to the time she (affiant) was married to Henry Sweas and by that means had continious personal knowledge of said Nelson Davis and by living neighbor to him and to said Harriet up to the time of his death and knows that he was generally called Nelson Davis after he had told that his fathers name was Milford Davis and that his correct name was Nelson Davis. She says that from her knowledge information and belief He said (Nelson Davis who died and the Charles Nelson Davis who married was the deceased.
Her Post Office address is No 30 Cornell Auburn NY. She further declared that she has not interest in said case and is not concerned person who served in Co "G" 8th Regt U.S.C Inf as in its prosecution
Nelson Charles, his correct name was Nelson Davis
If Affiants sign by mark, two person who write sign here
Maggie Lucas [Signature of Affiants]
55TH CONGRESS, } HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. { REPORT
3d Session. } { No. 1774.
[Date Stamp] JAN 23 1899
HARRIET TUBMAN DAVIS.
JANUARY 19, 1899.--Committed to the Committee of the Whole House and ordered to be printed.
-
Mr. DRIGGS, from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, submitted the following
REPORT.
[To accompany H. R. 4982]
The Committee on Invalid Pensions, to which was referred the bill (H. R. 4982) increasing the pension of Harriet Tubman Davis, has examined the same and all the evidence and respectfully reports:
The effect of this bill is to increase from $8 to $25 per month the pension of the beneficiary, Harriet T. Davis, of Auburn, N. Y.
Mrs. Davis is the widow of Nelson Davis, who served under the name of Nelson Charles as a private in Company G, Eighth United States Colored Infantry, from September 25, 1863, to November 10, 1865, and was honorably discharged. She also served long and faithfully as an
army nurse.
Soldier died October 14, 1888, and the widow filed a claim as such July 24, 1890, under the act of June 27, 1890, and is now pensioned
under said act at $8 per month. It is not shown that the soldier's death was due to his military service. It is shown, however, by evidence filed with this committee, that the claimant was sent to the front by Governor Andrew, and acted as nurse, cook in hospital, and spy
during nearly the whole period of the war.
The following is a copy of the letter from Secretary Seward:
WASHINGTON, D. C., July 25, 1865.
MY DEAR SIR: Harriet Tubman, a colored woman, has been nursing our soldiers during nearly all the war. She believes she has claims for faithful service to the command in South Carolina with which you are connected, and she believes you would be disposed to see her claim justly settled. I have known her long as a noble high spirit, as true as seldom dwells in the human form. I commend her, therefore,
to your kind attention.
Faithfully, your friend,
Major-General HUNTER. WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
Gen. Rufus Saxton, in a letter referring to Mrs. Tubman, says:
She was employed by General Hunter, and I think both by Generals Stephens and Sherman, and is as deserving of a pension from the Government for her service as any other of its faithful servants.
2 Harriet Turman Davis
In a letter to Brigadier-General Gilmore, from Headquarters Colored Brigade, St. Helena Island, South Carolina, July 6, 1863, Col. James Montgomery, commanding brigade, said:
I would respectfully recommend to your attention Mrs. Harriet Tubman, a most remarkable woman, invaluable as a scout.
These testimonials sufficiently show the character and value of the service rendered by Mrs. Davis during the war.
She is now about 75 years of age, physically broken down, and poor. This woman has a double claim on the Government. She went into the field and hospitals and cared for the sick and wounded. She saved lives. In her old age and poverty a pensions of $25 per month is none
too much.
The bill is reported back with the recommendation that it pass when amended as follows:
Amend the title so as to read: "A bill granting an increase of pension to Harriet Tubman Davis."
[Illegible, handwritten] 415.288
No other claim
[Private--Number 188]
An Act Granting an increase of pension to Harriet Tubman Davis.
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the Secretary of the Interior be, and and he is hereby, authorized and directed to place on the pension roll, subject to the provisions and limitations of the pension laws, the name of Harriet Tubman Davis, widow of Nelson Davis, late a private in Company G, Eighth Regiment United States Colored Infantry, and pay her a pension at the rate of twenty dollars per month in lieu of that she is now receiving.
Approved, February 28, 1899.
Nelson Davis alias Charles
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
"March 9" 1899
The Above is a true copy of the original as certified by the Department of State.
Edward M Dawson
(Handwritten) Davis, Nelson
W.C. 415288
No C # 8/11/39 WL
8/10/39 SB
Earl Conrad
Apt. 53 - 2
316 W. 93 St.
New York, NY
August 4th, 1939
(Stamp) RECEIVED
AUG 5 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 21
VETS ADMI
Mr. W. C. Black, Chief Clerk
Veterans Administration
Washington D.C.
Re: BAHB - 801
Dear Sir:
This is further correspondence in quest of information about Harriet Tubman, Negro woman abolitionist whose biography I am writing. Since receiving your last letter of June 30th, 1939 I have learned that she was awarded a pension during the 55th Session of Congress in 1899 under the name of Harriet Tubman Davis. The indexed information in the Congressional Record reads as follows:
H.R.4982
Granting an increase of pension to Harriet Tubman Davis.
Reported back with amendment (H.R. Report 1744) 825. Debated, amended, and passed House, 1192, 1198. Referred to Senate Committee on Pensions 1235. Reported back with amendment (S. Report 1619) 1527. Passed Senate, 1989. House concurs in Senate amendment 2100 - Examined and signed, 2166, 2263. Approved by President, 2670.
In the course of the debate Representative George W. Ray, of Norwich, New York, referred to letters from the Hon. William H. Seward and officers of high rank in theservice, which documents accompanied the report for her pension. The bill for her pension was submitted by Congressman Sereno Payne, of Auburn, New York. The main purpose of my letter is to learn the whereabouts of the letters which accompanied the pension. The originalsor photostats of them would be of extreme importance to me in my work, and I think that they exist either with this bill or somewhere in Washington.
That these letters may still exist among the pension reports is indicated by the following statement extracted from the debates in her case. Representative Ray stated, according to the Congressional Record: (Typed)
[Stamp] RECEIVED
AUG 14 1939
(Inked out) CLAIMS SERVICE
(Illegible)TS SU(Illegible)
Sec. 5
Gregg
"This pensioner is now drawing the sum $8 a month and we propose to increase it to $25 a month. She was the widow of Nelson Davis, who served in Company G, Eighth United States Infantry, from September 1863, to November 1865, and was honorably discharged. She also served long and faithfully as an army nurse. She acted as a nurse in the hospitals, as a cook in the hospitals, and as a courier messenger and spy during the whole period the war. There is a letter accompanying the report from Hon. William H. Seward, which refers to her services, and there are also letters from other officers of high rank in the service, attesting her faithfulness and efficiency."
The pension was awarded to her not as a nurse in the Civil War, but as the widow of Nelson Davis, a Civil War veteran. Apparently she had been receiving a pension prior to that time of $8 per month, and the increase that was awarded her in 1899 brought the monthly sum up to $20.
I am now trying to trace the earlier pension awarded of $8 per month, and I have not yet located it in the Congressional Record. I believe that debates must have accompanied this $8 award. (Crossed out) I also believe that the pension which was finally awarded her came through the Committee on Invalid Pensions.
It is possible that most of the information in Washington is based upon the name of Harriet Tubman Davis, which she acquired in 1869 through a second marriage and retained until the death of her husband near the end of the century.
My thanks for anything you uncover.
Very sincerely yours,
Earl Conrad
RECEIVED
AUG 9 1939
INDEX
SUB - DIV (Stamped)
RECEIVED
AUG 14 1939
(Illegible) CLAIMS SERVICE
(Illegible)TS SUB-DIV
Sec. 5 (Stamped)
RECEIVED
AUG (Illegible) 1939
MAIL SUB-DIV
Reader No. 21
VETS ADMI (Stamped)
GREGG (Stamped)
State of New York,)
Cayunga County Clerk's Office,) ss:
I hereby certify that I find a mortgage executed by Harriet T. Davis to D. Edwin French, dated April 21, 1892, and recorded April 22, 1892, in Book 124, at page 469, for the sum of $500.00, covering a parcel of land situate in town of Fleming, on the east side of South Street, containing 7 acres of land, more or less, and that the same is yet unsatisfied of record.
Witness my hand and official seal, this 4th day of September, 1894.
Mr. G. Adam Clerk
(Write Nothing Above This Line)
South Division
G.F.H. Examiner
Harriet Davis. Claimant
Nelson Davis. Soldier, etc.
Co. G. 8 Reg't U.S. C.T. Organization
___ Ship
Wid No HH9592 No. of Claim
Department of the Interior
Bureau of Pensions
Washington, D.C., Jany. 26, 1895
IN THIS CLAIM, William H. Stewart, whose post-office address is No. _ _ Street, Auburn N.Y., who is by occupation a - , DID, on July. 21., 1892, EXECUTE at Auburn N.Y. and in the presence of witness Charles G. Adams, whose post-office address is No. - - Street, - - and who is by occupation a -, and witness George Washington Benhaw, whose post-office address is No. - - Street, - - and who is by occupation a Dep. Clerk of Court BEFORE Charles G. Adams a Clerk of Cayuga Co. Court in and for the City and State aforesaid, whose post-office address is No. - , - Street, AN AFFIDAVIT SETTING FORTH that Claimant owns a house and seven acres of lang mortgaged for five hundred dollars, and forty or fifty dollars worth of personal property only. That soldier and claimant lived together to the date of his death, and were never divorced.
The reputation of this witness or veracity and credibility is desired. The Special Examiner will make his report accordingly. He will take the witness' deposition only in the event that he shall have reason to believe that the facts within the witnses' knowledge differ from those set forth in the affidavit; but, when taken, such deposition must show what the witness knows of his personal knowledge, and his means of knowledge; and any improper practice in connection with the preparation of the affidavit and the part borne by whoever may be in fault.
[Unintelligible] Locksem
Commissioner
I, G. H[], Special Examiner for the East District, do certify that the reputation of Mm N Stewark for veracity and credibility is Good (the following is crossed out) but that his knowledge of the facts differing from those set forth in his affidavit, I have taken the following deposition from him:
On this __ day of __, 189_, at __ County of __, State of __, before me, G. H[], a Special Examiner of the Pension Office, personally
Earl Conrad
Apt. 53-2
316 W.93 Street
New York, N.Y.
June 16th, 1939.
(Stamp) Received June 17 1939 Mail Sub-Div 29
(Handwritten) Harriet Tubman notes 6/20/39 DB
(Handwritten) No review 6/21/39 or 6/23/39
(Handwritten No801 6-26-39 MB)
Bureau of Pensions
Veterans' Administration
Washington, D.C.
Gentlemen:
Dr. Sioussat, Chief of the Division of Manuscripts of the Library of Congress, has suggested that I communicate with your department in a matter which I am attempting to trace.
I am writing a biography of Harriet Tubman, [handwritten 801, 771] a Negro woman who flourished during the period of Abolition and the Civil War. She lived in Auburn, New York, and was the close friend of William H. Seward and other leaders. In about 1868 or 1869 Mr. Seward himself presented, or had other present for him, a petition to Congress seeking a pension for this woman's war service. She served between 1861 and 1865 as a nurse an a soldier in South Carolina, Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and other places. This pension was denied. I understand that records of several hearings in her case appear in the Congressional Records of about that time, but so far neither the Library of Congress nor myself have been able to locate these. I don't know how these would be indexed in that period, but I can make some suggestions. Other than possible indexing under the names of Harriet Tubman or William Seward, you might find th names of General Rufus Sexton, Major Gen. David Hunter, Col. James Montgomery, Brig. Gen. Q. A. Gilmore, Henry K. Durrant (Surgeon U.S.A. Beaufort, S.C.) and Gerrit Smith, all of whom attested to her service.s Those records are of extreme importance in the work which I am writing and I would therefore appreciate any assistance you could lend in uncovering this bit of history.
I shall naturally make grateful acknowledgement in my book of any aid which you extend to me.
Sincerely yours,
Earl Conrad
[STAMP]
August 19, 1939
MBAB-5
DAVIS, Nelson
WC-415 288
Mr. Earl Conrad
Apartment 53-2
316 West 93rd Street.
New York, New York.
Dear Sir:
Acknowledgement is made of the receipt of your letter relative to the case of Harriet Tubman Davis, who received pension as widow of the above named Civil War veteran, requesting information relative to the pension of $8 per month which was awarded to her prior to the one of $20 per month which was granted her by Special Act of Congress approved February 28, 1899.
The records show that Harriet Davis was awarded a rate of $8 per month under the provisions of the Act of June 27, 1890, from July 24, 1890, the date on which her claim was filed, on account of the veteran's service rendered from September 25, 1863 to November 10, 1865.
An examination of the papers in the pension file does not disclose any correspondence from Honorable William H. Seward or other officials relative to the case. You may, however, be able to obtain information as to whether the whereabouts or the correspondence from the Committee on Invalid Pensions, House of Representatives, by referring to H.R. 4982-55th Congress, 3rd session.
Respectfully
E.L. BAILEY
Director
Dependents Claims Service
14
116015
1891
Write nothing above this line.
Military Service
Name of Solider
Nelson Davis
[Illegible] Div.
[Illegible] Ex'r.
No. 449.592
Mid
Bureau of Pensions
Jany. 13th 1891
Sir:
It is alleged that the above-named man enlisted 25 Sept [?] 1863 and served as a Privy. in Co. G, 8th Reg't. [Illegible] also as a __ in Co. __, __ Reg't. __, and was discharged at Browarville, Tex. on Nov. 10, 1866.
No. of prior claim None
The War Department will please furnish an official statement in this case, showing date of enrollment and date and mode of termination service.
Very respectfully,
Commissioner
The Officer in charge of the record and pension division, War Department. 0-4
War Department Record and Pension Division
Jan 14 1891
Respectfully returned to the Commissioner of Pensions
The roll shows that __ mentioned in the preceding indorsement, was enrolled __, 186__, and __, 186__. The name of Nelson Davis has not been found on rolls of CoG or USCT.
By authority of the Secretary of War.
Captain and Ass't Surgeon, U.S. Army.
3190 b-25m Per M
Mr. EarlConrad
Apt. 53-2
316 W. 93 St.
New York, NY
[Postmark: NEW YORK,N.Y.STA. H AUG 13 1939 8-PM]
Mr. W. C. Black, Chief Clerk
Veterans Administration
Washington, D. C.
[Blue stamp: RECEIVED AUG 19 1939
DEP. CLAIMS SERVICE
SEPTEMBER [Illegible]
Sep. 8]
Earl Conrad
Apt. 53-2
316 W. 93 St.
New York, NY
August 14th, 1939
[Stamped in blue ink: Received Aug. 14, 1939 Mail SUB-DIV Reader No. 5 VETS ADM]
Mr. W, C, Black, Chief Clerk
Veterans Administration
Washington, D.C.
Re: BAHB-801
Dear Mr. Black:
This is additional information to supplement my letter of August 4th, 1939 on Harriet Tubman Davis, a Negro woman abolitionist who I am writing about. In that letter I referred you to records of a pension awarded to her during the 55th Session of Congress in 1899 under the bill number H.R.4982. I have since traced the Senate Report of this bill and it reveals information which will, I think, lead to the discovery of the material I am in quest of.
In the Senate Report #1619 of the 55th Congress, Third Session, there appears a report which was ordered to be printed on February 7, 1899 by Mr. Shoup from the Committee on Pensions. The report was to accompany H.R.4982. In this report it is stated that Mrs. Davis was the widow of Nelson Davis who served under the name of Nelson Charles as a private in Company G, Eighth U. S. Colored Infantry, from September 25, 1863 to November 10, 1865. The soldier died October 4, 1888 and the widow filed a claim as such July 24, 1890 under the act of June 27, 1890, and was pensioned under that act at $8 per month. The report states: "It is shown, however, according to the evidence filed with this committee, that the claimant was sent to the front by Governor Andrew, and acted as a nurse, cook in a hospital, and spy during nearly the whole period of the war." The report is accompanied by copies of letters from Secretary of State William H. Seward, Gen. Rufus Saxton, Colonel James Montgomery and others. The report further states: "These testimonials sufficiently show the character and value of the service rendered by Mrs. Davis during the war.......This woman has a double claim on the Government. She went into the field and hospitals and cared for the sick and wounded. She saved lives."
What I am hoping for is that these letters accompanying the report are still extant and in the files of the record of Harriet Tubman Davis, whether in your offices or whether with the Clerk of the House of Representatives. I believe
there should be about ten letters accompanying this report. I am interested in learning if they were filed, and if so, what possibility there would be in having photostats made of these letters, together with any other debated records which may have been filed.
If I can get a report on this or learn what further steps I must take, I shall be very appreciative.
Very sincerely yours,
[signed] Earl Conrad
[Blue stamp: Received Aug 14, 1939 MAIL SUB-DIV Reader No. 5 VETS ADM]This primary source comes from the Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
National Archives Identifier:
5939992Full Citation: Approved Pension File for Harriet Tubman Davis, Widow of Private Nelson Davis (alias Nelson Charles), Company G, 8th U.S. Colored Troops Infantry Regiment (WC-415288); 7/24/1890 - 1/4/1913; WC-415288; Case Files of Approved Pension Applications of Widows and Other Dependents of the Army and Navy Who Served Mainly in the Civil War and the War With Spain, 1861 - 1934; Records of the Department of Veterans Affairs, Record Group 15; National Archives Building, Washington, DC. [Online Version, https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/widows-pension-harriet-tubman-davis, May 4, 2024]