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Part of the American
History & Genealogy Project |
Varina Howell Davis 1826 ~ 1906
Varina Howell Daivs
It has been said of Mrs. Varina Howell
Davis, who was born May 7, 1826, that she was the key of
President Davis' career, and certain it is, that while the
public life of this celebrated family was in many respects one
long storm, their private life was full of peace and sunshine.
In the memoirs of her husband, a work of
great merit which Mrs. Davis published early in the '90's, we
find every evidence of her loving ministrations and their
intellectual companionship, during the memorable years of his
life, and her children bear testimony that she enabled him more
completely to achieve that career which has made his name
immortal. The war career of Mrs. Davis is historical, and a
cherished memory of those who watched her unfaltering devotion
in the dark days, and when overcome by misfortune met the
inevitable like a true daughter of noble sires. She was indeed
well descended coming from the famous Howell family, whose
founder settled in New Jersey.
Her grandfather, Governor Richard
Howell, was a Revolutionary officer, and her father, William
Burr Howell, won distinction under McDonough on Lake Champlain.
Mrs. Davis maternal grandfather, James
Kempt, was an Irish gentleman who came to Virginia after the
Emmet Rebellion. He was a man of much wealth and moved to
Natchez, Mississippi, when Mrs. Davis' mother was an infant.
Colonel Kempt organized the Natchez troops and accompanied them
during the Revolution. Mrs. Davis' uncle, Franklin Howell, was
killed on the "President."
Her marriage to Jefferson Davis took
place the 26th of February, 1845. When Jefferson Davis died
there was ended a most remarkable chapter of national history
and domestic devotion. His widow retired to live in absolute
seclusion in their pleasant home in Beauvoir, Mississippi,
having with her as close companion her daughter "Winny,"
affectionately known throughout the South as the "Daughter of
the Confederacy."
Many anecdotes have come down to us
bearing testimony to the mercy and kindness and loyal service of
this "Highest Lady of the Southern Land." The following is
typical: During the height of the war a minister passing through
the streets of Augusta, Georgia, on his round of duty to the
sick, called at the hospitals, and encountered a stranger who
accosted him thus: "My friend, can you tell me if Mrs. Jeff
Davis is in the city of Augusta?" "No, sir," replied the
minister, "she is not." "Well, sir," replied the stranger, "you
may be surprised at my asking such a question and more
particularly so when I inform you that I am a discharged United
States soldier, but," (and here he evinced great feeling) "that
lady has performed acts of kindness to me which I can never
forget. When serving in the Valley of Virginia, battling for the
Union I received a severe and dangerous wound. At the same time
I was taken prisoner and conveyed to Richmond, where I received
such kindness and attention from Mrs. Davis that I can never
forget her; and, now that I am discharged from, the army, I wish
to call upon her and carry my expressions of gratitude to her
and offer to share with her, should she unfortunately need it,
the last cent I have in the world." Mrs. Davis died in 1906.
Women of
America
Source: The Part Taken by Women in
American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle
Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.
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