Dates: 1827-1948.
Originals are restricted; reference photocopies must be used instead.

Biography:

Jefferson Finis Davis

Jefferson Finis Davis was born on June 3, 1808. He was the tenth and last child of Samuel and Jane Cook Davis of Christian County (now Todd County), Kentucky. The family moved to Wilkinson County, Mississippi Territory, in 1812. Davis entered the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, in 1824, and he graduated in 1828. From West Point, Davis went on to serve as a second lieutenant in the United States Army at Fort Crawford, Wisconsin; Fort Winnebago, Wisconsin; and Fort Gibson, Oklahoma, during which time he participated in the Black Hawk War.

Davis married Sarah Knox Taylor, daughter of Colonel Zachary Taylor, in June of 1835, and later that month, Davis resigned from the army. The couple traveled to Hurricane, the Warren County, Mississippi, plantation of Joseph Emory Davis, the elder brother of Jefferson Davis, who gave the couple Brierfield, an eight-hundred-acre plantation adjacent to Hurricane. Shortly after their arrival in Mississippi, both Davis and his wife contracted malaria, and on September 15, 1835, she succumbed to the disease. Davis recovered and became a cotton planter in Warren County.

In February of 1845, Jefferson Davis married Varina Howell (1826-1906) at the Briars in Natchez, Mississippi. The couple had six children: Samuel Emory (1852-1854), Margaret Howell (1855-1909), Jefferson, Jr. (1857-1878), Joseph Evan (1859-1864), William Howell (1861-1872), and Varina Anne (1864-1898). Margaret Howell Davis married banker Joel Addison Hayes, Jr. (1848-1919) of Memphis. They would later relocate to Colorado Springs, Colorado, for health reasons. The couple had five children: Jefferson Davis Hayes (b. & d. 1877); Varina Howell Davis Hayes Webb (b. 1879); Lucy Hayes White (b. 1882); William Davis Hayes (b. 1889), and Jefferson Hayes-Davis.

Davis was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1845, a position from which he resigned after less than a year, to command the Mississippi Rifles in the Mexican War. He was wounded at Buena Vista, Mexico, in February of 1847. Later that year, Davis was appointed to fill a vacant seat in the United States Senate. In 1851, Davis resigned from the senate to run as governor of Mississippi, but he was defeated by Senator Henry Stuart Foote. The following year, he campaigned for presidential candidate Franklin Pierce, and Davis was eventually appointed secretary of war under President Pierce. In 1857, Mississippi reelected Davis to the United States Senate. Four years later, in a farewell speech to the senate, Davis announced the secession of Mississippi and resigned his seat. In February of 1861, Davis was elected provisional president of the newly formed Confederate States of America, and in October of that year, he was elected president of the Confederacy.

When Lee's surrender at Appomattox ended the Confederacy in April of 1865, Davis fled with his family and advisors. He was captured one month later at Irwinville, Georgia, and imprisoned at Fort Monroe, Virginia. Davis was released from prison on bail in 1867, and in 1869, the United States government dropped all charges against him. In that same year, Davis became president of the Carolina Insurance Company in Memphis, Tennessee. The company failed four years later, forcing Davis to attempt to regain legal control of his plantation, Brierfield. Davis eventually succeeded but was unable to make very much money from the plantation. In 1877, Davis moved to Beauvoir, the estate of Sarah Anne Dorsey in Harrison County, Mississippi. Dorsey eventually sold Beauvoir to Davis and later willed her entire estate to him. While living at Beauvoir, Davis completed two books: The Rise and Fall of the Confederate Government in 1881 and A Short History of the Confederate States in 1889. Davis contracted bronchitis on a trip to Brierfield in 1889. He returned to New Orleans where he died on December 9, 1889. Davis was buried in Metairie Cemetery in New Orleans, but his remains were reinterred in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, four years later.

 

Scope and Content Note:

This collection consists of personal and business correspondence, legal and financial records, clippings, and miscellaneous papers of Confederate president Jefferson Davis or members of his immediate and extended family from 1827 to 1921. The papers provide rare glimpses into the private lives and thoughts of various members of the Davis and the allied Howell and Hayes families. Included are letters to or from Jefferson Davis, Varina Howell Davis, Jefferson Davis, Jr., Varina Anne (Winnie) Davis, Margaret Howell Davis Hayes, Joel Addison Hayes, Jr., Varina Howell Davis Hayes Webb, and Gerald Bertram Webb, M.D. There are also letters to or from Joseph Emory Davis and his wife, Eliza van Benthuysen, and William Burr Howell and his wife, Margaret Louisa Kempe Howell.

For an item-level inventory of the documents in this collection, see Jefferson Davis and Family Papers (Z/2203) Box and Folder List.

 
Series Identification:

Series 1: Correspondence. 1827-1921; n.d.
Jefferson Davis's papers contain incoming and outgoing correspondence with many of the above-referenced Davis, Howell, and Hayes family members. These letters were written from such locations as Washington, D.C., Richmond, Virginia; Memphis, Tennessee; and Beauvoir, Harrison County, Mississippi. They include many references to the activities of family and friends. Other letters describe the life of Jefferson Davis at Beauvoir and the management of Brierfield Plantation.

Among the correspondence that Jefferson Davis received from friends and acquaintances is a July 25, 1847, letter from John Willis of Vicksburg, Mississippi, advising Davis to avoid any public controversy with Mexican War lieutenant colonel Alexander Keith McClung and an August 6, 1847, letter from W. P. Rogers of Aberdeen, Mississippi, discussing McClungs participation in the battle of Monterey, Mexico, and advising Davis not to respond to McClungs published letter about his role the battle. Also included are two letters, dated April 13, 1853, and April 25, 1853, from James Gadsden of Charleston, South Carolina, concerning states rights. A July 9, 1875, letter from Dr. J. H. D. Bowmar of Vicksburg pertains to taxes on Davis lands in Arkansas, and a February 17, 1886, letter from Bowmar relates to a survey of Brierfield and Hurricane plantations. There is also a letter from former Confederate general Samuel Cooper regarding "Mr. Cully."

Varina Howell Davis's papers also contain incoming and outgoing correspondence with many of the above-referenced Davis, Howell, Hayes, and Webb family members. There are numerous references in these letters to the activities of family members and friends. Other letters describe the life of Varina Howell Davis at Brierfield and Hurricane plantations; Beauvoir; Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island; and in New York City.

The correspondence that Varina Howell Davis received from friends and acquaintances includes a May 3, 1890, letter from Georgia governor John B. Gordon approving of the fiancé of Varina Anne (Winnie) Davis. An August 23, 1892, letter from her cousin, Dan, asks what became of William Burr Howells pair of silver-mounted pistols that were reputedly used in the ill-fated duel of Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton in 1804. An October 23, 1899, letter from Mrs. A. A. Gray, president, Fluvanna Chapter, Daughters of the Confederacy, Palmyra, Georgia, mentions the unveiling of a monument to Varina Anne (Winnie) Davis in Richmond, Virginia. An October 17, 1905, letter from Judge Allan McCaskell Kimbrough concerns legal matters affecting Beauvoir. An undated letter from his wife, Mary Hunter Southworth Kimbrough, of Greenwood, Mississippi, discusses the possible sale of Beauvoir to the state of Mississippi. She also comments on early twentieth-century Mississippi politics and refers to Edmond F. Noel and James K. Vardaman.

Margaret Howell Davis Hayes's papers include incoming and outgoing correspondence with immediate family members. These letters were mainly written from Mont Eagle, Tennessee, or Colorado Springs, Colorado. They contain news of the health and welfare of family members and friends, especially those living in Colorado Springs. The letters Jefferson Hayes-Davis received from his mother express concern for his health while attending college in New York City. They also discuss serious health concerns affecting Margaret Howell Davis Hayes shortly before her death in 1909. Other items include an April 27, 1902, letter and an undated letter from New York sculptor George Julian Zolnay concerning designs for a bronze statue and memorial arch honoring Jefferson Davis. There is a January 31, 1903, letter from John H. Reagan of Palestine, Texas, enclosing a copy of an address he delivered to Confederate veterans. A June 10, 1904, letter from Stephen D. Lee acknowledges her letter of sympathy following the death of Lees wife and notes that he had received a similar letter from Varina Howell Davis. An October 7, 1907, letter from W. L. Cabell, Trans-Mississippi Department, United Confederate Veterans, Dallas, Texas, invites the Hayes family to attend an upcoming reunion of veterans.

Joel Addison Hayes Davis, Jr.'s papers include incoming and outgoing correspondence with daughter Varina Howell Davis Hayes Webb. These letters were mostly written from Memphis, Tennessee, or Colorado Springs, Colorado. They express concern for the health and welfare of family members, discuss family matters, and include references to Varina Howell Davis and Margaret Howell Davis Hayes. Other items include an October 8, 1882, letter from N. E. Hughes regarding the cotton crop and levees on Brierfield Plantation. An April 25, 1893, letter from J. Taylor Ellyson of Richmond, Virginia, relates the itinerary of the train that carried the disinterred remains of Jefferson Davis from New Orleans to Richmond for reinterment in Hollywood Cemetery. A September 25, 1897, letter from Stephen D. Lee, president, Mississippi Agricultural and Mechanical College, Starkville, Mississippi, concerns book orders, perhaps for works of Varina Howell Davis. An October 5, 1898, letter from William J. Palmer of Colorado Springs expresses condolences upon the death of Varina Anne (Winnie) Davis. A June 30, 1910, letter from "Will" at the Windsor Hotel, Montreal, Quebec, Canada, pertains to the disinterment of the remains of Margaret Louisa Kempe Howell, mother of Varina Howell Davis, in Montreal and their shipment to Montgomery, Alabama, for reinterment.

Among the miscellaneous Davis family papers is a copy of an April 15, 1856, letter from an anonymous individual in Portland, Oregon Territory, to General John E. Wool, Pacific Division, Fort Vancouver, Washington Territory. He complains at length of General Wools military administration, especially regarding Indian affairs in the territory, and prefers British rule to the alleged despotism of the general. This letter was apparently an informational copy sent to Jefferson Davis as secretary of war under President Franklin Pierce. Two items of interest relating to Davis lands in Arkansas are a May 27, 1871, letter from T. Y. Dabney of Vicksburg, Mississippi, to Judge R. W. Martin, and a July 2, 1875, letter from Judge R. W. Martin of Augusta, Arkansas, to Dr. J. H. D. Bowmar. An October 4, 1884, letter from "Winnanne" to an unidentified sister describes life at Beauvoir and mentions her cousins, Margaret Howell Davis Hayes, Joel Addison Hayes, Jr., and Varina Howell Davis Hayes Webb. Of special interest is an April 29, 1921, letter from Mrs. F. P. Hardenstein to Varina Howell Davis Hayes Webb describing in detail the Washington funeral of James (Jim) H. Jones, a former servant of Jefferson Davis. United States senators Byron Patton Harrison and John Sharp Williams of Mississippi both attended the funeral, and Senator Harrison delivered the eulogy.

Among the miscellaneous Howell family papers is a May 18, 1827, letter from T. B. (Becket) Kempe of Flatbush, Brooklyn, New York, to his sister, Margaret Louisa Kempe Howell, of Natchez, Mississippi, mentioning that he was studying Greek and enjoying school. There is also a September 2, 1845, letter from George W. Howell to Joseph D. Howell commenting on life at the Briars in Natchez and referring to Jefferson and Varina Howell Davis. Of additional interest is a September 5, 1854, letter from Beckett Howell to William Burr Howell in New Orleans, which concerns the studies of the former, a trip of Jefferson Davis to Capon Springs, Hampshire County, Virginia (now West Virginia), and a visit of "Mr. Raymond."

Box 1, folders 1-15 (reference photocopies).
Box 3, folders 1-15 (restricted originals).

 

Series 2: Legal Records. 1870-1937.
The legal papers of Jefferson Davis include a July 27, 1878, deed to a plantation in Bowie County, Texas; a March 1, 1889, deed to property in Harrison County, Mississippi; and a January 29, 1897, plat of a plantation in Bowie County, Texas, belonging to the estate of Jefferson Davis. Those of Varina Howell Davis include a February 6, 1892, judgment in the case, V. Jefferson Davis, et al., v. Joseph Cazaubon, No. 33214, Civil District Court, Orleans Parish, Louisiana; and a February 6, 1892, judgment in the case, V. Jefferson Davis, et al., v. City of New Orleans, No. 33563, Civil District Court, Orleans Parish, Louisiana.

The legal papers of Joseph Emory Davis include an October 7, 1870, redemption of Monroe County, Arkansas, property of Davis and O. B. Cox sold at public auction for non-payment of taxes and an August 11, 1871, redemption of Prairie County, Arkansas, property of Davis and O. B. Cox sold at public auction for non-payment of taxes. Those of Joel Addison Hayes, Jr., include an April 20, 1874, land grant for property located in El Paso County, Colorado Territory, and a March 24, 1876, deed of trust for property located in Haywood County, Tennessee.

Box 2, folders 1-2 (reference photocopies).
Box 4, folders 1-2 (restricted originals).

 

Series 3: Financial Records. 1857-1887; n.d.
The Davis family financial records include a July 20, 1857, receipt signed by J. M. Johnson, Brierfield Plantation; a March 19, 1881, financial report of the State National Bank of Memphis, Tennessee; an 1885 invoice of J. H. D. Bowmar and Son, Real Estate Agents, Vicksburg, Mississippi; June 1887 accounts for Brierfield Plantation; and an undated receipt initialed by Jefferson Davis.

Box 2, folder 3 (reference photocopies).
Box 4, folder 3 (restricted originals).

 

Series 4: Canceled Checks. 1871-1910.
The majority of canceled checks were signed by Varina Howell Davis and drawn on the Fifth Avenue Bank, New York, New York, between 1898 and 1906. The remaining canceled checks are associated with scattered financial transactions of Jefferson Davis, Varina Howell Davis, Margaret Howell Davis Hayes, and Joel Addison Hayes, Jr., between 1871 and 1910.

Box 2, folders 4-5: Varina Howell Davis (reference photocopies).
Box 2, folder 6: Miscellaneous Davis family (reference photocopies).
Box 4, folders 4-5: Varina Howell Davis (restricted originals).
Box 4, folder 6: Miscellaneous Davis family (restricted originals).

 

Series 5: Clippings. 1872-1948; n.d.
The clippings include magazine and newspaper articles pertaining to various members of the Davis family, including Jefferson Davis, Varina Howell Davis, and Jefferson Hayes-Davis, from the 1870s to the 1940s. However, most clippings are undated.

Box 2, folder 7 (reference photocopies).
Box 4, folder 7 (restricted originals).

 

Series 6: Miscellany. n.d.
Among the miscellaneous papers is an undated biographical sketch of Joel Addison Hayes, Jr.; a calling card (and envelope) of Issac Townsend Smith of the Union League Club of New York; an undated genealogy of the Howell family; and an undated note from William (Billie) Davis Hayes.

Box 2, folder 8 (reference photocopies).
Box 4, folder 8 (restricted originals).