Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/528

Rh 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