Jefferson Davis Soldiers' Home Records
Scope and Contents
This collection consists of records of the Jefferson Davis Soldiers' Home, located at Beauvoir in Biloxi, Mississippi. The bulk of the material dates from 1944 to 1954. It documents the operation of the home and includes records of the home's board of directors and superintendents, as well as payroll and budget records, and inmate files.
Dates
- 1920-1954
Creator
- Sons of Confederate Veterans. Mississippi Division (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Non-circulating; available for research
Conditions Governing Use
This collection may be protected from unauthorized copying by the Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code).
Biographical / Historical
A home for Confederate Civil War Veterans and their wives was established by the Mississippi Division, Sons of Confederate Veterans in 1902 at Jefferson Davis' estate, Beauvoir, on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The estate has been deeded to the organization by Davis' wife, Varina Howell Davis, in that same year. The state of Mississippi took charge of the facility in 1904, at which time there were dormitories, dining facilities, and a hospital. Over the years more than 1600 soldiers and their wives lived at Beauvoir; approximately 800 are buried in the private cemetery on the grounds.
By 1940 there were only 55 veterans living there, and the facilities were reduced in size, with the remaining portion of Beauvoir being designated as the Jefferson Davis Shrine. Restoration of the house, gardens, and grounds began in 1941. In 1957 there were only two widows residing at Beauvoir, and the home was closed.
Extent
2.70 Cubic Feet
Language of Materials
English
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Mrs. O. E. (Audrey H.) Saxon and the estate of Mr. and Mrs. John Tackett Burney in 1962.
Existence and Location of Copies
For Digitized Materials from this collection, see: External Documents link at bottom of page.
- Account books. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Annual reports. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Beauvoir (Biloxi, Miss.). Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Financial documents. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Letter. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Minutes (Records). Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Old age homes -- Mississippi Subject Source: Local sources
- Photographs. Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Records (Documents). Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Soldiers' homes -- Mississippi. Subject Source: Local sources
- Sons of Confederate Veterans. Mississippi Division
- Title
- Jefferson Davis Soldiers' Home Records
- Status
- Completed
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Repository Details
Part of the Historical Manuscripts and Photographs Repository
118 College Drive - 5148
Hattiesburg MS 39406-0001
601.266.4345
