Mary Jewett Telford facts for kids
Mary Jewett Telford (born March 18, 1839 – died August 5, 1906) was a kind person who helped others, especially as a nurse. She worked at Hospital No. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee, during the American Civil War. Later in her life, Mary became a writer and editor. She also gave talks about avoiding alcohol and was a founding member of the Woman's Relief Corps. This group helped soldiers who fought in the Civil War.
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Mary's Early Life
Mary Jewett Telford was born in Seneca, New York, on March 18, 1839. Her parents, Dr. Lester Jewett and Hannah Southwick Jewett, already had five children. After Mary was born, four more children joined the family. Sadly, two of Mary's younger siblings, Ruth and Oakley, died in 1846. After this, her family moved to Lima Township, Michigan, to be closer to her father's brothers. In Lima, Mary's father built a special house made of cobblestones, which is still there today.
Helping During the Civil War
By the time she was 14, Mary was already teaching at a local school. She later taught for a year in Morganfield, Kentucky, before returning home to Michigan. The American Civil War had begun, and her younger brother, William T. Jewett, joined the 4th Michigan Cavalry. Just four months later, William died from a sickness called typhoid fever. Mary's older brother, Edward Jewett, also joined the army.
Mary really wanted to help the soldiers who were hurt or sick. She tried to become a nurse with the U.S. Sanitary Commission, but they said she was too young. Mary did not give up! Her father's friend, Michigan Governor Austin Blair, gave her a special permit. With this, Mary was able to go and help in the war.
She worked at Hospital No. 8 in Nashville, Tennessee, for eight months. She was the only woman in a hospital with 600 soldiers. Mary worked very hard, bringing water and helping with all kinds of needs. Many years after the war, soldiers would find her to say thank you. They called her their "angel" during the difficult war days. Mary was strong, but after a year, she had to leave her nursing job because she was very tired and not feeling well.
Life After the War
After leaving the hospital, Mary went back home to Michigan. Her family was waiting for her, and so was her boyfriend, Jacob Telford. Jacob was a soldier from the 15th Indiana Infantry Regiment. Mary and Jacob got married on July 8, 1864, at her home in Lima, Michigan. Jacob was from Seneca, New York, just like Mary. Mary had actually seen him again while working at Hospital No. 8. She recognized his blue eyes and shy smile. Jacob had been badly hurt in a battle near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
In 1870, Mary and Jacob were living in Grinnell, Iowa. They had two girls living with them, Mattie Stokes and Olive Montgomery. Mary and Jacob adopted several girls who had lost their parents during the Civil War.
Mary's Contributions to Society
In 1873, Mary and Jacob moved to Denver, Colorado. They hoped the move would help Mary's asthma. In Denver, Mary's talents really grew. She had been writing since she was a teenager. Her short story for children, "Tom," was published in St. Nicholas Magazine in 1880.
In July 1883, Mary became a founding member of the Woman’s Relief Corps. This group helped veterans, their wives, and their children. This organization still exists today and continues to help military families. Later that same year, Mary was chosen to be on a committee that helped children. In 1884, she started and edited a journal called The Challenge. This journal supported the ideas of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.), which worked to encourage people to avoid alcohol. In the late 1880s, Mary became the editor of the Colorado Farmer journal. She also wrote articles for newspapers across the country.
On May 24, 1892, the United States government approved a pension for Mary Jewett Telford. This money was given to her because of her service as a nurse during the Civil War. Mary applied for her pension less than two weeks later. This money was very helpful for the Telford family. Jacob received $8 a month from his military service, and Mary earned money from her writing and editing.
Mary continued to write and edit. She also traveled around the country giving talks about avoiding alcohol. She was friends with Frances Willard, who founded the W.C.T.U.
Around 1900 or 1901, Mary and Jacob moved to McMinnville, Tennessee. In 1905, Mary's husband Jacob passed away there. Mary followed his wishes and had his body buried at Stones River National Cemetery. This was the same battlefield where he had been wounded many years before.
