War Nurses 1776-1875

In the time of war there was a need to take care of the sick and the dying and to give comfort to those that couldn't help themselves this became the duty of the nurse. There were men and womn nurses and each did their part to give comfort to those in need. There have been many love stories written about nurses in the time of war and some times the stories would be based on truth. However the duty of the nurse was not romantic at all it was very hard work and sometimes it would be the cause of their own deaths. The names here will have a little information the idea behind this list is to help those family's who have stories of a family member being a nurse in the time of war but had no proof maybe this list will help. If you have any questions you may ask at the following: dsegelquist1@cox.net

1791, Jane Rodman against the United States, for her services as a nurse in the General Hospital of the United States.

1822, Catharine Hustler, of the state of New York, widow of Thomas Hustler, deceased, praying to be allowed a pension in consideration of services rendered as a nurse, for upwards of twenty years, in the army of the United States.

1793, Bridget Parry was presented to the House and read, praying compensation for her services as a nurse in the General Hospitals of the United States; also, the liquidation and settlement of a claim, for the services of her deceased husband, as a private in Colonel Stewart's regiment, during the late war.

Note: The pay of a nurse in 1776, was one dollar a week.

1776, Louis Russe receive 32 dollars for his services as a nurse and attendant on the sick, and a present of 40 dollars on account of his humanity to them.

1776, Elizabeth Slaydon, the sum of £9=24 dollars, for nursing and boarding two soldiers, of which sum Captain Stewart is to be charged with £5 ∥=13 30/60 dollars,∥ it being for nursing and boarding the man he wounded in the state house yard; the remainder to the continent; and that the above £9 0 0 ∥=24 dollars∥ ought to be paid to Colonel Matlack.

1776, Rachel Hewen, the sum of £2=5 30/90 dollars, for nursing and boarding two soldiers of the continental army.

1776, Abraham Mills, for nursing and boarding six soldiers in the small pox, the sum of £12 14 8=33 86/90 dollars.

1776, Walter Drummond, for nursing several persons belonging to Captain Benezet's company, the sum of £10 3=27 dollars.

1776, John Shultz, for boarding and lodging sundry continental troops and for boarding and nursing sundry sick troops, 231 dollars and 19/90 of a dollar.

1776, Mary Thomas, for nursing and boarding two of Captain Benezet's men, in the small pox, the sum of £4 10 0=12 dollars

1776, John Bogart, for the expences of burying a soldier of Captain Harman's company, and for maintenance and nursing of him, and one other soldier, belonging to Captain Willet's company, both of the 1st Pensylvania batallion, 19 30/90ths dollars; and for the expences of guards escorting powder, &c. 5 31/90ths dollars; the whole amounting to twenty four and 61/90ths of a dollar; and to be paid to Joseph Burrell.

1776, Elizabeth Slaving, for boarding and nursing a sick soldier, the sum of 4 dollars.

1776, Dr. Nicholas Way, for medicine, attendance, lodging, nursing, &c. of sick soldiers of the 5th and 6th Virginia regiments, 467 36/90 dollars.

1776, Margaret Smith, for nursing two men in the small pox, belonging to Captain Benezet's company, the sum of £9=24 dollars.

1776, Sarah Campbell, for nursing and boarding seven sick men belonging to the Captains Beaty, Benezet and Miller's companies, 30 7/90 dollars.

1776, Thomas Armour, for victualling a part of General Lee's guard, nursing in small pox, &c. at York town, and for provisions supplied the militia, &c., 158.12 dollars.

1776, Alexander Middleton, of the 5th Virginia batallion, for his account of medicines, board, nursing, and necessaries for the sick of the said regiment, 86 60/90 dollars.

1777, Henry Wynkoop, Esqr. for board and nursing Lieutenant Simon Wilmot, of the 16 regiment of Queen's light dragoons, who was wounded and taken prisoner at Princeton, 3 January last, for nine weeks and two days, at two dollars per week, 20 51/90 dollars.

1777, William Hurrie, for 84 dollars, for his attendance as door keeper to Congress, from first August to 19 September, for nursing wounded soldiers.

1823, Hannah Hagan, of New Orleans, praying for a pension, in consideration of debility contracted while a nurse and matron in the army of the United States.

1841, Betsey Connor, praying remuneration for services rendered by her as hospital nurse at Fort Constitution, in the State of New Hampshire.

1844, Martha Twist, of the State of Massachusetts, widow of Stephen Twist, late a sergeant in the army of the United States, praying remuneration for the faithful services of her husband, and also for the services of herself as nurse in the United States service.

1866, Mrs. Almira Thompson of Westfield, New York, praying for compensation as hospital nurse.

1869, Mary E. Hill, praying compensation for services as nurse in the army, and for reimbursement of moneys expended by her in aid of suffering soldiers.

1871, Mrs. Mary A. Ripley, praying compensation for services as a nurse in the Army during the late war.

1872, Margaret Coleman, praying for compensation for services as nurse.

1872, Maria Hammer, of Iowa, be allowed compensation for her services as nurse in the late war.

1874, Mrs. Maria Waits, of New Orleans, Louisiana, to be compensated for the use of her house as a private hospital for United States officers and soldiers and for services and expenses as a nurse.

1874, of Elizabeth A. Leebrick, praying compensation for services rendered as a hospital nurse during the late war.

1874, Cecilia McKenna, for compensation for services as nurse in the late war.

1875, Caroline E. Thomas, to be compensated for services as nurse and matron during the Mexican war.

Note: In 1872 there was a Bill in congress that stated that all volunteer nurses that could show proof of service in the field or hospital in the Civil War would receive twenty dollars a month for each month they served.