Death and Burial

Brackets indicate dates and entries that follow logically from information in primary sources but are not explicitly stated.

1889

November

Over Varina's objections, travels to Brierfield via New Orleans; ill by the time boat reaches Brierfield on the 6th, so taken on to Vicksburg; goes back to Brierfield the next day

November 12

Taken to New Orleans on a steamboat; Varina meets the vessel while traveling upriver; both lodge with longtime friend Jacob U. Payne, a cotton merchant, at this home in the Garden District at the corner of First and Camp

December 5

Utters last words, reported to have been "Pray excuse me, I cannot take it" (in reference to medicine being offered him by Varina)

December 6

Dies at 12:45 a.m., most likely of pneumonia  

December 7-11

A reported 70,000+ people view body at New Orleans City Hall

December 11

Before an estimated 200,000 people, body laid to rest in    

1890

Belford Company publishes Varina Davis' two-volume Jefferson Davis, A Memoir
 

1891

Varina Davis moves to New York City to pursue a literary career; she dies October 16, 1906
 

1893

May 27

Davis' body removed from vault in Metairie Cemetery

May 28

Funeral train leaves New Orleans with body; Margaret and Addison Hayes on board along with Winnie Davis; makes stop at Beauvoir before continuing eastward

May 29

Body lies in state at Alabama capitol and Georgia capitol

May 30

Lies in state at the capitol in Raleigh

May 31

Train reaches Richmond; Varina Davis meets her daughters there; 75,000 people witness procession to Hollywood Cemetery, beginning at 3 p.m.; to a 21-gun salute, Davis' body is reinterred.
 

1978

October 17

Joint resolution passed by Congress and signed by Jimmy Carter restores Davis' citizenship, effective December 25, 1868