Charlotte was born on 20 Jun 1813 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts. Her parents were Gershom Bradford and Sarah "Sally" Hickling Bradford. [1]
Charlotte lived in Duxbury her entire life and was an advocate for the abolition of slavery. The family home, The Bradford House, is now a museum run by the Duxbury Rural and Historical Society.
In 1850 and 1860, Charlotte was living with her mother Sarah B Bradford and sisters Lucia and Elizabeth. (her name was spelled Charlott). [2][3]
Household | Role | Sex | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1850 | |||||
Sarah B Bradford | head | F | 78 | Massachusetts | |
Lucia A Bradford | daughter | F | 42 | Massachusetts | |
Elizabeth H Bradford | daughter | F | 40 | Massachusetts | |
Charlott Bradford | daughter | F | 36 | Massachusetts | |
1860 | |||||
Sarah B Bradford | head | F | 88 | Massachusetts | |
Lucia A Bradford | daughter | F | 52 | Massachusetts | |
Elizabeth H Bradford | daughter | F | 50 | Massachusetts | seamstress |
Charlotte Bradford | daughter | F | 46 | Massachusetts | seamstress |
Charlotte began her Civil War service with the Sanitary Commission's Hospital Transport Corps in 1862, at the age of 48. These ships, staffed with surgeons, ward masters, nurses and lady nurse superintendents, moved wounded soldiers from the battlefields to northern hospitals. She was one of several women who served on the transports Elm City and Knickerbocker.
The United States Army took over all of the Sanitary Commission's transports in August 1862, ending her tenure there. Charlotte went to Washington, D.C., and met with Dorothea Dix, Superintendent of Army Nurses, and was hired as an Army Nurse. She worked throughout the fall and winter at Washington hospitals. She became ill and spent several months at the Sanitary Commission's Home for Nurses, returning to hospital work in April 1863.
In May 1863, Charlotte became the Lady Supervisor or Matron, at the Soldiers' Home in Washington, D.C. The United States Soldiers' Home (originally the Military Asylum at Washington, D.C.) was established in 1851 to support any soldier with wounds or disease that made them unable to continue their service. Those who recovered would either be discharged to rejoin their regiment or allow to return to their homes.[4]
While Matron of the Soldiers' Home, Charlotte also ran the nearby Home for Wives and Mothers, providing food and shelter, and if needed, aid in locating family members.
Charlotte remained as Matron of these two Homes until the end of the war and the last soldier had been discharged. Both operated extremely efficiently during her tenure, serving many thousands of soldiers and women. Charlotte never wanted to be in the spotlight or recognized for her service. She believed that there were many unknown and unnamed women who sacrificed much more.
In 1870 and 1880, Charlotte and Elizabeth were living in the home of their sister Lucia. [5][6]
Household | Role | Sex | Age | Birthplace | Occupation |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1870 | |||||
Lucia A Bradford | head | F | 63 | Massachusetts | house keeping |
Elizabeth H Bradford | sister | F | 60 | Massachusetts | housework |
Charlotte Bradford | sister | F | 57 | Massachusetts | housework |
1880 | |||||
Lucia A Bradford | head | F | 72 | Massachusetts | |
Elizabeth H Bradford | sister | F | 70 | Massachusetts | |
Charlotte Bradford | sister | F | 66 | Massachusetts |
She passed away on 20 Mar 1893 in Duxbury, Plymouth, Massachusetts and is buried in Mayflower Cemetery in Duxbury. [7][8]
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B > Bradford > Charlotte Bradford
Categories: Duxbury, Massachusetts | Mayflower Cemetery, Duxbury, Massachusetts | Nurses, United States Civil War