New Albany in Floyd County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Lucy Higgs Nichols
Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
1. Side 'One' - - Lucy Higgs Nichols Marker
Lucy, born a slave April 10, 1838, was owned by the Higgs family that by 1850 lived near Bolivar, Tennessee. She gained her freedom in 1862 by escaping to the 23rd Regiment, Indiana Volunteers camped nearby. She worked as a nurse for the soldiers as they fought in many major battles of the Civil War. She mustered out with them in Louisville in 1865.
Lucy came to New Albany with returning veterans of 23rd Regiment. She married John Nichols, 1870. Lucy applied for pension after Congress passed 1892 act for Civil War nurses; she was denied. In 1895, Lucy and 55 veterans of the 23rd petitioned Congress; in 1898, a Special Act of Congress awarded her pension. Lucy was an honorary member of the G.A.R. She died 1915.
Erected 2011 by Indiana Historical Bureau and Friends of Division Street School, Inc. (Marker Number 22.2011.1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Science & Medicine • War, US Civil • Women. In addition, it is included in the Indiana Historical Bureau Markers series list. A significant historical date for this entry is April 10, 1884.
Location. 38° 17.283′ N, 85° 48.763′ W.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Southern Indiana. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Ohio River Valley, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture and also the Northwest Territory.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Floyd County Honor Roll & Veterans Memorial (here, next to this marker); Korean Conflict / Vietnam Conflict - Floyd County (a few steps from this marker); Floyd County American Revolution War Memorial (a few steps from this marker); Floyd County World Peace Honor Roll (a few steps from this marker); Michael C. Kerr Home
Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
2. Side 'Two' - - Lucy Higgs Nichols Marker
Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
3. Looking East - - Lucy Higgs Nichols Marker
Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
4. Looking West - - Lucy Higgs Nichols Marker
Photographed by Courtesy:: Marilyn S. Wolf, August 28, 2011
5. Fieldpiece - - at the Memorial
The marker can be seen behind the tree in the background of this photo.
Public domain - Wikimedia Commons, 1898
6. Lucy Higgs Nichols
Credits. This page was last revised on September 20, 2024. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. This page has been viewed 2,694 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on August 29, 2011, by Al Wolf of Veedersburg, Indiana. 6. submitted on February 3, 2022, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Closeup of photo #1. • Can you help?
