Robert Hervey was born in Philadelphia to Elizabeth M and Robert Hervey in 1842. His father immigrated from England around 1830 and became a clerk. By 1850 Hervey lived with his parents four other siblings in the Lower Delaware ward of Philadelphia.
At age 19, Hervey enlisted in the Civil War on August 13, 1861. Serving as a private in the Infantry for the 82nd Pennsylvania Company C for three years, Hervey was relieved from duty due to an injury to the left leg. The trauma to his leg was so severe that it resulted in an amputation.
After being discharged from the war, Hervey was elected as a Member of the House of Representatives representing Philadelphia. After being elected in 1869, the 27-year-old found his time as a Representative of the 18th district difficult because he “frequently found the rest of the city delegation opposed to the measures presented by him.” (fig 1). By June 1869, Hervey sought re-nomination. However, the competition was fierce. His competitors were previous House member (1864-1865) James Miller, who was a surveyor of the 12th Ward and Clerk of office of the Board of Revision Joshua S. Fletcher. Hervey later lost re-election to James Miller.
By 1870, Hervey was married to a woman named Emma M. The pair lived in Philadelphia’s 27th ward, 89th district, with their two-year-old son Edward. It is thought to be that Hervey was heavily dependent on his wife Emma due to his injury. When she died on January 27th, 1872, the grieving widower was admitted into the U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers in Hampton, Virginia. Throughout his recorded stay within the home (1876-1879), Hervey was discharged on three separate occasions. The reason for discharge was likely due to him moving to different branches of the home. Not much is known about Robert Hervey’s life after his last admission into the National Home on July 8th, 1879. It is believed that he lived the rest of his life within the home for disabled soldiers
Written by Zarah Light, intern spring 2020
Sources:
New York Passenger and Immigration Lists, 1820-1850 (ancesty.com)
1850 United States Federal Census (ancesty.com)
Civil War Muster Rolls, 1860-1869. Muster Date 16 Aug 1861 (ancesty.com)
The Evening Telegraph. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 07 June 1869, Monday Page 1 (Newspapers.com)
The Philadelphia Inquirer. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 10 June 1869, Thursday Page 8 (Newspapers.com)
1870 United States Federal Census (ancesty.com)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Death Certificates Index, 1803-1915 (ancesty.com)
U.S. National Homes for Disabled Volunteer Solders, 1866-1938 (ancesty.com)
On Second Consideration 