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Primary sourceDocumentc. 1898

Witness Signatures on Harriet Tubman's General Affidavit

U.S. House of Representatives · c. 1898

The front page of Tubman's 1898 pension affidavit, bearing the signatures of two witnesses who supported her claim.

This page supports Tubman's own pension affidavit with the signatures of witnesses backing her claim.

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Scan of two lines of cursive handwritten signatures on a document. The first appears to read Orrin McCarty and the second Mrs. Elsie McCarty. Below them is printed text: (If Affiants sign by mark, two witnesses who write sign here.)
Witness signatures, front of Harriet Tubman's general affidavit, c. 1898. U.S. House of Representatives records.

About this source

What it is

This document is the front page of a general affidavit connected to Harriet Tubman's pension claim, dated around 1898. It carries the signatures of two witnesses, Orrin McCarty and Mrs. Elsie McCarty, who signed to support the affidavit.

Why it matters

Tubman spent years after the Civil War seeking a government pension for her service, including her work as a scout and nurse. This page shows the bureaucratic process she had to go through, and the ordinary people who vouched for her claim.

Look closer

  • Why would witnesses need to sign an affidavit like this?
  • What does the printed instruction about signing

This document is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Harriet Tubman on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Scanned handwritten General Affidavit form, filled in by hand, with a title printed at top. The text describes a claim for services as nurse and cook in hospitals and as commander of scouts during the Civil War. Signatures of affiants appear at the bottom, including Harriet Tubman's name and her mark.Document

Primary source

General Affidavit of Harriet Tubman

Harriet Tubman · 1898

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