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Title
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Van Lew, Elizabeth (1818-1900)
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birthday
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1818-10-12
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Birthplace
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Richmond, VA
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Death Date
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1900-09-25
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Occupation
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Abolitionist
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Philanthropist
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Biographical Text
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Elizabeth Van Lew was an an abolitionist and philanthropist. Though she was born in Richmond, VA, Van Lew was educated in Philadelphia. She attended a Quaker school that is thought to have influenced her strong anti-slavery stance. In 1843, her father passed leaving their Richmond home to Van Lew and her mother. Though her father's will stated that no individuals enslaved by their family should be let free, Van Lew and her mother chose to go against this. Instead, they assisted the enslaved members of their household in earning freedom and income. When the Civil War began, Van Lew worked on behalf of the Union to help wounded and imprisoned soldiers. She would bring them food and clothing, and help them to escape by giving them safe house information and money to bribe Confederates. Van Lew was also in charge of a spy ring, which included War and Navy Confederacy clerks, as well as free and enslaved black individuals. Upon hearing news of the ring, General Benjamin Butler recruited Van Lew to work for the US government. Her work and knowledge was highly respected by the Union commanders, and as a result she was appointed Postmaster General of Richmond by General Ulysses S. Grant for the eight years following her spy work.
Van Lew passed on September 25, 1900. She was buried in Shockoe Hill Cemetery, and her tombstone was donated by Relatives of Union Colonel Paul J. Revere, in honor of her assistance to him during the war.
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Contributor
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O'Neill, Iris
Elizabeth Van Lew, Grave Memorial