Elizabeth Van Lew
A Civil War Spy
Quick Facts
Significance: Union Spy
Place of Birth:Richmond,VA
Date Of Birth:October 25, 1818
Place Of Death: Richmond, VA
Date of Death: September 25, 1900
Place Of Burial: Richmond, VA
Cemetery Name: Shockhoe Cenetery
Elizabeth's Home quote and Self Painting
Elizabeth's House
Following the death of her father in 1843, or 1851 (sources differ over the exact date) Her mother took over the van lew estate. Elizabeth was able to persuade her mother to let the nine family slaves free and rehire them as paid servants
Elizabeth's Quote
Slave power crushes freedom or speech and of opinion.Slave power degrades labor,Slave power is arrogrant, is jealous and intursive,is cruel, is despotic, not only over the slave but over the community,the state