Elizabeth Van Lew

By warresa
  • Elizabeth was born

    Elizabeth was born

  • Period: to

    Elizabeths schooling in Philadelphia

    Undocumented information

  • Elizabeth returns from school.

  • Elizabeth’s father dies.

    undocumented dates

  • Elizabeth convinces her mother to free all their slaves.

  • Elizabeth observes the Confederate banner over Richmond.

  • Elizabeth begins ministering to Union prisoners.

    Following the first battle of Manses, Elizabeth begins ministering to Union prisoners.

  • , begins providing funds and related assistance for the bribing of confederate prison guards

    Elizabeth, as a key player in Richmond’s Unionist underground, begins providing funds and related assistance for the bribing of confederate prison guards in order to let Union prisoners escape from Libby Prison and other Confederate prisoner-of-war camps. Elizabeth keeps up these activities throughout the war.

  • Elizabeth becomes the head of Union

    Elizabeth becomes head of Union general Benjamin F. Butler's spy network, a position she maintains until the end of the war.

  • : Elizabeth participated in the still controversial “Dahlgren Raid” on Richmond.

  • Union forces reclaim Richmond

    Union forces reclaim Richmond, and Elizabeth has the largest Union flag she can find hoisted atop Church Hill.

  • U.S. President Ulysses Grant appoints Elizabeth postmaster in Richmond

    U.S. President Ulysses Grant appoints Elizabeth postmaster in Richmond, an office she will hold until 1877.

  • : Elizabeth is appointed a post office clerk in Richmond.

    Elizabeth is appointed a post office clerk in Richmond. This is her final civil service position.

  • Elizabeth gives up her clerkship

    Elizabeth gives up her clerkship, refusing to accept another civil service position.

  • Elizabeth dies

    Elizabeth Dies in Richmond, Virginia at the Shokoe- Hill Cemetery