Vanlewws2

Elizabeth Van Lew

By Jacqueline Cline
  • Date of Birth

    Date of Birth

    She was born in Richmond Virginia in 1818.
  • Father dies

    Father dies

    When Elizabeth was in her twenties her father died.
  • Free Slaves

    Free Slaves

    She convinced her family to free their slaves. She was committed she could do whatever she could to support the Federal cause.
  • She was committed

    She was committed

    In the Spring, she committed herself to find ways to undermine Confederate war aims.
  • She beheld the banner

    She beheld the banner

    Elizabeth Van Lew first beheld the Confederate banner over Richmond.
  • She joined with Unionists.

    She joined with Unionists.

    Elizabeth joined with Richmond Unionists to create an underground network to give aid and comfort to capture soldiers.
  • She visited soldiers

    She visited soldiers

    Elizabeth and her mother visited captured Union soldiers in Richmond.
  • She becomes head of Union

    She becomes head of Union

    Elizabeth becomes head of Union general Benjamin Franklin.
  • She passed information to Butler.

    She passed information to Butler.

    She passed vital information on to Butler concerning a Confederate plan to move many prisoners.
  • Established stations

    Established stations

    During Grant's siege of Petersburg, she established relay stations between her home and and Union lines.
  • She is almost caught.

    She is almost caught.

    Two Union agents were arrested, but Elizabeth got away.
  • She gets thanked.

    She gets thanked.

    Elizabeth Van Lew was personally thanked and given protection by General Ulysses S. Grant.
  • She assisted servants.

    She assisted servants.

    While the federal troops were advancing, she helped her servants in raising a smuggled Stars and Stripes above the Van Lew mansion.
  • She is appointed postmaster.

    She is appointed postmaster.

    U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant appoints her postmaster in Richmond.
  • Library

    Library

    She sponsored a library for African Americans that opened in 1876.
  • She is appointed a post office clerk.

    She is appointed a post office clerk.

    Elizabeth is appointed a post office clerk in Richmond, which is where she was born. This is her final civil service position.
  • She assisted in hiding escaped prisoners.

    She assisted in hiding escaped prisoners.

    This was the most famous escape of prisoners from Libby Prisons.
  • She gives up her Clerkship

    She gives up her Clerkship

    Elizabeth gives up her clerkship. She will not accept anothet civil service position.
  • Death of niece

    Death of niece

    Elizabeth Van Lew's niece who had the same name as her died by congestive heart failure.
  • Date of death

    Date of death

    She died of natural causes in the 1900's.