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Date of Birth
She was born in Richmond Virginia in 1818. -
Father dies
When Elizabeth was in her twenties her father died. -
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
In the Spring, she committed herself to find ways to undermine Confederate war aims. -
She beheld the banner
Elizabeth Van Lew first beheld the Confederate banner over Richmond. -
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
Elizabeth and her mother visited captured Union soldiers in Richmond. -
She becomes head of Union
Elizabeth becomes head of Union general Benjamin Franklin. -
She passed information to Butler.
She passed vital information on to Butler concerning a Confederate plan to move many prisoners. -
Established stations
During Grant's siege of Petersburg, she established relay stations between her home and and Union lines. -
She is almost caught.
Two Union agents were arrested, but Elizabeth got away. -
She gets thanked.
Elizabeth Van Lew was personally thanked and given protection by General Ulysses S. Grant. -
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.
U.S. president Ulysses S. Grant appoints her postmaster in Richmond. -
Library
She sponsored a library for African Americans that opened in 1876. -
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.
This was the most famous escape of prisoners from Libby Prisons. -
She gives up her Clerkship
Elizabeth gives up her clerkship. She will not accept anothet civil service position. -
Death of niece
Elizabeth Van Lew's niece who had the same name as her died by congestive heart failure. -
Date of death
She died of natural causes in the 1900's.
