Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley. ( )

On February 1818 Elizabeth Hobbs Keckley was born to Agnes Hobbs in Dinwiddie County, Virginia. At age 14 She moved to Hillsborough North Carolina with Robert Burwell’s Family. In 1835 Elizabeth was flogged by William James Bingham principle of Hillsborough Academy and neighbor to the Burwell family.

In 1838 Elizabeth was raped and sexually persecuted by Alexander Mckenzie Kirkland. In 1841 Elizabeth then gave birth to her first son George who was the son of Kirkland.

After Giving birth to her son George, Elizabeth returned to the Burwell Family. Mary Burwell was living with her daughter Anne and her husband Hugh Garland near Petersburg. James Keckley who was apparently “free” at the time proposed marriage to Elizabeth.

In 1852 Hugh Garland agreed to let Elizabeth buy both her and her son’s freedom for $1200. After Hugh Died in 1854 his wife signed the deed of sale for Elizabeth and her son.

In 1861 Elizabeth Met Mary Todd Lincoln in the white house. She then opened a workroom and hired assistants for her business. During this time. Elizabeth’s son, was killed in action, serving with the first Missouri volunteers. He had taken his white fathers last name and enlisted as a white man.

Elizabeth made Mary Todd Lincoln more than a dozen dresses during the time she lived in the white house. One of the dresses included her 1861 inaugural gown.

Elizabeth Became president of the newly created contraband relief Association of D.C. Elizabeth Raised $200 dollars from Mary Todd Lincoln. In 1903 Elizabeth moved into the national home for the relief of Destitute Colored Woman and Children. In May 1907 Elizabeth Died in her home in Washington D.C.

Works Citied. Almond, Beverly. Timeline - Elizabeth Hobbs Keckly Freeze, Gary. North Carolina Land Of Contrast. Clairmont Press, 2009 Frost - Khappman, Elizabeth. Women's Progress In America. ABC - C110, inc, Mar 2009.