Elizabeth A. Gloucester facts for kids

Elizabeth A. Gloucester (1817-1883) was an amazing businesswoman and a strong supporter of freedom for all. She became one of the wealthiest Black women in America during her time. She used her success to help others, especially by supporting the Underground Railroad.

Elizabeth Amelia Parkhill was born in 1817 in Richmond, Virginia. Her mother was a freedwoman. When Elizabeth was young, her mother passed away. She then went to live with Rev. John Gloucester Sr. In 1838, she married his youngest son, James Gloucester.

A Smart Businesswoman

Elizabeth Gloucester was very good at business. She managed 15 boarding homes in New York City. Boarding homes were like guesthouses where people could rent a room. In 1855, she and her husband moved to Brooklyn.

Elizabeth bought a building called the Hamilton Club. She turned it into a fancy boarding house called the Remsen House. This house became a very important place.

Helping the Fight for Freedom

Elizabeth and her husband, James, were strong supporters of the movement to end slavery, known as abolitionism. James founded the Siloam Presbyterian Church, and Elizabeth helped pay for its construction.

The Gloucesters used their church and their homes to help the cause. They hosted famous abolitionists like John Brown and Frederick Douglass. The Remsen House was a meeting place for groups working for freedom, such as the Freedman's Friend Society.

The Underground Railroad

The Gloucesters were also a vital part of the Underground Railroad. This was a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. Their home and church served as safe stops for those seeking liberty. They even had a special fund to support the Underground Railroad.

Supporting the Community

Elizabeth Gloucester cared deeply about her community. She led efforts to raise money for the Colored Orphan's Asylum in Weeksville, Brooklyn. This orphanage was founded in 1866 and provided a safe home for children.

Her Legacy

Elizabeth Gloucester passed away on August 9, 1883, from pneumonia. At the time of her death, her properties were worth about $300,000. That would be like $7 million today! Newspapers wrote about her, calling her "the remarkable colored woman."

She had six children: Emma, Stephen, Elizabeth, Eloise, Charles, and Adelaide. Elizabeth Gloucester is buried in Brooklyn, New York, at the Green-Wood Cemetery. Her life showed how one person's hard work and kindness could make a huge difference.