Hello my name is Mary Elizabeth Bowser. I was born on a plantation owned by John Van Lew in Richmond Virginia, sometime around 1839. After John’s death, sometime between 1843 and 1851, his wife and daughter freed some of his slaves, including myself. Although freed, I stayed on as servant for the family until the late 1850’s. Elizabeth, John Van Lew’s daughter, sent me to a Quaker school for African American’s in Philadelphia.
After graduating and returning home from school, I married Wilson Bowser, who was also a free African American. We married four days after the Battle of Fort Sumter began, which was the start of the Civil War. Even after getting married, I still stayed close and in contact with the Van Lew family. Elizabeth was a spy
After graduating and returning home from school, I married Wilson Bowser, who was also a free African American. We married four days after the Battle of Fort Sumter began, which was the start of the Civil War. Even after getting married, I still stayed close and in contact with the Van Lew family. Elizabeth was a spy