Gender
Information about Gender in Richmond, VA during the Civil War.

Written Accounts

1869-03-20, Philadelphia Evening Telegraph; laudatory editorial about Elizabeth Van Lew becoming the postmaster of Richmond – biographical details.
1869-03-26, Burlington (Vt.) Weekly Free Press; brief description of Elizabeth Van Lew’s appointment as postmaster of Richmond – notes her wartime service, and that two other ladies were appointed to post offices at the same time.
1869-03-27; Sunbury (Pa.) American; lengthy and detailed description of Elizabeth Van Lew’s wartime actions – notes that she gave rooms to Captain Gibbs and was thus able to gain access to prisoners. Also notes a federal prisoner dying in her home
1869-04-05, New York Tribune; debate about Elizabeth Van Lew’s title
1869-04-11, New Orleans Crescent; Miss Van Lew has appointed several women to positions in the post office.
1869-04-17, Charleston (S. C.) Daily News; Miss Van Lew has decided to call herself postmaster, rather than postmistress.
1870-05-21, Nashville Union and American; Miss Van Lew prefers to be called “Postmaster of Richmond”
1872-02-01, Richmond Daily State Journal; rumor that Miss Van Lew is to be replaced at the post office – editorial praises her and gives details of the proper means of replacing an office holder
1872-03-21, Leavenworth (Kan.) Weekly Times; New York Herald condemns Miss Van Lew for the strike in the post office and the failure to get the mails delivered in a timely manner.
1872-09-12, Weekly Kansas Chief (Troy, Kan.); 9/12/1872; interview with President Grant regarding female office-holders, and Elizabeth Van Lew in particular. Says many delegations have come to him urging her removal

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