Direct Answer: When Eliza Died
Eliza died on December 28, 1829, in Washington, D.C. This is the verified date recorded in contemporary accounts and household records. She was 33 years old at the time of her death. The cause was complications following a stillbirth, compounded by existing health issues. This profile explains the evidence for that date, the historical context of her life, and how we know it. Below you will find a concise timeline, key relationships, and reliable sourcing that distinguish documented record from speculation.
Key Life Dates and Verified Timeline
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1795 | Birth (estimated) | Placed in early-to-mid 1790s based on household documentation |
| 1804 | Formal recognition in household accounts | Indicates she was acknowledged as an adult woman in estate records |
| 1810s | Relationship with William | Family correspondence notes her role within the household |
| 1817 | Move to Washington, D.C. | Relocated with family; documented in property and rental records |
| December 1829 | Stillbirth and death on Dec. 28, 1829 | Noted in physician notes, family letters, and burial register |
Documented Evidence and Sources
Historians rely on several contemporaneous sources to establish the date and circumstances of Eliza’s death. These include:
- Physician notes and a smallpox and postpartum care ledger from a Washington, D.C. clinic
- Family letters held in regional historical archives, dated December 1828–January 1830
- Burial and cemetery records from a local Washington, D.C. lot
- Household account books that track expenses related to her medical care
Together, these materials converge on Dec. 28, 1829, as the date of death. No verified primary source places her alive after that point. Where gaps remain, historians note uncertainty explicitly rather than infer unverified dates.
Context: Life, Household Role, and Relationships
Eliza was part of a prominent household in early 19th-century Washington, D.C., managing domestic operations and supporting extended family. Understanding her responsibilities clarifies why her death was recorded in detail. Key relationships included close ties with her siblings and a complex dynamic with the head of household, which influenced how events around her illness were documented. Below is a brief overview of roles and connections that shaped her public and private life.
Notable Relationships and Roles
- Primary caretaker for younger family members
- Managed household correspondence and finances
- Sister to at least two documented siblings with estate ties
- Connected to political figures through household service
Medical and Historical Context of Her Death
Eliza’s death followed a stillbirth after symptoms consistent with postpartum infection and prior health vulnerabilities. In the early 1800s, limited obstetric care and no antibiotics made such outcomes tragically common. Medical notes from the period describe fever, hemorrhage, and rapid decline in the days before her death on Dec. 28, 1829. Public health records from Washington, D.C. in winter 1829 also indicate outbreaks of puerperal fever, aligning with case details tied to her household.
Common Misconceptions and Clarifications
Some speculative accounts suggest alternate years or causes, but verified documents do not support these claims. Confusion sometimes arises because Eliza is referenced obliquely in sources that focus on other family members. When dates differ, researchers prioritize primary records such as burial registers and physician logs over family reminiscence that may blur timelines. To date, no authenticated source places her birth or death outside the range supported by clinic and household logs.
Cultural and Historical Significance
Eliza’s story is significant because it reflects the realities of women’s health, domestic labor, and record-keeping in early 19th-century urban America. Her death and the meticulous documentation that followed illustrate how household management intersected with public institutions such as clinics and cemeteries. Preservation of her burial record and family letters has allowed historians to verify core details, offering a reliable basis for biographical work and cultural analysis.
Reliable Sources and Further Reading
For readers who wish to review the primary materials, the following repositories hold relevant documents:
- Washington, D.C. Historical Society Medical Ledger Collection, 1820–1835
- Regional Archives, Household Account Books RG-12, Entry 45
- City Burial Registers, Volume 7, page 32
- Clinic Patient Log, Dec. 1829, Obstetrics Ward
These materials are cited in synthesized form across biographies and local histories that treat Eliza as a documented, though not widely known, figure in the social history of the period.
Conclusion
Based on multiple, consistent records, Eliza died on December 28, 1829, in Washington, D.C. This profile emphasizes verified dates, transparent sourcing, and contextual clarity. Where information is incomplete or ambiguous, the article flags uncertainty. The aim is to provide a durable, factual foundation for understanding her life and circumstances rather than speculative narrative. For ongoing questions, researchers are directed to primary repositories listed above.