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Women: Eliza Muddy Virginia

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Elizabeth
Arnold
Hopkins
Poe

1787 - 1811

Poe's
Mother

The English-born actress Elizabeth Arnold was brought to the United States by her mother Elizabeth Smith (also an actress) after the death of her father Henry Arnold (also an actor), arriving in Boston on January 3rd, 1796. Nine year old Eliza made her stage debut a month later. In the summer of 1802, she married the actor Charles Hopkins, who died on October 26th, 1805. The following spring, she married David Poe, Jr. Together they toured the American stage, appearing in Boston, Richmond, New York, and Philadelphia.

Contemporary accounts portray her as being a talented and popular actress. Her first son, Henry, was born January 30, 1807. Edgar was born January 19, 1809. Her only daughter, Rosalie, was born December 20, 1810. After being deserted by her husband, she became ill with tuberculosis and died in Richmond on December 8, 1811.

The Richmond Enquirer:

"Died on last Sunday morning, Mrs. Poe, one of the Actresses of the Company playing on the Richmond Boards. By the death of this Lady the Stage has been deprived of one of its chief ornaments. And, to say the least of her, she was an interesting Actress; and never failed to catch the applause and command the admiration of the beholder."

Elizabeth Poe was buried in St. John's Church burial ground.

Women: Eliza Muddy Virginia