Elizabeth J. Powell

b. November 1834, d. 28 February 1922
  • Elizabeth J. Powell was born in November 1834 in Montgomery, Alabama.
  • She was known as Bettie.
  • Eddie Eliza Campbell wrote to Evelina Barnes Wood on 10 February 1850, "I hope Duncan
    has settled now enough to Mr Wood to profit by his methodical and steady manner of doing business, and that he will profit by it. I promised to let you hear about the result of his business, I have enquired dilligently but no one would tell me, I only know that Dr Bolling bought Abby and all the children accept Tait, Col Carter bought him. Harry sold for only $150 that I felt very sorry for, and I know Duncan will be greatly disappointed. Mr Norton bought him. While I am upon Duncan’s affairs I cannot help alluding to his other affair, (as little as I feel like it). Betty Powell called upon Mr Farly for his picture, and he told her I had it. Sally came for it the next day she told us that her Mother and Father never said one word to her about discarding Duncan, so far from it they wished it to take place, and that what she done was before she knew the property was involved. And that she found her Sister loved him better than she did. (This accounts for her sisters unhappiness all last summer.) As for herself her feelings for him had never changed she loved him and should never engage herself to any one else. She said she could not understand how her Sister could engage herself to every one that that courted her. She trembled like an aspin leaf while she was talking and I could not help feeling very sorry for her. Sally’s conversation is confidential, I told her I had written to Duncan, I was not willing for him to marry Betty because she was engaged to so many. She said she sometimes thought Duncan loved her best. You can judge that he is in a dilema, and I see nothing for him to do but to get off with all of them. Sally evidently has sacrificed her feelings to her Sister. Mike is here. I have not seen him. . . . And give my love to. . . . Duncan & Willie though last not least, my prayers and best wishes will follow them were ever they go, tell them to be good industrious and persevering, in all they undertake."
  • Eddie Eliza Campbell wrote to Evelina Barnes Wood on 25 February 1850, "Mike Powell did not call to see us. I supposeSally told him what I had said, but I cant help it, if all concerned cut me, I must expect my disapprobation, and condemn Sallys romance which she must have read in some antiquated novel, that it was beautiful to make a sacrafice of her own affections and those of the man she professed to love, to a sister who can fall in love with every new face she meets with. I told Sally I was not willing for Duncan to marry Betty since I knew her own feelings had not changed. They are all in a dilema that I think they had better sett to work to get out off. Sally thinks Duncan loves her best, and fears that Betty loves him better than she is capable of doing. . . . Much love to Duncan and Willie, I hope to hear from them."
  • George Francis Powell and Nancy Brown Williamson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Montgomery, Alabama. Other members of the household included Elizabeth J. Powell, Sarah E. Powell and Peter George Powell.
  • She married William Henry Taylor on 9 October 1850 in Montgomery County, Alabama.
  • Lizzie Wood Powell wrote while being treated for cancer by Dr. R. W. January in Murfreesboro, Tennessee, to her mother Evelina Wood on 2 March 1855, ". . . Bettie has worked me three pair of sleeves & bands, this open work, they are very pretty. she will not consent to go to Texas, her Ma & Pa would be alone & both in bad health. George & Wood agree pretty well now, but at first they agreed in nothing. . . ." And on 10 March, ". . . Bettie & George left last night with (Julius Mitchell and his father). I disliked to see Bettie leave, & she hated leaving us, but she had several chills, & an attack of hemorage, & coughed a good deal, so Mr. Powell thought she had better go home and stay awhile. she has promised to return in a fortnight if she is well enough. Wood misses her & George very much. the first thing this morning when he awoke was to ask for Aunt Bet. Bettie improved when she first came here, but for the last month she looked very badly. she thinks she has consumption. I hardly know what I shall do without her. . . ."
  • Evelina Wood wrote on 5 March 1855, to her daughter Lizzie Powell, undergoing treatment for cancer in Murfreesboro, Tennessee: ". . . How long do you think you will stay in Montgomery? I hope Peter is going to do well in marrying and he will be blessed in a good wife -- Will Bettie come home with you? I hope she will. . . ."
  • Evelina Wood wrote on 14 May 1855, to her daughter Lizzie Powell, undergoing treatment for cancer in Murfreesboro, Tennessee: ". . . Give my love to Bettie, ask her to write to me and may God bless her forever for her goodness to my dear child. . . . Ella speaks of Bettie & George as if she had known them always -- I hope Sallie Barnett has returned to you ere this to relieve Bettie and Mr Powell some -- I have every confidence in Mr Powell's doing every thing that can be done, I know he is one of the best nurses. . . ." Letter in private collection of B. M. Henwood, descendant of Wm Wood Powell; original transcription by R. E. Reichardt.
  • George Francis Powell and Nancy Brown Williamson appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Tallassee, Tallapoosa County, Alabama. Other members of the household included Elizabeth J. Powell, Lucy Elizabeth Barnett, Thomas M. Barnett and Sallie Barnett.
  • George Francis Powell appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Versailles, Woodford County, Kentucky, and also a cook and a farm hand.. Other members of the household included Elizabeth J. Powell, Peter George Powell, Henrietta Eleanor Falconer, Bettie Powell, William Falconer Powell, Robert Michael Powell and Charles M. Powell.
  • Elizabeth J. Powell became a widow at the 1881 death of her husband William Henry Taylor.
  • Elizabeth J. Powell died on 28 February 1922 at age 87 in Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.
  • She was interred at Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky.
  • Last Edited: 4 Jun 2011

Family: William Henry Taylor b. circa 1830, d. 1881