Losing Men in New Orleans - The Journeys of Elizabeth House Trist
Elizabeth House Trist traveled to New Orleans twice, only to lose a husband and son there.
Trist was also a close friend of Thomas Jefferson and their lives intertwined in fascinating ways.
Elizabeth House Trist
Elizabeth House Trist lived in Philadelphia throughout the Revolutionary War.
Though she was married to Nicholas Trist, an officer in the British Army, Elizabeth remained in the city while it changed hands from one side to the other.
Her mother ran a boarding house that hosted several famous guests. In 1782, Thomas Jefferson took up residence there and the two became fast friends.
Down The Mississippi
From 1783-84, Trist traveled to meet her husband in New Orleans.
She journeyed across Pennsylvania before sailing down the Mississippi River. Her journal has become an important source for historians, as it is the first detailing a trip through the frontier by a woman.
Sadly, when Elizabeth arrived at her destination she learned that her husband had passed.
Back to Louisiana
Now a widow, Trist sailed back to Philadelphia.
She struggled financially, periodically receiving advice from Jefferson, before her old friend convinced her to move to Virginia.
In 1803, now-President Jefferson appointed Elizabeth’s son Hore Browse Trist as customs collector for the port of New Orleans.
Trist went with Hore to Louisiana but a year later he too died there.
Sharing Jefferson’s Decedents
Elizabeth tried to make it work for several years but eventually returned to Virginia.
She spent the remaining 20 years of her life living with friends on their wealthy estates.
Near the end of their lives, Trist and Jefferson watched their grandchildren marry (her grandson, Nicholas Trist would play an important part in ending the Mexican-American War).
Elizabeth passed away in 1828 while staying at Monticello and while it is presumed she was buried there her exact gravesite is unknown.
Want to read about more FOUNDING MOTHERS?
Great! Check out these articles:
Phillis Wheatley - From Slave Girl to Master Poet
Martha Bratton - Explosions, Death Threats and Huck’s Defeat
The Adventures of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
Elizabeth House Trist actually has a biography.
‘An Undaunted Woman’s Journey Through Jefferson’s World’ is an extraordinary look at this fascinating woman’s life.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below…
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