Thaddeus stevens wife and children

American businesswoman and housekeeper

Lydia Hamilton Smith (c. – February 14, ) was the long-time housekeeper of Thaddeus Stevens and a prominent businesswoman after his death.

Early life

Lydia Hamilton was born as a free person (her father was a Scottish immigrant; her mother had a white mother and black father) at Russell Tavern near Gettysburg in Adams County, Pennsylvania.

There is uncertainty over her date of birth; is the date on her tombstone.

Thaddeus stevens wife and children photos today

There are other sources that cite ; her death certificate and obituarites posted in Lancaster and Washington D.C. list ^[1] She had been the wife of a Black Gettysburg barber, Jacob Smith, but they were living apart when she was employed by Stevens as a housekeeper (in ^[1] or ^[2]).

She had two children by Smith, and they remained with her in her employment. Jacob Smith died in ^[3]

Career with Stevens

Separated from her husband, Smith moved with her mother and