Abolitionist Lydia Hamilton Smith

Question

Happy to share the addition of abolitionist Lydia Hamilton Smith to WikiTree today. She came to my attention through a land bequeathment to a 54th Massachusetts veteran - Private Lewis West of Co. D - and his widow, Harriet (Ross) West.

She owned and ran a boarding house in Washington, D.C. and held property in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Prior to this, she worked as a servant of firebrand abolitionist and Congressman Thaddeus Stevens. Evidence has recently surfaced that she and Congressman Stevens may have conspired to aid freedom seekers on the Underground Railroad.

Answer 1

Nice work.

According to his profile, she may also have been his lover (and I don't mean that in a pejorative way at all; it just adds interest).  I would love to learn more about her, including whether there is any record of the runaway slaves she and Stevens might have helped find freedom.

Do you have any information as to where the "Hamilton" came from?

Answer 2

Great picture. Look at her dress, I hope it's about 60 degrees there, because if it wasn't, I bet she'd be a little warm under that! Thank you for sharing!