Author: Old Elizabeth

Born into slavery in 1766, “Old Elizabeth” remains an evocative figure in African American literary history, known primarily for her singular work, “Memoirs of Old Elizabeth, A Coloured Woman”. Her given name at birth is lost to history, as the moniker “Old Elizabeth” was adopted later in her life. Her narrative, published in 1863, is a poignant account of her spiritual journey and experiences as a freed African American woman who found solace and purpose in evangelical fervor. This autobiographical account provides invaluable insights into the intersectionality of race, gender, and religion during the antebellum period in the United States. Old Elizabeth”s literary style is characterized by a mix of oral storytelling traditions and the distinctively personal tone of spiritual autobiographies, which were popular among Quaker and Methodist societies at the time. Her narrative serves not only as a historical document but also as a source of inspiration and strength, chronicling the trials and divine revelations of a life both grueling and transformative. Although much of her life story remains shrouded in the shadows of the past, “Old Elizabeth”s” memoir continues to be an essential text in the canon of African American history and literature, studied for its raw portrayal of endurance and faith in the face of systemic oppression.