Elizabeth Smith Abbey, 1807-1874

A woman dedicated to the preservation and success of the Akron community, Elizabeth Abbey contributed much of her life to helping her neighbors before, during and after the Civil War.

She was born Elizabeth Smith in Connecticut in 1807, married Henry S. Abbey in 1830 and settled in Akron with her husband in 1835. Her husband was the owner of prosperous jewelry store in the city.

She was affiliated with the Congregational Church, at the time the denomination of some of the most affluent and most community-minded women in the city. Abbey was also recognized for her participation as a member of the Ladies Committee of the Fireman's Festival in 1852.

A decade later in 1862, Abbey was president and founding member of Akron's Soldiers Aid Society. Affiliated with Cleveland's Sanitary Commission, the Akron society contributed literally thousands of dollars worth of food and clothing to the hospitalized wounded and sick soldiers. These women spent evenings knitting mittens and socks for soldiers. They also packed food and other goods for the Army in a small room above a store on South Howard Street. The food and goods were shipped to Cleveland's Sanitary Commission and then onto the hospitals that cared for the wounded. In addition, the organization raised much money by holding "dime parties," socials and dinners.

Abbey also served as secretary, as well as original member of the Ladies National Covenant, an organization opposed to the import of goods during the Civil War. In 1865, she also collected clothes for freedmen.

Even until her death, Abbey remained active in the community, backing the Ladies Cemetery Association.

No photo is available of Elizabeth Abbey.

--Angela Abel