Home > Eliza Poe

When Eliza was eleven, Elizabeth died and left her orphaned. At the age of fifteen, Eliza entered into matrimony with Charles Hopkins, but Hopkins died three years later leaving Eliza widowed at eighteen. She soon entered into her second marriage, wedding David Poe, Jr. in 1806. David was also an actor, though not a very good one. The couple traveled through New England, playing in various towns before finally settling in Boston. David struggled with his career while Eliza's popularity swelled.

Though times were difficult to say the least, the couple produced two sons; William Henry Leonard in January of 1807 and Edgar Allan in January of 1809. It is presumed Edgar was named after the Mr. Edgar who led the Charleton Comedians.

The family relocated to New York in 1810 where David's career continued to falter until he abandoned the stage and his family and disappeared. His fate remains unknown.

In his absence, Eliza gave birth to a third child, a daughter she called Rosalie, in December of 1810. The following summer her health began to fail and she was forced to give up her life on the stage. Alone with three children, her financial situation was dire and benefit performances were held by theatre troupes in an attempt to help her. She was eventually written off by David's family and, destitute, she died of tuberculosis on December 8December 8 is the 342nd day (343rd in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian calendar. There are 23 days remaining. Events 1854 Pope Pius IX proclaims the dogma of Immaculate Conception, which holds that the Virgin Mary was born free of original sin., 1811Events February 5 George, Prince of Wales becomes Regent because of the perceived insanity of his father, King George III of the United Kingdom. He is known as the Prince Regent. This is the beginning of the period known as the English Regency. March 1 Eg, at the age of twenty-four.