Virginia Changemakers
Search using this query type:

Search only these record types:


Advanced Search (Items only)

Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell (1749 - 1825)

Elizabeth Russell.jpg

Locality

Saltville

Occupation

Methodist Lay Leader

Biography

Elizabeth Henry Campbell Russell (1749-1825) was compared favorably to her famous brother Patrick Henry, in part because she shared his unwavering drive and impressive oratorical skills. Born in Hanover County, she joined her first husband on the frontier of Southwest Virginia soon after their marriage in 1776. She kept busy, administering to sick and needy people. Soon after her husband's death, she remarried in 1781. In 1788 her family, which included her own children and stepchildren, moved to the present site of Saltville. That same year, Russell underwent a dramatic conversion to Methodism after attending a series of Methodist sermons.

Embracing Methodism whole-heartedly, the Russells pledged their wealth to aid the church and influenced many people of the community to join. After her husband's death in 1793, Madame Russell, as she was known, increased her Methodist activism. She gave up her personal wealth but used the funds she had to support circuit riders and to pay to build churches. With a firm belief in God-given freedom for all people, she freed the slave that she owned. In 1812 she settled into a log cabin with a large room for holding religious meetings. Until her death, she hosted itinerant preachers and alerted community members whenever an impromptu service was to be held. When poor evangelists visited her, she bolstered them with food and clothing, as well as moral support and intellectual stimulation. The Madame Russell Methodist Church in Saltville is named in her honor.


2011 Virginia Women in History honoree, Library of Virginia.

File Citation(s)

Image Courtesy of The Library of Virginia.

Geolocation