Elizabeth Wadsworth

Letters written by Eliza during the summer of 1800 indicate that she and Stephen had an understanding. In October 1801 the young couple's miniatures were painted, probably as gifts for one another, tokens of their mutual affection and commitment. Eliza, however, had begun the decline from tubercular consumption that would cause her death on August 1, 1802. Zilpah devoted herself to nursing her sister and with Stephen watched by her bedside. Before her death Eliza bequeathed to Zilpah her most cherished possession, a lock of George Washington's hair.

Eliza also, in a sense, bequeathed to Zilpah something else of great value: her intended, Stephen Longfellow, whom Zilpah had long loved. On the evening of January 1, 1804, Stephen and Zilpah were married in the parlor where Eliza had died.

http://www.hwlongfellow.org/family_stephen.shtml

GEDCOM Note

Eastern Cemetery, Portland, Cumberland Co. ME Findagrave memorial 197791932

To the memory of ELIZABETH WADSWORTH [remainder of inscription almost entirely illegible] ______________________________