Life in the 1800's
Blackwell and her family lived in Bristol England and decided to move to America for a better life because their family sugar refinery burned down, they were in a lot of debt, and political riots were starting to form. Fortunately, as soon as they arrived in New York they found a house, the children entered school, and they got involved in a church. During this time the Anit-Slavery movement was going on. New York City was the headquarters for this act from 1833-1870. This act involved many people trying to put an end to slavery.
Blackwell family, 1906 The Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University
“I dislike slavery more and more everyday… to live in the midst of beings degraded to the utmost in ody and mind, drudging on from earlist mornign to lates’ts nigh, cuffed about by everyone, scolded all day long, blamed unjustly, and… to live in thier midst utterly unable to help them, is to me dreadful.” ~ Elizabeth Blackwell
In 1837 jobs were scarce, and most paper money was worthless. Prices skyrocketed and few people could buy food. More than 160 New York City businesses failed. The Blackwells had no money for clothes, shoes, or candles.
“Samuel and Hannah Blackwell could never have imagined that their third child, Elizabeth Blackwell, would make such a big impact on the world of medicine.” ~ Barbara Somervill