Elizabeth Smith Miller

Born September 20, 1822 to noted reformer Gerrit Smith and his second wife Anne Carol Fitzhugh. In 1843, at the age of 21, she married Charles Dudley Miller. The Millers had four children born between 1845 and 1856. She is pictured here with her daughter Anne Fitzhugh Miller. Elizabeth did not sign the original Declaration of Sentiments in 1849, however she and her husband Charles signed the Call for the first National Woman's Rights Convention in Worcester, Massachusetts in 1850. They continued to support it financially for the next 60 years. When Susan B. Anthony split from the Equal Rights Association in 1869 and created the National Woman’s Suffrage Association. Elizabeth was voted treasurer.

In the spring of 1851 Elizabeth dared to wear a trouser like ensemble. Being a woman from a forward thinking family it was well excepted at home. Her father, Gerrit Smith thought the dress reform was key to women's independence. Other Women's Rights leaders, like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, tried to wear the costume with poor results. The reform movement of the 1850’s did not last more than 3 years in the suffragette circles.

It would not be till the turn of the century and the invention of the bicycle before a bifurcated garment would be truly accepted for athletic reasons and not until the 1960’s for the trouser to accepted as a daily part of a woman’s wardrobe.

A popular book of the day, In the Kitchen, published in 1875, was a guide for many households. The book holds recipes and information on entertaining, as well as a house management guide. Elizabeth herself gave copies to new brides. Some of the recipes include; Peterboro Cake, Morrisville Candy, Geneva Kisses and her famous Peach Marmalade. Elizabeth was known for her efficient household management and culinary skill. Keeping the tradition established by her father and mother in Peterboro, she had a way of providing a welcoming environment for reformers and philosophers alike.

Growing up in an atmosphere of reform and philanthropy Elizabeth could not help but retain the ways of her parents. Her home was open to all, no matter their color, sex, religion or political background. She spent her whole life fighting for human equality, teaching her daughter to do the same. Elizabeth died in Geneva on May 22, 1911, at the age of 88.

For more information or questions, email: info@inthekitchentea.com

All proceeds from this event help further projects of the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark
and the Smithfield Community Association, non-profit organizations.

Please visit these sites for more information on the Gerrit Smith Estate National Historic Landmark and how you can become involved today.
www.gerritsmith.org and www.sca-peterboro.org