Elizabeth Ann
Tomlinson Henderson
The Matriarch of Henderson Hall
As the daughter of Joseph Tomlinson III and Susannah McMahon Tomlinson of Williamstown, the marriage of Elizabeth to G.W. Henderson was a wedding of local royalty. The marriage resulted in the consolidation of family lands to total over 2,000 acres.
After a honeymoon trip to Niagara Falls, the couple lived at the Cow Creek farm with G.W.’s parents. The couple moved to the area where Henderson Hall now stands, living in the original unit of the house they called Pohick Hall named after Pohick in Fairfax County, Virginia. In 1836, construction began on the brick Italianate-style home that was designed by architect J. M. Slocomb.
Elizabeth was a woman of strong character and faith. She carried many responsibilties—from raising children to managing a large farm during her husband’s absence due to his service in the Wheeling Convention and the Legislature.
Life was full of hardships, but none were as difficult as the tragic loss of her children. Of the couple’s 12 children, only six survived past age 10—a source of heartbreak for Elizabeth. The tragedy of losing so many children left a mark on Elizabeth. She often wore mourning brooches that contained the woven hair of her deceased children. The large brooch contains the hair of Joseph, Georgiana, Anna Maria and Lucy, who died of diptheria in 1937 and 1938. The small brooch holds the hair of George Washington Henderson Jr. who died of typhoid fever in 1863.
Philanthropy and community service were also a hallmark of Elizabeth’s life. She donated money to the local Civil War hospitals and to the Episcopal Church and diocese. Elizabeth and G.W. were members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Marietta. Known as a devout woman, a the Christ Memorial Church in Parkersburg was erected in her honor.
Of Note
Wife of George Washington Henderson
Mother of Joseph Tomlinson Henderson, Mary Page Henderson Beeson, Alexander Henderson, Georgiana Henderson, Alexander Lithgow Henderson, Anna Maria Henderson, Lucy Lithgow Henderson, Margaret Wallace Henderson Bartlett, George Washington Henderson Jr., Henry Clay Henderson, Jock Bedell Henderson, and Arthur Taylor Henderson
Founder of the First Schoolhouse in Wood County
Mother of Joseph Tomlinson Henderson, Mary Page Henderson Beeson, Alexander Henderson, Georgiana Henderson, Alexander Lithgow Henderson, Anna Maria Henderson, Lucy Lithgow Henderson, Margaret Wallace Henderson Bartlett, George Washington Henderson Jr., Henry Clay Henderson, Jock Bedell Henderson, and Arthur Taylor Henderson
Founder of the First Schoolhouse in Wood County
About the Images
A portrait of Elizabeth hangs in the Henderson Hall South Parlor.
The wedding photo of George Washington and Elizabeth Ann Tomlinson Henderson
Elizabeth’s mourning brooches
The first schoolhouse in Wood County can still be seen at the Henderson Hall Historic District. Elizabeth believed in education. As a highly intellectual person, she wanted her children and her grandchildren to benefit from a good education. Since there was no public school system in the area, she had a schoolhouse built behind Henderson Hall in 1836. The schoolhouse was the first in Wood County, and possibly the first in the state. Tutors were hired to teach the children, and often lived at the Hall with the family. One such tutor who was hired was Anna Rosalie McIntosh who later married Jock Bedell Henderson. Today, vistors of Henderson Hall can see books, desks, seats, a blackboard and chalk slates still in tact in the schoolhouse as they were used in the 1800s.
The wedding photo of George Washington and Elizabeth Ann Tomlinson Henderson
Elizabeth’s mourning brooches
The first schoolhouse in Wood County can still be seen at the Henderson Hall Historic District. Elizabeth believed in education. As a highly intellectual person, she wanted her children and her grandchildren to benefit from a good education. Since there was no public school system in the area, she had a schoolhouse built behind Henderson Hall in 1836. The schoolhouse was the first in Wood County, and possibly the first in the state. Tutors were hired to teach the children, and often lived at the Hall with the family. One such tutor who was hired was Anna Rosalie McIntosh who later married Jock Bedell Henderson. Today, vistors of Henderson Hall can see books, desks, seats, a blackboard and chalk slates still in tact in the schoolhouse as they were used in the 1800s.