Harper's Encyclopedia of United States History
Benson Lossing, Ed.

---

Thompson, Elizabeth 1821-1899

Philanthropist; born in Lyndon, Vt., Feb. 21, 1821; was the daughter of Samuel Rowell, a farmer, and at the age of nine went out to service. Her education was chiefly self-acquired. While on a visit to Boston in 1843 her remarkable beauty so attracted the attention of Thomas Thompson, a millionaire, that they were married within a year. At Mr. Thompson's death the entire income of his immense estate was left to her. She gave large sums of money to the cause of temperance and charity; provided $10,000 for a thorough investigation of yellow fever in the South; founded the town of Longmont, at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and gave 640 acres of land and $300 to each colonist there. She contributed largely to the purchase of the Vassar College telescope; purchased and presented to Congress Francis B. Carpenter's painting of the Signing of the emancipation proclamation by President Lincoln in the presence of his cabinet, and for this was granted the freedom of the floor. She also contributed large sums to the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and was made its first patron. She died in Littleton, N. H., July 20, 1899.