Mrs. Lincoln's Dressmaker

Content Warning: This section discusses the physical abuse and rape of an enslaved person.

Chiaverini’s fictional account of Elizabeth Keckley opens when life undoubtedly improved for the historical figure. Born into slavery in 1818 in Virginia, Elizabeth was likely conceived via rape (Mann, Lina. “From Slavery to the White House: The Extraordinary Life of Elizabeth Keckley.” The White House Historical Association, 14 Sept. 2020). Her mother, Agness Hobbs, became pregnant by Colonel Burwell, her enslaver. As a snub to Burwell, Agness chose “Hobbs” for Elizabeth’s last name, a tie to Agness’s husband, George Hobbs, an enslaved man. Elizabeth grew up assisting her mother with household chores for the Burwell family; however, her education was neglected, and she was whipped and beaten on several occasions. The Burwells separated George from Agness and Elizabeth, sending him to live and work with a relative. They also sent Elizabeth to work for Robert, the Burwells’ oldest son, when Elizabeth was 14 years old. In her memoir, she describes this period as a horrific time. In addition to being physically abused by her enslavers, Elizabeth was raped multiple times by a local store owner, Alexander Kirkland, which resulted in the conception of Elizabeth’s son, George.