On the surface, she seemed to have it all: engaged at a young age to William Franklin, money, prestige, family connections, and success. So how did it all go so wrong for her? Left broken-hearted when Franklin married another, the untimely deaths of her parents, an ill-fated marriage to Loyalist Henry Hugh Fergusson, and the subsequent Revolutionary War were to drastically alter the course of Elizabeth’s life. Her husband’s loyalties led to most of her worldly possessions being auctioned off and she was left fighting to retain her ancestral home. Her last years were spent in virtual seclusion. She alienated all but her closest friends. Her husband returned to England, branded a traitor, rumors of his infidelity swirling throughout the city. Financial woes forced Elizabeth out of her beautiful estate at Graeme Park to take up rooms as a boarder in someone else’s home.
Learn about Elizabeth’s loves and losses on Graeme Park’s annual Colonial Valentine tours, featuring costumed actors portraying scenes from Elizabeth’s life in candlelit vignettes throughout the historic Keith House. Tours are being held on February 13 at 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, and 8:30 p.m. and are $12/person which includes light refreshments. Tours are limited in number and must be reserved in advance and held with a credit card. Call 215-343-0965 for more information or to reserve, or mail your check made payable to the Friends of Graeme Park to 859 County Line Road, Horsham, PA 19044 along with your name, phone number and preferred tour time. Directions are available on our website at www.ushistory.org/graeme.
