The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-17
JOHN BROWNS FRIEND.
The Woman to Whom the Old Hero Said,
at Wish You Were a Man."

"I Wish You Were a Man."
New York Sun.
Mrs. Elizabeth A Gloucester. said to have
been the wealthiest colored woman in
America, died at her residence, the Remsen
House, at Clinton and Remsen streets, Brook
lyn on Wednesday. The house and GROUNDS
were formerly the property of political
club, and when the club disbanded Mrs.
Gloucester bought the property. Her hus-
band, DR.. J. N. Gloucester, practices medi-
cine, and is the owner of several drug stores
in BROOKLYN.
Mrs. Gloucester was born in 1917 in Rich
mond Va. Her mother was freed woman.
AT her death Mrs. Gloucester was adopted by
Mr.. Parkhill, and when about six years old
was placed by Mr.. Parkhill in DIR. Glouces-
ters fathers family. Then DR.. Gloucester's
father died, and the family was scattered
by accident Dr. Gloucester met his future
wife in Philadelphia after they had grown
to maturity. Both were at service in private
families. When Mrs. Gloucester was twenty
one years old she was domestic at the resi-
dence of Quaker lady, Mrs. John Cook, who
taught her how to save her earnings and
keep handbook. Mrs. Gloucester has pre-
served this handbook for thirty-five years
and has always kept balance in the Phila-
delphia savings bank where she made the
first deposit.
Mr.. Gloucester was minister in the Pres
- ~ teaA I'll IHtH NGIt anu
came to New York. Mrs Gloucester kept a
furniture store and made money She bought
house in Hudson street. The Adams Ex-
press Company wanted to build on the spot,
and they paid very large sum of money for
Mrs Gloucester's house and lot. This sum
she reinvested in real estate and continued
as money came into her possession to buy
property in this city and in Brooklyn. 1t is
believed that she never blundered in her in
vestments
Mrs. Gloucester's energy and executive
ability were praised by all men who had bust
ness dealings with her. She was a member
of the st. Mary's Street Presbyterian Church
in Philadelphia from girlhood, and never
severed her connection with it. Her gifts to
small churches in the South were large and
numerous. she was foremost in the late
war in raising money for the freedmen by
organizing fairs,
"One OF the most remarkable events in
Mrs. Gloucester's life" said Mr. Gloucester,
last evening, was the farewell visit to our
residence of John Brown, as he went with
sixteen men to invade Virginia. He was
frequent visitor. I wish you were man.
he used to say to Mrs. Gloucester, for I'd
like to have you invade the South with NV
band first saw him at a lecture he gave
in little hall in Leonard street, and after
the lecture l invited him to make my house
his home when he came to New York. He
hdi dSlhOOlu-SudNSl lace LLeD. lie looked
like a farmer. His clothing was of a coarse,
brown stuff made in Pennsylvania. His
shirt-collar rolled down over black necktie,
and he wore cowhiGe boots. He said little,
but his eyes blazed when he did speak. II
any one said they believed in his doctrines
he looked them through and through, and
said, almost doubtingly, DO you really
mean itP
'On the day when John Brown went away
to Virginia he said, 'Good-by' Sister Glouces-
ter. I've only sixteen men, but am to con-
quer.'
Mrs. Gloucester said to him; Perhaps you
will lose your life
"'Well, my life, he replied, lis not worth
much, I'm an old man. In Kansas the balls
flew around my head as thick as hail, Pm
never to be killed by a ball. If l fall I'll
open ball in this country which will never
stop until every slave is freep
'Afterward Mrs Gloucester gave Fred.
Douglass letter to give to John Brown with
$40 in it, The letter was found among John
Browns papers after his death, and Gov
ernOr Wise, of Virginia, had it published"
Three daughters of Mrs. Gloucester were
graduated from Oberln College, Ohio.