Eliza F. H. Skinner
(Chowan County)
Featured Character – The Home Front
Eliza
Skinner
Courtesy of Frances Inglis
Son of a well-connected Chowan
County
planter, Tristrim Lowther Skinner and his younger sister, Penelope,
went to
live with Frederick Nash in Hillsborough after their mother died. Skinner attended
preparatory schools in Connecticut
and Philadelphia
before going to the College of William
and Mary. He also
studied briefly at the University of North Carolina. In 1840, after his
father’s health failed,
Skinner moved to Edenton to manage his father’s plantations in Bertie,
Chowan,
and Perquimans
Counties. He also took over his
father’s seat in the
state house. In
1849, just before his
father’s death, Skinner married Eliza Fisk Harwood of Williamsburg,
Virginia.
By 1860, Skinner owned more than $148,739 in total assets, including
one-hundred and thirty slaves. Upon
the
outbreak of war, Skinner joined the Albemarle Guards, which eventually
became
Company A, 1st North Carolina Infantry.
Elected captain, Skinner wrote letters to his wife about
twice a week. He
filled these letters with descriptions of
camp life, war refugees, and civilian attitudes toward the Confederacy. Skinner also advised his
wife on management
of the family, property, and slaves.
Taking refugee from the war in Oxford, North
Carolina, Eliza Skinner
formed a Soldiers Aid Society that made bandages, pillows, and other
provisions
for the troops. On June 24,
1862, Tristrim Skinner wrote
that "Matters seem really to be drawing to a focus. ... I have not a
doubt
but that this week will witness the great battle for the relief of Richmond."
Two days
later, he died during the Battle of Mechanicsville.