Introduction

In the quiet surroundings of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries, nestled on the path leading to the dissenters chapel, stands a headstone that bears witness to a powerful legacy. It marks the final resting place of Elizabeth Colgate, a remarkable woman whose activism in the Victorian era confronted two of society’s most pressing injustices—war and slavery. Though largely overlooked in mainstream historical accounts, Colgate’s contributions to peace and humanitarianism remain profoundly relevant today. This article revisits her life, exploring her family origins, political beliefs, and the enduring impact of her advocacy.

Early Life and Family Origins

Birth and Childhood

Elizabeth Colgate was born on 28 June 1834 at Brockley Green Farm, located in the rural setting of Brockley, then part of Kent. Her early years were steeped in agricultural life, a tradition passed down through generations. The Colgates were a respected local family, deeply rooted in the Baptist faith and known for their work ethic and community values.

Family Background

Elizabeth’s father, George Colgate, continued the family’s farming tradition, having inherited the land and lifestyle from his own father, David Colgate. Her mother, Jane Love, also came from a farming background. Together, George and Jane raised seven children: Frances, George, Ellen, Jane Love, William, Elizabeth, and Julia. The family’s firm Baptist beliefs would later influence Elizabeth’s choice of burial in the dissenters’ section of the cemetery.

Transatlantic Family Ties

The Colgate family had notable connections beyond England. Elizabeth’s paternal uncle, Robert Colgate, emigrated to the United States in 1798. There, his son William Colgate—Elizabeth’s first cousin once removed—would go on to found what became the Colgate toothpaste empire. While Elizabeth remained grounded in local social issues, her family’s international branches reflect a legacy of entrepreneurship and reform.

The Olive Leaf Societies and Elihu Burritt

Formation and Goals

In the 1850s, the Olive Leaf Societies emerged as grassroots extensions of the League of Universal Brotherhood, a pacifist and anti-slavery movement founded by American reformer Elihu Burritt in 1846. These societies aimed to strengthen global peace through dialogue, education, and trade, while also denouncing the inhumanity of slavery. Uniquely, they were composed entirely of women—a radical approach for the time—and operated as vital fundraising and advocacy cells.

Elizabeth’s Involvement

Elizabeth Colgate was an active member of the Olive Leaf Societies and played a significant role in the movement’s British branch. The 1851 Census records Elihu Burritt as staying with the Colgate family during one of his peace tours across England, underscoring Elizabeth’s personal connection to the cause. These visits weren’t merely social; they laid the foundation for powerful collaborations that advanced the societies’ aims.

Empowering Women in Activism

The Olive Leaf circles not only provided a platform for Victorian women to engage in political discourse, but also enabled them to take tangible action. Members produced and sold hand-crafted goods at anti-slavery fairs, ensuring that proceeds supported ethical trade and abolitionist efforts. Burritt, in his writings, acknowledged the essential role women like Elizabeth played, noting she was “very active” and instrumental in the success of their campaigns.

Pioneering Women in Photography

1861 Census Insights

The 1861 Census reveals a remarkable fact: Elizabeth Colgate and her sister Ellen were both employed as photographic colourists. At a time when photography was still a burgeoning industry, their work positioned them among the first women in the UK to professionally engage in this creative and technical field. As middle-class women, their participation in paid employment was itself groundbreaking, challenging the gender norms of Victorian society.

Move to Lewisham

By 1871, the Colgate family’s circumstances had changed. Elizabeth, her mother Jane, and sister Ellen were living at 2 Tunbridge Villas in Lewisham Village. They remained there into the 1880s, listed as “living on their own means.” Though not specified in public records, it is likely this financial independence came from the sale of the family’s 95-acre Brockley farm. The land was acquired by the Croydon Railway Company around the same time the nearby Brockley train station was opened in 1871, possibly marking a significant turning point in their economic status.

Organised Peace Activism

Women’s Peace and Arbitration Auxiliary

In 1874, Elizabeth Colgate further deepened her peace activism by helping to found the Women’s Peace and Arbitration Auxiliary. She served as secretary of this important body, which operated as a female-led extension of the London Peace Society. The Society itself, established in 1816, was one of Britain’s foremost pacifist organizations and remained active until the 1930s. Elizabeth’s leadership role within the Auxiliary underscores her commitment to peaceful conflict resolution and her ability to organize women around pressing global issues.

Advocacy Through Publishing

Colgate’s commitment to the peace movement went beyond organizing. In 1891, she published a reflective article in Concord—a pacifist newsletter—recounting her involvement with the Olive Leaf Societies. This included reprinting a personal letter from 1853 addressed to her by none other than Richard Cobden, the British statesman and champion of free trade and peace. The letter, which was also published in the Women’s Suffrage Journal in 1871, referred to Elizabeth as “Miss C, Convenor” of an Olive Leaf Circle, affirming her leadership within the network.

Alignment with Women’s Suffrage

Though never officially listed as a suffragist, Elizabeth’s decision to send Cobden’s letter to the Women’s Suffrage Journal suggests she was at least sympathetic to the movement. Her involvement in all-female activism circles, combined with her publishing record in feminist journals, presents a portrait of a woman quietly—but firmly—supporting the cause of gender equality in Victorian Britain.

Later Years and Legacy

Final Residence and Death

Elizabeth spent her final years at 39 Wolfington Road in West Norwood, still living with her sister Ellen. Ellen passed away on 23 April 1918, and Elizabeth followed shortly after, dying on 16 October 1918 at the age of 84. Despite her quiet life, Elizabeth’s obituary did not appear in major newspapers such as The Times, and she was not included in the Oxford Dictionary of National Biography—a surprising omission given her contributions to peace and reform.

Burial and Nonconformist Faith

In keeping with her family’s Baptist and nonconformist beliefs, Elizabeth was buried in the dissenters’ area of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries. Her headstone stands near the Ladywell entrance, a quiet tribute to a woman who worked tirelessly for social justice without ever seeking fame or accolades. Her legacy continues to grow as historians and visitors to the cemetery rediscover her contributions.

Posthumous Recognition

Although not widely known, Elizabeth Colgate is increasingly acknowledged as a pioneering voice for peace, ethical trade, and women’s rights. Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the countless women whose efforts shaped history from behind the scenes. By recovering her narrative, we also recover a piece of our shared heritage—and perhaps inspire new generations to champion the causes she held dear.

Thanks to Julie Robinson, former Local Studies Librarian London Borough of Lewisham, Committee Member Friends of Brockley and Ladywell Cemeteries. August 2021 for this article.