After the war on March 17, 1869, Elizabeth Van Lew was appointed as postmaster of Richmond, Virginia by Ulysses S. Grant. She help that position during his time in office. During her time as postmaster, she hired many African Americans, and she helped improve the mail delivery service. However, due to gender, she was dissmissed. 

          In 1883, she was affered a job as post office clerk in Richmond, Virginia, which she accepted. Later, in 1887, she gave up her position as post office clerk and declined any other civil service jobs. 

          To feed herself, she sought out the help of Colonel Paul Revere's relatives. They provided her enough money to survive and she happily accepted it. 

         2 weeks before her death, she became sick. She started losing consciousness a lot. Then on September 25, 1900, in the comfort of her family mansion she took her last breath. 

         Her grave is located in Shckoe Cemetery in Richmond. After her death she was quickly buried without a proper headstone. However, three years later, Paul Revere's relatives bought a headstone as a gift. 

 

 

 

         After the war, Elizabeth Van Lew had used up all her money and was broke. She had to take the postmaster and office clerk position to stay alive.  She literally gave her entire wealth and life to gain freedom for African Americans, and throughout her life she did what she felt was right. Her legacy should be remembred forever, as she devoted her life to her country.