Text: Anonymous, “Mrs. Louisa G. Allan,” St. Louis Globe-Democrat (St. Louis, Missouri), vol. 6, no. 309, April 26, 1881, p. 2, col. 5

[page 2, column 5, continued:]

RICHMOND, April 24, — Mrs. Louisa G. Allan, the foster-mother of Edgar Allan Poe, and one of the most distinguished ladies in Virginia, died at her late residence in this city yesterday, aged 83. The deceased was the leader of the best Virginia society in her day. Her residence, an old-fashioned house, surrounded by spacious grounds, located at the corner of Fifth and Main streets in this city, was the scene of some of the most brilliant assemblies known in this city. Here she received Gen. Harrison and entertained him a few days before his inauguration Her house was adorned with many rare paintings and bric-a-brac which she had collected in Europe. Mrs. Allan was a Miss Patterson of New Jersey. She married at an early age Mr. John Allan, a prominent merchant of this city in his day. The fruits of this union where three sons — John, Willie and Patterson. The first was killed at the battle of Bull Run, the second of wounds received in another engagement, and the named died after the war in Cincinnati. Mr. Allan, the husband of the deceased lady, adopted Edgar Allan Poe, and raised him. Under the roof of this family Poe spent the most of his life until some time after he attained his majority. Whenever be returned to Virginia the poet made the house of his foster parents his home. Mrs. Allan was a cousin of Gen. Winfield Scott. Her funeral took place to-day, the Rev. Dr. Moses L. Hoge, of the Presbyterian Church, officiating. The interment took place at Hollywood Cemetery.