Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh
American murderer
About Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh
Lived 1799 – 1846 (aged 46–47). Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh was an American.
Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh (née Woodley; July 1799 – January 24, 1846) was an early American murderer who was hanged for poisoning her husband.
Background Elizabeth Woodley was born in Bennington, Vermont. Her parents died when she was around 8 years old, and she was sent to Cambridge, New York to live; she had little education or religious upbringing. She was executed on January 24, 1846. Because of her broken leg and her obesity, Van Valkenburgh was hanged in an unusual way. She was carried to the gallows in her rocking chair and was rocking away when the trap was sprung.
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh?
American murderer (1799-1846)
When was Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh born?
Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh was born in 1799 in Bennington.
When did Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh die?
Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh died on 24 January 1846 in Johnstown.
What nationality was Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh?
Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh was American.
Sources & further reading
· Wikipedia: Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh
· DBpedia: Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh. https://biography.guide/elizabeth-van-valkenburgh/
MLA: "Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/elizabeth-van-valkenburgh/.
Chicago: "Elizabeth Van Valkenburgh." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/elizabeth-van-valkenburgh/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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