A Woman to Know: Eliza Jumel

If her ghost did remain here, it is because she was so house-proud. — Carol Ward

(image via National Portrait Gallery)

Eliza was born in a brothel, but died in a mansion — one she allegedly haunts still.

She escaped her childhood brothel (what else am I supposed to call it???) in the late 1790s, journeying to New York to find work as an actress. She us…