Elizabeth and Samuel Powel
Though the Powels prospered in financial and social gain, they did not have any children live past infancy. They lost four infants within their first five years of marriage, the first three children only months apart. Though they had no children, Elizabeth put all of her maternal focus on nurturing her nieces and nephews. When her last nephew was born in 1786, she had thirty one nieces and nephews, all of whom survived to adulthood. She played the role of a surrogate mother when necessary, and frequently corresponded with them, influencing their education and situation of power within society. She did this through frequent correspondence - usually filled with anecdotes and pieces of advice. She also would include tangible gifts of affection, that came attached with a certain moral lesson. Her gift giving carried on throughout the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. She gave her young family members and the children and grandchildren of early connections various types of gifts. Though these were not her own children, she still was able to use her power to carry forth her legacy within many of the many elite families in the United States.