Barney Circle in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Belva Ann Lockwood
From Small Town Western New York to Stunning Achievement
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 7, 2025
1. Belva Ann Lockwood Marker
Inscription.
Belva Ann Lockwood. From Small Town Western New York to Stunning Achievement. , In 1830, five years after the opening of the Erie Canal, Belva Ann Bennett was born in a long cabin on Griswold Street, just outside of the canal-lined Village of Middleport, Royalton Township, Niagara County, New York State. The Bennett family lacked significant wealth or societal standing but they were hardworking farmers, and Belva advanced through work ethic, intelligence, and drive to pursue higher education. After less than five years of marriage, her husband Uriah McNall died. Despite this loss, Belva raised their daughter Lura simultaneously while teaching and obtaining a college degree from what is now Syracuse University. Belva refused to accept the status quo of limited rights and career opportunities for women; she was determined to change that. Subsequently, she moved to Washington, D.C., married Ezekiel Lockwood, earned her law degree, and embarked on a nearly 40 year legal career centered on advancing women's rights., Lockwood's legacy in Middleport has been kept alive by its residents. During the 1950s and 1960s, Maude Dunham, a teacher at Royalton-Hartland Central School, played a significant role in stewarding Lockwood's legacy in her English classes and as the adviser to the school's Belva Lockwood Junior Historical Club. In addition, two Girl Scout leaders in Middleport, Doris March and Trudy Sworts, honored Belva's memory by creating a memorial plaque for her on Griswold Street, her birthplace, and celebrating Belva Lockwood Day on November 23, 1975. And today, members of the Girl Scouts of Western New York can earn the Belva Lockwood badge in recognition of her achievements. The Royalton Historical Society, led by Normal Wollenberg, petitioned the U.S. Postal Service to honor Belva, resulting in the issuance of the 17-cent stamp on June 18, 1986, commemorating her contributions to advancing women's rights. The first-day issue stamp and description of Belva are displayed inside Middleport's post office. Belva faced financial hardships during her lifetime, and as a result her name and dates were inscribed on the back of her predeceased daughter's headstone. However, on May 18, 2023, Belva received her own memorial stone, graciously gifted by the Royalton-Hartland Central School Class of 1972.,
After one of her numerous accomplishments, Belva is quoted as saying, , "I have not raised the dead, but I have awakened the living.".
In 1830, five years after the opening of the Erie Canal, Belva Ann Bennett was born in a long cabin on Griswold Street, just outside of the canal-lined Village of Middleport, Royalton Township, Niagara County, New York State. The Bennett family lacked significant wealth or societal standing but they were hardworking farmers, and Belva advanced through work ethic, intelligence, and drive to pursue higher education. After less than five years of marriage, her husband Uriah McNall died. Despite this loss, Belva raised their daughter Lura simultaneously while teaching and obtaining a college degree from what is now Syracuse University. Belva refused to accept the status quo of limited rights and career opportunities for women; she was determined to change that. Subsequently, she moved to Washington, D.C., married Ezekiel Lockwood, earned her law degree, and embarked on a nearly 40 year legal career centered on advancing women's rights.
Lockwood's legacy in Middleport has been kept alive by its residents. During the 1950s and 1960s, Maude Dunham, a teacher at Royalton-Hartland Central School, played a significant role in
Click or scan to see this page online
stewarding Lockwood's legacy in her English classes and as the adviser to the school's Belva Lockwood Junior Historical Club. In addition, two Girl Scout leaders in Middleport, Doris March and Trudy Sworts, honored Belva's memory by creating a memorial plaque for her on Griswold Street, her birthplace, and celebrating Belva Lockwood Day on November 23, 1975. And today, members of the Girl Scouts of Western New York can earn the Belva Lockwood badge in recognition of her achievements. The Royalton Historical Society, led by Normal Wollenberg, petitioned the U.S. Postal Service to honor Belva, resulting in the issuance of the 17-cent stamp on June 18, 1986, commemorating her contributions to advancing women's rights. The first-day issue stamp and description of Belva are displayed inside Middleport's post office. Belva faced financial hardships during her lifetime, and as a result her name and dates were inscribed on the back of her predeceased daughter's headstone. However, on May 18, 2023, Belva received her own memorial stone, graciously gifted by the Royalton-Hartland Central School Class of 1972.
After one of her numerous accomplishments,
Photographed by Devry Becker Jones (CC0), February 7, 2025
2. Belva Ann Lockwood Markers in front of her gravestone
Belva is quoted as saying, "I have not raised the dead, but I have awakened the living."
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is May 18, 2023.
Location. 38° 52.802′ N, 76° 58.785′ W. Marker is in Southeast Washington in Washington, District of Columbia. It is in Barney Circle. It is on Potomac Avenue Southeast west of E Street Southeast, on the right when traveling east. The marker stands on the grounds of Congressional Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1625 H St SE, Washington DC 20003, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Washington Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Upper South, in the Mid-Atlantic, in the Tidewater, and in the Chesapeake Bay Region. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Another marker is no longer nearby. The Symbolism in the Poles (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 7, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 205 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on February 7, 2025, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
