By Allison K. Lange, Wentworth Institute of Technology
Victoria Woodhull stands out in American history because she directly challenged American political, cultural, and religious norms and became an incredibly controversial figure. But first, let’s know her a little bit. Woodhull was born Victoria Claflin in 1838 in Homer, Ohio. This was just after the Panic of 1837, during the economic depression that followed for several years. Her family lacked financial security, which significantly shaped her upbringing. Though forced by her parents to work, Woodhull learned to be resourceful to support herself.
Woodhull’s Childhood
Roxanna Hummel Claflin gave birth to Victoria, her seventh child, and named her after the new Queen Victoria in Britain. In 1846, she had her tenth and final child, Tennessee Celeste Claflin. Tennessee would later join in many of Victoria’s adventures.
At the time of Victoria’s birth, the Claflins had seven children and no reliable income. Victoria’s father, Reuben Claflin, owned a mill that he never operated. Nonetheless, he insured it against fire for $4,000. When it burned down soon after, locals suspected that Claflin—who was known for his heavy drinking—burned it himself, and he and his family had to leave town.
Together, they moved around for years trying to make enough money to survive.
Sources of Income
Victoria’s father bottled and sold a so-called medicine called Life Elixir that contained alcohol and the opiate laudanum.
The family also made money by forcing Victoria to work. She only had a few years of formal education. At eight years old, Victoria started preaching. Child preachers were popular in Ohio in the aftermath of the Second Great Awakening. The Claflins charged admission to see their daughter speak. So, Victoria learned how to perform.
Opportunities in Spiritualism
The rise of spiritualism in the late 1840s provided a starting point. Unlike most traditional organized religions, spiritualism offered women leadership opportunities.
In 1848, the year of the famed Seneca Falls Convention, the 11- and 13-year-old Fox sisters became famous for interacting with spirits. They asked questions, and spirits would respond by rapping on walls, tables, or other pieces of furniture.
The Claflins saw a new opportunity to make money. Ten-year old Victoria and her younger sister Tennessee could do this! Victoria was already a master performer. Tennessee started winning fame for having dreams that seemed to predict the future. Victoria went into trances during her performances. Sometimes, their father would starve them to ensure that they did what he wished. Later in her life, Victoria suggested that he sexually abused them, too.
This is a transcript from the video series 12 Women Who Shaped America: 1619 to 1920. Watch it now, on Wondrium.
Marriage and Family Life
By the time she was 15, Victoria wanted a new life. A local 28-year-old doctor named Canning Woodhull proposed to her, and she accepted. Unfortunately, her new husband—like her father—was often drunk and had affairs with other women. She had two children with him, but she did not have a good life. In 1865, they decided to divorce each other. She kept his name.
Woodhull supported herself by performing in theaters and as a clairvoyant. She and her children moved to Ottawa, Illinois, to live with her family. Victoria and Tennessee became famous for telling fortunes. They sold a healing elixir and likely even ran a brothel.
In 1864, one of their patients died, and the family was accused of selling fake medicine. Tennessee was even indicted for manslaughter, but the family disappeared by the time an arrest warrant was drawn up.
Woodhull moved with her family to Chicago and then to St. Louis, where she met Colonel James Harvey Blood, who had fought for the United States during the Civil War. However, he was already married with children. It didn’t matter. In 1866, he divorced his wife and married Victoria.
Eventually, in 1868, the couple moved to New York City, and Tennessee joined them. They wanted a new start.
Learning Investment Strategies
After the Civil War, the spiritualist movement was thriving. More than 600,000 people had died during the Civil War, and many wanted a way to communicate with loved ones.
Victoria and Tennessee became clairvoyants. The pair relayed stories of their visions, held seances, and told fortunes. They sold a new version of their laudanum-laced Life Elixir as well as early forms of birth control. Both had been prostitutes, and likely still were. They became friends with madams who managed elegant brothels with a clientele of wealthy, powerful white men. These women paid close attention to conversations about the latest investment strategies.
The sisters secured an introduction to Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt, one of the richest men in America. He made his fortune by investing in steamships and railroads. They shared messages from his deceased mother with him as well as financial tips supposedly from spirits. Tennessee had an affair with him, too.
By 1870, they became the first female stockbrokers on Wall Street and founded Woodhull, Claflin, & Company. The sisters earned a percentage from Vanderbilt’s transactions. They had other clients, too, including society ladies. The sisters must have been relieved to have a reliable source of income. They were securing credibility and power as well.
Common Questions about Victoria Woodhull
Victoria Woodhull started preaching when she was eight years old. Child preachers were popular in Ohio in the aftermath of the Second Great Awakening. Victoria’s parents charged admission to see their daughter speak, and that is when Victoria learned how to perform.
Victoria Woodhull supported herself by performing in theaters and as a clairvoyant. She and her children moved to Ottawa, Illinois, to live with her family. Victoria and her sister became famous for telling fortunes. They sold a healing elixir and likely even ran a brothel.
After moving to New York City, Victoria Woodhull and Tennessee became clairvoyants. They relayed stories of their visions, held seances, and told fortunes. They also sold a new version of their laudanum-laced Life Elixir as well as early forms of birth control.
