[3] James Suggs had fought in the American Civil War, serving in Company I, of the 55th United States Colored Troops, where he was wounded; after he recovered, he reenlisted, this time in Company C of the 59th United States Colored Troops and served until the end of the war.

As soon as the garments were finished, they expected to need to use them in short order, half wishing that their daughter's suffering would end.

In her early years, Suggs didn't get around or out much, but when her family moved to a new area, they were lucky to know the teacher of one of the local schools.

After close family friends donated a chair more suitable than Eliza's baby carriage, that was her main mode of transportation and it was decided that she would be able to attend school.

Either her mother or her sister Kate would wheel her to school with the rest of the girls, and would carry her up the stairs to the classroom.

Accompanied by her sister Kate, Eliza would attend various gatherings, including Temperance conferences, camp meetings and church services, and briefly speak about her life, her sufferings, and her devotion to the teachings of Jesus Christ and how they sustained her.