Eliza Arnold Maupin was born into slavery. Her owner was Harvey Arnold, and she married Asa Maupin on September 10, 1853. Enslaved Methodist Episcopal Minister Frank Arnold conducted the wedding at their owner's home in Monroe County, Missouri. The Maupins had eight children together: Dorian, born November 20, 1854; Thomas, born September 14, 1857; Eliza Jane, born December 25, 1860; and five children whose names are not known. Her husband died on January 25, 1865, and she continued to live in Paris, Monroe County. In 1866, she began receiving a widow's pension of $8 a month, plus $2 for each of her children. She applied for an increase at some point, but it is unclear if she ever received one. Nothing else is known about her life.