Category: 1820 and Before (Born)
-
Flora Freeman
c. 1753-1856 When Flora Freeman died in 1856 at 102 or 103 the Centinel of Freedom called her “a venerable colored woman” and “an interesting representative of her people of the past generation”. The Centinel wrote Flora, “often entertained her guests with the recital of many thrilling incidents which occurred during the American Revolutions”. Flora…
-
Susan Amelia Barnett
1814-1897 Susan was a member of the first class of the New York Women’s Medical College, which graduated 1865. She practiced as a physician until four years before her death. She practiced for several years in Newark (city directories through 1870) and then in New York. “It was because of her desire to help the…
-
Mrs. Mary Gordon Barnett Hill (Mother Hill)
1803-1884 Mother Hill was the first President of the Newark Women’s Christian Temperance Union from 1874 to 1882, and afterwards an Honorary President. “As an organizer she showed great discrimination and tact in securing the right woman in every place, encouraging the timid and holding a mild restraint upon those needing it.” She spoke throughout…
-
Margaret Kidney
1814-1917 Margaret Kidney lived to age 103. She earned her own way after the death of her husband, when she was 35, by making clothes, which she embroidered. On the 1860 census her occupation is listed as “fancy store”. Margaret’s daughter died when she was 60, after this she fostered many girls, which she attributed…
-
Esther Edwards Burr
1732-1758 Esther Edwards Burr was the mother of 3rd Vice President Aaron Burr Jr. Stephanie Ernst writes, “Burr’s writings reflect her intelligence and strength, as demonstrated by her spirited defense of women’s engagement in intellectual discourse.” Esther married Aaron Burr Sr., pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Newark and founder of Princeton University (then the…
-
Ann VanWagenen Plume & Nancy Vischer Plume
1752-1816 and Bef. 1710-Aft. 1710 Ann VanWagenen Plume was married to Isaac Plumne. It is said that during the Revolutionary War, Hessians began destroying her property. She got so angry, the soldiers retreated. A few days later, she found a Hessian soldier in her ice house and trapped him inside. She gave him to the…
-
Mary Thompson King
c. 1806 – 19 Mar 1894 Mary Thompson married Jacob King on Oct 22, 1829. With her husband, she ran an Underground Railroad stop out of 70 Warren St. Jacob was treasurer of the Colored Anti Slavery Society of Newark. Marcia was the mother of Marcia King Stillwell, Ellen C. King, & Harriet A. King…
-
Elizabeth Swain(e) Ogden
1645-1706 In 1666, settlers from CT settled Newark. Elizaeth is said to be the first of the 1666 Newark landing party to step foot on Newark soil. Historian Urquhart believes she was first of the Branford group. Atkinson writes, “so that women’s proper rights to positions of honor and distinction in Newark are not the…