Martha Schofield facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Martha Schofield
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Martha Schofield, from an 1895 publication
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Martha Fell Schofield
February 1, 1839 Newtown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Died | February 1, 1916 (aged 77) |
| Occupation | Teacher |
Martha Schofield (born February 1, 1839 – died February 1, 1916) was an amazing woman who worked to end slavery and fought for women's right to vote. She was a Quaker, a religious group known for peace and equality. Martha is best known for starting a school in Aiken, South Carolina, for African Americans who had recently gained their freedom.
Contents
Martha Schofield's Life and Work
Early Life and Education
Martha Fell Schofield was born on February 1, 1839. Her family lived near Newtown Township, Bucks County, Pennsylvania. She had four sisters and one brother.
Her parents were Quakers and believed in making society better. They worked to end slavery, promote temperance (avoiding alcohol), support women's rights, and improve education.
Martha first went to school in Newtown. Later, she attended a school in Byberry, Philadelphia. She also studied at the Sharon Female Seminary in Darby, now Sharon Hill, Pennsylvania. Her aunt and uncle, John and Rachel Tyson Jackson, ran this seminary.
Becoming a Teacher and Helping Others
After finishing her own schooling, Martha Schofield became a teacher. She taught in Bayside, Long Island, where her mother's sister lived. She also taught in Harrison, Westchester County.
During the American Civil War, Martha helped at the Summit House military hospital. She was not allowed to be a nurse, so she focused on raising money for the hospital.
Founding a School in South Carolina
After the Civil War ended, Martha moved to South Carolina in 1865. She worked with newly freed people on islands like Wadmalaw Island and Johns Island.
However, her health wasn't good, so she moved to Aiken, South Carolina. There, in 1868, she started a school. This school later became famous as the Schofield Normal and Industrial School.
Growing the School
The school received money from the Pennsylvania Friends Relief Association and the state. By 1882, the school had 200 students and became an official organization. More money came from the Hicksite Quakers.
The school grew quickly, doubling its size the very next year. Martha spent a lot of time each year raising money to keep the school going. Within two years, the school also had a place for students to live (a boarding facility) and offered help for students who needed it.
A new building was paid for by a gift in memory of Deborah Fisher Wharton. By 1910, the school had grown to cover two town blocks. It also included a large 280-acre farm. Most of the school's funding came from yearly donations.
A Champion for Change
Martha Schofield was not only a leader in education but also a strong supporter of women's rights. She believed women should have the same rights as men, including the right to vote.
Martha Schofield passed away on February 1, 1916, in Aiken, South Carolina. She was buried in Darby, Pennsylvania, at the Darby Friends Burial Ground. Her school continued to make a difference. In 1952, it became the Martha Schofield Junior High School. A scholarship fund in her name was first given out in 1954, helping students continue their education.
