Sarah Stoddard Eddy facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sarah Stoddard Eddy
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"A Woman of the Century"
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| Born |
Sarah Stoddard
February 24, 1831 Hudson, New York, USA
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| Died | February 24, 1904 |
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| Spouse(s) |
Richard Eddy
(m. 1852) |
| Children | 5 |
Sarah Stoddard Eddy (February 24, 1831 – February 24, 1904) was an important American woman. She worked to improve society and was a leader in women's clubs. These clubs often focused on education and social change.
Early Life and Learning
Sarah Stoddard was born in Hudson, New York, on February 24, 1831. Her family had a long history in the area. Her grandfather, Ashbel Stoddard, was one of the first people to settle Hudson. He started a printing business and a newspaper. This newspaper, the Hudson Weekly Gazette, was one of the oldest in New York State.
Sarah's father, William Bowles Stoddard, continued the family's printing business. Her mother was from a Dutch family and enjoyed literature. Sarah grew up loving books and learning. She had many siblings, including Eliza, Ashbel, and Catharine.
Sarah went to private schools in Hudson and Clinton, New York. She especially liked studying languages and writing.
Her Work and Family Life
In March 1852, Sarah married Rev. Richard Eddy. He was a Universalist clergyman, which means he was a minister for a church that believed in universal salvation. They lived in several different cities, including Rome, Buffalo, and Philadelphia.
When the American Civil War began, her husband became a chaplain for soldiers. He went to the front lines with his regiment. Sarah and her children moved to Baltimore, Maryland, in 1862. This allowed her husband to visit his family more often.
While in Baltimore, Sarah helped create aid groups. These groups supported soldiers and their families. She spent her days helping in the military camps and hospitals near the city.
After the war, her husband became a pastor in Philadelphia. They later lived in several towns in Massachusetts. Sarah and Richard Eddy had five children: Frederick, Martha, Richard, Benjamin, and Sarah.
In the early 1890s, Sarah lived in Boston. She was a member of several important groups. These included the New England Women's Club and the Women's Educational and Industrial Union. She also joined the National Woman Suffrage Association of Massachusetts. This group worked to gain voting rights for women.
Sarah represented the suffrage association as a delegate in Washington, D.C.. She also started many women's clubs in the towns where she lived. She often led these clubs for a time. Sarah encouraged women everywhere to join together. She believed in working together for study and to help each other.
Later Years
Sarah Stoddard Eddy passed away in Cambridge, Massachusetts, on February 24, 1904.
