Abigail Goodrich Whittelsey

Abigail Goodrich Whittlesey (, Goodrich; November 29, 1788, Ridgefield, Connecticut - July 16, 1858, Colchester, Connecticut) was an American educator, magazine founder, and editor. In her publication, Mother's Magazine, she provided information and instructions on the role of mothers. Early life and education Abigail Goodrich was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, November 29, 1788. She was the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ely Goodrich. She was the elder sister of Samuel Griswold Goodrich. She was also sister to Charles A. Goodrich who became a Congregational minister. Her father served as pastor over the Congregational Church. The family removed to Berlin, Connecticut, where Whittlesey was chiefly educated. Career In 1808, she married Rev. Samuel Whittlesey, a Congregational minister, who served at New Preston, Connecticut for a decade, beginning in 1807. After Mr. Whittlesey, at his own request, received a dismission from his pastoral position at New Preston, he took charge of the "Deaf and Dumb Asylum," at Hartford, Connecticut, on April 30, 1817. They lived from 1824 till 1828 in Canandaigua, New York, where Abigail worked as matron of the Ontario Female Seminary, managed by her husband, the principal. In 1828, they moved to Utica, New York to establish their own girls’ seminary. There, she saw the necessity for the development of female character and influence.