Augusta Merrill Hunt: Difference between revisions

 

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==Career==

==Career==

In the spring of 1876, a public meeting was called in Portland, composed of two women delegates from each church in the city, to consider the feasibility of forming a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. Hunt was present as one of the representatives from the First Universalist Church, and was called to preside over the meeting, and when, as its result, the Woman’s Temperance Society was formed, the members called her to the position of president, Under her direction the coffee-house, diet kitchen, diet mission, and the flower mission were successfully organized and carried forward.

In the spring of 1876, a public meeting was called in Portland, composed of two women delegates from each church in the city, to consider the feasibility of forming a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. Hunt was present as one of the representatives from the First Universalist Church, and was called to preside over the meeting, and when, as its result, the Woman’s Temperance Society was formed, the members called her to the position of president Under her direction the coffee-house, diet kitchen, diet mission, and the flower mission were successfully organized and carried forward.

In 1878, the society became auxiliary to the National W.C.T.U. Hunt continued as its president. Three times, she held the position of national superintendent in the W.C.T.U., the last department being that of higher education. In 1890, she resigned that position on account of ill health. In 1884, she was appointed by the governor of Maine as a member of the Reform School Committee. At the end of three years, she declined a re-appointment on account of the pressure of other duties. In 1873, after the death of her mother, Hunt assumed the placement made vacant on the board of managers of the Home for Aged Women, and in 1889, was unanimously elected president of that association. For seven years she served as the president of the Ladies’ History Club, the first literary society organized by the women of Portland, which was originated in 1874.

In 1878, the society became auxiliary to the National W.C.T.U. Hunt continued as its president.

Three times, she held the position of national superintendent in the W.C.T.U., the last department being that of higher education. In 1890, she resigned that position on account of ill health.

In 1884, she was appointed by the governor of Maine as a member of the Reform School Committee. At the end of three years, she declined a re-appointment on account of the pressure of other duties. In 1873, after the death of her mother, Hunt assumed the placement made vacant on the board of managers of the Home for Aged Women, and in 1889, was unanimously elected president of that association. For seven years she served as the president of the Ladies’ History Club, the first literary society organized by the women of Portland, which was originated in 1874.

She appeared several times before the Maine legislative committee in advocacy of the establishment of a reformatory prison for women in [[Maine]], of better laws for the protection of young girls, of municipal suffrage for women, and of the cottage system in the Reform School for Boys.

She appeared several times before the Maine legislative committee in advocacy of the establishment of a reformatory prison for women in [[Maine]], of better laws for the protection of young girls, of municipal suffrage for women, and of the cottage system in the Reform School for Boys.

Augusta Merrill Hunt (1842-1932) was an American philanthropist, suffragist, and temperance leader. She was identified with many of the prominent charitable organizations of Portland, Maine, notably that of the Portland Fraternity, the Associated Charities, the Home for Aged Women, the Woman’s Suffrage Association, and the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union (W.C.T.U.).^[1] She was the first president of the Portland branch of the W.C.T.U.^[2]

Early life[edit]

Augusta Merrill Barstow was born in Portland, Maine, June 6, 1842. She was the youngest daughter of George S. and Ellen Merrill Barston, of Portland.^[1][2]

For many years, Hunt and two of her sisters, Mrs. Susan E. Bragdon and Mrs. G. B. McGregor, followed in the footsteps of their mother, have been prominently identified with educational and philanthropic work. Mrs. Bragdon was the first president of the Woman’s Literary Union and a worker in the Portland Fraternity. Mrs. McGregor was the founder and promoter of the Maine Home for Friendless Boys.^[2]

In the spring of 1876, a public meeting was called in Portland, composed of two women delegates from each church in the city, to consider the feasibility of forming a Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. Mrs. Hunt was present as one of…