Phebe Ann Hanaford
From Philosopedia
Hanaford, Phebe Ann (Coffin) (1829—1921)
One of the first Universalist woman to be ordained (1868) to the ministry in New England, Hanaford had previously been a writer of fiction, poetry, children’s books, and a life of Lincoln.
Her religious background had been Quaker, she had adopted the Baptist faith of her husband, but encouraged by Olympia Brown she converted to Universalism. A feminist and suffragette, she served as pastor to congregations in Waltham and Hingham, Massachusetts; New Haven, Connecticut; and Jersey City, New Jersey; despite the problems known then as "the woman problem."
One of her last projects was a compilation of biographies of American women, Women of the Century (1877).
A successful author and preacher, Hanaford had problems as a wife and mother. She left her husband, Dr. Joseph Hanaford. For forty-four years she lived with Ellen Miles, a hymnist from the Waltham Universalist Society. Joseph predeceased her, as did her son Howard and daughter Florence.
In her final years, Hanaford was unhappy and felt neglected. She was buried in an unmarked grave. Her untold story in detail is A Mighty Social Force: Phebe Ann Coffin Hanaford 1829 - 1921, by Loretta Cody, with a preface by Alan L. Seaburg and with other information by Sarah Barber-Braun, (2009, BookSurge Publishing). The work publicizes Hanaford's life and tells how now there is a marker on her grave.
Selected Works
- Services at the Ordination and Installation of Rev. Phebe A. Hanaford; As Pastor of the First Universalist Church, in Hingham, Massachusetts, (2009, First Universalist Church)
- Women of the Century (2009, paperback copy of 1877 work, Original Publisher: B.B. Russell)
- Abraham Lincoln: His Life and Public Services (2005, Scholarly Publishing Office, University of Michigan Library)
- Daughters of America (1882, Augustus, Maine, True and Company)
- Field, Gunboat, Hospital, and Prison (1866, Thomas Gale)
- The Young Captain: A Memorial of Capt. Richard C. Derby (1865, Thomas Gale)
- Our Martyred President (1865, Thomas Gale)
