Salem Women's
History and
Business Community
History and
Business Community
Judith Sargent Murray
Salem sites:
• First Universalist Society
• The House of the Seven Gables
Associated Salem women:
• Caroline Plummer
• Mary Turner Sargent
Learn more:
• Judith Sargent Murray Society
• First Universalist Society
• The House of the Seven Gables
Associated Salem women:
• Caroline Plummer
• Mary Turner Sargent
Learn more:
• Judith Sargent Murray Society
Gloucester native Judith Sargent Murray (1751-1820) is considered the most important female essayist of the New Republic. An early Universalist who was involved with her husband, the Universalist preacher John Murray, in establishing a Universalist Society in Salem, she championed female equality, education, economic independence, civic and political participation. Her landmark essay "On the Equality of the Sexes" was published in the prestigious Massachusetts Magazine in 1790; it is considered the first public claim of female equality in America.
In 1798, Judith Sargent Murray became the first woman in America to self-publish a book. The Gleaner — a compilation of her political essays and two plays — became a minor classic. Among her advance subscribers were George and Martha Washington and John and Abigail Adams. Her subscribers in Salem included Mrs. Priscilla Abbot, Thomas C. Cushing, Elias Hasket Derby, Esq., Captain Henry Gardner, Joseph Hiller, Esq., Thomas Lee, William Pickman, Esq., Benjamin Pickman, Esq., Mrs. Catherine Prescott, Joseph Perkins, Jacob P. Rust, William Stearus, and Mrs. Elizabeth Saunders (Judith's cousin by marriage).1
Throughout her adult life, Judith Sargent Murray also kept letter books in which she made copies of letters she wrote between 1765 and 1818 to family, friends, and political figures. Only recently discovered, these letter books offer a new eyewitness account of life primarily on the North Shore and in Boston; they are considered the only such document kept systematically by a woman during this period of time.
A number of her letters were written to or about her aunt Mary Turner Sargent who was raised in the Turner House (The House of the Seven Gables). These letters provide some of the only known information about Mary Sargent. Judith was also a regular correspondent with her cousins Thomas and Elizabeth Elkins Saunders and Dr. Joshua and Olive Plummer whose homes in Salem she visited. Judith seems to have had a lasting influence on the Plummers' daughter, Caroline, who visited the Murrays regularly in Gloucester and Boston. Caroline became one of Salem's leading philanthropists, and was deeply interested in culture, education, and liberal religion.2
Judith and John Murray were married in Salem in 1788, although the private home where they exchanged their vows has not been identified.
Sources
1 The Gleaner, by Constantia, Volume 3 (I. Thomas and E.T. Andrews, 1798)
2 Proceedings Upon the Dedication of Plummer Hall by D.A. White (Salem, 1858).
Other: Works by Bonnie Hurd Smith published by the Judith Sargent Murray Society.
In 1798, Judith Sargent Murray became the first woman in America to self-publish a book. The Gleaner — a compilation of her political essays and two plays — became a minor classic. Among her advance subscribers were George and Martha Washington and John and Abigail Adams. Her subscribers in Salem included Mrs. Priscilla Abbot, Thomas C. Cushing, Elias Hasket Derby, Esq., Captain Henry Gardner, Joseph Hiller, Esq., Thomas Lee, William Pickman, Esq., Benjamin Pickman, Esq., Mrs. Catherine Prescott, Joseph Perkins, Jacob P. Rust, William Stearus, and Mrs. Elizabeth Saunders (Judith's cousin by marriage).1
Throughout her adult life, Judith Sargent Murray also kept letter books in which she made copies of letters she wrote between 1765 and 1818 to family, friends, and political figures. Only recently discovered, these letter books offer a new eyewitness account of life primarily on the North Shore and in Boston; they are considered the only such document kept systematically by a woman during this period of time.
A number of her letters were written to or about her aunt Mary Turner Sargent who was raised in the Turner House (The House of the Seven Gables). These letters provide some of the only known information about Mary Sargent. Judith was also a regular correspondent with her cousins Thomas and Elizabeth Elkins Saunders and Dr. Joshua and Olive Plummer whose homes in Salem she visited. Judith seems to have had a lasting influence on the Plummers' daughter, Caroline, who visited the Murrays regularly in Gloucester and Boston. Caroline became one of Salem's leading philanthropists, and was deeply interested in culture, education, and liberal religion.2
Judith and John Murray were married in Salem in 1788, although the private home where they exchanged their vows has not been identified.
Sources
1 The Gleaner, by Constantia, Volume 3 (I. Thomas and E.T. Andrews, 1798)
2 Proceedings Upon the Dedication of Plummer Hall by D.A. White (Salem, 1858).
Other: Works by Bonnie Hurd Smith published by the Judith Sargent Murray Society.
