The Century Chest Collection

The Minerva Women's Club

(Transcribed from the original)

Minutes of the meeting of the First Women's Club ever held in America 1859. New Harmony, Indiana

The "Minerva," the first Woman's Club organized in the United States, in 1859, at New Harmony, Indiana
A synopsis of the minutes of the Minerva Society at New Harmony Indiana [unintelligible] by Mrs. Rachael Faun Le Roy for the Woman's Club exhibit at St. Louis, Missouri in 1904
"The Minerva" For the summer of 1859, nine of the young ladies of New Harmony, Indiana meat and proposed a Library Society to meet once a week for the mutual improvement of the members. A committee was appointed to frame a constitution and by-laws for the same. They then proposed to invite four married ladies to join thus making thirteen (13) charter members.

The Constitution and By-Laws were read and approved at this next meeting and signed by Miss Constance Faunt Le Roy, President Miss Mary Sampson, Vice President Miss Eliza [unintelligible] Secretary Miss Lydia Hinkley Miss Sallie Nettleton Miss Anna Mann Miss Della Mann Miss Eliza Oatzman Miss Anna Owen Mrs. Florence Cooper Mrs Rachel Faunt Le Roy Mrs Charlotte Boren Mrs Virginia Preause The officers were to remain in office (6) weeks.

The President was to write an Inaugural address upon taking the chair an a Valedictory when retiring. The name of the society to be "The Minerva" (She being the Goddess of Wisdom) The motto selected was "Sapientia Gloria Corona Est." ( Knowledge or wisdom is a crown of glory.) The business or procedures of the society was not to be spoken of in public and on no account mere spectators to be admitted. The meetings were held every Monday evening at the home of some member decided on. Half of the members were selected to write original compositions to be read and criticized and if found worthy to be published in the "Advertizer" a paper published by Mr Charles Slater at New Harmony Ind.

At the first meeting Miss Hattie Collins was spoken of as a desirable member and the President appointed a committee of three to call upon her and she became a member. Later the following names were added to the membership Miss Celia Rogers Miss Eliza Robson Miss Ellen Hinkley Miss Lizzie Cooper Miss Billie Wheatcroft Miss Miriam Elliott Miss Angeline Reader Miss Rosamond Owen Miss Martha Wilsey I remember we thought Rosamond Owen too young she being but  16 yrs of age otherwise a desirable member, se we invited her to join us.

It was their proposed that some should write and some recite selections of their own choosing. Later a debate was proposed for every fourth week. One half the members on the affirmation, the other half negative. Our arguments were written, brought in and read. Criticisms were their given and a vote taken to decide which argument was the stronger. The first subject debated was "Are we made happier by an education"? Decided in the affirmative. Other subjects were "Which is to be preferred, married or single life"? "Which is the most difficult to control the temper or the affections"? "Do facts or fiction contribute most to mental enjoyment"? At the meeting on February 20th 1860 it was proposed there be a Treasurer and a Reporter added to the list of officers but otherwise a desirable member, se we invited her to join us. It was their proposed that some should write and some recite selections of their own choosing. Later a debate was proposed for every fourth week. One half the members on the affirmation, the other half negative. Our arguments were written, brought in and read. Criticisms were their given and a vote taken. 

As there were no dues nor fines not other money coming in and nothing to report, those officers were voted unnecessary. It was then approved that seven members form a quorum and no meeting be called to order till that number was present. Badges were to be worn by officers only and in private. In case of any public affair the Society should vote a badge for the occasion. No personalities were to be permitted and each lady should be addressed by her right name. On rising to read or declaim, it was always predicated by Miss or Mrs President Ladies of the Minerva On September 7th 1861 Mrs Charlotte Boren proposed there be written a "Novelette" a chapter being furnished every meeting until each member had done her part. Mrs Mary Sampson Owen was chosen to Write the opening chapter. Miss Lizzie Cooper wrote the 2nd  Mrs Florence Cooper the 3rd Miss Anna Mann the 4th Mrs Charlotte Boren the 5th Miss Lydia Hinckley the 6th Mrs Rachel Faunt Le Roy the 7th Miss Della Mann the 8th and Miss Rosamond Owen wrote the concluding chapter. I think it was never given any other title than "The novelette". The society as a whole was very proud of it and the criticisms were expressions of admiration. "The Novelette" was never published. On May 12th 1862 a motion was made and carried to adjourn until September 1st 1862.

Giving to the members seeming lukewarm in interest and otherwise engaged, they were now seldom present at the meetings. This was during the war. Mrs Cooper and Mrs Hinckley were in Evansville, Indiana nursing wounded soldiers and other members had friends away that their thoughts were to engrossed to concentrate them on other subjects.
Before the time came to reorganize the membership was reduced to four, who met late in October and decided to adjourn until February 2nd 1863.

Then Miss Dietz Miss Mary Chadmick and Mrs Natalie Mann became members. It was their proposed that the society have a badge in the form of a Maltese cross, made of Laurel wood obtained from Achilles H. Fretageot and to cost one dollar. All former members to have the privilege of possessing one.

The society went on in rather an unsettled way until Sept 28th 1863 when it adjourned until after the County Fair and there the minutes stop.

Mrs Rachel Faunt Le Roy
The foregoing article is a verbatim copy by Mary Fretageot Hale (wife of John M. Hale) a native of New Harmony, Indiana and personally acquainted with most of the members of the "Minerva", the first Woman's Club organized in the United States.

During a recent visit to New Harmony, I had the honor of being entertained by Mrs Rachel Faunt Le Roy (aged 83 years) in the identical room where the "Minerva" was organized.
Mary Fretageot Hale
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
April 2nd 1913

The house wherein was organized the The "Minerva", the first Woman's Club in the United States in the year 1859 at New Harmony, Indiana.