Louisa Barnes Pratt
Louisa Barnes Pratt | |
---|---|
Born | |
Died | September 8, 1880 | (aged 77)
Spouse | Addison Pratt |
Louisa Barnes Pratt (November 10, 1802 – September 8, 1880) was a prominent advocate for women's vote and other related causes in the 19th century as well as a
Early life
Louisa Barnes was born in Warwick, Massachusetts, on November 10, 1802, to Willard and Dolly Barnes. Her father served in the British forces during the War of 1812[1]: 13 although in her autobiography she alleged he was a supporter of the United States.[2]: 198 She attended school, although found it hard to be obedient. She was sent to live with an aunt near her home when she was about 5 years of age. She and her family moved to Quebec, Canada in July 1810. Her family were members of the Church of England, and Louisa was baptized into the Episcopal Church when she was 14. Not long after her baptism, Louisa went to live with a sister-in-law who taught her to tailor.[3]
Louisa traveled back to Massachusetts in her early twenties and visited many of her family members.[1]: 21–25 After leaving Massachusetts in 1827, Louisa enrolled in the Female Academy, where she met and befriended Rebekah J. Pratt.[1]: 26, 28 This eventually led to her meeting Rebekah's brother Addison, who enjoyed sailing. Louisa became a teacher in Winchester, New Hampshire.[3] After being in Massachusetts and New Hampshire for four years Louisa returned to Canada. After she had been in Canada for a year and a half Addison came to visit.[citation needed] They married on April 3, 1831, in Canada.[1]: 35 Shortly after their marriage they moved to Ripley, New York, near Lake Erie. The couple went on to have seven children born there.[3]
Conversion
Pratt joined the Latter-day Saint church along with her husband Addison Pratt in 1838.[3] They were introduced to the church by her sister Caroline Crosby and her husband Jonathan Crosby who stopped by their home in western New York on their way to Kirtland, Ohio, to gather with the body of the Latter-day Saints. Pratt and her family were persecuted for joining the church, and eventually moved to Nauvoo, Illinois.[3]
In 1843, Addison left to serve a
Missionary
Pratt was set apart as a missionary to serve in French Polynesia with her husband in 1849.[6] Their daughters accompanied them on their mission.[3] The family arrived in Tubuai in 1850.[1]: 125 While in Tahiti, Pratt told a congregation that the Tahitians were descended from the Nephites. This is the first recorded statement to this effect, related to theories about Hagoth's journey recorded in the Book of Alma.[7] They were forced to end their mission due to French laws prohibiting foreign missionaries. The Pratts returned to the United States and moved to San Francisco and then to San Bernardino, California.[3]
Later years
Pratt's husband, Addison, was called on two more missions to Tahiti in 1854 and in 1856. However, due to the law restrictions, he did not remain there long. The Saints in San Bernardino were asked to return to Utah by
Throughout her life, Pratt kept a detailed journal of her life. Her autobiography was published in a version edited by
References
- ^ a b c d e f g Ellsworth, George S, ed. (September 1998). History of Louisa Barnes Pratt. Logan, Utah: Utah State University Press. Retrieved 3 May 2016.
- )
- ^ ISBN 9781680470185.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-88494-835-3
- ISBN 9781606410332.
- ^ "Addison Pratt". Church History: Early Mormon Missionaries. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Retrieved 4 May 2016.
- ^ Nyman, Monte S. Tate, Charles D. (ed.). "Alma the Testimony of the Word". The Book of Mormon Series Symposium Series. Provo, Utah: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University: 257.
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External links
Archival materials
- Louisa Barnes Pratt Research at Utah State University Libraries: Special Collections and Archives as part of the Ellsworth Collection
- Louisa Barnes Pratt : a noted lady missionary at L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University
- Norma Elliott collection on John Hunt and Lois Barnes Pratt Hunt at L. Tom Perry Special Collections, Brigham Young University