Title: Paulina T. Merritt papers on the Indiana Women's Suffrage Movement, 1860-1906
Arrangement
Correspondence has been grouped as “incoming” or “outgoing” and then arranged choronically. Other materials have been grouped according to format or content. All materials have been placed in archival housing.
Abstract
This collection includes correspondence and other materials documenting Paulina T. Merritt’s involvement in the Indiana women’s suffrage movement.
Administrative/Biographical History
Paulina T. Merritt was born in Rockbridge County, Virginia on August 8, 1931 to John and Hannah McClung. She married George Merrit in 1852, and they settled in Indianapolis, where George ran a wool manufacturing business. Paulina invested her inheritance in order to improve conditions for those less fortunate, erecting “small cottages for friendless, suffering families” in 1864. With her husband, she established a House for Soldier’s Orphans. She was an advocate for reforming insane asylums, and was instrumental in Sarah Oren’s election to office as the first state librarian in Indiana. Paulina Merritt also donated property to the Indianapolis Colored Women’s Mutual Society, to be used by those who were sick or elderly. Merritt member and frequent visitor for the Benevolent Society, and was active in securing equal rights for women though out her adult years. Source: Paulina T. Merritt papers on the Indiana Women’s Suffrage Movement, “Biographical information” manuscript
Paulina T. Merritt papers o...
