The Women's War at Wequetequock

Kimball, Carol W.

Female outlaws
Women's War at Wequetequock, 1883
Church Organist bickering leads to assualt and destruction
Stonington Sunday School
Infamous siege of Schoolhouse
Police Gazette news embarrasses Stonington Socierty

Kim12-058

Scrapbook

8: Communication Artifact

Documentary Artifact

The Day

New London, CT

10/12/2009

Carol W. Kimball

When modern day Heather Brown was busy with her alleged bank robberies, Carol Kimball's editor asked her if local history provided any similar examples of female outlaws. Carol's best response was the tale of the valiant 1883 women of Wequetequock, a hamlet in Stonington. The women wanted to hold Sunday School in the schoolhouse that once stood at the junction of Route One and Farmholme Road on land donated by John D. Palmer and whose will also provided money to establish a Sunday School in the schoolhouse. Olivet Sunday School, organized in 1880, existed peacefully there until the summer of 1883 when the incumbent organist resigned. The appointment of her successor caused such bickering that Samuel Stanton, the school committee chairman, ruled the building could no longer be used as a Sunday School. Residents chose up sides in the fray. Opposed was Mrs. F. Virginia Briggs, daughter of wealthy Westerly banker Peleg Clarke and hopeful candidate for the job of organist. Stanton, fearing violence, announced on November 24th, he would permit no Sunday School the next day. With George Chapman and James E. Palmer, Stanton went into the school, locked the door, fastened the windows and kept vigil all night. Nothing happened. At midday Sunday a crowd gathered and at one o'clock seven women in their Sunday best were seen walking towards the men, led by Mrs. Biggs. With her were Mrs. Phoebe Dennison, Phoebe Dennison, Mrs. Hannah Burdick and Mrs. Maria T. Chesebro, Mrs. Hattie B. Wilcox and Miss Mary Carey. They were dressed for church but carried a chair and tools and when denied entrace, they attacked the shuttered windows with a crowbar until finally prying one open. Then F. Virginia, axe in hand, climbed up on the chair, wrecked the window sash and sprang into the schoolroom. Mary Carey demolished the barred front door with a sledge hammer. The men fled, leaving the women victorious. From a nearby house they carried in a small portable organ and F. Virginia sat down and played hymns. Others swept up the glass and stood ready to receive pupils. They held Sunday School with satisfaction. The seven women were hauled into court on Monday, charged with assault and destruction of property. They counter-sued Stanton and cohorts for interference with religious freedom. Finally, the women were exonerated and the men received light fines. The story made the obnoxious Police Gazette embarrassing proper Stonington society, but the women were happy.

Brown, Heather
Palmer, John D.
Stanton, Samuel
Briggs, F. Virginia Mrs.
Clarke, Peleg
Chapman, George
Palmer, James E.
Dennison, Phoebe
Dennison, Phoebe
Burdick, Hannah Mrs.
Chesebro, Maria T. Mrs.
Wilcox, Hattie B. Mrs.
Carey, Mary, Miss

Women's War at Wequetequock
Stonington Sunday School
Infamous siege of Schoolhouse
Police Gazette news