Women could not vote in 1860, but ...

Joined
Oct 8, 2021
They did have influence over their husband's vote. Here is an interesting and rare jugate (two people side by side on the same piece) of Stephen Douglas, who ran for President in 1860, and his wife, Adele.

SD 1860-68.jpg


This sort of thing is fairly common in modern politics, if the first is popular, it was rare in 1860.
 
Another wife with tremendous influence was Frances (Miller) Seward, wife of Secretary of State, William Seward. Raised as a Quaker, she was a strong abolitionist as well as a supporter of the women's movement. She had been involved with the Underground Railroad and the rescue of an escaped slave who had been seized by slave agents under the Fugitive Slave Act. A friend & neighbor of Harriet Tubman, she was a financial supporter of North Star (newspaper of Frederick Douglass). Her influence on her husband was profound.
 
I am guessing this is a rather large brooch. If you’ve seen the size of the cameos that women wore, this piece would likely be “that size. Good for holding the top of your bodice closed, or serve as a cloak closure.
 
One of the most interesting aspects of the women's movement of the 19th century is how tightly it was aligned with abolitionism. I suspect that it was abolitionist activities that taught women how to organize and proceed, that brought them into contact with men such as Frederick Douglass (the movement probably never would have achieved much without strong male support) and brought them to the obvious conclusion that, if all people were created equal, why were they being left out? Considering her husband's voting record, I doubt that Mrs. Douglas had much to do with either movement. Wasn't her sister or aunt a Confederate spy?

Another Washington beauty with enormous influence was Kate Chase.
 
One of the most interesting aspects of the women's movement of the 19th century is how tightly it was aligned with abolitionism. I suspect that it was abolitionist activities that taught women how to organize and proceed, that brought them into contact with men such as Frederick Douglass (the movement probably never would have achieved much without strong male support) and brought them to the obvious conclusion that, if all people were created equal, why were they being left out? Considering her husband's voting record, I doubt that Mrs. Douglas had much to do with either movement. Wasn't her sister or aunt a Confederate spy?

Another Washington beauty with enormous influence was Kate Chase.
My favorite from that era is Elizabeth Blair Lee. Her homey letters to Captain and Admiral
Lee described that life went on. Even the transition from slavery to paid servants is mentioned.
I think photography from that era did not do them justice. The portraiture may have an airbrushed quality to it, but it still captures the spirit of a living person better than the photographs.
 
One of the most interesting aspects of the women's movement of the 19th century is how tightly it was aligned with abolitionism. I suspect that it was abolitionist activities that taught women how to organize and proceed, that brought them into contact with men such as Frederick Douglass (the movement probably never would have achieved much without strong male support) and brought them to the obvious conclusion that, if all people were created equal, why were they being left out? Considering her husband's voting record, I doubt that Mrs. Douglas had much to do with either movement. Wasn't her sister or aunt a Confederate spy?

Another Washington beauty with enormous influence was Kate Chase.

The Women's Suffrage movement had largely suspended its efforts to fight for abolition and the Union during the war years. After the war, suffragettes hoped to use Reconstruction as an opportunity to win the vote for women. Most men and some women activists, however, preferred only to focus on black male suffrage.

This led to bitter fighting and splits within the women's suffrage movement. The 15th Amendment - which granted black men the vote but not women - ultimately severed the ties between the abolitionist movement and women's suffrage movement.

Frederick Douglass pleaded with the Equal Rights Association - which fought for black and female suffrage - in May 1869 that the plight facing black men in the south made passage of the 15th Amendment in its current form (without female suffrage) critical. He argued it was a step in the right direction towards universal suffrage. His resolution was voted down and the association collapsed.

Abolitionist Gerrit Smith likewise argued that, "the removal of the political disabilities of race is my first desire, of sex my second" and, furthermore, "if put on the same level and urged in the same connection, neither will be soon accomplished."

Many, though not all, female activists therefore felt abandoned by their former allies.

In addition, many women were furious that, as Elizabeth Cady Stanton put it, property in slaves was abolished but "the right of property in women" survived since marriage deprived women of their independent legal identity, divorce was nearly impossible to acquire, and there was no recognition of "woman's control over her own body." Though female listeners responded with overwhelming support to her speeches on divorce and marriage, Stanton found very little sympathy in the halls of power.

Stanton also began arguing that suffrage should be based on "intelligence and education" so that ignorant Freedpeople and immigrants couldn't make laws for native-born middle class women.

On the flip side, meanwhile, abolitionist-feminist Abby Kelley believed the 14th and 15th Amendments, though disappointing, were still steps in the right direction and should be supported.

As with everything, it's a messy story.

Source: FOREVER FREE by Eric Foner
 
The Women's Suffrage movement had largely suspended its efforts to fight for abolition and the Union during the war years. After the war, suffragettes hoped to use Reconstruction as an opportunity to win the vote for women. Most men and some women activists, however, preferred only to focus on black male suffrage.
That is, of course, a popular view and one that would make sense in part. However it was a bit more complicated. In fact, some legislatures--such as NY--used the ACW as an excuse to roll back gains made in women's rights. But, during the war, plans were made for the 11th National Womans' Rights Convention. Many of the leaders (in both movements) remained engaged in both issues: women like Martha Wright.
This led to bitter fighting and splits within the women's suffrage movement. The 15th Amendment - which granted black men the vote but not women - ultimately severed the ties between the abolitionist movement and women's suffrage movement.
To the first part, the very fact that there was a split indicated that there were two sides to this story. To the second, NO: there was no severance of ties (at least on a general scale--women are no different than men in that they don't like to be disagreed with and some--truth to be told--held grudges ☺️). In fact, after the war, there was a reunification. What made a severance appear likely was that, with abolition an accomplished fact, activists could concentrate on their own rights.
Though female listeners responded with overwhelming support to her speeches on divorce and marriage, Stanton found very little sympathy in the halls of power.
Through her friendship with Frances Seward, Mrs. Stanton had the ear of Secretary Seward and on the president himself.

To your final point, there was indeed a difference based in racism. Difficult for more committed abolitionists who greatly held to racial equality. This troubled the alliance but it didn't end it.

In the end, my point still holds: the women's movement grew out of abolitionism.

Sources:
Dorothy Wickenden: The Agitators
Ms. Wickenden is a journalist and executive editor of the New Yorker.

Manisha Sinha:
  • The Slave's Cause;
  • Lecture on Feminism sponsored by Boston University, Spring 2021
Dr. Sinha is a specialist in Nineteenth Century United States history: Transnational histories of slavery, abolition, and feminism,
the History and Legacy of the Civil War and Reconstruction at the University of Connecticut where she holds the Draper Chair of
History

Elisabeth Griffin: In Her Own Right: the life of Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Dr. Griffin is an independent historian who focuses on women's history (politics, leadership, etc.); she has ties to Georgetown
University

Timeline of the Women's Suffrage Movement: 1850-1868 Anthony, Association, Blackwell, Bloomer, Clark, Court, Davis, Douglass, Elections, Equal Rights, Foster, Garrison, Male, Property, Severance, Smith, Stanton, Stone, Stowe, Truth, Vineland (online)

My own research notes from a 2020 project done for a chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society on the Right to Vote and its background.
I, myself, am nobody in particular but my research went deep into the topic.

edited for grammar
 
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That is, of course, a popular view and one that would make sense in part. However it was a bit more complicated. In fact, some legislatures--such as NY--used the ACW as an excuse to roll back gains made in women's rights. But, during the war, plans were made for the 11th National Womans' Rights Convention. Many of the leaders (in both movements) remained engaged in both issues: women like Martha Wright.

To the first part, the very fact that there was a split indicated that there were two sides to this story. To the second, NO: there was no severance of ties (at least on a general scale--women are no different than men in that they don't like to be disagreed with and some--truth to be told--held grudges ☺️). In fact, after the war, there was a reunification. What made a severance appear likely was that, with abolition an accomplished fact, activists could concentrate on their own rights.

Through her friendship with Frances Seward, Mrs. Stanton had the ear of Secretary Seward and on the president himself.

To your final point, there was indeed a difference based in racism. Difficult for more committed abolitionists who greatly held to racial equality. This troubled the alliance but it didn't end it.

In the end, my point still holds: the women's movement grew out of abolitionism.

Sources:
Dorothy Wickenden: The Agitators
Ms. Wickenden is a journalist and executive editor of the New Yorker.

Manisha Sinha:
  • The Slave's Cause;
  • Lecture on Feminism sponsored by Boston University, Spring 2021
Dr. Sinha is a specialist in Nineteenth Century United States history: Transnational histories of slavery, abolition, and feminism,
the History and Legacy of the Civil War and Reconstruction at the University of Connecticut where she holds the Draper Chair of
History

Elisabeth Griffin: In Her Own Right: the life of Elizabeth Cady Stanton
Dr. Griffin is an independent historian who focuses on women's history (politics, leadership, etc.); she has ties to Georgetown
University

Timeline of the Women's Suffrage Movement: 1850-1868 Anthony, Association, Blackwell, Bloomer, Clark, Court, Davis, Douglass, Elections, Equal Rights, Foster, Garrison, Male, Property, Severance, Smith, Stanton, Stone, Stowe, Truth, Vineland (online)

My own research notes from a 2020 project done for a chapter of the Maine Genealogical Society on the Right to Vote and its background.
I, myself, am nobody in particular but my research went deep into the topic.

edited for grammar
Interesting

Edit - I wasn’t trying to suggest your point was wrong I was just expanding on it.
 
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