Francis M. Brunson
1871-1956, remained single
Born in East Bloomfield, father was a farmer
Was a schoolteacher locally, 1894
Board member for Wood Library c. 1900
Original member of the Fortnightly Club, East Bloomfield, 1896
From 1898 to 1909 was assistant/associate editor of the Ontario County Times Journal
Became matron of Clark Manor House, 1909 (her mother was there)
Was chairman of Canandaigua YMCA auxiliary, 1909
Wrote a play entitled “Sam’s Surrender”, a suffrage farce – was performed locally as well as at other Upstate NY communities, 1915-16
Was considered a “prominent suffrage worker who has contributed extensively to the literary side of the campaign.” (Poughkeepsie Eagle News, Oct. 17, 1916)
Moved to Batavia in 1918 to care for her 3 young cousins (boys)
Started business “C’Nannie’s Plum Pudding” in Batavia in the 1920s
Paulina Wright Davis
1813-1876, spouses Francis Wright, Thomas Davis, 2 adopted children
Born in Bloomfield, parents died when she was young, moved to LeRoy to live with orthodox Presbyterian aunt; joined church but found it hostile to outspoken women
First husband prosperous merchant, Francis Wright from Utica – both heavily involved in Central New York Anti-Slavery Society, women’s rights reform; he died in 1845
Moved to NYC to study medicine, gave lectures on anatomy and physiology to women only, promoted women’s health
1849 married Thomas Davis, lived in RI
In 1850 began to focus energies on women’s rights, helped to arrange first National Women’s Rights Convention in Worcester, MA, presided over and gave opening address
Amanda Theodosia Jones
Amanda Theodosia Jones (1835-1914) was a multi-talented woman who was a prolific inventor and a frequently published writer. Her inventions were in two very different fields—food preservation/canning, and the use of oil as a fuel for furnaces. In 1890 she also started and ran an all-woman canning business.
