Born 19 June 1852 at Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., Pennsylvania.[1] Daughter of Joseph S. and Jane R. Elliott.[2] Taught school at age fifteen in Pottsville.[3] Founding member of the Schuylkill Shakespeare Student Society, a women’s club in Pottsville, 1875; served as a delegate at the Apr. 1890 convention of Women’s Clubs in New York City.[4] Studied medicine at the Women’s Medical College, ca. 1885, in Philadelphia.[5] Worked with Clara Barton and the American Red Cross after a flood in Johnstown, Cambria Co., Pennsylvania, 1889.[6] Served as a medical missionary in Moab, Grand Co., Utah Territory, for about seven years; deaconess of the Missionary Jurisdiction of Salt Lake.[7] Wrote a letter to the Woman’s Exponent regarding a tree planted on Arbor Day in Moab to honor EBW.[8] Met with EBW multiple times, Apr.–June 1896.[9] Organized the Woman’s Literary Club (originally called the Busy Women’s Club) in Moab, 9 Mar. 1898.[10] Spoke often against Latter-day Saint women and polygamy, 1899–early 1900s.[11] Deaconess of the Protestant Episcopal Church; served with the Interdenominational Council of Home Missionary Women.[12] Moved to Oxnard, Ventura Co., California, due to poor health.[13] Died 3 Jan. 1908 in Oxnard.[14]
[1] “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7. 1860 U.S. Census, Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., PA, p. 226, Sarah Elliott.
[2] Schuylkill Co., PA, Register of Wills, Letters of Administration, vol. 7, Schuylkill County Courthouse, Pottsville, PA. 1860 U.S. Census, Pottsville, Schuylkill Co., PA, p. 226, Sarah Elliott.
[3] “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7.
[4] Mrs. J. C. Croly, History of the Woman’s Club Movement in America (New York: Henry G. Allen, 1898), 1029. “In the Women’s Clubs,” Miners’ Journal (Pottsville, PA), 30 Apr. 1890, 1.
[5] “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7.
[6] “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7. “The Ladies’ Johnstown Contributions,” Miners’ Daily Journal (Pottsville, PA), 11 July 1889, 4.
[7] “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7. “Social Phenomena,” Church Standard, 13 Nov. 1900, 39; “Have Had Their Day,” Allentown (PA) Daily Leader, 19 Mar. 1903, 7.
[8] “Arbor Day,” Woman’s Exponent, 1 May 1895, 259.
[9] EBW, Diary, 13, 14, and 26 Apr. 1896; 13 and 29 May 1896; 16 June 1896.
[10] Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Grand County, Grand Memories (Moab, UT: Daughters of the Utah Pioneers Grand County, 1972), 163. “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7.
[11] “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7. “Workers for Temperance,” Altoona (PA) Tribune, 17 Oct. 1903, 3. “Sarah J. Talks,” Grand Valley Times (Moab, UT), 16 Jan. 1903, 2.
[12] “Woman’s Work: Home Missionary Society,” Northwestern Christian Advocate (New York City), 26 Aug. 1903, 29.
[13] “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7.
[14] “California, Death Index, 1905–1838: 1905–1929, Surnames A–E,” Ancestry.com (www.ancestry.com, accessed 21 Sept. 2021), p. 3111, Sarah J. Elliott, 3 Jan. 1908; California Department of Health and Welfare, Pleasanton, CA. “Most Estimable Lady Taken from Us,” Oxnard (CA) Courier, 10 Jan. 1908, 7.