Abbie Howard Hunt Stuart

Abbie Howard Hunt Stuart (1840–1902) was an American suffragist, businesswoman, and founder of the Woman's Club of Olympia.

Early life and education Stuart née Hunt was born on October 28, 1840, in Boston, Massachusetts., the youngest of five children. Her father, James G. Hunt, and mother, née Clarissa Snow, were descendants of early Massachusetts settlers. She graduated from school in 1860 at age 19 and entered into a clerical career, reportedly contrary to her parents' wishes.

Social activism Stuart was an early supporter of female suffrage, joining with other prominent suffrage activists in Olympia. According to reminiscences by close friend Abigail Scott Duniway, Stuart became an ardent and active supporter of women's suffrage when she witnessed Duniway and Susan B. Anthony speak in Olympia in 1871. While this date conflicts with the fact that Stuart was not then living in Olympia nor married to Robert Stuart, it is likely that Stuart's support of female suffrage began at or near that year.

The idea of a club for women was first discussed between Duniway, Stuart and other suffrage supporters. However, it was Stuart's contention that such a club should not be closely associated with the suffrage movement. She believed that suffrage was so closely identified with prohibition that it would meet with sturdy opposition by anti-prohibitionists. Stuart also hoped to attract membership from women who were against, or on the fence about, female suffrage. Therefore, the club would prohibit discussions about suffrage, prohibition, or politics. The group first met in the Stuart Block owned by the Stuarts, and at various residences and public venues. In 1900, it was able to acquire a stand-alone clubhouse on 10th Avenue.

Stuart was elected as the first president of the Woman's Club and remained active for the rest of her life. She established a rota of member presentations on a variety of subjects, and fined members who came unprepared.

Personal and business life Stuart's marriage to Robert Stuart, Land Receiver for Thurston County, involved her in campaigns to promote immigration to Washington Territory. In 1875, the Washington Territory Board of Immigration was formed to promote immigration to the underpopulated territory. Abbie Stuart was appointed chair of the board and wrote and issued a pamphlet extolling the virtues of the territory. 15,000 copies of this and subsequent pamphlets were printed, resulting in hundreds of inquiries Abbie Stuart also undertook the task of responding to correspondence sent to her husband, who suffered for several years from ill health and died in 1891. and businesslike.

Death and aftermath rightAbbie Howard Hunt Stuart died on January 7, 1902, while on a trip to California. Her funeral was held at the Olympia Woman's Club on January 11, 1902.

Following her death, her will was found to include a number of small bequests to friends from Olympia and elsewhere, with the bulk of her estate left to three woman friends from outside of Olympia. Stuart's closest relative, her brother, John Hunt, was left a nominal $100. He brought suit to challenge the will on the grounds that the will had not been properly executed, and that the three major legatees had exercised an abnormal and unlawful influence on her. The four day trial was reported in detail in the press, and widely attended due to the prominence of Mrs. Stuart and the numerous legatees. The judge upheld the validity of the will, and an appeal from that decision was upheld by the Supreme Court.

Legacy

Following a fire that gutted the original clubhouse, the Woman's Club of Olympia raised funds to build a new house on Washington Street, and named its clubhouse in her honor, which is known as the Abigail [sic Stuart House. The Abigail Stuart house is a non-profit, nondenominational, and nonpartisan volunteer service organization.

The Stuart Place Apartments in downtown Olympia are named for the Stuarts and the building that once occupied the same location.