Abigail Goodrich Whittelsey

Abigail Goodrich Whittelsey (, Goodrich; married surname, Whittelsey, and sometimes spelled Whittlesey; November 29, 1788 – July 16, 1858) was an American educator, magazine founder, and editor from Connecticut. A teacher and a matron at a female seminary in her early career, she helped to establish a female seminary in Utica, New York. Whittelsey was actively involved with the Maternal Association. She also founded two periodicals, Mother’s Magazine and Mrs. Whittelsey’s Magazine for Mothers.

Early life and education Abigail Goodrich was born in Ridgefield, Connecticut, the daughter of Samuel and Elizabeth Ely Goodrich. She was the elder sister of Samuel Griswold Goodrich. She was also sister to Charles A. Goodrich who became a Congregational minister. Her father served as pastor over the Congregational Church. The family removed to Berlin, Connecticut, where Whittlesey was chiefly educated. who served at New Preston, Connecticut for a decade, beginning in 1807. After Mr. Whittlesey, at his own request, received a dismission from his pastoral position at New Preston, he took charge of the "Deaf and Dumb Asylum", at Hartford, Connecticut, on April 30, 1817.

They lived from 1824 till 1828 in Canandaigua, New York, where Abigail worked as matron of the Ontario Female Seminary, managed by her husband, the principal.

Personal life and death The Whittleseys had seven children.