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Ella May Bennett

1855 – 1932

American Universalist minister

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About Ella May Bennett

Lived 1855 – 1932 (aged 76–77).

Ella May Bennett (1855–1932) was an American Universalist minister. In 1890, she was the first woman to be ordained to the ministry on Long Island. Four years later, after exhibiting erratic behavior, she was declared insane and removed to the Hudson River Insane Asylum at Poughkeepsie, New York.

Early life Ella May Hawkins was born in Stony Brook, New York, April 21, 1855. Senators Edward Hawkins and Simeon S. Hawkins were half-brothers. Two of Bennett's uncles, John Terry, a Methodist, and Wilson Terry, a Baptist, were ministers.

Bennett entered the ministry with the determination never to accept a good position and stated salary, but to labor where the faith was new and for the free-will offering of the people. Although tempted by large salaries, she never wavered in that determination.

Personal life In 1875, she married William Bennett, a sea captain, and they had three children. On September 17, 1894, considered to be hopelessly insane, Bennett was removed to the Hudson River Insane Asylum (renamed Hudson River State Hospital) at Poughkeepsie, New York; her husband and brothers accompanied her.

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Important facts

Birth century
Died
1932
Also known as
Ella May Hawkins

People in Ella May Bennett's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Ella May Bennett's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Ella May Bennett?

American Universalist minister (1855-1932)

When was Ella May Bennett born?

Ella May Bennett was born on 21 April 1855 in Stony Brook.

When did Ella May Bennett die?

Ella May Bennett died in 1932.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Ella May Bennett

· Wikidata: Q63963984

· DBpedia: Ella May Bennett

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Ella May Bennett. https://biography.guide/ella-may-bennett/

MLA: "Ella May Bennett." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/ella-may-bennett/.

Chicago: "Ella May Bennett." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/ella-may-bennett/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-21 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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