Ella May Bennett

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.