Susan Colby Colgate (1817-1919)

Description

Susan Farnum Colby was born in New London, NH on April 21, 1817 to Anthony and Mary Everett Colby. Susan was educated in New London, NH, at the New Hampton Seminary in New Hampton, NH, and at Emma Willard’s school in Troy, NY. Susan was the first principal of the New London Academy in 1838, and she was later the principal of the New Hampton Seminary. She was also a trustee of the New London Academy (now Colby-Sawyer College). Susan was married in New London, NH on February 19, 1851 to James Boorman Colgate of New York City, and their wedding was the first wedding ever celebrated in the village church. They had two children: Mary Colgate and James Colby Colgate. Susan and James Colgate moved to New York, where Susan became the treasurer of the Colored Home & Hospital and held the position for over forty years. Susan was also the secretary of the Women’s Baptist & Foreign Missionary Society of New York City for twenty-five years. Susan lived to be 102 years old. She died in 1919 in Glenwood, Yonkers, NY and was buried in the Greenwood Cemetery.

Susan Colby Colgate died on March 22, 1919.