Women's Rights: Jane and Richard Hunt - Seneca Falls, NY

Women's Rights

Jane and Richard Hunt

Seneca Falls, NY

Jane and Richard Hunt on the left.

N 42° 54.637 W 076° 48.010

Short Description: 

Statues of Jane and Richard Hunt are located on the first floor of the Women's Rights National Historic Park at 136 Fall Street, Seneca Falls, NY.

Jane Hunt

Richard Hunt

Long Description:

Jane Clothier Master was born in Philadelphia, PA, on June 26, 1812 into a Quaker family. Richard Pell Hunt, also a Quaker, was born September 2, 1797 Pelham, NY. He came to Waterloo, NY in 1821 and became the richest resident. Jane married Richard in 1845 and moved to Waterloo, NY. Jane was Richard's fourth wife after the previous three died. Richard brought three children into the marriage. Jane gave birth to a son on June 23, 1848.

Both Jane and Richard attended the Women's Rights Convention in Seneca Falls that took place on July 19-20, 1848. Jane, along with Mary Ann M'Clintock, Martha Wright, Lucretia Mott, and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, was an organizer of the convention. One of the planning sessions was held on July 9, 1848 in the Hunt's home. Both Jane and Richard signed the the convention's Declaration of Sentiments. Richard's adult children also signed the Declaration. Richard Pell Hunt died November 7, 1856. Jane, now a wealthy widow with six children, remained active in community affairs and gave generously to the town of Waterloo. She died while in Chicago on November 28, 1889 at aged 77. Richard and Jane are buried together in Maple Grove Cemetery in Waterloo.

Life size bronze statues of Jane and Richard Hunt were created by Lloyd Lillie. The couple stand at ground level along with one unidentified member (possibly one of Hunt's children) of the First Wave, a sculptural grouping of nineteen women's rights activists. Jane is dressed in period clothing with a long dress that has over sized sleeves, a belt at the waist, and a medallion at the neckline. She has her right hand near her stomach and carries a fan by her side in her left hand. Richard stands to her left in the middle of the grouping. He is wearing a jacket. His left hand is on his lapel.

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