Description
Throughout the summer and autumn of 1920, Bredon’s Norton’s local Manor House, home of the Manor House Club, was the scene of many celebratory events organised by Victoria Woodhull Martin (1838-1927), an American ex-pat with a storied past. Woodhull had been a powerful voice in the campaign for women’s rights in the USA: she had even run for president. By the 1920s she was a twice-divorced widow living the quiet life in rural England, but still actively supporting Anglo-American friendship, education, and other philanthropic causes.
The most spectacular event at Bredon's Norton was the pageant that was performed in September. But preliminary to this big occasion, the summer saw a series of smaller events, such as this lecture given in July by Sarah Anne Tooley (1856-1946). As a journalist, historian, and biographer, Tooley was fascinated by people, but particularly by women who had lived unusual lives: Victoria Woodhull certainly fit that bill. Tooley’s own literary reputation would have made her a welcome guest.
Tooley gave an 80-minute lecture, illustrated by lantern slides, on the subject of the origin of the Pilgrim Fathers, their time in Holland, the Mayflower voyage, and the circumstances of the founding of New England. She also dealt with the American War of Independence. Tooley’s lecture concluded with some discussion of Victoria Woodhull’s life and activities, suggesting that the organiser’s own reputation had had something to do with Tooley’s participation.
The Mayflower part of Tooley’s lecture must have been a success: she gave it again at Richmond later in the year.
Source
T. Doughty, “Tooley [nee Southall], Sarah Anne (1856-1946)”, Oxford Dictionary of National Biography.
L. Goldman, “Woodhull, Victoria Claflin [other married name Victoria Woodhull Martin] (1838-1927)”, Oxford Dictionary of National Library.