Representative women of New England/Salome Merritt

by Mary H. Graves

SALOME MERRITT, M.D.

SALOME MERRITT, M.D., daughter of the late Increase Sumner and Susan (Penniman) Merritt, was born February 22, 1843, in Temple ton, Mass. She was the youngest of eleven children, seven of whom are now living. Her father was of the Scituate family founded by Henry* Merritt, whose name appears in the Plymouth Colony records as grantor of a deed in 1628. Her mother was a descendant of James Penniman, of Brain tree, Mass., and his wife Lydia, who was a sister of John Eliot, the Apostle to the Indians.

The Merritt household was a cheerful, happy one, unclouded by stem discipline, the youthful gayety of the children heartily encouraged by their parents. Salome was a wide-awake, lively girl, very fond of pets, making play-fellows of the domestic animals. At school she was bright and quick to master difficult tasks. Having completed the courses provided in the district school and high school, she taught for a few terms. After that she continued her education at the seminary in East Greenwich, R.I., graduating in 1864, the valedictorian of her class.

For the next seven years she was a successful teacher; but longing for a broader field of activity, a vocation which should be of greater benefit to others, she decided to adopt the profession of medicine, an undertaking attended in those days with many difficulties, not the least of which was public disfavor. Consequently her sister, who throughout life was her devoted companion, sharing all her hardships and successes, tried to dissuade her, but without avail. Her resolution taken, she entered the Boston Female Medical College. This college soon passing into control of Boston University and changing from the old to the homcoopathic school, she entered the New York Free Medical College for Women, from which she was graduated in 1874, having completed in one year the work usually assigned for a three years' course. Upon the resignation of the noted Dr. J. V. C. Smith, professor of anatomy, Dr. Merritt was upon his recommendation appointed to fill the vacancy. For two years she remained in this responsible position, proving fully the wisdom of the choice; but, longing for the busy, useful life of an active practice, she came to Boston, and established herself at 59 Hancock Street, where she remained until 1896.

Meantime numerous other claims demanded a part of her time. She was a born suffragist, and worked perseveringly to advance the cause in all directions, national. State, and municipal. She originated and secured several amendments to the statutes of assessment and registration by which school suffrage was made easier. She was a charter member of the National Woman Suffrage Association, was its president in 1893, and from the start always gave her earnest support and unfailing interest to all its measures.

As a voter in Ward Ten, Boston, she was active in all matters concerning the welfare of the public schools, and did much to arouse the interest of other women. As a member of the original Ward and City Committee of Women Voters, her influence and exertions were directed toward securing the election of the best women and men to the school board, thus making it a greater power for good. This was a matter of vital importance to her, and she devoted to it much of her time and strength. When, in 1888, the anti-Catholic question in the management of the public schools arose, Dr. Merritt took a firm stand against the measure as unconstitutional and un-American. A year later, when the Citizens' Public School Union was formed, she was made its president. This organization was a potent factor in preventing the board from being made an entirely Protestant body.

She was one of the founders and for many years vice-president of the Moral Education Association, one of whose aims was to create an interest in the subject of physiological in- struction in the high schools. She presided over a meeting held in one of the halls of Bos- ton, in which the subject was discussed by a goodly number of earnest, thoughtful men and women, who had come to realize its need. It was a great .satisfaction to her, near the close of her life, to know that the movement had gained steadily in favor, nmch having been done to advance the cause, especially in pro- viding suitable literature and giving lectures.

When the Hospital Board of the Woman's Charity Club was ff)rmed, she became an active member, always ready to give from her experience thoughts and suggestions of value in this new field of woman's work.

In 188!) she was the originator of the idea that led to the institution of the Connnittee of Counsel and Co-operation, composed of dele- gates from many large organizations. Of this "C. C. C." she was chairman, and planned several of the reforms which it brought about. Some of the beneficial results of their labors are the reform in the management of the public institutions of ]3oston and the appointment of .women on prison and charitable boards. They have worked for shorter hours in mercantile establishments and for other measures in behalf of working-women. Along the line of moral reform they have made persistent and success- ful efforts. They were also instrumental in checking the practice of spitting in the public cars, which by the Board of Health is now made punishable by a fine of one hundred dollars. For several years their attention has been given to the subject of pui)lic anuisements, effecting the removal of several obscene and demoralizing exhibits. This, watchfulness is a healthy restraint on the managers of these places, and has effected a decided improve- ment in the character of the displays.

As president of the Ladies' Physiological In- stitute her work was broad and fur-reaching. She strove to eliminate from her teaching all obscure technicalities and make her lectures plain, practical, and so interesting as to hold the attention of the members who came each week from far ami near. She was leader, in- structor, fellow-worker, and personal friend; and many are the mothers whose children reap the benefit of her wise teachings.

She was also prominent in the movement in- augurated by Mrs. Alice N. Lincoln for a re- form in the public institutions of Boston, which resulted in the appointment in 1892, by Mayor Matthews, of a Board of Visitors, "to be," as he wisely expressed it, "eyes and ears for him." Hearings Aveie held before the Committee on Public Institutions, and few who listened to her will ever forget Dr. Merritt's eloquent plea in behalf of this measure. Another Board of ^^isitors was iijipointed in 1894. After further hearings a committee of three, of which Dr. Mcrritt was one, )3rescnted a bill, endorsed by Mayor Quincy, asking that the public institu- tions of Boston be divided, and that separate departments be established for the care ot prisoners, paupers, children, antl insane per- sons. Each dcjiartment was to have a Board of Trustees, composed of both men and women. /This measure became a law in 1897, after a bitter contest. In this work, from its incipiency to the enactment of the law. Dr. Merritt was instrumental in enlisting public sentiment and assistance.

Notwithstanding all these varied interests she was ha|)piest, best known, and best beloved in her own honie. Sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews, all turned to her for advice, sure of a loving sympathy in all that concerned them.

It is impossible in so short a sketch to do justice to her many-sided character. She loved every breathing creature; and many a forlorn, neglected animal in her neighborhood has she befriended. Babies were her especial care, and her interest did not cease with the need for medical attention. Her heart went out to the poor, and many were the sick and needy who were gladdened by receiving the doctor's bill receipted, sometimes followed by donations of food and clothing. When the holidays were near, the Merritt kitchen was a busy place, and various were the dishes of good wholesome food, prepared often by tired hands, that were carried late at night to households where such dainties had been hitherto unknown. It was only when some friend whose calls penetrated to all parts of the house discovered the workers at their tasks that these benefactions became known; for one of the watchwords of that household was, "Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth."

Dr. Merritt's original and independent habit of thought on all subjects could not fail to evince itself in her religious belief. Without seeking opportunities, she did not shrink from expressing her own individual persuasion when conversing with persons of a different faith. Her love of truth could not abide the obvious prevarications of those who believe in the evangelical doctrines, yet live in utter disregard for the welfare of others, apparently only desirous to benefit self. Many have heard her quote the memorable words of Thomas Paine, "The work! is my country, to do good is my religion." So well was this known that the Ladies' Physiological Institute, of which she was president, in selecting for her a birthday gift, chose an exquisite little statue of Paine, which she prized more highly than she could have done some more costly token of ordinary sentiment.

At one time, perhaps in the eighties, the opportunity came for Dr. Merritt to witness in her own house some of the then unusual phenomena of spirit power, and her interest was aroused to make a study. of this belief. All went well until one evening she was called away. On her return, being told of the fulfilment of a promise that "something more wonderful than before would be given when the conditions were all favorable," she impulsively exclaimed, "I don't believe it"; and for several years utterly repudiated all her former conclusions. Afterward, however, she felt that it had been a mistake to throw away such opportunity, and asked a friend, when they were about to part for the summer, to keep her in mind and write to her if she had any message.

In her earlier days she was called an atheist, but she disavowed this charge by referring to another state of existence, and in her last illness, speaking of the hereafter, said, "There'll be work for me to do there." She died November 7, 1900. Premature as her transition seemed, Dr. Merritt, if we can judge by the good accomplished and the amount of her unselfish labor for the benefit of others, had rounded out a long life.