Louisa Barnes Pratt was a prominent advocate for women"s vote and other related causes in the 19th century as well as a Latter-day Saint missionary.
Background
Louisa Barnes was born in Warwick, Massachusetts a daughter of Willard Barnes and his wife Dolly. Her father served in the British forces during the War of 1812 although in her autobiography she alleged he was a supporter of the United States.
Career
When she was a fairly young child her family moved to Quebec. Barnes was raised in the Episcopalian faith, although she did not formally get baptized in that church until age 14. This eventually led to her meeting Rebekah"s brother Addison.
After being in Massachusetts for four years Louisa returned to Canada.
After she had been in Canada for a year and a half Addison came to visit. In 1843 Addison left to serve a mission in Polynesia (originally intending to go to Hawaii but actually ending up in Tahiti).
While in Tahiti Pratt told a congregation that the Tahitians were descended from the Nephites. This is the first recorded statement to this effect, related to theories about Hagoth"s journey recorded in the Book of Alma.
Pratt"s Autobiography was published in a version edited by South. George Ellsworth by Utah State University Press.