Polly Zilpah Grant Banister

Background

He was born on May 30, 1794 in Norfolk, Connecticut, the daughter of Joel and Zilpah (Cowles) Grant, of Scotch descent. Both Joel Grant and his wife were sturdy pioneers and stanch Puritans.

Education

After learning everything offered in the weather-beaten schoolhouse near by, Zilpah spent several winters at home, sharing the heavy work of the family and reading all available books.

Zilpah Grant began teaching at the age of fifteen. Eventually she saved up enough money to enter Byfield Academy and study under the charismatic clergyman Joseph Emerson, a leading proponent of women's education. At Byfield, she befriended Mary Lyon, who later taught with Grant for several years.

Career

After leaving Byfield in 1821 she started a private school at Winsted, but a year later went back as a teacher to Mr. Emerson's school, now removed to Saugus. In 1824 she became principal of the newly endowed Adams Female Academy, at Derry, New Hampshire. She received the school-building without rent but otherwise assumed all responsibility and received all profits. In 1828 she removed her school to Ipswich where she obtained a building on the same terms. Both at Derry and at Ipswich Mary Lyon was her assistant until she left to found Mount Holyoke Seminary, which was modeled after the Ipswich Seminary. In 1839, feeling her health unequal to the work without the help of Miss Lyon, Miss Grant gave up her school.

A year in France and England, 1860-61, marked the last pronounced activity of her life. The remaining years were quiet, yet full of domestic, religious, and educational interests. A year before her death she visited Mount Holyoke Seminary and spoke before the students.

Mrs. Banister's only writings were articles on the education of women. Her chief educational work was as a teacher of girls in days when education for women was not yet formulated. English, the sciences, Bible study, and physical training were stressed in her school, but foreign languages found no place in the curriculum.

Achievements

• Zilpah Polly Grant Banister is known primarily for founding Ipswich Female Seminary in Ipswich, Massachusetts in 1828.

Works

• book

  • Hints on education: Extracts from letters written in 1856

Personality

She was not a learned woman, nor even a wide reader; her wisdom was that of common sense and interest in human beings. As she moved up the aisle to the platform, a tall, erect, figure, with strongly marked features, reflective dark eyes, and dark hair, partly covered by a white head-dress, she represented to the girls assembled a model of womanly refinement and dignity.

Connections

On September 7, 1841, she was married to William B. Banister, a Dartmouth graduate and former member of the Massachusetts Senate. At her marriage she became the mistress of a Colonial home in Newburyport, where lived also two daughters of her husband by former marriages.

Father:

Joel Grant

Mother:

Zilpah (Cowles) Grant

husband:

William Banister