Jane E. Hoadley
Heritage Award
Jane Eliza Hoadley was born January 30, 1830 in Branford, the only child of Sally Hobart and Harvey Hoadley. Sally Hobart Hoadley died when Jane was six years old and eight years later Harvey remarried having three more children. Jane received her education in the local schools and no doubt had further training at one of the private girls' schools in New Haven.
At the age of sixteen, Jane E. Hoadley became the first female teacher in the town of Branford, an occupation previously for men only. She was the last teacher at the Academy on the Branford Green, a private school started by the Rev. Timothy Gillett, pastor of the Congregational Church. She also taught at rural one-room schoolhouses such as Mill Plain and Damascus. These teaching assignments were difficult with thirty students ranging in age from five to fourteen. The teacher was responsible for teaching all subjects with meager supplies and keeping the stove going in the winter. Like most teachers of the mid-19th century, Jane boarded with area families within walking distance of the school.
Center School on Main Street opened in 1866 and Jane was the only woman and among the first teachers at that school. In 1874 her annual salary was two hundred dollars, more than any other female teacher in Branford but one half that of the male teachers. Center School became the town's first high school in 1877 and Miss Hoadley taught the business courses.
In the 1930's, several of her male students, by then in their 70's and successful businessmen, fondly recalled their teacher. "One of the best teachers was Miss Jane Hoadley. She taught several years at Mill Plain after several male teachers failed to subdue the class. She had things regulated within one hour." "Miss Hoadley was tall, very straight, with black hair, always a smile on her noble face. She never struck a student and had the habit of patting down the boys' hair as she walked by."
Miss Jane E. Hoadley retired from teaching about 1890 and lived the rest of her life with her brother Charles A. Hoadley on Hopson Avenue. Branford's first female teacher died in Branford, April 8, 1922 at the age of 92 and is buried at Center Cemetery.
At the age of sixteen, Jane E. Hoadley became the first female teacher in the town of Branford, an occupation previously for men only. She was the last teacher at the Academy on the Branford Green, a private school started by the Rev. Timothy Gillett, pastor of the Congregational Church. She also taught at rural one-room schoolhouses such as Mill Plain and Damascus. These teaching assignments were difficult with thirty students ranging in age from five to fourteen. The teacher was responsible for teaching all subjects with meager supplies and keeping the stove going in the winter. Like most teachers of the mid-19th century, Jane boarded with area families within walking distance of the school.
Center School on Main Street opened in 1866 and Jane was the only woman and among the first teachers at that school. In 1874 her annual salary was two hundred dollars, more than any other female teacher in Branford but one half that of the male teachers. Center School became the town's first high school in 1877 and Miss Hoadley taught the business courses.
In the 1930's, several of her male students, by then in their 70's and successful businessmen, fondly recalled their teacher. "One of the best teachers was Miss Jane Hoadley. She taught several years at Mill Plain after several male teachers failed to subdue the class. She had things regulated within one hour." "Miss Hoadley was tall, very straight, with black hair, always a smile on her noble face. She never struck a student and had the habit of patting down the boys' hair as she walked by."
Miss Jane E. Hoadley retired from teaching about 1890 and lived the rest of her life with her brother Charles A. Hoadley on Hopson Avenue. Branford's first female teacher died in Branford, April 8, 1922 at the age of 92 and is buried at Center Cemetery.