Ellen Spencer (June 19, 1837 - December 03, 1913)

John Howard Whittemore’s Wife’s (Julia Anna Spencer Whittemore) sister

Some Distinguished Naugatuck Women
by D. J. Blackwell
Today, and for some years now, “women’s rights” have been getting considerable attention. Because they have won many rights the call for such now is less strident than in the past. Many groups of both sexes have talked much about rights, sometimes forgetting that there are no rights without duties or obligations. This seems to be better understood now than in the past. It used to be said, “A woman’s place is in the home”, but today, many women are effective in the professions, business and other fields. Gradually women have taken a more active role in community and civic affairs. This was true in Naugatuck and it might be worthwhile to consider some of these people and their contributions to life in town.

…

When the new public library was completed in 1894, Mrs. J. H. Whittemore’s sister Ellen was named librarian, a suitable and effective choice since she was well read and a person of profound literary judgment. Because she felt many women with literary and cultural interests were not adequately served in the late nineteenth century, she founded the Women’s Study Club to minister to these interests in 1894 and it still does after 104 years.

Reference - Naugatuck Historical Society News, September/October 1998