ing in 1908, by Miss Cora Mitchell, its first president. The
League's work was at first largely carried on by an active group of
philanthropic women of Bristol Ferry, Miss Mitchell's friends and
neighbors, among whom were Miss Sarah J. Eddy, Mrs. John Eldredge and
Mrs. Barton Ballou. Gradually the suffrage agitation spread over the
entire island, which includes the three townships of Portsmouth,
Middletown and Newport. In Middletown the league's work was ably
carried on by Mrs. Eugene Sturtevant and her daughters. All rendered
priceless service to what was then an unpopular and unfashionable
cause.

Mrs. Julia Ward Howe was present at the first meeting and as long as
she lived took great interest in its work. This interest was inherited
by her daughters, Mrs. Maud Howe Elliott and Mrs. Florence Howe Hall.
The summer meetings were sometimes held at Oak Glen, Portsmouth, Mrs.
Howe's country home, and here on soft June afternoons the veteran
suffrage workers and the young neophytes destined to carry on their
work rejoiced in coming together. On one occasion a young stranger was
noticed in the audience who followed the proceedings with breathless
interest. Soon afterwards Mrs. Norman deR. Whitehouse of New York
began her fine service for suffrage, which was continued until the
victory was won in that State.

Many of the most distinguished speakers ever heard in Newport came
under the auspices of this league. Among the active workers were Mrs.
Walter Wright, secretary and treasurer; Miss Elizabeth Peckham, Mrs.
Oscar Miller, Mrs. Bertram Storrs and many others, and among the
faithful members Admiral and Mrs. Sims rendered "aid and comfort"
beyond belief in those days when it took some courage in fashionable
Newport to "come out" for woman suffrage!

[The long and interesting account of this league must be omitted
because space can be given only to national and State organizations.]

FOOTNOTES:

[157] The History is indebted for this chapter to Miss Elizabeth Upham
Yates, president of the State Woman Suffrage Association 1909-1914,
and honorary president until its work was finished in 1920.

[158] The presidents of the State Woman's Christian Temperance Union,
Mrs. Susan Hammond Barney, Mrs. Emeline Burlingame Cheney, Mrs. Mary
A. Babcock, Mrs. Deborah Knox Livingston, Mrs. Jennie L. W. Rooke and
Mrs. Ethelyn Roberts have all been active workers for woman suffrage.

[159] In addition to those already mentioned, the