Bridgman, Eliza Jane (1805–1871)

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Bridgman, Eliza Jane (1805–1871)

American missionary educator. Born Eliza Jane Gillet, May 6, 1805, in Derby, Connecticut; died Nov 10, 1871, in Shanghai, China; dau. of Canfield and Hannah Gillet; m. Elijah Coleman Bridgman (1st American missionary in China), June 28, 1845.

Served 17 years as principal at girls' boarding school (beginning c. 1827); as teacher for China mission (1843), began missionary work in Canton; opened 1st Protestant day school for girls in Shanghai (1850); reached the American Board's North China Mission at Peking (1864); opened school in Peking, the Bridgman Academy (later Woman's College of Yenching University), providing personal funding; participated in development of newly opened girls' school in Shanghai. Writings include Daughters of China (1853) and The Life and Labors of Elijah Coleman Bridgman (1864).

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