Phoebe Hatfield Ogden

A Mother of Leaders

Today we look at Phoebe Hatfield Ogden (November 25, 1720 – 1796). She is the wife of Robert Ogden II, who I had characterized in my book Honest Ogden. She is a person worthy of being outlined as a Profile in Character.

How is this? She came from a long line of well-off and accomplished people in the Elizabethtown, NJ in the 1700s. Her father Matthias Hatfield was known as a local lawyer. Her mother, Hannah Miller Hatfield also came from a local family.

Phoebe has been described in the following manner. “She adorned the various relationships of daughter, sister, wife, and mother, friend and Christian, by affection and love, sincerity, and intelligence, resignation and charity, meekness and piety in a very eminent degree During the course of a long life, she was beloved, respected, and honored by an extensive acquaintance and numerous progeny.” This description is on her tombstone.

The note about numerous children is appropriate. She birthed 13 boys and girls. From these grew legislators, Revolutionary War heros, and early American governor of New Jersey, and the parents of further multiplication of the Ogden clan who had been spread across the American landscape in the 1800s.

She and Robert were forced to move from luxury in the city to the sparse wilds in the northwest. In spite of the drawbacks of the more primitive life she continued as mother and also helping the cause for freedom as one of the “Ladies of Trenton” in support of the Revolutionary War while her husband was the head of the area Committee of Safety. They both aided in sustaining and continuing the Christian faith through having a meeting house and then leading the building of First Presbyterian Church of Sparta, NJ at the conclusion of the Revolution.

The qualities as described on her tombstone note the abilities to be a good partner and parent to those who had gone out and produced in the field, or excelled in civic assembly, or were great contributors in the military. Importantly, these are qualities of housewives that are often overlooked. One who is a good wife, a caring homemaker, a concerned mother is one who has many times taken the quiet and unappreciated path to helping make the world a better place.

These attributes imbued in Phoebe Hatfield Ogden are necessary components of the effective way of how to carry on the species, make the best of the human condition, and serve as an example of the good extended family or clan.

Inspiring History Episode 23

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Much information is referenced from: The Ogden Family in America compiled by William Ogden Wheeler

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