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Mary <I>Easton</I> Sibley

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Mary Easton Sibley

Birth
Rome, Oneida County, New York, USA
Death
20 Jun 1878 (aged 78)
Saint Charles, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
Burial
Saint Charles, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA
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Pioneer female educator. The daughter of Congressman Rufus Easton, she moved to St. Louis with her parents in 1804, and completed her education at Mrs. Tevis's boarding school in Kentucky. In 1815 she married Army officer George Sibley. When he was named Indian Factor at Fort Osage near what is now Independence, Missouri, she accompanied him to this remote outpost. An accomplished horsewoman and musician, she instructed the Indian children at nearby Harmony Mission, and established a favorable reputation for her teaching skills and genuine concern for the area's Native Americans. Mary Sibley was also well known for her hospitality, entertaining Daniel Boone and other notables when they visited Fort Osage. After the government ended the Indian Factor system in 1822, George Sibley retired, and the Sibleys took up residence in St. Charles. In 1831 she began a girl's school. In 1852 George and Mary Sibley donated the school's facilities and surrounding land for the creation of Lindenwood College, the first woman's college west of the Mississippi River. After George Sibley died in 1863, Mary Sibley continued to reside at Lindenwood. She lived out her life on the grounds of the college, revered by students and faculty as its founder and benefactor. Lindenwood University presents the annual Easton Award in her honor to the female senior who best exemplifies scholarship, leadership, loyalty and community service.
Pioneer female educator. The daughter of Congressman Rufus Easton, she moved to St. Louis with her parents in 1804, and completed her education at Mrs. Tevis's boarding school in Kentucky. In 1815 she married Army officer George Sibley. When he was named Indian Factor at Fort Osage near what is now Independence, Missouri, she accompanied him to this remote outpost. An accomplished horsewoman and musician, she instructed the Indian children at nearby Harmony Mission, and established a favorable reputation for her teaching skills and genuine concern for the area's Native Americans. Mary Sibley was also well known for her hospitality, entertaining Daniel Boone and other notables when they visited Fort Osage. After the government ended the Indian Factor system in 1822, George Sibley retired, and the Sibleys took up residence in St. Charles. In 1831 she began a girl's school. In 1852 George and Mary Sibley donated the school's facilities and surrounding land for the creation of Lindenwood College, the first woman's college west of the Mississippi River. After George Sibley died in 1863, Mary Sibley continued to reside at Lindenwood. She lived out her life on the grounds of the college, revered by students and faculty as its founder and benefactor. Lindenwood University presents the annual Easton Award in her honor to the female senior who best exemplifies scholarship, leadership, loyalty and community service.

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  • Created by: Bill McKern
  • Added: Sep 18, 2007
  • Find a Grave Memorial ID:
  • Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/21637271/mary-sibley: accessed ), memorial page for Mary Easton Sibley (24 Jan 1800–20 Jun 1878), Find a Grave Memorial ID 21637271, citing Lindenwood College Cemetery, Saint Charles, St. Charles County, Missouri, USA; Maintained by Bill McKern (contributor 46817687).