Colton, Mary (1822–1898)

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Colton, Mary (1822–1898)

Australian philanthropist and suffragist. Born Mary Cutting, Dec 6, 1822, in London, England; died July 28, 1898, in Adelaide, Australia; dau. of Hannah and Samuel Cutting; m. John Blackler Colton (later mayor of Adelaide, 1874–75, MP, 1862–87 and twice premier of South Australia), 1844; children: 9.

With widowed father, immigrated to South Australia (1839); worked with husband in the Benevolent and Strangers' Friend Society and for organizations for the blind, deaf and dumb; was one of the principal founders of the Adelaide Children's Hospital (1876); launched the Young Women's Christian Association in Adelaide and served as its president until her death; deeply involved in women's suffrage, helped to organize the South Australian Women's Suffrage League (1888).