Lovejoy, Julia Hardy

Julia Hardy Lovejoy – Newspaper Correspondent, Political Advocate (1812 – 1864); Lawrence

Julia Hardy Lovejoy was an early female newspaper correspondent, reporting the disruptive events of “Bleeding Kansas” to local and other newspapers around the country.  While her articles garnered support for the free-state cause, they earned her some threats as well.

Julia Hardy was born in Lebanon, New Hampshire on March 9, 1812.[1]  She married Charles H. Lovejoy, a circuit Methodist preacher, on Sept. 7, 1833.[2]  In March 1855 the couple and their children moved to Kansas Territory with the New England Emigrant Aid Company to help the area become a free state.  They settled in the site of the future town of Manhattan and assisted with the founding of the town.[3]  They built the first house, a log cabin, in the townsite, and they established the original Methodist church.[4] 

In August 1856, the family moved to Lawrence.[5] By 1857, they were living on a successful fruit farm close to Baldwin.  Julia gave birth to six children, but only three survived until adulthood.  One daughter, Edith, aged six, died of measles the day after they arrived in Kansas.[6]

Julia wrote about the events occurring in Kansas between pro-slavery and free-state sympathizers.  She experienced some of these events firsthand.  On September 14, 1856, border ruffians (pro-slavery men) attacked Lawrence.  She carried her infant son to the outskirts of town along with the other women and children who were running away from the danger.  Bullets flew as the men ran to fight.  She described a terrible loud, fiery, and bloody scene.[7]

Julia explained the history behind these events and the potential long-term results.  She requested funds and supplies to support the free-state cause.  Readers around the country became aware of the issues and events of Kansas Territory because of Julia’s writing.  She was threatened by pro-slavery supporters because of the views she expressed.[8]

Julia felt that coming to Kansas was important for something other than spreading the word about the conflicting events.  She felt it was important to spread the word of the Methodist Episcopal Church through missionary work in the territory.[9] Julia joined her husband in this work.  She had been a person of strong faith since hearing God’s call at age nine. 

In 1864, at age 52, she became ill after attending the dedication of a Free Methodist church near Eudora.  She passed away at home on Feb. 6, 1864.[10]  She rests at Vinland Cemetery beside Charles, who was later buried beside her. 

Julia Hardy Lovejoy experienced and shared the events occurring in Kansas with the nation.  She positively affected the events of our great state as an early female news correspondent reporting from the unsettled and dangerous Kansas Territory.

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• [1] Lawrence Daily Journal, Lawrence, Kansas, Feb. 16, 1882.
• [2] “Rev. Charles Hazelton Lovejoy,” United States Biographical Dictionary, Kansas Volume (S. Lewis & Co., 1879), 289.
• [3] civilwaronthewesternborder.org/encyclopedia/lovejoy-julia-louisa
• [4] “Rev. Charles Hazelton Lovejoy,” 288.
• [5] civilwaronthewesternborder.org/encyclopedia/lovejoy-julia-louisa
• [6] “Rev. Charles Hazelton Lovejoy,” 289.
• [7] civilwaronthewesternborder.org/encyclopedia/lovejoy-julia-louisa
• [8] Ibid.
• [9] Ibid.
• [10] Lawrence Daily Journal, Lawrence, Kansas, Feb. 16, 1882.

By M. Jardon, May 2026