Peabody Hall

Helen Peabody was the first principal at the Western Female Seminary in Oxford, Ohio. When Peabody began the work to start this women's college she was approached by Gabriel Tichenor, a planter and enslaver from Natchez, Mississippi. Tichenor enslaved many African Americans in Natchez, including Topsy, Harriet Battles, Ann Battles Johnson, and Betsy among others. It is suspected that he was the father of Ann through Harriet because he emancipated them in Cincinnati and purchased land for the pair in Mississippi. Topsy was a man enslaved by Tichenor, who, after being freed, remained living with him in Ohio.

Tichenor took interest in Peabody’s plans to open the school, giving the first donation of $5,000 to finish the construction of Seminary Hall. Under Peabody's 33-year term as principal, the school benefited from the wealth obtained by Tichenor's enslaved labor. Tichenor continued to support the school under Peabody’s presidency, leaving $4,000 in his will. The following year, the Board of Trustees minutes reported the Tichenor Bequest of $20,000.

Peabody Hall was named in 1905. Today, Peabody Hall is one of the oldest buildings on Miami University’s campus and serves as a residence hall and the office of the Honors College.

Note about Gabriel Tichenor's slavery connections and his relationship to Helen Peabody, undated

This note describes the relationship between Western College President Helen Peabody and donor and trustee Gabriel Tichenor. Gabriel Tichenor enslaved African Americans in Natchez, Mississippi, and is suspected to have been the father of an enslaved woman named Ann Battles Johnson, the daughter of Harriet Battles. Topsy was a man enslaved by Tichenor, who, after being freed, remained living with him in Ohio. Tichenor, his wife, and Topsy spent a great deal of time with Peabody, forming an intimate relationship after learning of her intentions to build a school. Without these relationships and the money given to Peabody from wealth derived from enslaved labor, Western College might never have opened its doors, and Peabody might not have become a president worthy of being a namesake.

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