Polly Barber

Polly Barber (Polly Scovill; 25 September 1803 – 23 February 1898), was born in Lower Canada and, at various times was a teacher, farmer, and businesswoman.

Polly, (Mary by birth), started out as a school teacher and married Stephen Scovill Jr, a farmer from Sutton Township. They had a successful farm when her husband died leaving her a widow and pregnant at the age of 44. She was able to carry on developing the farm, raising children, and starting a successful clothing factory.

The widow Scovill was important in history because she was able to rise above the prejudices which would have been prevalent toward a woman in business at that time. She set an example that was beneficial to future women in business.