Eleanor Macomber (February 22, 1801 – April 16, 1840) was an American missionary and teacher who founded a Protestant school and church among the Karen.
With the aid of two or three native assistants, she maintained public worship on the Sabbath, and morning and evening prayers at her own dwelling; and also opened a school, which soon numbered ten or twelve pupils.
She spent the period of the rains from May to September at Maulmain, and on her return to the jungle, found the church and the schools prospering under the charge of the native preachers.
Amidst the prejudices and the occasional persecution of the priests and the votaries of Buddhism, the gospel continued to spread among the people; and Dong-yahn, by the instrumentality of Macomber, soon became the seat of a flourishing station, and the centre of religious knowledge to a wide region of Karens.
After visiting Tavoy, and acquiring the rudiments of the language, she left for the wilderness assigned her, about 25 miles (40 km) distant from the habitation of any Caucasian person; and there, after parting in tears with the missionary who had accompanied her, she sat down in the hut of a chief, who gave her reluctant admission.
By her perseverance, she soon established a small school, and in less than a year, a church numbering more than twenty persons was formed, and placed under the care of the Rev.
She was unusual for being a lone woman working among a foreign people, with no husband, father, or brother, and establishing public worship, opening her house for prayer, and developing schools.
[7] Besides her labors at Dong-yan, Macomber made occasional tours about the country in search of Karens of the Pwo tribe.
[6] Macomber died April 16, 1840, of jungle fever, at Mawlamyine, where she had been carried for the purpose of obtaining medical aid.