Abby Hadassah Smith facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Abby Hadassah Smith
Abby Hadassah Smith (right) and her sister Julia Evelina Smith (left)
Born	June 1, 1797 Glastonbury
Died	July 23, 1879 (aged 82)
Occupation	Suffragist
Family	Julia Evelina Smith

Abby Hadassah Smith (born June 1, 1797 – died July 23, 1879) was an important American suffragist. She worked hard for women to have the right to own property and to vote. Abby lived in Glastonbury, Connecticut.

Her sister, Julia Evelina Smith, wrote a book about Abby. It was called Abby Smith and Her Cows. This book told the story of how Abby and Julia fought against unfair taxes to support women's rights.

Abby's Family and Home

Abby Smith was born in 1797. She was the youngest of five daughters. Her parents were Hannah Hadassah (Hickock) Smith and Zephaniah Hollister Smith. Her father was a religious leader who later became a farmer.

Abby's mother, Hannah, wrote one of the first petitions against slavery. This petition was given to the United States Congress. The whole family believed strongly in:

• Getting a good education
• Ending slavery
• Equal women's rights

Their family home, Kimberly Mansion, was a safe place for people escaping slavery. It is now a special historical landmark. In 1994, the Smith family, including Abby, her sisters, and her mother, were honored. They were added to the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame.

Fighting for Women's Rights

Abby Smith went to school at Emma Willard’s Seminary in Troy, New York. She was very smart and even kept a diary in both French and Latin.

In 1869, Abby and her sister Julia went to a meeting in Hartford, Connecticut. It was about women's right to vote.

The Tax Fight

In 1872, the town of Glastonbury tried to make Abby and Julia pay higher taxes. Two other widows in town also had their taxes raised. But the taxes for men in town had not gone up. The sisters felt this was unfair. They refused to pay the higher taxes. They argued that if they could not vote in town meetings, they should not have to pay more taxes.

News of their fight quickly spread. A newspaper in Springfield, Massachusetts, called The Republican, wrote about them. Soon, newspapers all over the country were sharing their story.

Standing Up for What's Right

In 1873, Abby went to New York City. She attended a meeting for women's advancement. A month later, she spoke out against taxing women who could not vote.

In January 1874, the town took seven of Abby's cows. They sold the cows to pay the taxes. Abby protested this. Then, the town illegally took 15 acres of her pastureland for the unpaid taxes.

The Smith sisters decided to take the town to court. They fought for their rights and won their case! Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a famous women's rights leader, wrote about Abby. She said Abby's simple speeches got a lot of attention. From then on, Abby and Julia became very well known for their courage.

See also

In Spanish: Abby Hadassah Smith para niños