Smiths of Glastonbury facts for kids

The Smiths of Glastonbury were an amazing family of women from Glastonbury, Connecticut. This family included a mother and her five daughters. They lived in the late 1700s and 1800s. These women were early champions for important causes. They strongly supported education, ending slavery, and women's rights.

Their old home, Kimberly Mansion on Main Street, is now a special place. It's called a National Historic Landmark. The whole family was honored in 1994. They were added to the Connecticut Women's Hall of Fame.

Meet the Smith Family of Glastonbury

Hannah Smith: A Visionary Mother

The mother of this special family was Hannah Hadassah (Hickok) Smith (1767–1850). She married Zephaniah Smith, who was a successful religious leader. He later became a farmer and a lawyer in Glastonbury.

Hannah was very smart and knew a lot about classic books. She made sure her daughters received an excellent education. This was very unusual for girls at that time! Hannah also wrote an early petition against slavery. She was an abolitionist, meaning she worked to end slavery. She even helped enslaved people escape to freedom using the Underground Railroad.

The Amazing Smith Sisters

Hannah and Zephaniah had five daughters. Each one made important contributions:

Hancy Smith: Fighting for Freedom

• Hancy Zephinia Smith (1787–1871) was very active in the abolitionist movement. She worked hard to end slavery.

Cyrinthia Smith: A Love for Plants

• Cyrinthia Sacretia Smith (1788–1864) loved plants. She was a horticulturalist, which means she studied and grew plants.

Laurilla Smith: A Dedicated Teacher

• Laurilla Aleroyla Smith (1789–1837) became a teacher. She taught at a seminary (a type of school) run by Catharine Beecher.

Julia Smith: Translator and Activist

• Julia Evelina Smith (1792–1886) was also a teacher. She taught at a school founded by Emma Willard. Julia achieved something truly amazing. She was the first woman to translate the entire Bible. She translated it directly from its original languages! Julia was also a suffragist. This means she fought for women's right to vote. She wrote a book called Abby Smith and Her Cows. It was about a tax fight related to women's voting rights in Glastonbury.

Abby Smith: A Voice for Women's Rights

• Abby Hadassah Smith (1797–1878) was a powerful public speaker. She spoke often about women's right to vote. She was also a main person in the tax battle that her sister Julia wrote about.

It was very uncommon for women during this time not to marry. Four of the Smith daughters never married. Julia, the fifth daughter, married only when she was 87 years old!

Their Legacy Lives On

The middle school in Glastonbury, Smith Middle School, is named after this incredible family. Their dedication to education, equality, and justice continues to inspire people today.