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Today in 1879, Abigail “Abby” Hadassah Smith, — who achieved instant national fame at age 76 because of the way she responded to the man who took her cows — passed away at her home in Glastonbury.
Laurilla Smith, “The Smith Sisters Homestead,” watercolor prior to 1867 (Connecticut Historical Society)
Born into a prominent activist Glastonbury family, Smith and her four sisters were educated from birth to fight for what they believed in. While pursuing individual accomplishments ranging from blacksmithing to painting to Biblical translation, the Smith sisters, who never married, collectively dedicated their young lives to the cause of abolishing slavery. That goal took many decades and a Civil War. By then, the Smith sisters were no longer young, nor five in number. Still, undaunted by advancing years, the remaining Smith sisters, Abby and her sister Julia, joined the cause of securing women the right to vote. At ages 79 and 72 respectively, Abby and Julia attended Isabella Beecher Hooker’s 1869 conference in Hartford and helped form the Connecticut Woman Suffrage Association. But it wasn’t until four years later that, thanks to Glastonbury’s tax collector, Abby achieved nearly instantaneous national fame as an advocate for women’s rights. In November 1873, Glastonbury’s assessor increased the taxes on Kimberly Mansion, the family home the sisters had inherited. He also increased the taxes on the property of two other town women who were widows. No home owned by a man, however, saw a similar increase. Abby and Julia were incensed. “It increased our tax but little,” Abby wrote, “but what is unjust in least is unjust in much.” Abby put her indignation in writing, composing a speech she delivered to the next town meeting,
“The motto of our government,” she declared,” is ‘proclaim liberty to all the inhabitants of the land,’ and here, where liberty is so highly extolled and glorified by every man in it, one half of the inhabitants are not under the law, but are ruled by the other half, who can . . . take all they possess. How is Liberty pleased with such worship. . . ? All we ask of the town ,” she concluded.” is . . . to be on an equality with them.”
Abby and Julia refused to pay their taxes. That’s when the tax collector made Abby famous. Rather than offering to postpone payment by charging interest, as was the normal procedure, he seized seven of Abby’s prized Alderney cows to auction off to cover the tax bill. The cows, which had been raised almost as pets, were led away quite unwillingly, and thereafter, refused to be milked unless one of the sisters was standing nearby. On a cold January 8, 1874, the seven cows were led by the tax collector, accompanied by four men and a drum, through the streets of Glastonbury to the auction block. Behind them came some 40 local residents ready to bid, and behind them, bonneted-heads held high, the two Smith sisters. Prim but insistent bidders, the women used their funds to reclaim four of the beloved cows.
Up the river from Glastonbury, the editor of the Springfield, Massachusetts Republican heard of Abby’s tax protest and the auction. He recognized a good story when he saw one, and ran a sympathetic, patriotic account of Abby’s skirmish with the tax collector, reprinting her entire speech in full. “Abby Smith and her sister as truly stand for the American principle as did the citizens who ripped open the tea chests in Boston Harbor, or the farmers who leveled their muskets at Concord,” he wrote. He started a defense fund for the sisters (the first GoFundMe account?) urging readers to contribute. The story spread like wildfire. Papers and magazines across the nation ran the account, and overnight, Abby Smith and her cows became national celebrities and icons of feminine patriotism. Money and encouragement poured in.
This new-found fame was further advanced the following June, when the tax collector seized 15 acres of the sisters’ land and sold it immediately and surreptitiously, preventing them from reclaiming it. Abby and Julia sued to get the land back, and the whole country followed the courtroom saga of “Abby and Her Cows” for the next two years. When, in November, 1876, the final verdict came down in Abby and her sister’s favor, fans across the nation rejoiced in their victory. Invitations to national suffrage conventions, a Senate hearing, and a meeting with the President accompanied the sisters’ instant celebrity, and in 1877, Julia gathered Abby’s speeches and letters into a volume simply titled Abby Smith and Her Cows. When Abby Smith died – today in 1878 at age 82, Isabella Beecher Hooker said, “Abby Smith and her cows are marching on like John Brown’s soul.” A taxing encounter with local authorities had truly been milked for all it was worth.
Over the last several months, the 12-member Library Building Committee has been working diligently with Town Officials, Town Staff, Friar Architects & HBM Architects, and construction contractors to design Manchester’s 21st Century Public Library in the heart of Downtown Main Street.
The new library project is progressing with exciting advancements for both interior and exterior design elements. While the designs are subject to further refinement, the architectural vision showcases a spectacular structure, incorporating community feedback on the initial designs to create a welcoming space for reading, learning, connection, and conversation.
The 70,000 square foot, three-story structure includes ample space for Manchester’s robust collection of books and materials, lively and engaging areas for children of all ages, dedicated interactive teen space, makerspace and audio-visual studio, private study and meeting rooms, and a large community meeting space.
The Town of East Hartford in collaboration with East Hartford Parks and Recreation invites all to attend the town’s second annual Latin Festival.
The event will take place on Saturday, July 27 from 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Alumni Park (1021 Main Street, East Hartford). Admission is FREE.
In case of inclement weather, this event will be rescheduled for July 28, 2024
The Latin Festival is the perfect family-friendly, community event filled with fun activities for children and adults alike. Bring your family and friends to enjoy games, domino's, inflatables, food trucks, and live music performances! There will be a variety of cultural live performances by local artists.
Vendors and Participants:
East Hartford is accepting applications from vendors who wish to participate in the Latin Festival. Vendors who wish to participate must submit the application form to East Hartford Parks and Recreation.
For more information, please call parks and Recreation at (860) 291-7160 or visit easthartfordct.gov/parks-recreation.
OFF-MAIN EXPERIENCE
Don't miss the FIRST EVER Off-Main Experience!
Join us on Friday, July 26 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM for a vibrant and exciting evening celebrating East Hartford's art scene at the Off-Main Experience on Bissell Street!
This FREE community event is your chance to:
• Enjoy live music and performances from talented local artists
• Help create a brand new community mural with East Hartford artist Haley Jones!
• Explore a fantastic vendors with unique products, crafts, and delicious food ️
• Participate in fun art activities for all ages
The Off-Main Experience is the kick-off to a series of events transforming Bissell Street into a creative and cultural hub!
Mark your calendars and join us for an unforgettable evening!#EastHartfordCT
East Hartford Farmers' Market is
back for the 2024 season
The Town of East Hartford is excited to announce a new East Hartford Farmers’ Market schedule and location for the 2024 season! Our East Hartford Farmers’ Market will be held Tuesdays from July 9 through October 29 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Town Green / Alumni Park (1047 Main Street).
“Our farmers’ market is a valuable program that fosters community connection while providing access to fresh, local produce and products made by Connecticut vendors,” said Mayor Connor Martin. “We are looking forward to expanding the market by hosting additional vendors and offering more family-friendly activities such as games and live music at our new location on the Town Green.”
CALL FOR FARMERS’ MARKET VENDORS:
Market organizers are in the process of recruiting vendors to expand the variety of Connecticutmade foods as well as other vendors to improve the selection for customers.
Are you a farmer or market vendor who produces honey, milk, eggs, bread, other foods, or locally produced crafts who wishes to be part of the East Hartford Farmers’ Market? Are you a business or non-profit organization looking to promote your services? Please visit the East Hartford Farmers’ Market website for guidelines and to access thevendor application (both online and printable options are available). There is no cost to participate as a vendor and individuals are able to request space for specific dates or the full market season. Once your application is submitted, organizers will review and determine if your product or service is appropriate for the farmers’ market.
DONATE TO BECOME AN EH FARMERS’ MARKET PARTNER!
The Town of East Hartford is asking for donations from residents, community organizations, and businesses to support our market programs that fight food insecurity right here in our community. Your support will help residents buy fresh, healthy foods from farmers that support our market. Donations will help the Town provide additional support to SNAP, WIC, and SFMNP recipients through farmers’ market matching vouchers.
Donations can be made online by visiting the Social Services Donation Program websiteand choosing the “Farmers’ market partner program” option. Alternatively, cash or check donations can be dropped off to East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division located at the Community Cultural Center at 50 Chapman Place. Checks should be made payable to the Town of East Hartford Youth & Social Services Division with “Farmers Market” noted in the bottom left. Any amount helps!
For more information regarding the various benefit programs and the Social Services donation program, please visitEast Hartford Farmers’ Market website.
My office is always open if you or your family are in need of assistance. Please do not hesitate to contact me by email atJason.Rojas@cga.ct.govor by phone at 860-240-8541.
