Monthly Archives: May 2022

Abby Smith and Her Cows

In 1876 Julia Smith published Abby Smith and Her Cows, a collection of newspaper articles, letters, and speeches regarding their taxes and a woman’s right to vote. The book also included one of their court cases. “There were seven cows … Continue reading

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The Misses Smith, 1874

“We repaired to the Misses Smith where we were to spend the night and part of Sunday. It is a wide, roomy, hospitable mansion, with old-fashioned fireplaces, old-fashioned pictures, and most of the furniture of an ancient date. “Two bay … Continue reading

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Alderneys

Though pure breed Alderney cattle no longer exist, at the time they were famous for their abundant supply of milk and rich butter. Alderneys were a smaller cow and supposedly docile. But Julia’s brindle Alderneys would listen only to her. … Continue reading

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1873 Abby Smith’s First Speech

On October 15, 1873, almost a year since the $100 tax increase, Abby Smith attended a Woman’s Congress in New York City with Frances Ellen Burr. The main national suffrage leaders there included Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Lucy Stone, her husband … Continue reading

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1872, A Subtle Tax Breeze

It was the summer of 1872. Abby and Julia Smith lived in their roomy, comfortable Kimberly Mansion—a white, two-story house with green shutters. The home, well over one hundred years old, sat on the original 133 acres, which included woods, … Continue reading

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