Abby Maria Hemenway
Abby Maria Hemenway was a notable figure in 19th-century Vermont, born in 1828 in Ludlow. She began her career at a young age as a school teacher and later pursued her passion for writing, with a specific focus on preserving Vermont's local history. After returning from a teaching stint in Michigan, Hemenway recognized the importance of documenting the stories of the elderly residents in her hometown, many of whom had passed away without their histories being recorded. Despite facing numerous challenges, including financial difficulties and lack of initial support, she remained committed to her mission for over thirty years, establishing her own publishing company to facilitate her work.
Hemenway's significant contributions include "The Poets and Poetry of Vermont," published in 1858, and the "Vermont Quarterly Gazetteer," which aimed to provide a comprehensive historical account of each town in the state. Her meticulous research not only chronicled the early settlers and their experiences but also included details about local geography and place names. Her legacy is particularly noteworthy, as she created a rich historical record that offers insight into the lives of Vermont's early inhabitants and the role of women during her era. Abby Maria Hemenway's dedication to history exemplifies the challenges and triumphs of preserving cultural heritage.
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Abby Maria Hemenway
- Born: October 7, 1828
- Birthplace: Ludlow, Vermont
- Died: February 22, 1890
Biography
Abby Maria Hemenway was born in Ludlow, Vermont, in 1828. At the age of fourteen, she began teaching school in her hometown. Hemenway completed her education at the Black River Academy in Ludlow. She briefly taught school in Michigan, but returned to Vermont after three years. At that time, she realized that she wanted to write, and in particular, she wanted to preserve the state’s local history. When she returned from Michigan, Hemenway realized that in her absence, many elderly residents of Ludlow had died, without having recorded the local history. She decided to dedicate her life to preserving the history of every town in Vermont.
Hemenway attempted to elicit help for her project, but was often rejected. Nonetheless, she continued with her work, and eventually received financial support for her efforts. For thirty years, she managed her own publishing company, employing writers and various other workers in order to accomplish her goal. She viewed her project as a holy one, and endured much hardship during her life. Because of her dedication to the project, Hemenway endured chronic indebtedness and lawsuits. As a result of her efforts, she published The Poets and Poetry of Vermont in 1858. At the request of prominent citizens of Vermont, she began the Vermont Quarterly Gazetteer: A Historical Magazine Embracing a Digest of the History of Each Town, Civil, Educational, Religious, Geological, and Literary. She arranged her work in alphabetical order, and ironically, she did not complete the history of her own county, Windsor County, before her death.
As a result of her efforts, Vermont is the only state with such a complete history of its early settlers and their lives. In addition to historical facts, Hemenway collected information about the local geography, place names, early residents, and more eclectic historical information. As well, the works of Abby Hemenway represent a unique picture of the life of a nineteenth century woman.