Abby Hadassah Smith was an American advocate of woman's rights.
Background
She was born on June 1, 1797 in Glastonbury, Connecticut, United States, her sister was Julia Evelina (May 27, 1792 - March 6, 1886). Her earliest American ancestor, Benjamin Smith, had settled about 1693. Her father, Zephaniah Hollister Smith, a graduate of Yale, was at first a Congregationalist minister, but, becoming a Sandemanian, he soon decided it was wrong to preach for hire and turned to the law, which he practised the rest of his life. He was an abolitionist. Her mother, Hannah Hadassah (Hickock) Smith, was acquainted with Latin, Italian, mathematics, and astronomy, and wrote verse.
Career
After the death of her parents and three other sisters, Abby became manager of the home and farm, while her sister Julia, who was rather dependent and retiring, devoted more time to scholarly pursuits. They lived simply, did their own housework, made butter and cheese, and in speech and manner reflected rural New England.
Their interest in woman's suffrage began about 1869 when, indignant at having to pay a highway tax twice, they went to a suffrage meeting in Hartford. In 1872-73 they were again aroused by having their taxes and those of some other women increased, while men's were not
In October 1873 Abby, then seventy-six, attended the Woman's Congress in New York. The next month she spoke at the Glastonbury town-meeting against taxing unenfranchised women; later, denied another hearing by that body, she mounted an ox-cart outside and addressed the crowd.
From 1873 until her death she refused to pay local taxes without a vote in town-meeting, and Julia joined her in resisting. A tract of their land worth $2, 000 was once disposed of at public sale for a $50 assessment, and repeatedly their cows were sold at the sign-post for delinquent taxes. In 1877 Julia published Abby Smith and Her Cows, with a Report of the Law Case Decided Contrary to Law.
The sisters became active also in general work for woman's suffrage. In January 1878 they attended a hearing on the equal suffrage amendment before a committee of the United States Senate, at which Julia spoke.
She died in 1878.
Personality
Abby was practical, spirited, and energetic. Locally she was noted for her geniality, kindliness, and honesty, her hatred of slavery, and many deeds of charity.
Quotes from others about the person
In The Woman's Bible, Elizabeth Cady Stanton noted that "Abby Smith's quaint, simple speeches attracted attention. .. and from that time on their fame grew apace. "