Our Little Woman Connection

Louisa May Alcott

Today's post is dedicated to our very own Joni Lincoln.  I never get tired of the many twists and turns from our historic past and who they connect us with.  Joni, a long time supporter of the performing arts in our community, holds a special bond with the publication of Little Woman, having directed our drama club's performances of the timeless classic.

In the Alumni directory for Bowdoin College located in the Town of Brunswick, Maine is the following entry:

ALVAN HYDE SMEDLEY, b. 6 Oct. 1835, Port Byron, NY.  Med. Sch. 1862, Physician, New York City, 1863; Boston, Mass. 1863-72, d. 10 Oct. 1872.

Dr. Smedley while practicing at Boston had a patient by the name of Amos Bronson Alcott, being none other than the father of Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Woman.  In the book Little Woman Abroad: The Alcott Sisters' Letters from Europe, 1870-1871 by Louisa May Alcott, Dr. Smedley cured her father's hearing loss.


History of the Military Company of the Massachusetts Now Called the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Massachusetts
1868.
page 70
Name: Alvan H. Smedley Alvan H. Smedley(1868), physician, was the proprietor of the Tremont Eye and Ear Institute, at No. 129 Tremont, corner of Winter Street. He was also the principal and consulting physician in that Institution.

He was the son of Dr. James Smedley and Lucy Bridges.  The family did not live long in New York; by 1850 they returned to Williamstown, MA where his parents are buried.

While I have always been a fan of Little Woman, I am grateful to learn we share an unexpected attachment to the Alcott family via Dr. Smedley.

Lord's Prayer

THE CAYUGA CHIEF

Weedsport, Saturday, Dec. 20, 1879

—We learn from the Chronicle that at a gathering of several prominent business men of Port Byron, the other day the question arose as to how many could repeat the Lord's prayer, and it was agreed to try it. To their mutual astonishment all proved equal to the task. This is the most hopeful news we have had from Port Byron in a long time.

Pickle Boy

THE HOLLEY STANDARD  HOLLEY, NY

Thursday, December 18, 1879

—Some little boys were playing "hide and coop" in this village the other day, when one of them went into a shed in the rear of a grocery to hide. He saw a barrel standing on end, with one head out, and thinking that would be a fine place in which to secrete himself, ran and jumped into — a barrel full of vinegar. He didn't wait to "coop," but climbed out as quickly as he could, as sour looking a boy as ever was seen. He bore a close resemblance to a pickled lobster, and hurried home before some one should mistake him for that and treat him accordingly,—Port Byron Chronicle