Julia Fletcher Carney, Lancaster, Massachusetts

A Universalist, early feminist, teacher, and writer for children, Julia Fletcher Carney (1823-1908) composed a poem in 1845 entitled "Little Things," which was once well known and widely memorized by American schoolchildren. Young Julia also distinguished herself in Lancaster by keeping good order in her Ponakin district classroom during a 12-week term without the threat or use of corporal punishment. Previously, the male teacher had been turned out of doors by his unruly students. When she married, Julia moved west, settling in Galesburg, Illinois. In her later life, she occasionally made trips to visit family members in her native Lancaster. This painting of Julia was likely created by Samuel Osgood in Boston about 1845.
Courtesy of Lancaster Historical Society