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MERCY HUSSEY was the sister of Abigail Hussey Whittier, John Greenleaf's mother. She never married and lived with the family at the farm in Haverhill and the home in Amesbury. Played by Ann Carnaby.
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LYDIA AYER attended school with Whittier just up from the Homestead farm. In later years Whittier would remember her in a poem called In School Days. Played.by Jody McFarlin.
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EVELINA BRAY DOWNEY attended Haverhill Academy with Whittier. There were rumors of romance, but they were not meant to be lovers. Instead, their strong bond of friendship lasted a lifetime. Played by Pat Thoen.
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LUCY LARCOM, originally from Beverly, MA, grew up in her mother's boarding house in Lowell and worked in the textile mills there. Whittier liked her early poems and introduced her to people who would publish her work. Played by Cheryl Lassiter.
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LYDIA MARIA CHILD had a strong connection with the anti-slavery struggle. With Whittier, she was an advocate of non-violent changes through legislation. Lydia is best known for her Thanksgiving poem Over the River and Through the Woods. Played by Kathy McLaughlin.
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ELIZABETH LLOYD HOWELL first met Whittier in Philadelphia. There was speculation that they would marry, but he was a Quaker and she an Episcopalian. Divisions in belief put a strain on their relationship. Played by Sammie Moe.
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MARY ABIGAIL DODGE, a writer and essayist, wrote about the promotion of equality of education and occupations for women and the anti-slavery movement. She wrote under the pseudonym Gail Hamilton. Played by Patty O'Keefe.
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ANNIE ADAMS FIELDS married James Thomas Fields, the publisher of the Atlantic Monthly. She edited and helped select writers for the magazine. She was a perfect hostess and a friend to writers, and her home was a Mecca for the best of the artists and writers of the day. Played by Betty Moore.
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SARAH ORNE JEWETT grew up in Berwick, Maine, the daughter of a doctor. She became a novelist, poet, and friend of Whittier. After James Fields died, Sarah lived half of the year at Annie's home in Boston. Played by Karen Raynes.
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ELIZABETH STUART PHELPS WARD was an early feminist author and intellectual who challenged traditional Christian beliefs in the afterlife and women's roles in marriage and family, and advocated clothing reform for women. Played by Marcia Hannon-Buber.
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HARRIET LIVERMORE became a preacher and dedicated her life to religion. She was known as the wandering pilgrim, traveling widely throughout America and the Holy Land. Played by Dyana Martin.
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CELIA LEIGHTON THAXTER was the poet of the Isles of Shoals, where she entertained other famous poets and artists in her parlor on Appledore Island. Her garden was also the focal point for painters and poets to express their artistic talents. Played by Candy Stellmach.
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PHEBE WOODMAN was not related to Whittier, but he acted as a kind and understanding uncle to this lonely child. She was the inspiration for "Red Riding Hood" in one of his poems. Played by Carolyn Moe.
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ELIZABETH HUSSEY WHITTIER was Whittier's beloved sister. She was housemate, hostess, and soul mate. They balanced each other in all ways. Played by Carol Keating.
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ELIZABETH WHITTIER PICKARD was Whittier's niece. She would come to live and care for him in his Amesbury home, and later founded the Whittier Home Association to keep her uncle's papers and memorabilia alive. Played by Mary Ertl.
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SARAH ABBY GOVE was Whittier's friend and a fellow Quaker. She owned "Enfield," her home in Hampton Falls, NH, where Whittier died of a massive stroke on September 7, 1892. Played by Reverend Deborah Knowlton.
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Group photo and posters announcing the event in 2014.
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