Pen and ink sketch of colonial woman with candle, man bowing. Library of Congress.
It is not unusual in American history for the story of remarkable women to be overlooked. Thankfully the book, ” History of Cheshire and Sullivan Counties, New Hampshire” included mention of two women healers of Newport New Hampshire. If they had been born one hundred years earlier, perhaps they would have been accused of witchcraft, for medicine was deemed to be the domain of men.
Editor’s Note: Freelove (Buell) Nettleton [Mrs. Jeremiah] was the great-great-aunt of Sarah Josepha (Buell) Hale, the “Mother of Thanksgiving.” [See BUELL Genealogy and story of Sarah J. (Buell) Hale].
