Lydia Chapin Taft was an early forerunner in Colonial America who was allowed to vote in three New England town meetings, beginning in 1756. Lydia Chapin was born February 2, 1712, at Mendon, Massachusetts.
Young Lydia Chapin grew up in a large family with 9 siblings. Her father Seth owned much property in what is today Milford, south Hopedale, and Post's Lane in Mendon. The family lived on 45 acres near the Post's Lane bridge and Mill River. Post's Lane was made famous for the first man killed in King Phillip's War, Richard Post.
Lydia Chapin married Josiah Taft on December 28, 1731, and she became known as Lydia Chapin Taft. They were married at the Congregational Church in Mendon. Josiah was born on April 2, 1709, and was the grandson of the first American Taft, Robert Taft.
In the autumn of 1756, Josiah and Lydia's 18 year old son, Caleb, became ill while studying at Harvard, and died on September 19th. Josiah went to Boston to bury Caleb. After returning home, Josiah himself became ill and died on September 30th, at age 47. This happened immediately prior to an important vote concerning the town's financial support of the French and Indian War. The only individuals allowed to vote were freeholders – free male property holders – and Josiah's estate was valued as one of the largest in the town. Josiah's untimely death opened the door for Lydia's giant step into America's history of women's suffrage. Given the important nature of the vote, the landowner and taxpayer status of Josiah's estate, and that Lydia's oldest surviving son was still a minor, the townspeople voted to allow Lydia, the widow Josiah Taft, to vote at this important meeting on October 30, 1756.
Lydia cast her vote in favor of appropriating funds for the regiments engaged in the French and Indian War, thereby giving herself the distinction of being the first woman to vote in this country. The early town records demonstrate at least two other occasions when Lydia voted in official Uxbridge Town meetings in 1758 and again in 1765.
Lydia Chapin Taft's historic vote and her role in the history of women's suffrage was recognized by the Massachusetts legislature on April 1, 2004, when they approved an Act Designating State Highway Route 146A in the town of Uxbridge as the Lydia Taft Highway.
The Drink:
Oatmeal Cookie Cocktail:
1 ounce Baileys Irish cream (3 cl, 1/4 gills)
1 ounce butterscotch schnapps (3 cl, 1/4 gills)
1 ounce Jägermeister (3 cl, 1/4 gills)
1/2 ounce cinnamon schnapps (1.5 cl, 1/8 gills)
Shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass.
Drinkability: 4
Drunkability: 3.5
Taxic Diversity: 4
Accessibility: 3
Priority of Conservation: 3 3/4
Comments: "tastes like a scented candle" and "should be renamed snickerdoodle"
***Archivists Note: lots of drawings of happy stick figure versions of members with cocktails
From Pilgrims and Indians hosted by FluffyRuffle
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