Chapter 12

MRS. ANN S. STEPHENS

    Mrs. Ann S. Stephens was a prominent literary figure of the 1850's, known for her writings and also for her work as an editor. She was the first American woman to have her work appear in the popular dime novels of the day.
    Mrs. Stephens was born in Humphreysville (now Seymour) on March 30, 1810, the daughter of John Winterbotham who was associated with General Humphreys in his woolen mill. He later became the junior partner, successor to Humphrey's business.
    As a child in Seymour, she saw some of the entertainments and plays sponsored by General Humphreys for the benefit of his workers. She took school lessons from Abby Punders on, studying out of Webster's blue backed speller.
    Ann's mother died while she was very young and her father married his sister-in-law. As she said, her stepmother, "Received me an infant from the arms of a dying sister." The Winterbothams had a large family, as was the custom in those days.
Around 1830, Winterbotham lost his fortunes in the business declines that followed the tariffs. He decided to move his family to Ohio.
    About that time, in 1832, Ann married Edward Stephens of Portland, Maine, where they settled. In 1834 she wrote her first complete story, "The Tradesman's Daughter" and the complete poem, "The Polish Boy." These were first published in the "Portland Magazine," which her husband published. Ann Stephens was the editor of the publication. Her poem, "The Polish Boy," became one of the favorite pieces for elocution.
    The magazine was a success, but after two years of writing her health began to fail. She became active again in 1837, when she became editor of the "New York Lady's Companion".
    In 1842 she became associate editor of "Graham's Magazine," working with George R. Graham and Edgar Allen Poe. In 1884 she took on the additional duties of "Peterson's