Introducing Hattie Sheldon
and the Cast of Characters

Hattie’s story, A Distant Call: The Fateful Choices of Hattie Sheldon, is a revealing, historically rich portrait of a spirited, ambitious young woman grasping for a higher purpose.

A compelling perspective, it portrays a graphic Underground Railroad scene that fueled her ability to thwart 19th century social and domestic limitations. Troubled later by Indian Removals, Hattie discovers a family secret and a legacy of justice-seeking. She is inspired by explorers heading west and dreams of travel and adventure before an unanticipated opportunity tests her ability to make bold choices.

During her years of investigation, Lane Dolly did genealogical research on each individual character. Occasionally a person’s own words in an old letter offered clues about anything from opinions to achievements to personality. Some characters were the recipients of comments or descriptions by others. A few had records of accomplishment that made discovery easier. When enough information existed, Lane created a timeline for each character’s real life. Sources such as historical journals, city directories, news articles or someone else’s obituary might reveal valuable knowledge about a person’s whereabouts, residence, family members, political leanings, travel or accomplishments. Each fact helped grow the timeline into a valuable resource.

Character
Description

SHELDON FAMILY

Harriet Ann “Hattie” Sheldon

(1833-1915)
The heroine of the series, Hattie was unusually well educated at a time when women were limited to few professions beyond teaching, serving as a governess or becoming a missionary. She blazed a new trail with her choices and went farther than any other woman in her family. Her accomplishments and high values set a standard for generations of descendants, as well as students, friends and historians.
Ebenezer Sheldon

(1796-1876)
Hattie’s father, the owner of a harness, trunk and bag business in Utica, NY. A member of the Abolition Party, his family and business were eulogized in the Congressional Record on Nov. 8, 1995.
Helen Sheldon

(1804-1885)
Hattie’s mother, a family-oriented woman who volunteered at the orphanage. She named two of her daughters after two of her sisters.
Amanda Sheldon Moore

(1827-1893)
Hattie’s only surviving sister who lived in Utica her whole life. Hattie named her only daughter after this beloved woman.
George R. Sheldon

(1823-1890)
Hattie’s oldest brother who initially worked in the family business, then at the nearby asylum.
Albert S. Sheldon

(1827-1911)
Hattie’s middle brother who was inspired by military matters. He later served the Union during the Civil War and was decorated after Gettysburg. Hattie named one of her children for this brother.
Artemas Sheldon

(1836-1899)
Hattie’s youngest brother who went into the family business.
Mary Sheldon

(1830-1846)
Hattie’s older sister who died at age 15.
Cornelia Sheldon

(1832-1846)
Hattie’s next older sister who died at age 13.
Aunt Mary Brown

(1792-1875)
Ebenezer’s sister in Massachusetts. Her second husband is Jason Brown.

OTHER IMPORTANT CHARACTERS

Margaret
FICTIONAL. Hattie’s childhood friend who moved to Hartford, CT.
Rev. Philemon H. Fowler, DD
Born in Albany, NY, Fowler wrote the actual letter of recommendation to the American Board for Hattie to become a missionary. Hattie named one of her children for Rev. Fowler
Moses Bagg, MD
A member of one of Utica’s founding families, Dr. Bagg served the Utica community for decades while concurrently making a name for himself by recording the city’s ample history.
Priscilla
FICTIONAL. Hattie’s roommate at Amherst Academy.
Prof. Alexander Colquhoun
FICTIONAL. An inspiring, retired professor who mentored Hattie after he retired from Amherst College.
Prof. Cornelius Thorne
FICTIONAL. A troubled professor at Amherst Academy.

WORCESTER FAMILY

Rev. Samuel Austin Worcester
Head of the Park Hill Mission in the Cherokee Nation, Indian Territory. A linguist who translated most of the Bible into Cherokee, he was a Vermont native. His first wife, Ann, died after the birth of their sixth child. He remarried Erminia Nash Worcester. See Worcester v. Georgia.
Erminia Nash Worcester
A former mission school teacher from a neighboring mission in Indian Territory. Upon marrying Worcester, she became stepmother to his six children.
Ann Eliza Worcester
An eastern educated linguist like her father, this oldest daughter Robertson returned to Indian Territory and taught in the Creek Nation. One of her daughters became Oklahoma’s first congresswoman and the second woman ever to serve in the United States Congress.
Sarah Worcester Hitchcock
Sarah was a graduate of Mt. Holyoke, the school that helped the Cherokee Nation determine the curriculum for its boarding schools. She married a physician who aided the Park Hill Mission. They had a daughter, Laura.
Hannah Worcester Hicks Hitchcock
The third daughter of Worcester who was denied an eastern education for lack of funds. She aided her father with the mission printing press, married a Cherokee man and raised five children. Hannah wrote a memorable diary about her Civil War poverty and danger in Park Hill.
Leonard Worcester
The oldest son in the family, he was educated at St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont, led a regimental band during the Civil War, and later served as Superintendent at Tullahassee Mission in Indian Territory.
John Orr Worcester
Educated at St. Johnsbury Academy in Vermont, John Orr decided against following his father into the ministry. He married and became a store clerk.
Mary Eleanor Worcester
Worcester’s youngest child, she was eastern educated and became a teacher before the Civil War, later raising a family with her second husband.