Young Sarah with Dog

Sarah Orne Jewett was plagued by rheumatoid arthritis her whole life. As a child, she would sometimes miss school because of it. On these occasions, she would accompany her father, Dr. Theodore Jewett, on his patient calls, where she heard stories and met people who would later inspire characters.  For Sarah, her father was intellectual companion, mentor, and friend.

Despite her medical condition, Sarah was an outdoorsperson throughout her life, enjoying walking her dogs in the woods, riding, and canoeing in the local Salmon Falls River.