Lucy Sistare Say

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In 1827, shortly after coming to New Harmony, Thomas Say married Lucy Sistare, who herself had come on the "Boatload of Knowledge." Lucy, age 25, was a former student of Madame Marie Duclos Fretageot and later became her assistant. She had two younger sisters with her, Frances and Sarah, who were also students of Madame. Lucy, a beautiful, cultivated young lady, became interested in Say, thirteen years her senior, while they were traveling together on the boat to New Harmony, The Philanthropist. Vivacious Lucy was descended from a Spanish sea captain, Gabriel Sistare, who, on a voyage from Havana to Cadiz, was blown off course and landed at New London, Connecticut, where he stayed. Lucy, an artist, was spirited and intelligent, possessing a sharp wit. She became, in her own right, an accomplished amateur botanist.