In 1878, a business woman was a rarity in Amesbury – as elsewhere. After all, this was 40 years before women achieved the right to vote nationally. But that didn’t stop Margaret Maginley from taking the reins of her husband’s coach service (also called a “hack service”) when he died that year. She then continued to operate the business for 15 years.

Unfortunately, little exists to show us the details of Margaret’s life and business. But the evidence that does remain was recently unearthed by ACM Industrial Survey Team volunteer Joyann Reynolds. Joyann’s persistence led her to more than a dozen sources with bits and pieces of Margaret’s history.

The only tangible items are her obituary, a few brief newspaper items, the weekly newspaper advertisements for her coach (“hack”) service, some very brief entries in city directories, and a couple of old maps showing the location of her Elm Street home and stable. Sadly and despite Joyann’s best efforts, she wasn’t able to find any portraits or photographs of Mrs. Maginley.

You’re invited to read what Joyann found. It will make you aware of how easily knowledge of pioneering and interesting characters in our history can be lost without tenacious researchers.

Read Margaret Maginley’s history

Maybe you can help! If you can add anything to what we know about Margaret Maginley or her business, please contact the Amesbury Carriage Museum.

More About ACM’s Industrial Survey Team

The Amesbury Carriage Museum Industrial Survey Team is a group of volunteers who explore a wide variety of subjects related to industry and worklife. This story, and the many other projects we have developed, help us learn about the people who have lived and worked in our community. The group is open to others who might be interested in helping us bring to light the hidden stories of people like Margaret Maginley. This is an important and satisfying part of the mission of the ACM.