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Persis Sheldon, born February 5, 1785, was the 6th child of 8 born to John and Persis Sheldon of Deerfield, Massachusetts. She went to the newly formed Deerfield Academy in 1800 at age 15. Her silhouette shows a common hairstyle and neckwear for the early 19th century. Persis, her father, a sister, and two brothers died of tuberculosis between 1801 and 1807. Tuberculosis raged through the American countryside and cities all through the 19th century. People were scared of any lung problem, since they did not know what caused TB. They thought all lung problems had some connection and that even a simple cold could become deadly. Many thought the disease was inherited through the family; none thought it was spread by a germ and was highly catching.

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