The Casket was likely published in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Mass. and edited by Hannah Maria Hayward, with the help of Adalaide D. Padelford (ca. 1842- ), during 1852. It includes poems, anecdotes, short stories, puzzles, and articles about nature, the pilgrims and the Mayflower, farming, and Portland, Me. The contributors only add their first name and these include Minnie, Charley, Robert, Elsie, Jonas, Florence, Johnathan, and Flora.
Hannah Maria Hayward was born on December 9, 1837 in Bridgewater, Plymouth County, Mass. to Daniel Leach (1804-1871) and Hannah (Fobes) (1806-1883) Hayward. She had at least 5 siblings, Evelina Fobes (1834-1899), Edwin Azariah (1844-1863), Martha Jane (1846-1922), Lucretia (ca. 1818- ), and Olivia Williams (1848-1874). She died on December 9, 1873, at the age of 36, and was buried in her hometown of Bridgewater.