In 1836, she moved to New York, and became an avid theatre-goer. She met the leading Shakespearean actress Ellen Tree soon after, and persuaded her to take the lead role in a play she was writing, partly in blank verse, entitled "The Bride of Fort Edward", based on her award-winning story, "Love's Martyr," about Jane M'Crea. The play, however, was never performed, due in part to Bacon's health and the harsh criticisms of her brother. It was published anonymously in 1839 (with a note claiming it was "not a play"). The text was reviewed favourably by the Saturday Courier and Edgar Allan Poe, but proved to be a commercial flop.