Reply To: Life in Hallowell in 1789

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January 15, 2025 at 12:06 pm #32923

Life in 1789 Hallowell did not really surprise me because I have read many other books of a historical nature. I believe the characters acted as I expected for the historical period. Thank heavens the language did not match that time period, i.e. inconsistent spelling. For the most part, men were domineering and some though they were authorities, even if they lacked the training or experience. (Not much has changed with cabinet confirmations going on now.) As in Joseph North who had no legal training, but was made a judge for his service in the French and Indian War which he used to obtain his wealth. Or Dr. Page who thought he had all the knowledge and experience he needed because he went to Harvard. Charles Clark, disappointed that his child is not a son, says “we will try harder again next time. I’ll make sure of it.” Women had no schooling and only learned the skills needed to take care of the home, the garden and the children. They were supposed to be subservient to their husbands and essentially had no rights, only duties. What was most surprising to me was a meal being served by the women helping with the birth when the child was born. Or Martha being responsible for the burial of any stillborn child or one who died while she was still present. The people of this time period definitely worked hard which is part of our contemporary notion of the American dream. Because of their hard lives, I think most people then were more concerned with simply holding onto what they had rather than trying to gain more. But they more readily shared what they had.

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