Manchester-by-the-Sea Public Library

The Women of Marblehead, a women's history of Marblehead, Mass., in the 19th century and of the Marblehead Female Humane Society and its activities from 1816 forward, Robert Booth

eng

collective biography

illustrations

no index present

non fiction

The Women of Marblehead

951810968

Robert Booth

a women's history of Marblehead, Mass., in the 19th century and of the Marblehead Female Humane Society and its activities from 1816 forward

The Women of Marblehead traces the history of the town through the perspective of girls and women in each generation, starting with the very hard times of the early years and the War of 1812 and its aftermath, which led to the formation in 1816 of the Marblehead Female Humane Society as a means for women to help other women and their children. Booth tells the story of Marblehead's transformation from a seafaring town to a shoe manufacturing center, and of how women were able to earn their own livings and to pay for construction and ongoing expenses of four new churches starting in the 1830s. Women led in running the Underground Railroad before the Civil War, in operating the new machinery introduced in the shoe factories, in striking against the owners, and in taking to the streets in temperance marches. In 1889, 31 years before women got the vote in America, a woman was elected to the town's School Board. The main story closes as Marblehead became a summer resort. Readers will recognize familiar names and will enjoy the many illustrations depicting Marblehead and Marbleheaders in the 1800s. Also included is material written by Martha Bessom Gorman that discusses the role of the Society in the 20th century