A Midwifes Tale
Quintessential American
Heidi Wyman

When looking for a quintessential American you look for someone who supports the American dream. Martha Ballard is a perfect example of a quintessential American. Martha's life, involvement with the community and job all support the American dream of being successful in society. Martha shows tremendous work ethic in all aspects of her life making her a well respected and great example of an American.

Martha Moore was born in Massachusetts and lived the beginning of her life there. Martha married Ephriam Ballard in 1754 and became Martha Ballard. She gave birth to her first child in 1756 and had four more children in the next ten years. Martha had four girls, three of which died in 1769 from the diphtheria epidemic. Martha gives birth to a child in 1769 and another in 1771 and finally she gave birth to her youngest son on January 1 of 1785. The Ballard family moves to Hallowell, Maine where Ephriam takes over a mill and Martha begins her midwife career. Martha records all of her deliveries and house calls as well as her housework in her diary now known as, A Midwifes Tale. Martha delivered her first child as a midwife in July of 1778 and continued to deliver children for the next thirty four years. She performed eight hundred and fourteen deliveries in Hallowell during her midwife career as well as tending to wounds, illnesses and sores of her neighbors. Martha also had a business in textiles, weaving, knitting and dress making. Martha taught all of her girls how to knit, weave and make dresses so they would be able to support themselves. Martha spent the rest of her time being a mother and taking care of the house. In the end of her life, Martha focuses on her garden while she finishes off her midwife career making her last deliveries in the beginning of 1812 and her last diary entry on May 7th. Martha died a few weeks after making her last diary entry.

Martha Ballard had many jobs including being a midwife, healer, mother, weaver, book keeper and keeper. During her career as midwife, she performed eighth hundred and fourteen deliveries in Hallowell, Maine. Being a midwife was not just a simple job of performing deliveries but also as a healer she tended to all of the neighbors wounds, illnesses and sores, even through the hardest times of the year when the snow was up to your knees in a blizzard. Martha worked hard to make the most deliveries with the least amount of losses, she reported every delivery she attend or performed. An example from her diary shows her diary style, "At Whites. His wife was delivered at 12 O Clok of a daughter and I was Called back to Mr. Parkers. His Lady was delivered at 0 hour 30 minutes of a daughter. I am some fatagud." (1) In this one example Martha delivered two separate children for two different families the Whites and the Parkers. Midwifes not only attended and performed deliveries they also tended to all of their neighbors and family members in times of illness, " At Mr. Hinkleys. Shee remaind poorly till afternoon then by remedys & other means shee got Easyer. I tarried all night" (1) Another part of Martha's job was being a textile maker. Martha and all of her daughter weaved for themselves and others. "Dolly wove her 7 yds of Diaper.", "Dolly warpt a piece for Mrs Pollard of 39 yards.", "Hannah began to weave Cyrus' web", " I have been at home knitting". (1) Hannah, Dolly and Martha spend their time knitting and weaving for others only when they marry do they make themselves blankets. "The girls quilted a two quilts.... They began to quilt at 3 hour pm. Finished and took it out at 7 evening." " The next day they put the quilt into the fraim." (1) Martha's jobs supported her family and gave her a consistent income to rely on. Martha's jobs support the American dream, she had both a successful textile business as well as a successful midwife business.

Another part of Martha's life that supports the American dream and her being a quintessential American is her family life. When Martha was not out with her midwife business, she was at home with her family taking care of her children, her house and growing food and cotton. Martha had four children to take care of and teach the skills they would need to live on their own. Martha spent most of the time with her girls teaching them how to make textiles-quilts, blankets and dresses- a skill they could use to provide money for their own family when they got older. Martha's home life also included taking care of which ever house she was living in. Martha had to cook and clean the house, she had some help from her daughters when they were living with her but when they were not she had all the work to do by herself. Martha also kept a garden where she could grow food that her family would need. Martha tended to her garden and relied on her garden when she got older and could not deliver babies as well as she once used to. Martha's house life was successful, raising children who were successful in society, keeping her house and creating a garden that could supply her family.

Martha's was very successful within her community. Martha had her midwife business that connected her with all of the people in her community and a weaving/textile skill that connected her to many women in the community. Martha cared for many of her community members whether it was through delivering their baby or taking care of them when they were sick. Martha was also just a good neighbor when her community members needed a place to sleep for a few nights or even a long period of time. Martha also contributed to the growth of the community delivering the most babies with the least amount of deaths. Martha took much pride in her community and continuously tried to improve it.

Martha is a quintessential American in many ways. The American dream is to be successful in society, Martha has accomplished this in all aspects of her life. Martha had two jobs, a midwife and textile maker, that were very successful for her. Her family life was successful having four children whom all grew up to be successful in the community. Martha was also very successful in the community, aiding her community members through hard times of sickness and childbirth. Martha's character also lends to the American work ethic, she was a hard worker continuing to deliver babies into her seventies. Martha is truly a quintessential American.


Citations
(1) Ulrich, Laurel T. A Midwife's Tale. New York: Vintage Books, 1991.