A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812

As Martha turned 70, her fatigue worsened. Her work grew more draining, as did her emotional life. Her son Jonathan came into her house in a fit of rage after drinking at the tavern. Two years prior, when he entered a fit of rage, Martha was frozen. The second time, she sprang into action, attempting to break up the fight between Jonathan and Lemuel Witham, with the help of other family members. She also complained he spoke “indecently” to her. The conflict between Martha and Jonathan was not just the result of Jonathan’s temper, but also the change in the family dynamic as Martha and Ephraim aged: “It wasn’t just the physical process of growing old that made her life difficult, but a subtle passing of authority from one generation to another” (305). Martha and Ephraim lived on Jonathan’s land, and the dependence on their son was worsened by Jonathan’s disposition. 

Ephraim was arrested for debt in 1804 after falling short by $800 in his tax collection. Ephraim, who had become a tax collector after he stopped surveying due to the attacks by settlers, did not have a jury trial. Instead, he signed a promissory note, agreeing to go to debtor’s jail until he could pay his debts.