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The transcription for the Dec. 23 entry has been altered and augmented in "One Rape. Two Stories." to more closely resemble the layout of Martha's Diary
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Dec. 23 is the longest entry in the diary and appears in chapters 9 and 11 of "Two Stories. One Rape. " in the Doing History section.
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Practice reading the Dec. 23 entry with the Magic Lens (requires java)
Cloudy. I was Calld to See James Savages Son who is unwell, but
a little more Comfortable than he has been. mrs Woodward there.
I hear that two of mr Braleys sons are Sick. mr Ballard is gone
to mr Pollards.
I was at [mr] James Sava[ges].
Cloudy. mr Ballard makeing plans. Capt Nichols, Reuben
& Levy Moore dind here. I was at home till Eving ,
was then Calld to See Nancy Savage. my Girls washt .
Dolly Sett her web to work, it was drawn too narrow in the
herness. Shee Cutt it out, drew it in again & wove.
I was at mr Savages.
Clear & very pleasant. the ice moovd at the fort. Colo
North went past here to Varsalborough for tryal.
mr Ballard & I were Sumond by mr Parker to apear
this day at the house of Isaac Foster, to give Evidence to what
we know Concerning the Cause there to be tried. I have been
at home. mrs Rheed here.
I have been at home. mrs Reed here.
A Cloudy day. mr Ballard and I went to Varsalboro as
Evidences in the Cause between this Common wealth & Joseph North
Esqr . the Charg was said North on ye
night of augst 10 th Broke into the house of Isaac Foster
in the night time & Ravisht the wife of Said
Foster. on trial mrs Foster apeard very Calm, Sedate & unmovd,
not with Standing the Strong atempts there were made to throw
aspercions on her Carrecter. Shee on oath affirmd that Said
North Broke open the Door of her house & perpetrated the Crime
of Rape ravishment, not with standing her
Exerting her Selfe as much as her Strength would would [sic] admit
admit [sic] of.My testemony was that mrs Foster
on the 19 of august Complaind to me that Shee had
Shee had [sic] receivd great abuses from people unknown to her,
Such as throwing Stones at her house, Striveing to get in to
y e &
lodg with her. after relating those abuses Said that was not
the worst Shee had met with Since mr Fosters absence, but Shee
hoped they would not quite kill her, that they Could do nothing
wors than they had unless they killd her. Shee also Said that
Said North had abused her wors than any other person in the world
had, but Shee believd it was best for her to keep her troubles
to her Selfe as mutch as Shee Could till her Husband returnd which
Shee hopt wd be soon. Shee also Complaind
on the 25 (if I remember the day aright) of said Norths treating
her wors than any other person had & Said he did go after
an other woman besids his own wife, & that his wife was
jellous of him relating to the Chargs She now Lais. Shee Seemd
Exceedingly troubled when Shee related her tryals, but not being
aust any question for information did not descend to
particulars at that time, which was the last time I Converst with
her while her Husband was absent. I also testified that Said
N Said to me Last weak (which I find by this diarey to be on ye
18th inst), that he really believd mrs Foster
was treated as Shee Complains but he Should Deny the Charg
Exhibeted against him. he also Said he never had the least reason
to Suspect her virtue or modesty.
the 28 inst I Calld to mind mrs Foster Saying Colo North had positively had unlawfull Concourse with
a another woman besides which
was not his wife and Begd her never to mention it to any other
person, told her Shee would Expose & perhaps ruen her Self if
Shee Did. I told her I Supposed it was an Enemy of his who was
her informer & that the informer might have miss receivd a
Story relative to Fack. Shee replyd no it is his Father, I mean
he is guilty.