”Memory is a wicked thing that warps and twists. But paper and ink receive the truth without emotion, and they read it back without partiality.” Please join Kate and Sheila as they recap, The Frozen River by Ariel Lawhon. Martha Ballard, a midwife in Hallowell, Maine in 1789, was thrown into a murder investigation when a body was found in the river. She was called to do an autopsy and later discovers her oldest son, Cyrus Ballard, while trying to protect his sister’s honor had fought with Joshua Burgess. When Burgess turns up dead, Cyrus is arrested!
Martha and her husband, Ephraim aptly quote Shakespeare, “If you have tears, prepare to shed them now.”
Meanwhile, the trial of Joshua North (Hallowell's judge) is taking place. He is charged with raping of the young pastor’s wife, Rebecca Foster (who is now with child). Rebecca Foster's fate depends on Martha’s testimony. However, in 1789 a woman was not allowed testify without the presence of her husband. Will Ephraim make it to the courtroom in time?
Martha Ballard is the great-aunt of Clara Baron, founder of the Red Cross. She is also the great-great-grandmother of Mary Hobart, one of the first female physicians in the U.S. She kept a diary for 27 years! Most of her entries included the phrase, “I have been at home”. What homemakers do matter more than they know, or as Martha put it, "Small acts done in love matter."
She delivered over 1,000 babies and never lost a mother in childbirth! Ironically, Ariel Lawhon found an article stating this amazing fact about Martha while waiting at her obstetrician's office.
“One of the greatest skills that I have as a midwife is to sit in silence…To sit and be. To pray and offer comfort… To say nothing when there are no words that can console.”
Let’s meet this woman of incredible grit and wisdom. Blessings to you dear listeners and readers!