With much to do being made about women and how they should be treated equally, I though not much has been written or said about the wives of our Founding Fathers. Some of us may not even know who these women were, no not even their names. So here goes.
Benjamin Franklin married Deborah Read in 1730. Deborah was with child, and some historians think Ben may have married her to save her reputation. She bore a son, William, who Ben claimed as his own—even though they had a major falling out when William remained a loyalist against Ben’s preaching. Deborah died in 1774 at the age of 66. She never saw the greatest achievements of Ben’s career. They were good partners in business as well as in marriage.
George Washington married Martha Dandridge Custis in 1759. She was a wealthy widow with 2 children and George was a hero of the French and Indian war. At barely 5’ tall, Martha stood nearly up to George’s chest. George was almost 6’4’’ tall. George wore an enamel picture of Martha on a chain around his neck. Martha stood beside her husband even in war. She visited him during the winter at Valley Forge. George passed away with Martha at his side in 1799. Martha followed in death in 1802.
John Adams and Abigail Smith fell deeply in love, even though her mother was deeply against Abigail marrying a despicable lawyer. But soon both mothers had been won over and the couple was married in 1764. They were just right for each other. Together they had 2 daughters and two sons. One daughter died after 14 months. John became a very respected lawyer and went on the champion the cause for the Declaration of Independence. Abigail kept the farm working while John was serving overseas with Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson. Abigail died in 1818 and John died on July 4, 1826–the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Thomas Jefferson, its author, died that same day!
More on the wives tomorrow.