A Midwife's Tale: The Life of Martha Ballard, Based on Her Diary, 1785-1812 Chapter Summary & Analysis - May 1809 Summary

May 1809 Summary

The year started like every other year for Martha. Martha attended a delivery. However, during this year, a group of settlers were fighting back against the corporations who owned all the land. The fighters dressed like Indians and ambushed survey crews. The actual militia groups had been disbanded, but the men informally reactivated them when threats came to the city of Augusta from these Indians, and attempts were made on the lives of the citizens of Augusta. Martha's entries only slightly acknowledged the conflict. Martha preferred to enter information about births, her garden, travels, and the weather. At this same time, there was the Jefferson embargo that lasted for fourteen months. It was created by the federal government, because of a disagreement with France and England. This embargo led to the bankruptcy of many merchants who fought to keep possession of there homes and businesses in the midst of growing...
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