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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. Which of the following is not a product for which Martha used herbs?

2. What does Martha's diary provide to historians?

3. What is Isaac Foster's wife's name?

4. How does Martha refer to single women in her diary?

5. Who is Ephraim Ballard?

Short Essay Questions

1. How did people perceive Martha in the community?

2. How did Martha procure her medicines and what treatments did she advocate?

3. What was the role of a midwife in society and Martha's role in particular?

4. What was the nature of the relationship between midwives and physicians during Martha's lifetime?

5. During what years did Martha keep her diary?

6. Explain how courtship and marriage during Martha's life were very different from popular perception of the time period.

7. What is so amazing about Martha's diary and why do some people speculate that she began writing it?

8. Where did Martha Ballard grow up and when did she marry her husband/

9. In addition to being a midwife, Martha also had a weaving business. How did that get started?

10. How many doctors and midwives were available in the Hallowell area at the time?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

Explain why Martha's diary had been overlooked for so many years. What value does it have for historians and students today?

Essay Topic 2

Describe in as much detail as possible the process Martha would go through to deliver a baby--from being notified by the father of the imminent birth to leaving the new mother and child with their family.

Essay Topic 3

In addition to details of each birth, explain what other information Martha included in her diary. Why do you think she veered off to include items not directly related to midwifery?

(see the answer keys)

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