Introduction to Women's Life: Early 1800's New England

Throughout the early 1800’s, America experienced increases in economic growth, agricultural productivity, urbanization, socioeconomic inequality, and education quality. Women were denied access to political power, voting rights, quality education, and church positions. They experienced severe economical disadvantages and were subordinate to their husbands. The cult of true womanhood emerged, in which women were constrained mostly to domestic activities and identities. Women’s work focused on the needs of others, especially their children and men.
A shift in women’s writing appears around 1820 which reveals that women began measuring their happiness not only by the state of their family, but also on the stability and quality of their extra-familiar friendships. Often, women wrote of missing home and their friends and expressed their desire for connection with other females. It seems that the omnipresent distinctions between men and women during this time period served to make each sex uncomfortable around each other. This phenomenon was probably very influential in the formation of and value for the bonds of womanhood forged and formed throughout the 1800’s.

One Woman’s Story: Betsy Miner

Betsy Miner married Mr. Hayward, and moved from Bridport, Vermont to Whiting, Vermont. She worked as a housewife and tutored a few young girls. From 1820 to 1830 she wrote many letters to her mother, Polly Miner, about a variety of topics. Included in these letters are expressions of Betsy’s desire for connection with home and her other female friends, the strain she feels from always serving her family, and her wishes for more personal time and relaxation. She constantly dismisses the praise she receives from others, stating that she does not deserve it. Though she does complain to her mother about valid health problems and life concerns, she consistently begs her mother not to worry about her. We have transcribed a set of her letters that best exemplify the struggles of a New England woman in the 1800’s. Her letters illustrate the nature of the cult of true womanhood and the pressures of domestic life.

June 22nd, 1820
“Mrs Pratt says I “go about doing good” but such a compliment I by no means deserve, for all the good I do here is not worth mentioning – I (guess) I shall stay at (Dcr Scarts) to night, for I feel at present unable to walk farther; but I hope after I get sleep enough I get will feel better, so do not give yourself any uneasiness about me, for it is only next day after tomorrow and I hope to see home once more”
“I wish to morrow was a day of rest for me but no. I must (have) a life of authority as well as usefulness - Do not feel any ways concerned I am not worth a thought”