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Acknowledgments
- University of Massachusetts Press
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aCknoWLedGMentS to begin, i want to express my deep appreciation of the scholars who have enriched the field of early american women’s history through their dedicated and innovative efforts. i have been particularly inspired by the work of Laurel Thatcher Ulrich and Mary beth norton. Ulrich’s uncovering of so much meaning in what had been dismissed as “trivia” in Martha ballard’s diary stands as a model of the insights that can be gained through scholarly creativity . She has also done pioneering work on using material culture to help interpret colonial women’s experiences. Mary beth norton set new standards with Founding Mothers and Fathers, her analysis of seventeenth-century notions about gender. by mining early court records, she was able to recover the speech and perspectives of a multitude of early american women. “hearing” women tell their side of the story in their own words may, in some ways, be the closest one will ever get to knowing them. i am indebted to the University of Massachusetts Press for bringing Mehetabel ’s story to a wider audience. in particular, i would like to acknowledge the efforts of managing editor extraordinaire Carol betsch and talented and efficient production manager Jack harrison. Senior editor Clark dougan has been a pleasure to work with, and i am grateful for his dedication to this project. historians Marla Miller and Mary beth norton provided invaluable insights on an early draft of the manuscript, and this book is a much stronger work as a result of their review. i am also thankful for the assistance provided by the staff at numerous libraries, archives, and historical societies, particularly Manuscripts and archives at Yale University, the boston Public Library, the Connecticut historical Society, the Connecticut State Library, the Massachusetts archives, the Massachusetts historical Society, the new england historic Genealogical Society, the new London County historical Society, and the Woodstock xv xvi Acknowledgments historical Society. Closer to home, the dedicated staff of the old Colony Library network kindly obtained numerous materials for me through interlibrary loan. tracking down the whereabouts of Mehetabel’s diary proved to be an adventure in itself, and my efforts were assisted along the way by many gracious people who ultimately directed me to robert, Marion, and elizabeth hughes, the diary’s current owners. The hughes family has been more than kind in allowing me access to the diary. it has been my great good fortune to make their acquaintance. My interest in the Puritans was first sparked by a course on Puritan literature taught by harvard University’s Sacvan bercovitch, who forever transformed my views on this group with his enthusiasm and compelling insights. John brooke, my former adviser at tufts University, who is now humanities distinguished Professor of history at ohio State, continues to be unfailingly generous with his time. i am deeply grateful for his guidance and support. during the years of researching and writing this book i have benefited from having a wonderful network of family and friends. i regret that my father, John Marchetti, did not live to see its publication. For the unwavering faith shown by my mother, Janice Marchetti, i cannot adequately express my gratitude. Finally, i thank my husband, Mark, who has provided seemingly limitless encouragement. always willing to listen to news of my latest discovery (and never asking if i had any idea as to when the book might be finished), he has been a paragon of support and generosity. ...