This is a 5 page paper with added tutorial language about the rape case of Rebecca Foster as documented in the diaries of Martha Ballard. The rape of Rebecca Foster as documented in the diaries of Martha Ballard in Hallowell, Maine in 1789 provides for an interesting investigative journey into literature and events of the past. As a respected member of the community, Martha Ballard provided an interesting account of the events which led up to the conviction and “not guilty” verdict of Judge Joseph North in regards to the rape of Rebecca Foster. Contrary to the verdict however, from evidence inferred in Martha Ballard’s diary and Laurel Thatcher Ulrich’s interpretation of the work, it would seem that North appeared more guilty than innocent. However, since only the personal accounts of Ballard are documented as the testimony to the case is not known, readers are left to speculate for themselves what really happened during the August of 1780 when Rebecca Foster’s husband was out of town.
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Ulrich...] The rape of Rebecca Foster as documented in the diaries of Martha Ballard in Hallowell, Maine in 1789 provides for an interesting investigative journey into literature and events
of the past. As a respected member of the community, Martha Ballard provided an interesting account of the events which led up to the conviction and "not guilty" verdict of
Judge Joseph North in regards to the rape of Rebecca Foster. Contrary to the verdict however, from evidence inferred in Martha Ballards diary and Laurel Thatcher Ulrichs interpretation of the
work, it would seem that North appeared more guilty than innocent. However, since only the personal accounts of Ballard are documented as the testimony to the case is not known,
readers are left to speculate for themselves what really happened during the August of 1780 when Rebecca Fosters husband was out of town. [The writer then introduces the site where
the Ballard case can be found and a brief description of Ballard.... To examine the events which occurred in Hallowell, Maine in 1789,
historian Laurel Thatcher Ulrich has set up an interactive web site (http://www.dohistory.org) which contains all the documentation Ulrich uncovered during her revival of Martha Ballards diary. Martha Ballard and her
husband, Ephraim were well respected members of the community of Hallowell. Martha was a midwife who had made over 816 deliveries in the area in addition to supporting her husband
and their nine children (Ulrich, Martha, 2002). [The background of the case is given from Ballards and Ulrichs writings ...] To examine
the case, Ulrich has offered details of Martha Ballards diary during 1789 the year in which Rebecca Foster accused Judge Joseph North of rape, or "intent to ravish and carnally
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