Religion and Domestic Violence in Early New England: The Memoirs of Abigail Abbot Bailey

By Abigail Abbot Bailey

Book Overview

"This is an amazing study, a memoir which provides insight into family abuse in 18th century America. . . . a significant volume which enhances our knowledge of social and religious life in New England. It is also a moving contribution to the literature of spirituality." -Review and Expositor "Students of American culture are indebted to Ann Taves for editing this fascinating and revealing document and for providing it with full annotation and an illuminating introduction." -American Studies International "This is above all an eminently teachable text, which raises important issues in the history of religion, women, and the family and about the place of violence in American life." -New England Quarterly " . . . stimulating, enlightening, and provocative . . . " -Journal of Ecumenical Studies Abigail Abbot Bailey was a devout 18th-century Congregationalist woman whose husband abused her, committed adultery with their female servants, and practiced incest with one of their daughters. This new, fully annotated edition of her memoirs, featuring a detailed introduction, offers a thoughtful analysis of the role of religion amidst the trials of the author's everyday life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 025320531X
• ISBN13: 9780253205315
• Release Date: October 1989
• Publisher: Indiana University Press (Ips)
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 6.1" x 9.1"
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

A deep historic, but contemporary look at domestic violence

Abigail Bailey keeps a diary of her thoughts and feelings relating to her abusive marriage. Abigail's perspective is historic, as she lived in New England in the early foundations of America, but also contemporary, as she writes of the pains, hopes, and struggles of living with an abusive husband. Abigail Bailey's faith played an integral part of her decision-making process, and anyone who wants to understand how Christianity and spirituality contributes to the plight of the abused wife is urged to read this book. It gives a birds-eye view of the inner dynamics of the abusive relationship and Christianity's relationship to those dynamics. While the memoirs stand on their own, the editor does a thourough job of explaining the social, political, and historical contexts of Abigail's life. The only downfall is that it is "heavy" reading, as the language Abigail used is old-English, and one may need to labor more than usual in reading and interpeting it. It is well worth it, though!