Epilogue Summary

Martha's diary is truly special for two reasons. The first is that she kept a diary at all. Many women of the time could not write, so Martha's diary is incredible in that respect. The other reason is that her family saved it.

Mary Hobart inherited a pile of papers in 1884 upon graduation from medical school and applied to the Massachusetts Medical society. Mary's cousin, Lucy Lambard Fessinden arranged the pages in order and bound them into two volumes with linen covers. Mary had a mahogany box made to hold the two volume set. Mary saw the professionalism of Martha's practice. Mary seemed to have taken up where Martha had let off with the care of women and children.

When Mary Hobart gave the diary to the Maine State Library in 1930, she was told she would receive a typewritten transcript of the diary...