Fearless Martha

by Sheila Ingle

Most history books describe the American Revolution as a war between men, but in the Carolinas, heroic women like Martha Bratton played a part in defeating the British and ensuring independence for the thirteen colonies. Fearless A Daughter of the American Revolution is a fictionalized and illustrated biography of this plucky female patriot for young readers. Each captivating chapter describes this resilient and fearless young mother in her commitment to preserve and protect her family and home in the backcountry of South Carolina. When her husband rides off to join a militia and fight for independence, Martha and her children―four daughters and a rambunctious six-year-old boy―try to hold their lives together. Between blowing up a secret cache of gunpowder before Tories can confiscate it to blowing off a rattlesnake’s head, Martha Bratton stands tall as battles wage around her during the summer of 1780. In a riveting scene on the front porch of her home, Martha meets the enemy face to face as a British soldier holds a blade to her neck and her children cower behind her. Recreated through imagination, public records and backcountry traditions, Fearless Martha is a powerful story of bravery in a tumultuous time.

140 pages, Paperback

First published June 28, 2011

About the author

Sheila Ingle is a native South Carolinian. She is a graduate of Converse College and chose teaching as her profession. At USC Upstate, she taught English and education courses. Her two grandmothers instilled in her a love of history and storytelling, which led her into membership in lineage societies. Professing to be a late bloomer, she now is an author and writes about her state's history. "Courageous Kate," "Fearless Martha," "Brave Elizabeth," and "Walking With Eliza" are her four books for young readers about SC heroines during the Revolutionary War. The SCDAR awarded "Kate" a Historical Preservation Award. She enjoys leading writing workshops and speaking. On October 14, 2017, "Tales of a Cosmic Possum" will be released; these short stories tell about eight Appalachian women who left the mountains and farms to work in the cotton mills of SC.They brought their traditions and love of family with them. Louise Penny, John Hart, and Jan Karon are three of her many favorite authors. A community volunteer, she also enjoys baking and making strawberry and blackberry preserves.

Reviews

[Ptaylor · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick read. Sheila Ingle is writing a series about South Carolina's heroic women of the American Revolution. This one is about Martha Bratton who supported the Patriot Cause. Ingle used oral histories as well as facts in writing this book about Martha, and is successful in making history interesting and accessible. Highly recommended.