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The Abolitionist’s Wife
When seventeen-year-old Mary Ann Day married the legendary abolitionist, John Brown, she could not have foreseen the journey upon which she was about to embark. Her devotion to her husband, family, and the militant abolitionist cause would lead to much poverty, heartbreak, and eventually, celebrity status among abolitionists and the American public.
Although many have portrayed her as a blind follower of her husband and his cause, this tale relays events in the life of a noble, hardworking, faithful woman who played a crucial role in preserving John Brown’s legacy after his death at Harper’s Ferry. It further recounts Mary’s efforts in securing racial equality throughout her lifetime.
This story was written during the summer of 2017 after spending a few glorious afternoons speaking with my neighbor, Mamie, and her friend, Terri, who both claimed they were related to the famous abolitionist. Mamie’s tales were centered more on Mary Brown than those of her husband, John—well, kind of. It is virtually impossible to entirely separate the tales of John from Mary Brown, because when two become united their lives are forever intertwined. The story of Mary Brown would be nothing without including the life and times of her husband, John, and most likely vice-versa.
This work, which incorporates photographs, newspaper clippings, telegrams and correspondence is a testimony to the indomitable strength of an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life as The Abolitionist’s Wife.
Although many have portrayed her as a blind follower of her husband and his cause, this tale relays events in the life of a noble, hardworking, faithful woman who played a crucial role in preserving John Brown’s legacy after his death at Harper’s Ferry. It further recounts Mary’s efforts in securing racial equality throughout her lifetime.
This story was written during the summer of 2017 after spending a few glorious afternoons speaking with my neighbor, Mamie, and her friend, Terri, who both claimed they were related to the famous abolitionist. Mamie’s tales were centered more on Mary Brown than those of her husband, John—well, kind of. It is virtually impossible to entirely separate the tales of John from Mary Brown, because when two become united their lives are forever intertwined. The story of Mary Brown would be nothing without including the life and times of her husband, John, and most likely vice-versa.
This work, which incorporates photographs, newspaper clippings, telegrams and correspondence is a testimony to the indomitable strength of an ordinary woman who lived an extraordinary life as The Abolitionist’s Wife.
- GenresHistorical Fiction
170 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 1, 2017
137 people are currently reading
73 people want to read
About the author
Deanna Edens
22 books62 followersDeanna Edens lives by a beautiful lake in Michigan, and is a native West Virginian. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for over twenty years. She teaches college classes in the areas of psychology and leadership. Deanna has several feline friends, and donates all proceeds from her book sales to her local Humane Society.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
July 2, 2018
I learned so much about the life of John and Mary Brown and read this book from cover to cover. I loved the way Deanna reveals history through storytelling. The story made me both smile and tear up.
March 1, 2019
About a year ago I read The Good Lord Bird which was an account of John Brown’s attempt to start a slave revolt by raiding the Harpers Ferry Armory. The story fascinated me so I decided to read The Abolitionist’s Wife which is about his wife, Mary Brown. It was very short but very interesting — A good companion book to The Good Lord Bird.
February 4, 2020
Amazing glimpse into history
Reading history can be incredibly dull and Lauren with facts. This author fleshes out the story. She uses three women, all who may be treated but sometimes with different memories. The author carries you along in the most wonderful way. Loved every minute of this book. I would recommend it highly.
Reading history can be incredibly dull and Lauren with facts. This author fleshes out the story. She uses three women, all who may be treated but sometimes with different memories. The author carries you along in the most wonderful way. Loved every minute of this book. I would recommend it highly.
June 19, 2020
Loved it
Deannas style is charming as she shifts between the story of Mary Brown's life and her own personal time interviewing Mamie whose Granny was a first hand witness to Mary's life. A fascinating and important account of an amazing woman and the man, John Brown whose battles to end slavery were so important!
Deannas style is charming as she shifts between the story of Mary Brown's life and her own personal time interviewing Mamie whose Granny was a first hand witness to Mary's life. A fascinating and important account of an amazing woman and the man, John Brown whose battles to end slavery were so important!
May 20, 2020
Mary Brown
I had heard about John Brown and Harper's Ferry, but only as one of the actions leading up to the Civil War. I never have much thought to his family. Mary sounds like a most fitting wife for a man with such conviction. Also, thank you for the children's birth dates and death dates, as well as the further reading section. They, as well as Mary Brown's story, are most interesting.
Jackie
I had heard about John Brown and Harper's Ferry, but only as one of the actions leading up to the Civil War. I never have much thought to his family. Mary sounds like a most fitting wife for a man with such conviction. Also, thank you for the children's birth dates and death dates, as well as the further reading section. They, as well as Mary Brown's story, are most interesting.
Jackie
December 31, 2017
Mary
What an interesting story! I'm very happy to have found this book and read it. Such a short little story in the history books, but this story made John real. A story of a man who died for his beliefs in trying to save thousands living horrible lives.
What an interesting story! I'm very happy to have found this book and read it. Such a short little story in the history books, but this story made John real. A story of a man who died for his beliefs in trying to save thousands living horrible lives.
December 22, 2023
"Two wrongs don't make a right but they sure do make it even."
A quick free read for Kindle from Amazon. I read and watched The Good Lord Bird years ago, so this was a refresher course, a history of John Brown "light". Great news, there are photos and graphics here which helps.
Mrs. Brown with two of her 13 children.
Note to writers, I'm over the duel timeline. I realize it's a great frame for the story but there's always one I like better and I skim the other. I didn't understand the whole flim-flam gardening thing--why in the world would a business purposely insult a paying customer? (I also thought when they were "cracking" jokes, someone would say she was a "dirty crack hoe".)
One aspect I liked, Edens continues with Mary's story after John Brown hangs. (Of course she was 17 when she married him so there was a huge age difference.) I forgot the future Civil War generals who were involved with Harper's Ferry, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, and that West Virginia wasn't a state until 1863.
A quick free read for Kindle from Amazon. I read and watched The Good Lord Bird years ago, so this was a refresher course, a history of John Brown "light". Great news, there are photos and graphics here which helps.
Mrs. Brown with two of her 13 children.
Note to writers, I'm over the duel timeline. I realize it's a great frame for the story but there's always one I like better and I skim the other. I didn't understand the whole flim-flam gardening thing--why in the world would a business purposely insult a paying customer? (I also thought when they were "cracking" jokes, someone would say she was a "dirty crack hoe".)
One aspect I liked, Edens continues with Mary's story after John Brown hangs. (Of course she was 17 when she married him so there was a huge age difference.) I forgot the future Civil War generals who were involved with Harper's Ferry, Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson, and that West Virginia wasn't a state until 1863.
September 13, 2017
If all history could be portrayed in the form of a story, such as this captivating story of “The Abolitionist’s Wife, history would not be so soon forgotten. This is a very interesting story, painted with vivid descriptions that help you to become a part of the lives of the Brown family and this period of history. Having read about, and studied, the history of John Brown, in high school and college, I found this book to be totally captivating. In this book Mrs. Edens portrays the role Brown’s second wife Mary played in his life, and in his historical efforts to abolish the institution of slavery in the United States. Furthermore, I doubt I will ever look at the history surrounding Brown’s life the same, after reading of the brave woman who was known as “The Abolitionist’s Wife”.
April 11, 2022
EBK-M, Kindle, @ 2017, Read 4/7/22, Historical Fiction, Mary Ann Day Brown, John Brown, Harper's Ferry. Mary Brown was the 2nd wife of the famous (or infamous) John Brown, a staunch abolitionist, and instigator & leader of the failed attack on Harper's Ferry, an event that precipitated the American Civil War. Mary has been accused of blindly accepting her husband's ideas - but did she? 4☆'s = Very Good. Put this Historical event in perspective for me!
September 7, 2018
I never knew the sacrifice
I loved the simplicity of the book . I could see the women offering goodies in the gazebo while you soaked up the stories. Gardens come and go but the stories of our ancestors lives on
I loved the simplicity of the book . I could see the women offering goodies in the gazebo while you soaked up the stories. Gardens come and go but the stories of our ancestors lives on
February 3, 2020
3.5 ⭐️. Slightly offputting narration style for me. Didn’t quite work. Interesting to find out about John Brown tho.
March 22, 2022
Excellent historical novel about Mary Brown, wife of John Brown
June 12, 2022
Informative and well presented.
August 4, 2024
I learned a lot about John and Mary Brown. I never knew who they were before this book. I love to read about history this way. I have already started to do some more research on the Brown's.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews