Your Most Obedient & Humble Servant: A Women's History

Jane Austen to Cassandra Austen, 20 November 1800. In which Jane Austen describes a ball in more particular detail than she admits her sister Cassandra "may care for." In this episode Kathryn is joined by author, podcaster, and tabletop game designer Sasha Sienna. Check out more of Sasha's work here: Jane Austentations: https://www.buzzsprout.com/954943 MacGuffin & Company: https://www.macguffinan...

Jane Welsh Carlyle to Jeannie Welsh, 2 January 1844 In which Jane Welsh Carlyle orders tobacco for her husband, describes a "guddle" of a dinner party, mentions her "first foot," and complains about an absolute PANCAKE of a hair-brush. Just me this week, folks! Happy holidays, and enjoy! Further Reading: Text of the letter: https://carlyleletters.dukeupress.edu/volume/17/lt-18440102-JWC-JW-01 Carl...

Henrietta Marchant Liston to Dick Ramage, 6 March 1813 In which Henrietta Marchant Liston, married to diplomat Robert Liston, writes to her nephew about her experience so far in Constantinople. "We are out of your world it is true; but we are in the Oriental one." Many thanks to BOTH of this week's guests, Dora Petherbridge and Patrick Hart, two of the editors of Henrietta Liston's journals. More...

Tobias Lear to Catherine Littlefield Greene (Miller), 20 April 1790. In which George Washington's secretary gets flirty on a boat trip, on the way to propose to his childhood sweetheart. Yes, it's weird. Featuring the return of Mary Wigge as an excellent guest host! More sources: Tobias Lear - https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/tobias-lear Brighton, Ray...

Ellen Wayles Randolph Coolidge to Martha Jefferson Randolph, 20 November 1825. In which newlywed Ellen couldn't possibly complain about her circumstances... (Spoiler alert: she can.) Many thanks to the talented, funny, and knowledgeable research librarian at the Jefferson Library, Anna Berkes, for being my guest host! Learn more: See the full text of the letter here: http://tjrs.monticello.org/let...

Hannah to Thomas Jefferson, 15 November 1818 In which Hannah, a woman enslaved by Thomas Jefferson at his vacation home of Poplar Forest, writes to him about his health and his property. In today's episode I am joined by Brandon Dillard, the Manager of Historic Interpretation at Monticello, and we talk about how public historic sites talk about slavery, and how valuable letters like Hannah's can b...

Flora MacDonald to John Mackenzie of Delvine, 12 August 1772. In which Scottish Jacobite Flora MacDonald, formerly on house arrest in London for helping Charles Edward escape from Scotland, writes about her son's behavior and her plans to emigrate to America. MANY thanks to this week's guest, Dr. Jim Ambuske, host of the excellent podcast out of Mount Vernon: Conversations at the Washington Librar...

Ellen Wayles Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, Washington, 14 Dec. 1821 In which Thomas Jefferson's granddaughter Ellen (the one with brittle teeth) absolutely eviscerates an unfortunate suitor in a letter to her mom. Also, "Mountains will be in labor, and an absurd mouse will be born." -Horace, Ars Poetica. Many thanks to this week's guest, Kate Johnson! Kate is an archival assist...

Eleanor Parke Custis (Lewis) to Elizabeth Bordley (Gibson), Washington City, Feb. 7th, 1796. What does George Washington's granddaughter have to do with the invention of race in the early U.S. republic? Find out in this week's episode! Many thanks to Allison Robinson, a PhD. candidate at the University of Chicago and predoctoral fellow at the Smithsonian Institution for sharing her knowledge and b...

Ellen Wayles Randolph (Coolidge) to Martha Jefferson Randolph, Richmond, April 25th 1819. In which a squad of Thomas Jefferson's granddaughters have a fashion emergency, gold teeth glitter attractively in the firelight, and a hot dentist does not quite make up for the horrors of early 19th century dentistry. Content warning: The second half of this episode contains a vivid description of having a...

Mary Smith Cranch to Abigail Adams, September 24, 1786 In which John Quincy Adams studies so much he makes himself dizzy, Mary Smith Cranch has some unkind things to say about Shay's Rebellion, and some incendiary gossip threatens to tear a family apart. Many thanks to this week's guest, Rachel Steinberg! And SUPER SPECIAL thanks to Gwen Fries, Editorial Assistant at the Adams Papers Editorial Pro...

Hannah Valentine to Eliza Valentine, November 1, 1837. In this week's letter, enslaved housekeeper Hannah Valentine writes to her daughter with family news and advice. I dig into a bit of the history of the unique situation of the Valentine family at Montcalm Plantation. Heads up, as this letter deals with the subject matter of slavery the podcast touches on some upsetting topics, including refere...

Cornelia Jefferson Randolph to Jane H. Nicholas Randolph, 18 January 1818. One of Thomas Jefferson's granddaughters writes to her sister-in-law about parties, shallow friendships, and an embarrassing incident on the dance floor. Kathryn is joined this week by Mary Wigge, a research editor of Martha Washington's papers. You can read the full transcribed text of this letter (along with the original...

In this week's letter George Washington forgets that he left all of his wife's correspondence in a desk that he sold to his close friend, Elizabeth Willing Powel. She immediately drags him for it, but is a good enough buddy to offer to hide his mistake from Martha. Many thanks to this week's guest expert Samantha Snyder, reference librarian at the Fred W. Smith National Library for the Study of Ge...

Martha Washington to Frances Bassett Washington, 15 June 1794. The original manuscript letter can be found at the Rosenbach Museum and Library. Martha Washington writes to her niece about worms, the yellow fever, spinets, and enslaved people. Notes and suggestions for further reading: The London Practice of Physic, (London: Printed for Robinson, Baldwin, and Bew in Paternoster-Row 1785.) William P...

Your Most Obedient & Humble Servant is a biweekly history podcast that showcases the 18th and early 19th century women's letters that don't always make it into the history books. Check out our trailer! First episode posts next week, Tuesday, June 24, 2020.