In this analysis of a primary source, I will be examining the Rape Trial of Ephraim Wheeler. Ephraim Wheeler was on trial for raping his thirteen-year-old daughter Betsy in 1805. The first part of the document is a transcript of Betsy’s testimony in court, in which she gives a straightforward account of the events leading up to, and following her assault in 1805. In 1806 Ephraim was found guilty and hanged as a result of the trial. This document gives insight into the life a teenage girl in the patriarchal society of Early America (Reis, 2012, p. 96).
In June of 1805, Ephraim told Betsy and her brother Ephraim Jr. to accompany him on a trip to their uncle's house in another town. About a mile away from their home, Ephraim told Betsy to get off of her horse and come into the woods with him to collect ‘avens-root’. She refused to go at first but her father insisted that she go with him, and that Ephraim Jr. stay on the road with the horses. Once in the woods, Ephraim told Betsy to lie down on the ground, but Betsy refused. Ephraim then threatened to kill Betsy if she didn’t get on the ground, and despite the threat of violence, Betsy still refused. It was then that he violently forced her to the ground and …show more content…
Betsy testified that during the assault, she attempted to scream, but was struck on the head several times, choked, and physically silenced by Ephraim. The court questioned Betsy about who she told after the incident and she stated that she told both Ephraim Jr. and her mother, thier reactions were not recorded. Further into Besty’s testimony, it’s revealed that her father attempted to rape her two additional times when she was younger. Ephraim used bribery and threats to coerce Besty, but was unsuccessful, however, Betsy did tell her mother about one of the attempts after it happened (Reis, 2012, p.
In June of 1805, Ephraim told Betsy and her brother Ephraim Jr. to accompany him on a trip to their uncle's house in another town. About a mile away from their home, Ephraim told Betsy to get off of her horse and come into the woods with him to collect ‘avens-root’. She refused to go at first but her father insisted that she go with him, and that Ephraim Jr. stay on the road with the horses. Once in the woods, Ephraim told Betsy to lie down on the ground, but Betsy refused. Ephraim then threatened to kill Betsy if she didn’t get on the ground, and despite the threat of violence, Betsy still refused. It was then that he violently forced her to the ground and …show more content…
Betsy testified that during the assault, she attempted to scream, but was struck on the head several times, choked, and physically silenced by Ephraim. The court questioned Betsy about who she told after the incident and she stated that she told both Ephraim Jr. and her mother, thier reactions were not recorded. Further into Besty’s testimony, it’s revealed that her father attempted to rape her two additional times when she was younger. Ephraim used bribery and threats to coerce Besty, but was unsuccessful, however, Betsy did tell her mother about one of the attempts after it happened (Reis, 2012, p.