Throughout the nineteenth century, certain themes pertaining to the advancement of women began to appear; these include education, employment, involvement in moral reform, and more. These themes directly impacted the lives of all nineteenth century women, even the “ordinary” or “normal” women. The file of Elvira Gaston Platt, an exciting woman engaged in helping fugitive slaves escape and teaching children on a Native American reservation, also contains letters from her less dramatic sister-in-law, Mary Abigail Platt Darwin. Though she was less prolific, Platt was a woman that perfectly exemplified the nineteenth century themes that were sweeping the nation. She was a busy wife and mother living in Burlington, Iowa, yet she comments, participates,
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Charles Ben Darwin graduated from the same department at the same time as Platt, and they soon married on February 11, 1846. Their marriage lasted twenty-three years, and it appeared to be a very traditional one. Much of Mary’s correspondence mentions that Charles is out of town for work for large periods of time. In a December 27, 1859 letter to her sister Charlotte, she wrote, “Charles is absent – left yesterday morning for the capitol of the state to superintend the publication of the new code- he will be gone two or three months." This is a very typical description of their marriage. Charles would often be absent for weeks or months at a time, while Mary would stay home, teaching and caring for their three children. Their system of marriage was very similar to Martha Ballard and her husband. Like Ballard, Platt had an obligation to have outside employment, while also caring for her children and managing the house. Meanwhile, her husband Charles, like Ephraim, would often be gone for his job, leaving Platt to care for home, family, and her job. However, this was not typical of most marriages; most white working women were unmarried. “In 1890, three-quarters of white working women were unmarried.” Women were expected to work for a few years, then get married and live off their husband’s wages; this societal expectation is how women’s’ low wages were justified. While women were working, they did not need to support a family because they were still single. Because Platt was employed while being married, it is probable that she did so because her family needed the extra money. Though her wages were low, they were probably necessary to keep her family clothed and
Charles Ben Darwin graduated from the same department at the same time as Platt, and they soon married on February 11, 1846. Their marriage lasted twenty-three years, and it appeared to be a very traditional one. Much of Mary’s correspondence mentions that Charles is out of town for work for large periods of time. In a December 27, 1859 letter to her sister Charlotte, she wrote, “Charles is absent – left yesterday morning for the capitol of the state to superintend the publication of the new code- he will be gone two or three months." This is a very typical description of their marriage. Charles would often be absent for weeks or months at a time, while Mary would stay home, teaching and caring for their three children. Their system of marriage was very similar to Martha Ballard and her husband. Like Ballard, Platt had an obligation to have outside employment, while also caring for her children and managing the house. Meanwhile, her husband Charles, like Ephraim, would often be gone for his job, leaving Platt to care for home, family, and her job. However, this was not typical of most marriages; most white working women were unmarried. “In 1890, three-quarters of white working women were unmarried.” Women were expected to work for a few years, then get married and live off their husband’s wages; this societal expectation is how women’s’ low wages were justified. While women were working, they did not need to support a family because they were still single. Because Platt was employed while being married, it is probable that she did so because her family needed the extra money. Though her wages were low, they were probably necessary to keep her family clothed and