Moreover, Martha liked books very much and formed a good habit of reading. She was not only “indefatigable in cultivating an acquaintance with books, but successful in retaining much of what she read “by means of abridging, transcribing, and committing to memory.” On 26 September 1769, in a letter to his British partner and relative George Appleby, Henry bragged to his friend of Martha’s accomplishments. He mentioned to his friend that Martha “reads well & begins to write prettily, is not dull in the French Grammar and Plays a little on the Harpsichord.” Henry was very proud of his daughter. According to him, Martha was “better than all,” because “she handles her needles in all the useful branches & some of the most refined parts of Women’s work,” and promised him “to learn to make minced Pies and to dress a Beef Steak.” In 18th century South Carolina, females rarely had opportunities to accept good education, but Martha was an exception.
In Martha’s life, her Uncle James and Aunt Mary played very important roles for her youth education. In 1770, when Martha was just 11 years old, her mother was died. One year later, in order to provide good education to his sons, Papa Henry took her brothers to England and asked her Uncle and Aunt to take good care of her and his baby Polly. Although Martha lost her mother and was separated from his father and brothers, her Aunt and Uncle greatly helped her to educate herself. Her aunt’s sound judgment, refined manners, and eminent piety well fitted her for training up her orphan niece for both worlds. Moreover, it was Uncle James who took her to Europe and helped her to broaden her scope.
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