Bettina Bradbury Livres

Focusing on the transition from wife to widowhood in early nineteenth-century Montreal, this study examines two generations of women before and after the Patriote rebellions of 1837-38. Bettina Bradbury intertwines the biographies of twenty women with the genealogies of over 500, revealing their influence on the era's law, politics, and domestic life. The book highlights how women of diverse backgrounds shaped Montreal's culture and institutions amid the evolving landscape of patriarchy, offering valuable insights into the significance of marriage and widowhood during this pivotal period.

Set in Montreal during its industrial transformation from the 1860s to the 1890s, the narrative explores the lives of working-class families navigating new economic realities. It highlights the roles of men, women, and children in the wage labor system, showcasing the struggles and resilience of women who managed households while facing challenges like job loss, illness, and abandonment. The book delves into the dynamics of family survival, revealing both the ingenuity and hardships experienced in this evolving social landscape.

Caroline Kearney's husband bequeathed her a heart-breaking dilemma. Writing his will as he lay dying in Melbourne in 1865, Edward Kearney promised his wife GBP100 a year and more to educate their sons, but only if she moved to Ireland with their six children. How did this young widow respond to such a draconian exercise of male power?