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Mom of Note: Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks

May 9, 2009 by Anna Berkes Posted in: Research, A Summary View, Thomas Jefferson, Visiting Monticello

Unfortunately it's been a bizarre week for us here (hence the dearth of blog entries), but I did want to highlight our new exhibit, which is singularly appropriate for Mothers' Day. It features Lucy Meriwether Lewis Marks, mother of Meriwether Lewis. Lucy was a healer/midwife/doctor person who taught her medicinal skills to her famous son. This, of course, was slightly handy on his cross-country expedition. Drawings of various medicinal plants that Lucy may have used, among other things, are on view in our new exhibition. And if you can't get here in person, never fear: Eric has created a very lovely online companion to the exhibition here.

And here's a fun fact to leave you with: Lucy's second husband was the brother of Thomas Jefferson's sister's husband.

Comments

says

I tried my interpretation of Lucy with school children third-high school, and for 20 minutes held their interest using an old side saddle, a few fragrant herbs in cloth holders, and a ladder to represent the Blue Ridge Mountains. I made a good hanger for my period clothes. I compared Lucy's piedmont lands to the the students home geography, threw in a comparison of money crops, and ended with a pitch for the power that one person could exert: Lucy keeping her help healthy; Meriwether keeping his Expedition healthy; and Jefferson for coming up with the idea to purchase Louisiana.

It was great learning Lucy's horse's name; made the side saddle credible.

Thank you for putting together such a great resource for occasional interpretors such as I!

Julia and Lucy – Teacher

July 21, 2011, 5:04 pm

says

And thank you for your comment! The ultimate gratification in my job is to know that the information we've provided has made a difference. Sounds like those schoolchildren got a wonderful glimpse of history!

Anna Berkes – Research Librarian, Monticello Staff

July 23, 2011, 3:05 pm