Their Lives, Their Wills: Women in the Borderlands, 1750-1846 (Women, Gender, and the West)

Name: Their Lives, Their Wills: Women in the Borderlands, 1750-1846 (Women, Gender, and the West)
Price: 35.96 USD
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5.0 of 5 Stars: Estate Planning - Their Lives, Their Wills: Women in the Borderlands, 1750-1846 (Women, Gender, and the West)

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Book Synopsis: In 1815, in the Spanish settlement of San Antonio de Béxar, a dying widow named María Concepción de Estrada recorded her last will and testament. Estrada used her will to record her debts and credits, specify her property, leave her belongings to her children, make requests for her funeral arrangements, and secure her religious salvation. Wills like Estrada's reveal much about women's lives in the late Spanish and Mexican colonial communities of Santa Fe, El Paso, San Antonio, Saltillo, and San Esteban de Nueva Tlaxcala in present-day northern Mexico. Using last wills and testaments as main sources, Amy M. Porter explores the ways in which these documents reveal details about religion, family, economics, and material culture. In addition, the wills speak loudly to the difficulties of frontier life, in which widowhood and child mortality were commonplace. Most importantly, information in the wills helps to explain the workings of the patriarchal system of Spanish and Mexican borderland communities, showing that gender role divisions were fluid in some respects. Supplemented by censuses, inventories, court cases, and travelers' accounts, women's wills paint a more complete picture of life in the borderlands than the previously male-dominated historiography of the region.

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Discover a captivating journey into the lives of women in the borderlands with "Their Lives, Their Wills: Women in the Borderlands, 1750-1846". This insightful book delves into the rich history of Spanish and Mexican colonial communities, uncovering the untold stories of women like María Concepción de Estrada.

Unveiling an array of intriguing details, Amy M. Porter utilizes last wills and testaments as primary sources to reveal the intricate fabric of religion, family, economics, and material culture. Step into the world of these remarkable women and gain profound insights into the challenges of frontier life.

Delving beyond the traditional male-centric narratives, "Their Lives, Their Wills" breaks new ground by showcasing the pivotal role women played in the borderland communities. Experience a fresh perspective on gender role divisions, as the book uncovers the fluidity of societal norms.

Supported by censuses, inventories, court cases, and travelers’ accounts, this ground-breaking work is a testament to the power of women's voices in shaping the course of history. Don't miss your chance to explore the hidden stories and remarkable resilience of women in the borderlands.

Take a step towards uncovering the captivating tales of women who shaped the borderlands. Purchase "Their Lives, Their Wills: Women in the Borderlands, 1750-1846" now and embark on a mesmerizing journey through history.

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