Ann was William Ellery's first wife. She was educated and accomplished. She bore him seven children but passed away fourteen years after their marriage. I wonder if she passed away in childbearing. The brief history doesn't say. She set a tone in their home that undoubtedly influenced the future.
Abigail was William Ellery's second wife and considerably younger, twenty-five when she married him. She bore eight children, but only two made it into adulthood. How tragic. As young as she was, she died twenty-seven years before her husband.
Such difficult lives these women endured. I know enough about human nature they couldn't have been wrapped up in themselves. They never would have put up with being married to such notorious men. I believe many a man has failed to reach his potential because his wife couldn't bear for him to succeed or rise above her expectations. Yes, it's true, too, that many a woman hasn't reach her potential because her husband couldn't bear for her to succeed or rise above his expectations for her.
I don't think most people consider the courage required to support a spouse who excels. I think perhaps too often fear the rewards and success will steal them away. In some cases, sadly, jealousy perhaps plays even a larger roll.
I want to be the kind of person that supports others in reaching their dream and cheers when they make it, even if it takes them out of my realm.
