Martha Daniell Logan
Martha Daniell Logan, born around 1704 in colonial South Carolina, was the daughter of Robert Daniell, a prominent figure who served as governor of the colony. Following her father's death when she was about thirteen, Martha's mother married Colonel George Logan, and Martha herself married George Logan, Jr., who was significantly older than her. Throughout her life, she stood out for her multifaceted contributions as a businesswoman, educator, and horticulturist. Notably, she managed her husband's estate and was granted power of attorney, a rare privilege for women of her time. Logan also founded and ran a boarding school, demonstrating her commitment to education.
Her gardening skills gained her recognition, leading to interactions with various botanists and the successful sale of plants and seeds from her impressive garden. Additionally, she contributed to the 1752 South-Carolina Almanack with her work "Gardners Kalendar," offering valuable gardening advice. During the Revolutionary War, Logan supported the new government financially, lending a substantial amount to aid soldiers. She is remembered as a versatile and influential woman, making significant strides in education, business, horticulture, and advocacy for the nascent United States, until her death on June 28, 1779.
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Martha Daniell Logan
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- Born: December 29, 1704
- Birthplace: St. Thomas Parish, South Carolina
- Died: June 28, 1779
Biography
Martha Daniell Logan was born to Robert and Martha Daniell around 1704. Robert Daniell was a wealthy and influential resident of colonial South Carolina, rising through the local political system to become governor of the colony in 1716. However, he was removed from office the following year because of his procolonist view, and he died in 1718, when Logan was around thirteen years old. Not much else is known about Logan’s childhood, but based upon her family’s status, one can safely assume that she was able to receive a good education and learned reading, writing, arithmetic, needlework, dancing, and possibly even French. After her father died, her mother married Colonel George Logan in 1719, and later that year, Martha married George Logan, Jr., Colonel Logan’s son. George Logan, Jr., was about twenty-five, at least ten years older than Martha. The Logans had eight children.
Logan accomplished much throughout her life. She often participated in matters of business and law. While her husband was out of the colony, which was often the case, Logan took care of his estate. In 1739, she was given power of attorney over all of her husband’s belongings and properties, a right which was not often bestowed upon women at that time. From 1742 to 1754, Logan founded and intermittently ran a boarding school, for which she assumed total responsibility. She purchased the land, advertised the school, and even taught there.
Even though Logan is credited with many accomplishments, she is best known for her work as a horticulturist. She kept one of the most impressive gardens in the colonies. Many famous botanists came to know her, and some occasionally sought her out for advice. Her garden produced many seeds, roots, and bulbs, some of which she sold, generating a good profit.
Logan’s gardening business was partially the reason why she made her foray into publishing. She contributed to the 1752 edition of The South-Carolina Almanack, publishing Gardners Kalendar, a set of instructions for managing a kitchen garden. She later wrote several additional articles and papers on gardening and helped promote various plants. She also sided with the new United States’ government during the Revolutionary War, lending the government £ 3,500 to aid the soldiers, who included some of her children and grandchildren. She died on June 28, 1779. She is still revered as one of the most versatile women of the colonial era, working as a teacher, businesswoman, writer, horticulturalist, and scientist.