27 September 1843
27 September 1843Margaret’s water broke while she was getting Elizabeth dressed. The little girl was just over two-years-old and still the quietest and most placid of her children. Looking at the pool of water between her mother’s feet, Elizabeth laughed and said, ‘Wee wee.’
‘Sarah,’ Margaret called to her eldest, ‘I need you.’
Hurrying into Elizabeth and Caroline’s bedroom while still pulling her dress over her head, Sarah stopped, mouth agape. ‘What’s wrong, Mama?’
‘My water has broken, Sarah. That means the baby is on its way. It won’t be long. Find Papa or one of the workers and have them send for the midwife. Come back as soon as you can.’
Between contractions, Margaret put towels on the bed, and put more wood on the fire so the water would boil. She staggered t
