Wake Wednesday 250 - Margaret Wake Tryon - Mother of Wake

It is very fitting to include this previous post in the Wake 250 series. Margaret and her husband"s (William Tryon Colonial Governor of NC colony) very presence and actions were pivotal in the events leading up to the Revolution. I am sure sentiment about them was mixed at the time.

March is Womens' History Month!

Let's start it off by recognizing the woman of  Wake - Margaret Wake Tryon. She may or may not have been the "Mother of Wake County", but our county was certainly named for her in 1770, by none other than Joel Lane, according to Wikipedia.

source

Margaret was reported to be a "fine accomplish'd lady" in her day, possessed of skills and interests not usually adopted by women of her era. This description at Wikipedia certainly supports that notion.

Wake was described as an "accomplished" and "learned" woman who had a talent for playing the organ and spinet.^[3] She was known to avoid women's company and preferred to engage in men's conversation, particularly on the topics of government and military fortifications, which was considered unconventional at the time.^[3] She was also interested in military strategy and religion, and kept a large library at Tryon Palace.^[12] Wake reportedly insisted on being addressed as Your Excellency, her husband's form of address.^[3] 

You may enjoy this story about Margaret at the Norwich Castle Blog. 

Hats off to Margaret! Huzzah! 

 

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