Martha Daniell Logan facts for kids

Martha Daniell Logan (born December 29, 1704 – died June 28, 1779) was an important early American botanist. She played a big part in exchanging seeds between Britain and the American colonies. Martha also wrote a popular gardening advice column. She was known for collecting many unique plants from the Carolinas.

About Martha Daniell Logan

Her Early Life

Martha Daniell Logan was born on December 29, 1704. Her birthplace was St. Thomas Parish, in South Carolina. She came from a very wealthy family. Her father, Robert Daniell, was a well-known merchant. He also served as South Carolina's lieutenant governor two times.

Martha learned to read and write from a private teacher at home. In 1718, her father passed away. Martha inherited property along the Wando River. The next year, in 1719, she married George Logan, Jr. Over the next sixteen years, she had eight children. Six of her children lived to adulthood. The Logan family later moved to a plantation near Charleston, South Carolina. It was there that Martha started collecting plants from the nearby forests.

Her Work as a Botanist

After her husband died in 1742, Martha faced money problems. To earn money, she placed an advertisement in the South Carolina Gazette. She offered to board children and teach them to read and write. Her son, Robert, also started selling imported seeds and flower roots. This sparked Martha's deeper interest in plants and gardening.

In 1751, Martha began writing a column for the South Carolina Gazette. It was called "Gardener's Kalendar" (Gardener's Calendar). This column gave helpful advice about gardening.

By 1753, Martha had more financial difficulties. She had to sell her plantation. She then moved to Charleston. There, she sold rare seeds and plant roots. She also began to study botany more seriously. Martha continued to collect plants, seeds, and other botanical items. She also started writing many letters to John Bartram. He was the royal botanist in Philadelphia at that time. Bartram and Logan regularly exchanged plant samples and communicated about their discoveries.

Martha Daniell Logan passed away in Charleston on June 28, 1779. She was 75 years old.

See also

In Spanish: Martha Daniell Logan para niños