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Historically Speaking: A Murder in St. Mary's County

Historically Speaking

On Sunday, October 13, 1901, Flora Catherine Love Johnson, a young wife and mother, died suddenly at her residence in Leonardtown. Some said Flora died of natural causes. Others said she died of hemorrhaging from being struck with an unknown object. Two others accused her husband, Peter Henry Johnson, of her murder. 

The investigation into Flora’s death and other domestic violence cases both in the North and the South during the 19th century became a lens for Holly Fabbri to research the idea of male honor in America, especially for southern men throughout the 19th century, research made all the more important as Flora Catherine Love Johnson was Miss Fabbri's Great Grandmother. 

Holly Fabbri is Associate Director of Alumni Relations at St. Mary's College of Maryland. She tells the story behind Flora Catherine Love's death and traces the historical and legal underpinnings of the concept of male honor which dominated 19th century patriarchal American society and law, especially in the agricultural South. 
 
Join us as Holly Fabbri reveals this little known aspect of life Southern life and culture. Learn how Blackstone's Commentaries on the Laws of England helped create a certain understanding of marital relations and legal viewpoint of husbands and wives for early American lawmakers.

Historically Speaking is a joint undertaking of the St. Mary's County Historical Society and the Center for the Study of Democracy at St. Mary's College of Maryland. Admission is without charge. 

When:
Wednesday, December 6, 2023, 7:00 PM until 8:30 PM Eastern Time (US & Canada) (UTC-05:00)
Where:
The Inn at Leonardtown
41655 Park Ave
Leonardtown, MD  20650

Additional Info:
Category:
Historically Speaking
Registration is required
Payment In Full In Advance Only
Capacity:
55
Available Slots:
0
No Fee