The Women of the House: How a Colonial She-Merchant Built a Mansion, a Fortune, and a Dynasty

I bought this book when it was first released. Being a resident of the Hudson Valley, I was immediately interested in reading it. I'm glad I did! This is a really well written and interesting book. It takes you from the beginning of the Philipse empire all the way to the demise of it after the revolution, to what is left of it today. The author really tries to give you a feeling of what Margaret and her progeny were like, what they thought and so fourth. She describes everything richly and for New Yorkers, creates scenes with her words that we can easily go down the Hudson and look at or close our eyes and see. I highly recommend this book--it is interesting, informative, and a page turner.

Early America, and indeed most of the world, was a man's world. Women couldn't own property, vote, etc. etc. Margaret Hardenbroeck must have stood out as a wolf among sheep. In 1659 she moved to New Amsterdam (Manhattan) -- young (22), single, a business factor or agent for her family's business, a 'she-merchant' or today what we could call an entrepreneur. Our limited studies of the women of the time usually show them as individuals but reflected in the light of their husbands. Martha Washington, Abigail Adams were indeed strong women, but we would never have heard of them except for their husbands. Margaret made her own life, hers was not a reflection of her husband. She made her own way. She was probably not a nice person. In the way we think of Martha Stewart, she was tough. And as a slave trader we need to remember her in the light of her time, not of ours. Much of the book covers life in New Amsterdam at the time, with only supposition that this was how Margaret lived or what she did. There was limited material available on her personal life, much more on her business activities. This book opens up a new aspect of life in Dutch America, and of the rights and lives of women in our history.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It gave interesting insights into how colonial New York was developed, mixing the lives of one family with the broader stage of changing governments and cultural values. Great book!

Author Jean Zimmerman had passed by Philipse Manor Hall in downtown Yonkers many times and wondered who could have built the mansion: her investigation revealed it was the creation of a Dutch-born fur trader and ship merchant - a women named Margaret who set up her home in the then 'wilderness'. Thus evolved an investigation which has led to THE WOMEN OF THE HOUSE: HOW A COLONIAL SHE-MERCHANT BUILT A MANSION, A FORTUNE, AND DYNASTY. No women's history collection - no matter where it's located - should be without. Diane C. Donovan California Bookwatch

I read this book with real insterest since I love colonial history. I disagree with "Adri" amateur historian about the basis of this book. The writer portrays her main subject flaws and all. If you can't write about a woman with flaws you cannot write about anyone. Woman of the House showed how a fortune gained by profiteering not only in slaves but also in beaver pelts (not an "ethical" practice to some) came to be confiscated by the government. Margaret for all her dark sides is an incredible woman. I thank the writer for bringing her to my attention.