Introduction

Much has been written about the legendary times of John Marshall, the longest serving chief justice in Supreme Court history, but little is known about the love of his life, his dearest Polly. Polly was shy and retiring and stayed in the background, but she was known as his closest confidant and advisor.

The Love Story

This book shows how the enduring love that began during the Revolutionary War when Polly was only fourteen lasted and strengthened despite the turbulent times they faced both in war and peace. Their life together mirrors the time when Richmond, the new capital of Virginia, grew from a primitive village to a thriving port city, and the early bungalows, built to house legislators when the capital moved to Richmond during the war, were replaced by plantations-in-town.

Historical Context

This book gives a rich and graphic picture of life in the new United States and of events impacting the lives of those dominant people who determined the nation's future during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.