The American Revolution as Women’s Work

Introduction Stuff A Small Handful of White Guys did NOT wake up one morning and think, “Hey, we should have an American Revolution and throw the British out of N. America. No one was an American Yet.

What’s an Enlightenment Idea? From English Philosophers Thomas Hobbes & John Locke: That the “People” have some say in their ruler. That the ruler should meet the needs of the people—The Social Contract. All this based on Enlightenment Ideas of FREE WILL!

The KEY Enlightenment Idea No more predestination! YOU chose God or Satan! You are the Boss of YOU! More Individuality Less “Because the Monarch said so.”

B. Revivals and the Spread of Ideas 1. Ideas spread at Religious Revivals called The Great Awakening. Free will ideas meant people could chose their religion. Chose their relationship with God. 2. 2/3 of Revival Goers– WOMEN!! Women take ideas home– teach them to husbands and children!

V. Political Ramifications of Free Will A. People want to make their own churches B. People need “Freedom of Religion” to do that. No more State Religions C. People become skeptical of authority. D. People want to replace Unreasonable Power/Authority E. People want Home Rule– not to be ruled by a King (who’s an authority they don’t recognize, cause God’s not the boss of them), far way, across the Atlantic Ocean. F. Revolution is in many women’s and men’s heads and hearts, which causes the war. No revolutionary ideas. No Revolution.

These ideas get from College educated men to THE PEOPLE through WOMEN These ideas get from College educated men to THE PEOPLE through WOMEN. Women spread the Revolutionary Ideology

Women & the War Dates: 1775-1883 Women Participated in the Revolutionary War in MANY, MANY ways. The Spread Revolutionary Ideology (which we just discussed. Women worked Farms and businesses so that men could go off to war.

Example #1 Abigail Adams: My the time the war began She and John Adams had 5 children. He had a farm in Braintree and a Law Office in Boston. AND HE WAS A FOUNDING FATHER GUY He could only go off and be a FFG if SHE took care of the family, the farm and the business.

Abigail traded livestock, hired help, bought land, oversaw construction, and supervised the planting and harvesting, allowing her husband to become the statesman and leading advocate of American independence. “I hope in time to have the reputation of being as good a Farmess as my partner has of being a good Statesman,” she once wrote.[7] Throughout his career, Abigail had served as unofficial advisor to John. Their letters show him seeking her counsel on many issues, including his presidential aspirations.

“Remember the Ladies” In 1776 she wrote a letter to John Adams, who was in Philadelphia helping form the new Government. "...remember the ladies, and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the Husbands. Remember all Men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the Ladies we are determined to foment a Rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any Laws in which we have no voice, or Representation."[2]

Women IN the War As “Camp Followers” Women went to war with men and acted as cooks, laundresses and nurses.

Example #2 Woman as Nurse. Martha Custis Washington 1. She was a rich widow. George Washington only became a famous general guy because he controlled her fortune after marriage. She went to camp with her husband. She would collect clothes and shoes and distribute them. She and other ladies would nurse the sick. One soldier wrote to his mother: “I never in my life knew a woman so busy from early morning until late at night as was Lady Washington, providing comforts for the sick soldiers.”[

Example #3 Woman as Political Leader. Molly Brant: A Mohawk (Iroquois) woman who “married” a British Army Officer, Sir Wm. Johnson. When he died she became a laison between the Five Tribes of the Iroquois (of which the Mohawk were 1) and the British and Revolutionary governments. She became the INFORMAL British Superintendent to Native American Affairs.

The 3 Faces of Molly Brant: Iroquois, European, Loyalist In 1785, in recognition for the service she did the British govt., they gave her a pension.

Example #4 Woman as Informal Soldier: Mary “Molly” Ludwig Hayes Known as “Molly Pitcher” 

Carried water to soldiers on the battlefield, during and after battles Carried water to soldiers on the battlefield, during and after battles. Hence “Molly Pitcher,” for her water pitcher. On November 16, 1776, Margaret’s husband, John, was assisting a gunner who was ultimately killed during the battle.  John then took over as gunner until he was killed. Margaret, known as Captain Molly, had no time to mourn and continued firing the cannon alone until she was wounded, severely injuring her shoulder and chest and mangling her jaw.

Example #5 Women as “Passing Soldiers,” like Deborah Sampson

Came from a poor family, wanted to earn money, have adventure, serve her country. Disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the army as Robert Schurtleff in 1781. Served 17 months “Shurtleff” was wounded (took two musket balls in the thigh at the Battle for Tarrytown) and was honorably discharged in 1783. Married in 1785 and had 3 children

In 1792 she petitioned the Massachusetts legislature for back pay (for money she was not paid after it was discovered she was a woman) and got it. In 1802 she took to the lecture circuit to earn money by telling tales of her war service and doing rifle drills. In 1804 she petitioned for an Army Pension, as a veteran. Soldiers, including Paul Revere, wrote on her behalf to Congress. In 1805 the U. S. Congress awarded Deborah Sampson a Pension as a retired United States Army soldier

Slave Women Slave women worked on both the Loyalist and Patriot sides of the war. Many slaves fought with the understanding that they would be freed if their side won. Slave women particularly participated in the war so as to free not only themselves, but their children, born and unborn. Black women made up the bulk of the workforce at Southern Forts, building fortifications mostly. They were also VERY Effective Spies. Some disguised themselves as men and fought.

Example #6: Oney Judge Who ran away from her master George Washington and spied for the British Army

Example #7: Phyllis Wheatly, American Patriotic Poet Example #7: Phyllis Wheatly, American Patriotic Poet. Wrote a poem to George Washington, who invited her to camp and had her read it to the troops

The Upshot: Women played a significant role in the American Revolution. They built the ideas that encouraged the Revolution They played important political roles. They kept the farms and other businesses going when men went to war They went to war and both supported troops and fought themselves.

The End (of the Lecture)!

Now the Activity Make a poster highlighting the activities of a Revolutionary War Era Woman who should be more famous. Your poster should include: An Image, A Slogan, some visual metaphors to communicate the woman’s importance. List: 1. Katherine Freeman 2. Nancy Ward 3. Mercy Otis Warren 4. Catherine Moore Barry 5. Sybil Ludington 6. Mary Ludwig Hayes McCauley GO TEAMS!