Revolutionary Women

1620 – Mayflower lands in Plymouth Mass The French and Indian War The Sugar Act The Stamp Act Boston Massacre Boston Tea Party First Continental Congress April Paul Revere’s Ride/Battle of Lexington & Concord May Second Continental Congress June George Washington named Commander in Chief Jan Thomas Paine publishes “Common Sense” July 4,1776- Declaration of Independence signed Articles of Confederation signed Treaty of Paris signed Constitution adopted

Women’s Roles Before the WarDuring the War

Notable Revolutionary Women: Patriots & Loyalists

Abigail Adams: Patriot Wife of John Adams future president Ran the farm while husband was away at Continental Congress Wrote letters to her husband reminding him “not to forget the ladies” as Congress was making laws for the new government

Mercy Otis Warren: Patriot Called “the conscience of the revolution” Warren had many friends whom she corresponded with including: Abigail & John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson & Benjamin Franklin. Her influence helped bring attention to women’s issues Wrote plays that made fun of British Later wrote three books describing the events of the American Revolution

Molly Pitcher: Fact or Fiction? Name given to the many women who stood alongside their husbands and brought pitchers of water to the soldiers May refer to Mary Hays McCauley who took over for her wounded husband on the cannon

Deborah Sampson: Patriot Dressed in men’s clothes and fought in the Continental Army in 1782 as Robert Shurtleff. Applied for pension benefits and was denied several times. Finally granted lifetime pension after Paul Revere sent a personal request to Congress. Received an honorable discharge for work as soldier in 1783.

Phyllis Wheatley: Patriot African American brought to colonies as a slave Learned to read and write while living with the Wheatley family who purchased her Wrote a poem for General Washington and visited him at his headquarters Was first published African American woman poet

Flora MacDonald: Loyalist Was born in Scotland where she had been politically active before coming to the colonies Rode through countryside recruiting soldiers for the Royal American Regiment

Elizabeth Murray: Loyalist *A widow who ran her own store *Criticized for continuing to sell British goods

Esther Sewall Husband, Jonathan Sewall was a loyalist and last Attorney General of Massachusetts before Revolution Home was attacked by mob. She convinced attackers to enjoy their fill of the contents of their wine cellar and as a result they were spared. Had to flee to England and later to Canada Her brother in law, John Hancock tried to persuade her to return. Although she resented her husband for this exile, she remained by his side. She returned home upon his death.

Summary: Women’s Roles in the Revolution Cooks & laundresses for troops Spies Nurses Couriers Political Activists through literary works and boycotts