Revolutionary Women

1. Revolutionary Women

2. Timeline • 1620 – Mayflower lands in Plymouth Mass. • 1754- The French and Indian War • 1764- The Sugar Act • 1765- The Stamp Act • 1770- Boston Massacre • 1773- Boston Tea Party • 1774- First Continental Congress • April 1775- Paul Revere’s Ride/Battle of Lexington & Concord • May 1775- Second Continental Congress • June 1775- George Washington named Commander in Chief • Jan 1776- Thomas Paine publishes “Common Sense” • July 4,1776- Declaration of Independence signed • 1781- Articles of Confederation signed • 1783- Treaty of Paris signed • 1787- Constitution adopted

3. Women’s Roles

4. Notable Revolutionary Women: Patriots & Loyalists

5. 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

6. 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

8. 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

9. 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.

10. 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

11. 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

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

13. 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.

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