Revolutionary Women

Revolutionary Women

1Timeline1620 Mayflower lands in Plymouth Mass.1754- The French and Indian War1764- The Sugar Act1765- The Stamp Act1770- Boston Massacre1773- Boston Tea Party1774- First Continental CongressApril 1775- Paul Reveres Ride/Battle of Lexington & ConcordMay 1775- Second Continental CongressJune 1775- George Washington named Commander in ChiefJan 1776- Thomas Paine publishes Common SenseJuly 4,1776- Declaration of Independence signed1781- Articles of Confederation signed1783- Treaty of Paris signed1787- Constitution adoptedWomens RolesBefore the WarDuring the WarNotable Revolutionary Women: Patriots & Loyalists

Abigail Adams: Patriot

Wife of John Adams future presidentRan the farm while husband was away at Continental CongressWrote 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 revolutionWarren had many friends whom she corresponded with including: Abigail & John Adams, Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson & Benjamin Franklin . Her influence helped bring attention to womens issuesWrote plays that made fun of BritishLater 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 soldiersMay refer to Mary Hays McCauley who took over for her wounded husband on the cannonDeborah Sampson: Patriot

Dressed in mens 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 slaveLearned to read and write while living with the Wheatley family who purchased herWrote a poem for General Washington and visited him at his headquartersWas first published African American woman poet Flora MacDonald: Loyalist

Was born in Scotland where she had been politically active before coming to the coloniesRode through countryside recruiting soldiers for the Royal American RegimentElizabeth Murray: Loyalist*A widow who ran her own store*Criticized for continuing to sell British goods

Esther SewallHusband, Jonathan Sewall was a loyalist and last Attorney General of Massachusetts before RevolutionHome 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 CanadaHer 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:Womens Roles in the RevolutionCooks & laundresses for troopsSpiesNursesCouriersPolitical Activists through literary works and boycotts