1. Revolutionary Women

2. 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 Before the WarDuring the War

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