Colonial Women

and Revolutionary

Action Question of Inquiry: Where and to what degree did women challenge existing government practices in the colonial and revolutionary periods?

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Question of Inquiry: Where and to what degree did women challenge existing government practices in the colonial and revolutionary periods?

Through the examination of several sources of data you will exposed to several ways women asserted authority and challenged government policies. Whether it be through subdued methods such as the

Data Sample: A Society of Patriotic Ladies at Edenton

While the Boston Tea Party is often associated with Revolutionary Action on behalf of the colonists, The Tea Party at Edenton was also significant. Not only was it another representation of colonial boycotts, it marked one of the first group actions that were organized by women.

Please click on the artwork for a closer look.

Take note of the general image of chaos that is created through this representation.

Penelope Barker had a prominent role in helping to organize the Edenton Tea Party.

As we cannot be indifferent on any occasion that appears nearly to affect the peace and happiness of our country, and as it has been thought necessary, for the public good, to enter into several particular resolves by a meeting of Members deputed from the whole Province, it is a duty which we owe, not only to our near and dear connections who have concurred in them, but to ourselves who are essentially interested in their welfare, to do every thing as far as lies in our power to testify our sincere adherence to the same; and we do therefore accordingly subscribe this paper, as a witness of our fixed intention and solemn determination to do so.

-The Women of Edenton

Data Sample:

Interestingly enough, this petition was printed in British publications. If it was printed in colonial publications, it did not survive to be seen by later generations. The document was written in response to the Tea Act that was passed by the British in 1773.

A Lady’s Adieu to Her Tea Table

Farewell the Tea Board, with its gaudy Equipage,Of Cups and Saucers, Cream Bucket, Sugar Tongs,The pretty Tea Chest also, lately stor’dWith Hylen, Congo, also and best Double Fine.Full many a joyous Moment have I sat by ye,Hearing the Girls’ Tattle, the Old Maids talk Scandal.And the spruce Coxcomb laugh at – maybe – Nothing.No more shall I dish out the once lov’d Liquor,Though now detestable,Because I’m taught (and I believe it true)Its Use will fasten slavish Chains upon my Country,And LIBERTY’s the Goddess I would chooseTo reign triumphant in AMERICA.

-Virginia Gazette, 1774

Data Sample: “A Lady’s Adieu to Her Tea Table”

This poem made an appearance in several newspapers in the years preceding the Revolutionary War. The significance of this piece was that through hierarchical diffusion it was able to reach women in different locations. Women were exposed to the idea that they too could boycott British goods. As this idea spread, women were empowered.

Data Sample: Women in the Revolution

Mary Cochran Corbin , Deborah Sampson, Mary Ludwig Hayes were women who fought in the American Revolution. While these women each shared the fact that they fought along side the men of the 13 colonies to defeat the British, they went to fight for different reasons.

Deborah Sampson enlisted twice

Data Sample: A letter from Paul Revere to Congressman William Eustis

This letter from Paul Revere to Congressman Willian Eustis is a plea on behalf of Deborah Sampson. Paul Revere writes about how Deborah served a soldier’s duty. And he also discusses the initial bias that he had before meeting her.

An excerpt from the letter:

“We commonly form our Idea of the person whom we hear spoken off, whom we have never seen; according as their actions are described, when I heard her spoken off as a Soldier, I formed the Idea of a tall, Masculine female, who had a small share of understanding, without education, & one of the meanest of her Sex. – When Isaw and discoursed with I was agreeably surprised to find a small, effeminate, and converseable Woman, whose education entitled her to a better situation in life.”

Summary of Findings/ Conclusions:

1. There were clear gender roles that had been established within the area of the 13 colonies. Women who wanted a part in revolutionary action would have to break out of the gender roles established for them.

2. Organized boycotts and protests by women took place in both the northern and the southern colonies.

3. Women saw strength in numbers. When the issue of spatiality came into play women were more apt to participate in political action with a strong leader such as Penelope Barker,

Works Cited:

1. “A Lady’s Adieu to her Tea Table,” Virginia Gazette, January 20, 1774.

2. The Edenton Resolves, October 1774, quoted in Peter Force, comp., American Archives (Washington,D.C., 1834), 4th ser., 1, p. 891.

3. A Statement of North Carolina Citizens, August 22, 1774.

5. “A Society of Patriotic Ladies at Edenton in North Carolina,” March 25, 1775.

6. http://www.paulreverehouse.org/gift2/details/46-51.pdf#search=paul%20revere%20deborah%pages 39-41.

“Margaret Corbin & Mary Ludwig Hays Mc Cauley,” U.S . Army Women’s Museum – Fort Lee, Virginia,http://www.awm.lee.army.mil/Army_Women_Notable/margaret_corbin.htm

Deborah Sampson Gannett, file # S-32732, M804, roll 1045, RG 15, NARA

Deborah Sampson Gannett, file # S-32732, Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty-Land Warrant Application Files (National Archives Microfilm Publication M804, roll 1045), Records of the Veterans Administration, Record Group 15, National Archives and Records Administration, Washington, DC.

Paul Revere to Congressman William Eustis of Massachusetts, l804, quoted in ibid., pp. 329–330