Women of the American Revolution

“This is an extremely well-rounded collection of biographies that delves into the personal lives, professional accomplishments, and influences on the American Revolution of a wide variety of women from the days of a freshly formed, burgeoning America that will appeal to readers of women’s history and American history.” -Booklist

Women of the American Revolution explores the trials of war and daily life for women in the United States during the War of Independence. What challenges were caused by the division within communities as some stayed loyal to the king and others became patriots? How much choice did women have as their loyalties were assumed to be that of their husbands or fathers?

The lives of women of the American Revolution will be examined through an intimate look at some significant women of the era. Many names will be familiar, such as Martha Washington who traveled to winter camps to care for her husband and rally the troops and Abigail Adams who ran the family’s farms and raised children during John’s long absences. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, popularized by Lin Manual Miranda’s Hamilton, was also an early activist working tirelessly for multiple social causes. Decide for yourself if the espionage of Agent 355 or the ride of Sybil Ludington are history or myth.

Not all American women served the side of the revolutionaries. Peggy Shippen gambled on the loyalist side and paid severe consequences. From early historian Mercy Otis Warren to Dolley Madison, who defined what it means to be a US First Lady, women of the American Revolution strived to do more than they had previously thought possible during a time of hardship and civil war.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 The American War for Independence - 1
Chapter 2 Martha Dandridge Custis Washington - 7
Chapter 3 Agent 355 - 29
Chapter 4 Sybil Ludington - 36
Chapter 5 Mercy Otis Warren - 44
Chapter 6 Margaret Shippen Arnold - 62
Chapter 7 Deborah Sampson Gannett - 83
Chapter 8 Abigail Smith Adams - 92
Chapter 9 Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton - 118
Chapter 10 Dolley Payne Todd Madison - 140
Chapter 11 Revolutionary Women - 159
Acknowledgements - 161
Notes - 162
Bibliography - 180
Index - 183