Social Status of Women in the Revolution

Women in the American Revolution

Social Status of Women in the Revolution

Molly Pitcher – the real story

Evidence supporting her existence

Evidence denying her existence

An American Icon

Other Women who took up Arms

Women as Spies

Ann Bates

Miss Jenny

Life as a Camp Follower

Women in Supporting Roles

The winds of Equality

Abigail Adams

Patriotism

Men’s views on Women in the Revolution

Women as a Symbol of the Comforts of Home

Women in the American Revolution played a deciding factor in the success of the colonists in winning their freedom from the Tyranny of England. Traditional roles of men and women had been heavily influenced by the teachings of Christianity in which men were above women and God was above men. The interpretation of this idea was taken rather literally during this time period and many men regarded women as lower beings. During the Revolutionary war women were not considered fit for battle and this was strictly a man’s realm. Women were responsible for cooking, mending, sewing, soap making, and other forms of domestic tasks. The onset of the war forced some of these ideas to be loosened due to necessity. The war played a major role in re-defining women’s roles in the late 18th century. These ideas began a long series of reforms, which later led to the suffrage movement.

Women played as important role in the American Revolution. Many who had husbands in the Military left their homes; some even with their children, and followed their husbands. The reason why they did this is that they no longer had the help provided by the man, and if the territory in which they lived was British occupied, the situation at home might not be safe. These women were commonly referred to as “Camp followers.” If the women performed the duties of cooking, mending uniforms, or doing laundry, the Army paid them a salary for their services. Some of the women were not paid a salary, but received food rations instead.

One such “camp follower” is the legendary Molly Pitcher. There are many who dispute her very existence, yet there exist many variations of stories of her life. One of the more prevalent versions of the story goes like this.

An Artillery wife, Mary Hays McCauly (better known as Molly Pitcher) shared the rigors of Valley Forge with her husband, William Hays. Her actions during the battle of Monmouth on June 28, 1778 became legendary. That day at Monmouth was as hot as Valley Forge was cold. Someone had to cool the hot guns and bathe parched throats with water.

Across that bullet-swept ground, a striped skirt fluttered. Mary Hays McCauly was earning her nickname “Molly Pitcher” by bringing pitcher after pitcher of cool spring water to the exhausted and thirsty men. She also tended to the wounded and once, heaving a crippled Continental soldier up on her strong young back carried him out of reach of hard-charging Britishers. On her next trip with water, she found her artilleryman husband back with the guns again, replacing a casualty. While she watched, Hays fell wounded. The piece, its crew too depleted to serve it, was about to be withdrawn. Without hesitation, Molly stepped forward and took the rammer staff from her fallen husband’s hands. For the second time on an American battlefield, a woman manned a gun. (The first was Margaret Corbin during the defense of Fort Washington in 1776.) Resolutely, she stayed at her post in the face of heavy enemy fire, ably acting as a matross (gunner)

For her heroic role, General Washington himself issued her a warrant as a noncommissioned officer. Thereafter, she was widely hailed as “Sergeant Molly.” A flagstaff and cannon stand at her gravesite at Carlisle, Pennsylvania. A sculpture on the battle monument commemorates her courageous deed.” 1

This version of the Molly Pitcher Story has most of the common elements present in the re-telling. One version has the bottom of her skirt getting ripped by a grapeshot ball and she nonchalantly says something about being “lucky.” Other versions have her husband collapsing form heat exhaustion. In one version George Washington handed her a bag of coins. The variations of the details are numerous. In all of the versions, the common theme is present, her taking up the post for her fallen husband. There are several reasons why this cannot be considered a historical account. The many conflicting versions of the story that exist are only one of them. Molly Pitcher embodies the patriotic spirit ‘of the American Revolution, however, there was never actually a person named “Molly Pitcher.” Like most legends, however, this story is not an entire fabrication, but is based on some historical fact.

According to the renowned Revolutionary War historian, Dr. Linda Grant DePauw of the Minerva Center, Molly Pitcher was actually a woman veteran of the war, Mary Ludwig Hays McCauly from Carlisle, Pennsylvania. It is this person who is commonly believed to be the embodiment of Molly Pitcher. No historical sources exist for “Molly Pitcher” such as place of birth, place of death, or details of her life’. The real woman, Mary Ludwig Hayes McCauly was awarded a pension by the State of Pennsylvania “for services rendered” during the war. The amount awarded was $40, which was more than the typical wage for camp followers who performed services. Even this evidence linking Mary Hays McCauley to the Battle of Monmouth is questionable, according to Dr. DePauw. No mention of a cannon at the Battle of Monmouth is mentioned in her obituary, which would be unusual for such a heroic feat. There are two women in historical records who fought at the Battle of Monmouth. One was at an artillery position and the other was in the infantry line. Neither of these women were named, and there is no indisputable evidence that one was Mary Hays McCauly. 2 In addition, there are several suggested spellings of her last name. It is unlikely with so many discrepancies that the real truth will ever be known.

Mary McCauly was the second woman known to take up her fallen husband’s arms. Margaret (Molly) Cochran Corbin, later known as Captain Molly, was the wife of John Corbin. John was an artilleryman in Captain Thomas Proctor’s 1 str company of Pennsylvania Artillery. Margaret was a camp follower. Many of the women who were camp followers learned by watching the men do drills, and therefore picked up the training as well, On November 16, 1776 Margaret stood on the front lines with her husband. Her husband was mortally wounded and she took his position. She was injured in the battle herself. She was moved to Philadelphia, where she was paroled and pensioned by Congress. Corbin was later assigned to the Corps of invalids, where she remained until her death in 1800. “Captain Molly” was buried at the United States Military Academy. 3

It is believed that this accounts for the name Molly Pitcher. Molly Pitcher may be a generic name given to women who carried pitchers of water to the troops and cooled the cannon barrels. The men on the battlefield would often yell, “Molly bring me a Pitcher, ” or simply,

Molly Pitcher!” This is the more likely source for the name Molly Pitcher.

In contrast to Dr. DePauw’s opinion, Gillian Courtney, a park ranger at the Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site, disagrees with the fact about Mary Hays ever receiving a military pension. According to this authority, Mary McCauly remarried after the death of her first husband. This marriage did not last long and she supported herself until her death in 1832 with grants. Courtney states that McCauly never received a military pension.

Another account goes like this.

A woman named Mary, widow of William Hays, who came to live in Carlisle in 1783 — well after the battle of Monmouth. Her second husband had the variously spelled name beginning with the letter M. In January 1822,

Mary applied for a pension from the state of Pennsylvania as ‘Molly McKolly [sic], widow of a soldier of the Revolutionary War.’ The bill wound its way through three readings in the Pennsylvania Senate and passed without amendment, then went for two readings in the Pennsylvania House before being amended to read ‘for services rendered’ in place of ‘widow of a soldier’ before passing. There are no surviving papers or proceedings to explain why the change was made.

However less than a month later, on March 7, 1822, the following editorial was printed in the (New York) National Advocate. It is probably the best evidence we are ever likely to get as to what Mary’s activity during the Revolution was believed to be while she was still alive.

There is no mention of the Battle of Monmouth or of a cannon although the fact that her story was told to win a pension would surely have encouraged her to put in anything that would improve her account.

Molly Macauly [sic], who received a pension from the State of Pennsylvania for service rendered during the Revolutionary War, was well-known to the general officers as a brave and patriotic woman. She was called Sgt. McCauly [sic] and was wounded at some battle, supposed to be the Brandywine, where her sex was discovered…. It was an unusual circumstance to find women in the ranks disguised as men, such was their ardor for independence.’

“(It is interesting that the editorial continues with the observation),

Elizabeth Canning was at a gun at Fort Washington when her husband was killed and she took his place immediately, loaded, primed and fired the cannon with which he was entrusted. She was wounded in the breast by grapeshot… ‘”4

This brings us to an important question. How can these many supposed authorities have conflicting information about something, which should be provable with Pennsylvania Military records? The answer may lie in 18th century culture. Although women were camp followers and functioned to perform menial tasks around the camp, they did not serve any military function during the war. They were therefore not listed by individual name in the records of the day. It was not considered proper for women to place themselves in danger, or otherwise stray from traditionally prescribed duties.

The actions of Margaret Corbin and Mary McCauly were outside of society’s norms for the time, and were therefore considered extraordinary. Keeping this in mind, Molly Pitcher stands to represent the ideal of self-sacrifice for the common good, as well as courage, duty and bravery. Molly Pitcher is an icon who represents the thousands of women who served bravely with the continental army. These women were the spirits of patriotism. Molly Pitcher is an ideal rather than a real person. The stories that surround Molly Pitcher are very real parts of history, no matter which accounts or theories of identity to which you prescribe.

There are hundreds of other accounts of women performing heroic deeds during the war. For example, Angelica Vrooman, sat calmly in a tent with a bullet mould, some lead and an iron spoon, moulding bullets for the rangers, during the heat of a battle. 5 There are many accounts of women performing heroic deeds in the heat of battle. Our modern ideals would have us admire them, however in the 18th century, these women were sometimes criticized for straying from the norm. For this reason many only existed as oral history until many years later when the stories were written down.

These brave women who scoffed their traditional roles and attitudes exist mainly as legends. However, women did have a very important role during the Revolution. Prior to the war, in response to the passage of the Townsend Acts, the Daughters of Liberty worked with other women to find substitutes for the British goods being boycotted. Well- known wives and families of revolutionaries were often targets for British and Hessian troops. They were often attacked, and their crops, homes, and businesses were destroyed. Although war was considered a role of the men, women were sometimes cast into it’s midst by proximity. By supporting their husband’s cause, these women boosted the war efforts and gave their husbands an undecided advantage. The Daughters of Liberty and other groups which sprung up around the country made the boycotts work.

Aside from camp followers, make-shift artillerymen, and patriots, women served many important functions during the war, however, due to social attitudes of the time, their deeds were not recorded until later, and many have been lost forever. Not least of these roles was that of spy. One of these women, of whom we have records through her various letters, is Ann Bates. These letters are contained in a collection called the Clinton Collections and are housed at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Through her own letters we know that Ann Bates began spying for the British sometime in 1778.

She posed as a peddler, selling thread, needles, knives and utensils to American camp followers. In this manner, Bates traveled through rebel camps, counting the number of men and weapons and meeting with other loyalist sympathizers in the American army. On May 12, 1780 Bates requested to leave Clinton’s espionage ring and join her husband, a gun repairman with the British Army, in Charleston, South Carolina.”6

Miss Jenny was another woman who spied for the British by infiltrating the American’s French allies’ army camps. She reported her observations to Baron Ottendorf, who in turn sent her observations to Sir Henry Clinton. 7 The following is an excerpt of her report, sent to Sir Henry Clinton through Baron Ottendorf.

Having followed the main road, keeping always to the right, / she came across a cavalry officer coming from the woods whom she asked, / “Monsier, would you show me the French camp?” He answered her, “Why are / you French?” “Yes, Monsieur,” (she replied). “Come with me; I’ll take you / there,” (he said). The officer led her to the outermost guard post of the camp / after having proposed an amorous liaison to her, even desiring to force her, / which she did not wish under these circumstances. When she arrived at the / main guard post of the camp, the Captain asked her whom she sought. She / answered that she came from the direction of York, having learned that her / father was there (at the camp), and that she will be delighted to come and see / him; (she said) that she was a seamstress and that her mother was a good wife, / and that they found out that their father returned from France with the troops, / seeing that it was six years since he went to France from Canada.” 8

After this encounter, she is questioned and interrogated for two days, all of which she cleverly convinces that she is sincere. After several attempts to “break her,” her interrogators get nothing. She was suspected of being a spy, but she held firm to her story and no formal charges could be proven. However, due to her highly suspicious nature, her hair was cut off and then she was led out of camp on a horse. Cutting a woman’s hair short was a form of disgrace in colonial times, She was firmly escorted from camp and told never to return. 9

Both the British and Americans employed many spies, many of whom were women who infiltrated the camps and posed as camp followers. While there they gathered intelligence about troop numbers, troop movements and battle plans. They then escaped from the camp and returned to report their findings. These women placed themselves in grave danger, for if discovered, they would most likely be shot. Women were also employed to intercept letters of soldiers, which often times had plans in them as well. Women were used to plant counter intelligence and were a vital part of the Revolutionary War Intelligence scene.

From the writings of women camp followers we get picture of what life was like in a Revolutionary War Military Camp. The following excerpt is from one of these women.

A never had the least idea that the Creation produced such a sordid set of creatures in human figure — poor, dirty, emaciated men, great numbers of women who seemed to be the beasts of burden, having a bushel baskets on their backs, by which they were bent double, the contents seemed to be pots and kettles, various sorts of furniture, children peeking through the gridirons and other utensils, some very young infants who were born on the road, the women bare feet, clothed in dirty rags.” 10

From this description we get a clear picture that life was neither pleasant, nor easy for women who were camp followers. We get a picture of dirt and filth. Disease ran rampant through these camps and claimed many lives. Women were “beasts of burden.”

The following mentions the actions of the women in a fort during a battle. It was written about the Seigeo of Fort Henry by Mrs. Jacob Drennon from a journal entry.

Francis Duke, Col. Shepherd’s son-in-law, came from Vanmetre’s fort, and couldn’t be made to stop (commissary of the fort). Col. Zane had just finished him a good house, all to one window, shingle-roofed…. Women ran bullets in frying pans, and two shot. Mrs. Duke cut bullet patches out of a 700 linen piece, like one cutting out shirts. And one Scotchman prayed all day. Rain came up, just after the town was set on fire. The women brought up water in tubs, and scrubbed the roofs. That night the Indians left.”11

Another role of women during the American Revolution was that of battle support. They fought fires, re-stocked ammunition, helped with the wounded, brought the men water and food. They sometimes took up arms and fought, when the need arose. To take up arms and fight was rare, and it those women who stand out in history as the unusual. More often, they were support personnel. This freed the men to fight and gave them greater numbers. Women played a vital role in the outcome of many battles. Although most times, their deeds went unrecorded.

The necessity for women to participate in new roles also brought about the beginnings of the echoes of a change in attitude about women. It is well documented through the letters of Abigail Adams that these issues of “inalienable rights” were not only for men, but also for both sexes. Abigail Adams was the wife of John Adams and through her letters, we get a glimpse of the beginnings of this new attitude towards women. The ideals that Abigail presented to her husband were foreign to society. They echoed a cry of equality for all that would spread as time went on. A letter from Abigail Adams to John Adams written on March 31, 1776, Abigail describes the fear that the British settlers caused on the inhabitants. It was this fear that caused many women to leave their houses and become camp followers. It simply was not safe at home any more. Women did not have the luxury of sending their husbands off to fight and to continue to enjoy the luxuries to which they were accustomed.

I feel very differently at the approach of spring from what I did a month ago. We knew not then whether we could plant or sow with safety, whether where we had tilled we could reap the fruits of our own industry, whether we could rest in our own cottages or whether we should be driven from the seacoast to seek shelter in the wilderness but now we feel a temporary peace, and the poor fugitives are returning to tLeir deserted habitations. “12

Often, Mrs. Adams made political suggestions to her husband. Abigail, in the same letter also alludes to the position of women. It seems that we are beginning to see the prelude to the suffrage movement even now. Abigail pleads that her husband sees things from her angle. The ideas expressed in this letter would be considered radical for a lady of the time. She took the risk of being ridiculed for her ideals, long to hear that you have declared an independency. And, by the way, in the new code of laws which I suppose it will be necessary for you to make, I desire you would remember the ladies and be more generous and favorable to them than your ancestors. Do not put such unlimited power into the hands of the husbands. Remember, all men would be tyrants if they could. If particular care and attention is not paid to the ladies, we are determined to foment a rebellion, and will not hold ourselves bound by any laws in which we have no voice or representation.

That your sex are naturally tyrannical is a truth so thoroughly established as to admit of no dispute; but such of you as wish to be happy willingly give up the harsh title of master for the more tender and endearing one of friend. Why, then, not put it out of the power of the vicious and the lawless to use us with cruelty and indignity with impunity? Men of sense in all ages abhor those customs which treat us only as the vassals of your sex; regard us then as beings placed by Providence under your protection, and in imitation of the Supreme Being make use of that power only for our happiness. “13

The next passage is interesting. It appears that John Adams has asked his wife to figure out the process for making saltpeter. She also alludes to how busy her life is with daily chores. Abigail Adams was obviously a well-educated woman, and it is evident form the request of John Adams in this research project, that he had confidence in her abilities.

April 5.

I want to hear much oftener from you than I do. March 8th was the last date of any that I have yet had. You inquire of me whether I am making saltpeter. I have not yet attempted it, but after soap-making believe I shall make the experiment. I find as much as I can do to manufacture clothing for my family, which would else be naked. I know of but one person in this part of the town who has made any. That is Mr. Tertius Bass, as he is called, who has got very near a hundred-weight wbich has been found to be very good. I have heard of some others in the other parishes. Mr. Reed, of Weymouth, has been applied to, to go to Andover to the mills which are now at work, and he has gone.

I have lately seen a small manuscript describing the proportions of the various sorts of powder fit for cannon, small arms, and pistols. If it would be of any service your way I will get it transcribed and send it to you. Every one your friends sends regards, and all the little ones. Adieu. ” 14

The above letter shows a level of cooperation among men and women that was not usually recorded in this period. It may have existed, but was rarely recorded due to social attitudes of men’s and women’s roles at the time. This is a clear example of how women acted as a support system during he Revolutionary Period.

The Journal of Sally Wister is of the most recognized primary sources for the Revolutionary War period. She was a Quaker who gives us a glimpse as to the hard life that women were living in the following passage from her diary.

4 th-day, Jan. 23, 1782. — B.S. here after dinner — A person who had charitably supplied the British prisoners with linnen sent some of it here and to Aunt Fishers to make into sheets; it was the toughest linnen I ever worked at — it made all our fingers bleed. — But I Ought not to conceal other people’s charities it was Sally Wistar who gave it — ” 15

It is these acts that embody the spirit of the women of the American Revolution. An anonymous letter was published in the Pennsylvania Gazette in 1768. Most believe that it was the work of a Quaker lady who lived in Philadelphia. It was dedicated to the Daughters of Liberty. It summarizes the spirit that the Women of the American Revolution symbolize. The author could not publish her name, as that would place her in grave danger from enemy forces, never the less it was published, even at the risk that someone might reveal the author. This poem sums up the feelings of women at the time.

Since the men, from a party or fear of a frown,

Are kept by a sugar-plum quietly down,

Supinely asleep — and depriv’d of their sight,

Are stripp’d of their freedom, and robb’d of their right;

If the sons, so degenerate! The blessings despise,

Let the Daughters of Liberty nobly arise;

And though we’ve no voice but a negative here,

The use of the taxables, let us forbear:

(Then merchants import till your stores are all full,

May the buyers be few, and your traffic be dull!)

Stand firmly resolv’d, and bid Grenville to see,

That rather than freedom we part with our tea,

And well as we love the dear draught when a-dry,

As American Patriots our taste we deny

Pennsylvania’s gay meadows can richly afford

To pamper our fancy or furnish our board;

And paper sufficient at home still we have,

To assure the wiseacre, we will not sign slave;

When this homespun shall fail, to remonstrate our grief,

We can speak viva voce, or scratch on a leaf;

Refuse all their colors, though richest of dye,

When the juice of a berry our paint can supply,

To humor our fancy — and as for our houses,

They’ll do without painting as well as our spouses;

While to keep out the cold of a keen winter morn,

We can screen the north-west with a well polished horn;

And trust me a woman, by honest invention,

Might give this state-doctor a dose of prevention.

Join mutual in this — and but small as it seems,

We may jostle a Grenville, and puzzle his schemes;

But a motive more worthy our patriot pen,

Thus acting — we point out their duty to men;

And should the bound-pensioners tell us to hush,

We can throw back the satire, by biding them blush.” 16

No other passage, written at the time, shows the true spirit of the Women of the Revolution. Their level of support is clear. It was this patriotism that drove the passions of the women like Mary McCauly, Margaret Corbin, and Elizabeth Canning. The attitude of the women was a major driving force in the outcome of the American Revolution. When the women were willing to sacrifice their own lives and comforts along side the men, it raised the morale of the men, as well. Likewise, men showed their support and admiration for the acts of the women. Men often wrote of women in their diaries of the time.

Lives of the soldiers were very harsh. We find countless laments, wishing for the comforts of women and all that they bring. The following excerpt is from the diary of Albigence Waldo, who was a surgeon at Valley Forge during that cold winter at Valley Forge in 1777. He writes,

December 14

Prisoners and Deserters are continually coming in. The Army which has been surprisingly healthy hitherto, now begins to grow sickly from the continued fatigues they have suffered this Campaign. Yet they still show a spirit of Alacrity and Contentment not to be expected from so young Troops. I am Sick – discontented – and out of humour. Poor food – hard lodging – Cold Weather – fatigue – Nasty Cloaths – nasty Cookery – Vomit half my time – smoak’d out my senses – the Devil’s in’t – I can’t Endure it – Why are we sent here to starve and Freeze – What sweet Felicities have I left at home; A charming Wife – pretty Children – Good Beds – good food – good Cookery – all aggreable – all harmonious. Here all Confusion – smoke and Cold – hunger and filthyness – A pox on my bad luck. ” 17

Women represented an idea to the men, and this idea was particularly evident when they were in the worst conditions. This is only one example of the longing felt for a woman and all that she represented. Women represent the comforts of life, good food, comfortable beds, and harmony. This was a stark contrast to the conditions that they were currently facing at Valley Forge. It is this idea that drove the men and gave them the courage to carry on with their duties and endure the hardships. They had something to preserve.

Letters written to men’s wives were often more than laments. Men being taken from their homes often left women to assume new roles. In this case the wife happens to be married to a plantation owner. She is fortunate, as she has a source of income while her husband is gone. Often, women of this status were able to continue life as normal, only they had to assume their husband’s roles. Women of lower status were not so lucky and often had to leave all of their possessions and assume the role of camp follower in order to provide for herself and her children. The following is an example of such a letter.

Camp 40 Miles From Savannah, Sept. 30, 1779.

Dear Wife:

I wrote a letter last night to you, my love, that gave you the best intelligence that I have been able to get. I have every reason to believe that the matter is settled before this; and as you may in confidence depend that whenever I am able to get the truth of matters I will transmit it to you, by express. I beg that you may bear with fortitude my absence; and let us with humble confidence rely on Him that is able to protect and defend us, in all danger, and through every difficulty; but, my dear, let us, with one heart, call on God for his mercies, and that his goodness may be continued to us, that we, under his blessing, may have the happiness of enjoying each other’s society once more.

I mentioned in my last letter about the salt. I beg that you may have it well dried and ground in the mill and then you are to sell it for one hundred dollars per bushel. Let Sam have the wheat sown as soon as possible, and I beg that you may take a little time to see about the plantation, and make Samuel do what is best to be done. As to Lea, I hope you will let no one have her without an order from me in writing, and signed by me. My compliments to you, my dear, and my children and friends.

I am, dear wife, with great respect, your ever loving husband, until death,

JAS. WILLIAMS”18

In a future letter to his wife, the tone changes considerably. He worries greatly about her well-being and is less concerned about the running of the plantation. Letters to spouses were an important part of the war. They often wrote of troop movements and spies were always trying to intercept these letters. In this letter the Colonel feels it necessary to use his wife as a source for spreading the truth about a military situation in order to counter the effects of harmful propaganda.

I have been informed that many false stories are in circulation in our country to the disheartening of our friends in that quarter of the State. I give the true state of things touching our army, and you, my love, and all my friends, may depend on it to be the truth. I was at my brother’s and settled my family on as good terms as possible, and left him well with his family. I left there on the 29th of last month; that day, Major General DeKalb and General Wayne and Smallwood, with the Maryland and Pennsylvania troops to the amount of 3,000, and 2,500 from Virginia, are on the march from Roxbury in order to join Major General Caswell with about 2,000 North Carolina militia, and about 200 regular light horse; on the whole 7,700, that is now in motion, and will be at Camden in the course of six or seven days, which may put a different face on matters. And there are 5,500 Virginia militia marching that will be here shortly, (and 2,000 North Carolina militia, under General Rutherford, that is to march to Ninety-Six,) with some South Carolina militia commanded by Col. Sumter, to the amount of 500, now in camp at this place, and are expected to cross the river to-day, with about 500 of the Mecklenburg militia. Over and above all these, there are 4,000 more North Carolina militia to march as soon as harvest is over. On the whole, I expect we will shortly meet the tories, when they must give an account of their late conduct. I can assure you, my dear, that there is a large French Fleet and army on our coast. I think, from these circumstances, that our affairs are in a flattering condition at present.” 19

Often these letters were used as a tool, and the women gladly complied. The next quote from the same letter reinforces the idea that women represented the ideas of family and comfort, and gave the men courage in their fight.

From this you may see, under the blessing of God that we will soon relieve our distressed family and friends; so bear up with fortitude till that happy day comes. I hope in God this will find you, my dear wife, and my children all well.” 20

In this letter, the affairs of the farm have taken a much lower precedence. He only writes, “N. B.-As for family affairs do as you may think best.”21 These changes in attitude, give us a good picture of the state of the situation in certain parts of the country at the time. In the first letter, the Colonel is very concerned with the business keeping things operating normally. In the second, by contrast, it barely gets mentioned and the Colonel is more concerned for her welfare.

In a letter to his wife Mary, Garret Abeel gives a very longwinded account of this experiences during his travels. In the end, it is evident once again that his longs for the hearth fires of home.

This letter I find so long that unless I conclude I shall not have time to Write Evert by this opportunity, Hope this will find our dear little ones well, kiss them for me and tell Garry I have got a horse for him to ride, Polly that this is such a poor place that I can not get any thing to send her. I shall If I can bring them some Albany Cokies – My Love to all Relations & Friends and believe me my Dear & Dearest”21

The following journal entry, once again, illustrates the loneliness and longing for home, felt my many soldiers.

Wednesday the 8th. Of May 1776. Marched my Company by 6 O’Clock this Morning from Ten Eyck’s. & on the Road overtook the division sent on [-] & the whole arrived at Albany by 12 O’Clock after marching 15 miles through absolute barren Country with Mud & Sand over our Ancles & it raining hard all the time so that we were all wet to the skin & found no Accomodations was provided for my Men owing to upwards of 2000 Troops & Indians (on a Treaty) being in Town. My Men badly provided for the whole Company oblidged to lay in a Small Room. Lodged myself aboard the sloop Lilly which arrived in Town this Morning. I now begin to feel more & more the Vicissitudes [of] a Soldier’s Life, from home & and no Friends.”22

During the Revolution, the military was mostly male dominated. Women, however served in a wide variety of support roles. According to Captain Stephen Small, “the war’s exigencies also caused a breach in the gender line. By war’s end in 1783, more than 20,000 women had provided support, sustenance or active service for the military. Although not officially part of the military, women were vital contributors to its success.”23

Women were the glue of the army. Eventhough the soldiers were loyal to their cause, sometimes the lack of food and harsh conditions took precedence. As a result, dissertions were high among the troops. The number of dissertions increased with the increasing harshness of conditions and growing food shortages. Women helped to curb dissertions.

In an article by Captain Stephen Small,

During the bleak winter at Valley Forge, desertions reached crisis proportions. During a particularly dismal period, several large wagons filled with foodstuffs arrived. Ten women had braved the elements and poor roads to deliver tons of precious supplies to the beleaguered Army.24 Women helped stem the tide of desertions by cooking, chopping firewood, building shelters and nursing wounded or ill men back to health. Washington once remarked that without the Army’s women, many more men would have deserted.”25

For the women who accompanied the Army, life was difficult and dangerous. Little or no provision was made for them. They typically relied on their husband-soldiers for support. Sometimes they were allowed to ride in the baggage wagons, but few other concessions were granted them.” 26 According to Captain Stephen Small the war’s emergencies also caused a breach in the gender line. By war’s end in 1783, more than 20,000 women had provided support, sustenance or active service for the military. 27

One story tells how the support services provided by the women saved the battle. The war presented its own special challenges for the women who remained at home. Local governments typically failed to provide for the relief of soldiers’ wives and children, which put the burden of maintaining the household exclusively on the women. Circumstance forced some women to request their husbands’ and sons’ return. In 1778, one soldier’s wife wrote, “[We are] without bread, & cannot get any, the Committee will not supply me, my children will starve, or if they will not, they will freeze, we have no wood, neither can we get any – Pray Come Home.”28

As necessity required them to take on their absent husbands’ responsibilities, women successfully coped with many new challenges. They managed farms, became politically involved, assembled munitions and, on occasion, helped to defend their families against Indian raids.” 29

There is one incident where women saved the battle, by handng out extra gunpowder when supplies were almost out. This is just one of many incidents where women wee vital to the success of a battle,

In Burke County, North Carolina, women helped defend against Indian attacks. Indians, supplied by the British, were menacing families whose fathers, sons and brothers were off fighting the war. As the situation grew worse, some small detachments of soldiers were sent to facilitate the transfer of families to a nearby fort. During the move, an Indian raiding party attacked a column of soldiers, women and children. The soldiers formed a hollow square with the refugees in its center. Soon the soldiers’ gunpowder was nearly exhausted. The group was saved by one of the women, who, having retained a good supply of the much-needed powder, proceeded to distribute it among the soldiers. Carrying the gunpowder in her apron, she went to each man and poured a small quantity into his upturned hat. The soldiers were able to sustain fire long enough to dissuade the Indians from pressing the attack. The woman’s coolness under fire saved the lives of the soldiers and her fellow refugees”30

Women were employed to make munitions. As the Revolution continued, the Army used large quantities of gunpowder and small-arms cartridges. From 1779 to 1780, the commissary general hired men and women to make musket cartridges. Women combined domestic and munitions work by working at home, while men worked in the laboratories. The quality of the women’s efforts was excellent, as their manual dexterity enabled them to make superior cartridges.31 In many tasks women were much more suited and efficient than their male counterparts, especially when it came to hand dexterity.

It is quite clear from the evidence presented that women performed many more roles than to cook and clean. They had the ability to adapt and take on many roles. They learned any task which needed done and did it with enthusiasm and skill. Men reflected their admiration for them in their letters and ideals. When they were away from home the men not only missed the women themselves, but the ideals for which they stood. Women represented comfort and harmony. It is these things that the men fought to preserve, and these things which gave them hope when times got tough.

Without the support of women on the battle field, it is certain that the outcome of the war would have been quite different. Without the aid of women, men would have had to do things such as abandon their posts when fires broke out, run back to get more ammunition, or drag the wounded from the field. The job of Molly Pitcher was an important one. One usually does not think of a “water boy” as an important function. In a battle, the men have the extra-added risk of dehydration. The cannon barrels also tend to overheat and not function properly.

In camp, the women were invaluable. They performed tasks that the weary soldiers did not have the time nor skills to perform. They provided a few of the comforts of home, such as meals, and laundry. This freed up more time for the men to attend to training, weapon maintenance and other duties associated with their post.

It is clear that the men admired their women. It is from this admiration that the legend of Molly Pitcher comes from. Women were more than a lover or a friend. They offered an image of the comforts of home. They embodied the ideals of patriotism in their support of the men’s plan of action. Women reminded the men of what they were fighting for when times got tough.

The changes in women’s roles which came about as a result of the revolution began the winds of change that would eventually lead to women’s suffrage and later the women’s liberation movement. It was women like Abigail Adams who were not afraid to voice their opinions that started to bring these changes about. It was women who disguised themselves as men to fight in the heat of battle who led the way.

It is clear from the evidence presented that women played a more important role in the American Revolution than was once thought. These women stand as icons of patriotism that we all can hold close to our heart.

It is the lives of these women who have allowed us to enjoy the freedoms that we have today.

Endnotes

This version of the story seems to be the most prevalent, although many variations of the details exist. This version can be found on the Field artillery Research Association, although this version seems to be presented in other places as well. No one lists and original source and this seems to be the most prevalent version.

Fuller, J.F.C. The Story of Molly Pitcher. Artillery Legends.”Artillery conquers and infantry occupies.” Copyright 2002-15th F.A.R. Association Last modified 21 January 2002 http://sill-www.army.mil/pao/pamolly.htm

DePauw, Dr. Linda grant. The Minerva Center, Pasadena MD. http://www.minervacenter.com/faq.htm. Areprintof this same statement can be found at http://www.aug.com/.Wlison, CaptainBarbara A, USAF (Ret) 1996. Women in War. Revolutionary War Women.

DePauw does not offer his primary source for the Pennsylvania Military Pension Record and this fact is challenged by other authorities.

Courtney, Gillian (Park Rnager). Contributions of Women during the American Revolution.

Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site. Stony Point, NY Last changed: March 12, 1999

http://www2/lhric.org/spbattle/spbattle.htm.

Courtney, 2002. No primary evidence is given to support this claim. It is used in this case to illustrate the point that extreme differences exist among authorities on the subject.

From More Women of the Revolution from “Daughters of America,”1849 and” Women of the Revolution” 1882:

Foster, Kate, Cynthia Ghering, Michelle Light, and Melissa McCollum (students of the School of Information)) Spy Letters of the American Revolution. People fo the Revolution. Clements Library, Clinton Collection. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Last Modified May 13, 1999. http://www.si.umich..html. Thisurlcontains a fascimile of one of the letters in the collection.

Foster,. From a fascimile reproduction found at URL: http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/index-gallery.html

Foster,. From a fascimile reproduction found at URL: http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/index-gallery.html,p1.

Foster,. From a fascimile reproduction found at URL: http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/index-gallery.html,p2,3.

Quote from A History of Women in America by Carol Hymowitz, Carol and Michele

Weissman. New York: Bantam Books, 1978.

Drennon, Mrs. Jacob. From her journal, 1777. Found in Reuben Gold Thwaites, ed. Frontier

Defense on the Upper Ohio, 1777-1778. (Madison: 1912), pp. 62-65.

From a letter written from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1776.Braintree, 31 March 1776. http://www.iath.virginia.edu/seminar/unit1/text/adams.htm

From a letter written from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1776.Braintree, 31 March 1776

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/seminar/unit1/text/adams.htm

13 From a letter written from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1776.Braintree, 31 March 1776

http://www.iath.virginia.edu/seminar/unit1/text/adams.htm

Myers, Akber Cook, Eds. Sally Wister’s Journal, 4th-day, Jan. 23, 1782. Being a Quaker

Maiden’s Account of Her Experiences with Officers of the Continental Army, 1777-1778.

Ferris & Leach Publishers. Philadelphia, PA. P. 7 http://www.foulke.org/history/docs/wister/wister7.html

Author aninymous. Philadelphia gazette, 1768. Reprinted on the website. The Revolutionary

War.The America Colonies’ Independence from England The Path to the American

Revolution. http://www.volny.cz/cepls/cizi/his-story.htm#Rdaughter

From the Diary of Albigence Waldo, Surgeon at Valley Forge, 1777. The American

Revolution – an.HTML project. (05/14/1997Department of Humanities Computing http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/1776-1800/war/waldo.htm

17 Col. Williams to Mrs. Williams [Original MS.](From Documentary History of the American

Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, p. 122.Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 122a.Date: 9/30/1779… 2000. South Carolina Historical Society. Last modified: 7/13/01/PLW.

URL: http://www.schistory.org/displays/RevWar/archives- online/Gibbes__v__2__p__122a.html

18. Col. Williams to Mrs. Williams [Original MS.](From Documentary History of the American

Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, p. 122.Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 122a.Date: 9/30/1779. 2000. South Carolina Historical Society. Last modified: 7/13/01/PLW. URL: http://www.schistory.org/displays/RevWar/archives-online/Gibbes__v__2__p__122a.html

Col. Williams to Mrs. Williams [Original MS.](From Documentary History of the American

Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, p. 122.Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 122a.Date: 9/30/1779… 2000. South Carolina Historical Society.

Last modified: 7/13/01/PLW. URL: http://www.schistory.org/displays/RevWar/archives-online/Gibbes__v__2__p__122a.html

20. Col. Williams to Mrs. Williams [Original MS.](From Documentary History of the American

Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, p. 122.Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 122a.Date: 9/30/1779… 2000. South Carolina Historical Society.

Last modified: 7/13/01/PLW. URL: http://www.schistory.org/displays/RevWar/archives-online/Gibbes__v__2__p__122a.html

Garret Abeel Letter.to wife Mary” Albany May 27, 1772

Transcribed By James F. Morrison DOCUMENT NO. 13936, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS, NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY, ALBANY. Fulton County’s site by Johannah (Baum) Adams. 2000. http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyfulton/

22. From the Revolutionary War Journal of Captain Joseph

Bloomfield: http://www.iath.virginia.edu/seminar/unit1/text/sdiary2.htm

23.. W. Millis, Arms and Men: A Study in American Military History (New Brunswick, NJ: (Rutgers University Press, 1957), 23-24, 35; J.L. Abrahamson, The American Home Front (Washington, DC: National Defense University Press, 1983), 11. During the war, the Continental Army and the militia remained officially the domain of .

24. William W. Fowler, Frontier Women: An Authentic History of the Courage and Trials of Pioneer Heroines of Our American Frontier (Stamford, NY: Longmeadow Press, 1995), 136-37.

25. Abrahamson; J.K. Mahon, History of the Militia and the National Guard (New York: (Macmillan, 1983), 43.

26. Carol Hymowitz and Michaele Weissman, A History of Women in America (New York: (Bantam Books, 1978), 29; Millett and Maslowski, 57.

27. Small, Captain Stephen C. USA, Retired Women in American Military History, 1776-1918.

Almanac. V http://www-cgsc.army.mil/milrev/English/MarApr98/almanac.htm

28. Abrahamson, 73. The influx of women into defense-related industrial jobs would not be equaled again until World War II.

29. J. Swisshelm, “From Family Nursing to Volunteer Nursing in the Civil War,” The Female

Experience: An American Documentary, Gerda Lerner, ed. (Indianapolis, IN: The Bobbs-

Merrill Company, Inc.), 180-81; Hymowitz and Weissman, 106.

30.. J. Swisshelm, “From Family Nursing to Volunteer Nursing in the Civil War,” The Female

Experience: An American Documentary, Gerda Lerner, ed. (Indianapolis, IN: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.), 180-81; Hymowitz and Weissman, 106.

31. Carol Hymowitz and Michaele Weissman, A History of Women in America (New York: (Bantam Books, 1978), 29; Millett and Maslowski, 141.

Works Cited

Albigence Waldo (personal diary),Surgeon at Valley Forge, 1777. The American Revolution – an. HTML project. (05/14/1997Department of Humanities Computing http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/1776-1800/war/waldo.htm. Accessed February 2002

Author anonymous. Philadelphia gazette, 1768. Reprinted on the website. The Revolutionary

War. The America Colonies’ Independence from England

The Path to the American Revolution. http://www.volny.cz/cepls/cizi/his-story.htm#Rdaughter

Captain Bloomfield, Joseph. From the Revolutionary War Journal of Captain Joseph

Bloomfield: http://www.iath.virginia.edu/seminar/unit1/text/sdiary2.htm Accessed February 2002

Courtney, Gillian (Park Rnager). Contributions of Women during the American Revolution.

Stony Point Battlefield State Historic Site. Stony Point, NY Last changed: March 12, 1999. HTTP://www2/lhric.org/spbattle/spbattle.htm. Accessed February 2002.

DePauw, Dr. Linda grant. The Minerva Center, Pasadena MD. http://www.minervacenter.com/faq.htm.2002.

Drennon, Mrs. Jacob. From her journal, 1777. Found in Reuben Gold Thwaites, ed. Frontier

Defense on the Upper Ohio, 1777-1778. (Madison: 1912), pp. 62-65.

Foster, Kate, Cynthia Ghering, Michelle Light, and Melissa McCollum (students of the School of Information) Spy Letters of the American Revolution. People of the Revolution.

Clements Library, Clinton Collection. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Last Modified May 13, 1999. http://www.si.umich.edu/spies/index-gallery.html

Fowler, William W. Frontier Women: An Authentic History of the Courage and Trials of Pioneer Heroines of Our American Frontier (Stamford, NY: Longmeadow Press, 1995), 136-37.

Fuller, J.F.C. The Story of Molly Pitcher. Artillery Legends.”Artillery conquers and infantry occupies.” Copyright 2002-15th F.A.R. Association Last modified 21 January 2002 http://sill-www.army.mil/pao/pamolly.htm Accessed February 2002

Hymowitz, Carol, and Michaele Weissman. A History of Women in America New York: Bantam

Books, 1978.

Hymowitz, arol and Michaele Weissman, A History of Women in America (New York: Bantam (Books, 1978), 29; Millett and Maslowski, 57.

Hymowitz, Carol and Michaele Weissman, A History of Women in America (New York: (Bantam Books, 1978), 29; Millett and Maslowski, 141.

Garret Abeel Letter.to wife Mary” Albany May 27, 1772

Transcribed By James F. Morrison DOCUMENT NO. 13936, SPECIAL COLLECTIONS AND MANUSCRIPTS, NEW YORK STATE LIBRARY, ALBANY. Fulton County’s site by Johannah (Baum) Adams. 2000. http://www.rootsweb.com/~nyfulton / Accessed February 2002

Letter from “Miss Jenny to Baron Ottendorf.” Fascimile of Original. Written August 15,1781.

Stored in the Clinton Collection. Clements Library. University of Michigan. Ann, Arbor Michigan.

Stuber, Irene. Women of Achievement and History, Posted 12-23-1999 letter written from Abigail Adams to John Adams, 1776.Braintree, 31 March 1776 http://www.iath.virginia.edu/seminar/unit1/text/adams.htm Accessed February 2002

Millis, W. Arms and Men: A Study in American Military History (New Brunswick, NJ: (Rutgers University Press, 1957), 23-24, 35; J.L. Abrahamson, The American Home

Front (Washington, DC: National Defense University Press, 1983), 9. During the war, the Continental Army and the militia remained officially the domain of able-bodied white males. Myers, Akber Cook, Eds. Sally Wister’s Journal, 4th-day, Jan. 23, 1782. Being a Quaker Maiden’s Account of Her Experiences with Officers of the Continental Army, 1777-1778. Ferris & Leach Publishers. Philadelphia, PA. P. 7 http://www.foulke.org/history/docs/wister/wister7.html Accessed February 2002

Small, Captain Stephen C. USA, Retired Women in American Military History, 1776-1918.

Almanac. V http://www-cgsc.army.mil/milrev/English/MarApr98/almanac.htm Accessed February 2002

Col. Williams to Mrs. Williams [Original MS.](From Documentary History of the American

Revolution, by Gibbes, Volume 2, p. 122.Doc ID: Gibbes, v. 2, p. 122a.Date: 9/30/1779… 2000. South Carolina Historical Society.

Last modified: 7/13/01/PLW. URL: http://www.schistory.org/displays/RevWar/archives-online/Gibbes__v__2__p__122a.html Accessed February 2002

Abrahamson; J.K. Mahon, History of the Militia and the National Guard (New York: Macmillan, 1983), 43.

Swisshelm, J. “From Family Nursing to Volunteer Nursing in the Civil War,” The Female

Experience: An American Documentary, Gerda Lerner, ed. (Indianapolis, IN: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, Inc.), 180-81; Hymowitz and Weissman, 106.