Women of the American Revolution

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

Abigail Adams (1744 - 1818) - Page 2

Esther de Berdt Reed (1746 - 1780) - Page 3

Betsy Ross (1752-1836) - Page 4

Phillis Wheatley (1753 - 1784) - Page 5

Peggy Shippen (1760-1804) - Page 6

Deborah Sampson (1760 - 1827) - Page 7

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Credits - Page 8

Sources - Page 9

About the Author - Page 10

Portraits of the Authors - Page 11

1744 - 1818

Because her husband was participating in the war, Abigail Adams was one of the many women who left home to tend to the house and the land. Abigail Adams may not have fought in the war, but she did have an impact. She advocated for women's rights and the abolishment of slaves, and during the war, she even melted her own silver and metal in order to create musket balls for the American troops.

(A Portrait Drawing of Abigail Adams)

Abigail Adams played a large role in the American Revolution. As the wife of John Adams, she sent him many letters advising him throughout the course of the war.

Who was Abigail Adams?

Useless Fact: Abigail Adams favorite food was a German dish called Apple Pan Dowdy

(Abigail Adam's House)

Esther de Berdt Reed was on the side of the English. She married a man named Joseph Reed. Shortly after, Joseph Reed's father became ill and they had to move to America. Esther considered it "unrefined backwater" and called it shabby. Over the years she started to like it. She felt incredibly bad for the American soldiers and wanted to help them. She started an association simply called "The Association" she raised over 300,000 dollars to pay the soldiers salary. But instead, when she wrote to George Washington he told her to buy cloth and sew instead. She didn't give up and sewed 2,200 uniforms for the soldiers.

1746 - 1780

Betsy Ross was an American businesswoman. One of the earliest designs for the American flag was created by her. It was said that General George Washington had paid her a visit and had asked her to create a flag design to represent the nation. Betsy Ross got to work and ended up with a simple flag design (below).

"Today the American knight holds the commercial supremacy of the world."

1752-1836

The Betsy Ross Flag

In 1777, the Betsy Ross flag was used to represent the nation. This flag lasted for a very long time. Our modern flag, including 50 stars instead of 13, was created in the 1960s and is still used to this day.

1753 - 1784

Phillis Wheatley

Phillis Wheatley was an enslaved women during the time of the American Revolution. Despite being a slave, she became a renowned poet during that time. In her life, she composed a great many of poems, but one of them that stands out is her poem that she wrote to George Washington. She also wrote numerous letters to people in power about liberty and openly supported the patriots.

Statue in Boston dedicated to Phillis Wheatley

Portrait of Phillis Wheatley

"One century scarce perform'd its destined round/ When Gallic powers Columbia's fury found; And so may you, whoever dares disgrace/ The land of freedom's heaven-defended race!” - Phillis Wheatley's poem to George Washington

Phillis Wheatley was a famous poet who advocated for freedom for people and slaves through poems and letters

While Shippen sided with the British, Arnold was on the American side. So, Shippen convinced Benedict Arnold to side with the British and help her out. Shippen was close friends with British Secret Service head, John Andre.

The Shippen House

Peggy Shippen

1760-1804

Peggy Shippen was born in a prominent Philadelphia family. Peggy Shippen was a British spy looking to seek information about the American troops. Through her journey, she married the American military officer Benedict Arnold.

1760 - 1827

Deborah Sampson was a woman who disguised herself as a man to fight in the war. Deborah Sampson was born into a respectable family in 1760. Her mother sent her off to be an indentured servant. since she helped in the house, she would sneak off the help her brothers outside whenever she had the time.

She was freed at 18 and got a job as a weaver. At age 22 she used her weaving skills to disguise herself as a man to fight in the war. She used the name Robert Shurtliff. She was good at shooting and was put into a special unit.

Deborah Samson was sent to guard congress for fear of a soldier uprising. She got sick and her secret was revealed. She left the military and married a man named Benjamin Gannett.