The Patriotism of Women During the American Revolution - Part 1

The outbreak of the American Revolution spurred on great patriotic actions and sentiments. Who can forget Patrick Henry's stirring words in 1775, "Give me liberty or give me death." Men had avenues and expectations to take up arms or fall into some form of patriotic endeavor or another. Women, on the other hand, were viewed as beings without a patriotic stance - not that they had experience, desire, or ability to be patriotic, in the male perception.

Previous to the Revolution, the ideal woman was valued by what she added to the family in her role as wife and mother. The sphere of a woman was definitely domestic not public.  And women were not only to fulfill these expected domestic roles, but they were to enjoy them and take pride in them.

But women then as now found their place in society because unlike the beliefs of many men before the war, women did have the desire and ability to be patriotic even if they had no previous experience with it. This patriotic fervor is seen in their participation in many activities, those that may appear passive and others that can be seen as nothing less than active political involvement. Three such women who found their place in the fight for freedom include Martha Washington, Esther Reed, and Deborah Sampson.

Wives of the generals including, Martha Washington, traveled with the army at times. Now, Martha could very well have stayed in the general's accommodations away from the regulars, but instead she involved herself in their well-being. During the winter at Valley Forge, she saw their dreadful conditions. Bringing supplies from Mt. Vernon, she set up a sewing circle with the other ladies in the camp to make uniforms.

She also saw to the care of the sick. One observer left a record of her doings, "I never in my life knew a woman so busy from early morning until late at night as was Lady Washington, providing comforts for the sick soldiers. Every few days she might be seen, with basket in hand, going among the huts seeking the keenest and most needy sufferers, and giving all the comforts to them in her power."

When Mrs. Washington returned to Mt. Vernon in the spring, she set up her home as a fabric shop spinning and making uniforms. A prominent woman visited Mt. Vernon during this time and reported what Martha told her. "At this time it is very important that American ladies should be patterns of industry to their countrywomen because separation from the mother country will dry up the sources where many of our comforts have been derived." Martha is an example of the many American women who felt it was their patriotic duty to produce supplies for the army. Yes, this was a domestic duty but their reasoning for doing so was not domestic, it was political. And if it had not been for these American females, the army would have been at a terrible loss; perhaps so great, as to have terminated their ability to fight the enemy.

Part II: Esther Reed

Part III: Deborah Sampson