Rationale

I chose the Women of the American Revolution as my topic for two reasons:

1. It is an interesting topic that should be explored more.
2. It fits the 5th grade Learning Target of History/Culture-Standard 5:.3: Identify the roles women and African-Americans played during the Revolution.

The women were chosen to represent a variety of roles played, from well-known to lesser-known.  The images and media were chosen to provide a variety of interesting and engaging ways in which to share this information.

This blog would be used as an extension or a reinforcement activity for a unit on the American Revolution.

For Students: BEFORE

Before reading about the various women represented in this blog, think about what you know about the Revolutionary War.

• Who were the important people?  
• What were the significant events?  
• Do you know about any noteworthy women of the American Revolution? 

Now take a look at the images and media posted in the blog, and take note of any women who are of particular interest to you...

From Slave to Poet

Phillis Wheatley
Originally a slave, Phillis wound up being raised as a daughter by the family who owned her.  Taught to read and write, Phillis wrote her first poem at the age of 13.  As the first African-American author to be published in America, Phillis often wrote of patriotism, battles, and her belief in the greatness of America.
                                        

Digital copy of "Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral."

Sacrifice

Bow and arrows.

Rebecca Motte

An ardent patriot and a widow, Rebecca sent her slaves to defend Charleston.  When the British overtook her property and forced her and her children to leave, she was approached by Francis Marion, an American soldier.  He and his troops were ordered to expel the British from "Fort Motte."  The soldiers intended to burn down the house, but knew of the hardship that Rebecca had already endured.  Rebecca, forever loyal, not only agreed to the plan, but supplied the bow and arrows to do the job.  Fortunately, American soldiers were able to save the house, and Rebecca served them dinner that very evening. 

 

America's First Sculptor

Patience Wright

A sculptor of wax figurines, Patience Wright was born in America in 1725, but moved to England in 1772.  Remaining a patriotic sympathizer, Wright was said to have smuggled information to America disguised in her wax figurines.

Bust of Benjamin Franklin, attributed to Patience Wright.

Female Paul Revere

 Sybil Ludington

                               

 In 1777, 16-year-old Sybil left her home in Kent, New York at 9 O'clock at night 

in order to sound the alert that the British were invading.  She rode 40 miles, avoiding British soldiers, British loyalists, and Skinners.

The commemorative statue seen here can be found in Carmel, NY.

Camp Follower

 

Learn about Anna Maria Lane

Patriot Spy

Holding off the Tories.

Nancy Morgan Hart

Well known as a patriot spy, Hart's most famous act of courage began when a group of Tories appeared at her cabin, demanding to know the location of a certain Whig leader.  
Hart fed the men, and plied them with wine.  After the feeling of intoxication began to take over, Hart inconspicuously began to take their weapons. 

Hart ultimately shot two of the Tories who discovered what she was doing, and held the  others captive until help arrived. 

 

Revolutionary Soldier

"Captain Molly"

              

  Margaret Cochran Corbin  

Margaret Corbin followed her husband into war originally as a camp follower.  

Camp followers prepared meals for the men, laundered clothes, and acted as nurses.

  When her husband was shot down, Margaret continued to load his cannon and fire at the British.  

She was wounded that day, and ultimately became the first woman to receive lifetime disability pension of half pay from the government.

She is buried with full military honors at the cemetery of the United States Military Academy at West Point behind the Old Cadet Chapel.                                 

     

A Scandalous Tea Party

Women in Politics

 Penelope Barker

On October 25, 1774, Penelope Barker held a tea party.  It wasn't any ordinary tea party.  It was the first women's political act in colonial America.  Penelope and 50 other women protested against the use of tea and clothes made from British cloth. Unlike the more famous Boston tea party, these women did not dress up in costumes; they openly signed their names to the declaration.  

Documenting History

Mercy Warren
Credited with writing the first history of the Revolutionary War, Mercy was known as a formidable intellectual of the 18th century.  Her work, "History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution," was published in 1805.

Mercy Otis Warren.

Women in the War

Learn about a variety of women who had a part in the Revolutionary War.

For Students: AFTER

Now that you've learned about the role of these women in the Revolutionary War, pick one woman that you think had the greatest impact on the Revolutionary War.  Re-read the information about the woman you chose, and take the time to write a response to the following question:

• Why do you think this particular woman had the greatest impact on the Revolutionary War?

Please write a response with a minimum of three paragraphs.  Use the following format:

1. Opening paragraph: re-state the question and answer it by discussing your choice and their role in the War.
2. Body: include at least three details from the blog that support your choice.
3. Closing paragraph: summarize your response and write a closing.

 Some questions to think about when you are writing:

• How would the war have been different if this woman had not been a part of it?
• Why did this woman make the choices she made?
• Would you have made the same choices?