The American Revolution

  The American Revolution

During this time period, women were an essential part of the home. Their primary duties included that of cooking, cleaning, and childbearing/rearing. However, while men were out fighting, women filled voids at home as best as they could. This included farming or maintaining family businesses. In order to avoid bankruptcy, women had to save money as best as they could while the men in their families were away. In addition, some military uniforms and food were provided by women at home spinning clothes and/or harvesting crops. This poem exemplifies what was expected of women during this time period: 

Young ladies in town, and those that live round,
Let a friend at this season advise you:
Since money's so scarce, and times growing worse,
Strange things may soon hap and surprize you;
First then, throw aside your high top knots of pride,
Wear none but your own country linnen,
Of Oeconomy boast, let your pride be the most
To show clothes of your own make and spinning.

What, if homespun they say is not quite so gay
As brocades, yet be not in a passion,
For when once it is known this is much wore in town,
One and all will cry out, 'tis the fashion!
And as one, all agree that you'll not married be
To such as will wear London Fact'ry:
But at first sight refuse, tell em such you do chuse
As encourage our own Manufact'ry

No more Ribbons wear, nor in rich dress appear,
Love your country much better than fine things,
Begin without passion, twill soon be the fashion
To grace your smooth locks with a twine string,
Throw aside your Bohea, and your green Hyson tea,
And all things with a new fashion duty;
Procure a good store of the choice Labradore,
For there'll soon be enough here to suit ye;

These do without fear and to all you'll appear
Fair, charming, true, lovely and cleaver;
Tho' the times remain darkish, young men may be sparkish
And love you much stronger than ever.

– "Young Ladies in Town," Boston Newsletter (1769

As far as the war was concerned, "Women worked as nurses, spies, army cooks, and occasionally even soldiers" (p. 3). However, these women soldiers were not allowed to be considered soldiers, but rather "camp followers". As camp followers, these women were still given a small wage for their work, but were still exposed to harsh conditions. Other women who were not overly feminine in appearance, snuck into the ranks and were thought to be true male soldiers. One of the most well known individuals for this was Deborah Samson. 

Deborah was enlisted by Capt. Ephalet Thorp on May 20, 1782. She fought multiple battles during this time until she caught a fever. After being checked by a physician, Sampson's identity was revealed, causing her to be discharged from the Army. There were several other women like Deborah who snuck into the ranks, but because they used fictitious names, it is harder to identify their mark on history. 

References:

Courtney, G. (1999). Women in the american revolution. Retrieved from http://www2.lhric.org/spbattle/wohist.html

Independence Hall Association. (2008). The revolution on the home front. Retrieved from http://www.ushistory.org/us/11e.asp

Jeffery, V. Retrieving the american past. Boston: Pearson Learning Solution. 

National Women's History Museum. (n.d.). Deborah samson. [Print Photo]. Retrieved from http:www.nwhm.org/education-resources/biography/biographies/deborah-sampson/