Women Patriots in the American Revolution

Description

Historians and genealogists have mostly overlooked the role of women in the American Revolution, even though women’s roles in working their farms, raising their children, and generally supporting the morale of the Patriot side were of great importance. The suffering of the men at Valley Forge, on the British prison ships, and during long marches is well documented; however, women also faced daily pain and hardship. Many times they watched their homes burn, were threatened with physical harm, or had to bury their loved ones. Women also faced dangers working as spies, nursing, boycotting British goods, publishing writings in support of the American cause, and, when necessary, defending their homes against attacks from the British or their allies.

The purpose of this book by Jack Crowder is to highlight roughly 90 women who went beyond the norm in supporting America’s struggle for Independence. In a series of vignettes, some of them illustrated and all of them documented, the author recounts the heroism of the women who rendered service in the various theatres of the conflict. While some of these heroines, such as “Molly Pitcher” or Anna Strong (member of General Washington’s spy ring), are already the stuff of legend, most researchers–thanks to Mr. Crowder–will be making the acquaintance of these women patriots for the first time.