Elite White Women
The most common assumption about white women was that they remained within the home as the caretaker while the husband was away fighting.
Source: National Archives
Yet, through various sources, women opened apothecaries (see Elizabeth Weed), created medicines, primary caretaker for children, and engaged in political publications/letters to officials.
Women were placed in a particularly tough situation regarding loyalty. Deciding loyalist or patriot usually resulted in the acceptance or denial of a place in society. Though it seems like they only had two choices, many were actually in the middle. Grace Barclay, daughter of a clergyman of the Church, and wife of a patriot officer, she landed in the gray area. Through her diary, we can see many other women were too. She held sentiments for the American cause, as seen with her tears over the death of Nathan Hale, but maintained a neutralist view of the British. She did not hate the British while she experienced their occupation, but instead hated the violence caused. During the occupation, Barclay recorded many journal logs. In these logs, she included the not only her own stories, but stories of her neighbors as well. Through these tells, you can see that many in her surroundings were not patriots or loyalists. The revolution is often seen as a war with many picking between two sides, but the reality of it is that most were neither. They were bystanders in a dangerous and radical period. The takeaway is that loyalty was not a simple thing to decide. Both decisions would dictate your position in society, and many were forced to pick one. Although they claimed one or the other, it was often because of pressure, not ideals.
Source: National Archives
AN EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN: ELIZABETH WEED
A remarkable woman that carried on the practice of her late husband’s apothecary. She revolutionized the marketing of medicine, competing against her male counterparts. She practiced creating new medicines, selling them and advertising on local
newspapers. Just one example of a woman utilizing her stance to propel herself into a male-dominated field.
THE REMARKABLE: JULIA RUSH
A woman of the time who’s husband was a doctor during the war. She was the primary caretaker living on her estate. Yet, her time allowed her to experiment with medicine. She created a simple remedy to cure her children’s common toothaches. Julia Rush is a prime example of the white women who took their position as a caretaker, and expanded into other roles in order to maintain their household.
THE INFAMOUS: ABIGAIL ADAMS
Before Abigail Adams became one of the First Ladies of the United States, she served as an advocate for women’s education and property rights. In addition, Abigail was her husband’s closest confidante and advisor, including during the Revolutionary War. Today, Abigail is remembered as one of the most influential female advocates during and after the American Revolution.
AN EXCEPTIONAL WOMAN: ANNE GRANT
Anna Grant was a prominent woman in the colonies whose husband served as a major general during the American Revolution. In A Familiar Epistle to a Friend, Grant addresses an old friend of hers she had before her immigration to the colonies from and before the revolution. She speaks of her efforts to promote peace by trying to persuade her husband who had the power to be heard, as did her dear friend she is writing to, but goes on to say how their efforts were a failure. The reason they cared for peace with such vigor was not because of numerous taxes, nor the unjust ruling by the king, but because it disrupted her peaceful way of life, and forced her into the role of a housewife for her own safety and assurance during these unsure times.
Source: NYPL