Important Women of the Revolutionary War
“ Remember the Ladies”
When it comes to war, most people imagine that men are the only ones fighting on the frontlines while women stay at home, but this is not always true . During the American Revolutionary War,1765-1783, men were not the only heroes. Women also played an important role in the war. Sybil Ludington and Molly Pitcher fought alongside men on the battlefields and Polly Cooper and Abigail Adams helped the colonists without taking part in battle. Surprisingly,Molly Pitcher's real name was Mary Ludwig. Another interesting fact is that Sybil Ludington was the oldest of 12 children. Did you know Polly Cooper was part of the Oneida Tribe. Unlike Molly Pitcher, Abigail Adams was married to President John Adams. These women played important roles during a very difficult time in our young history. They were all brave, skillful, and determined. We should be inspired by their stories and continue to remember how important they are in our history.
Who Was Sybil Ludington?
During 1777 Sybil Ludington was an ambitious 16 year old girl, when the British attacked Danbury, Connecticut. She lived in Dutchess County, New York, in a small town near the border of Connecticut. One night a militia soldier came to warn her father, who was a volunteer in the Patriot army, that the British were burning Danbury. The Patriot militia had their supplies in the stockade there. When Sybil heard that her father needed help spreading the word to his troops, she decided to go to Danbury to warn the soldiers. Sybil Ludington made her famous horseback ride on April 26, 1777. She mounted her horse, Star, and rode through the harsh rain and storm to warn the troops. She traveled to Danbury, a 25 mile trip, to help the troops and deliver the message that the British were coming. Sybil’s heroic journey led the Patriots to victory when they forced the British back to their ships. Sybil Ludington continued to be a messenger throughout the Revolutionary War. Sybil was recognized by General George Washington for her courageous journey to Danbury.
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The statue of Sybil Ludington in Carmel, NY
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Who was Molly Pitcher?
Like Sybil Ludington, Molly Pitcher was another important women during the Revolutionary War. She is best known for her role during the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey, which took place on June 28th, 1778. Molly Pitcher was born Mary Ludwig in Trenton, New Jersey in 1754. She grew up in Pennsylvania and later married William Hays, a Patriot soldier. When William signed up to go to war, she decided to go with him. She only had the rations of a soldier. During the battle of Monmouth it was very hot and Mary (Molly) was responsible for carrying pitchers of water to the soldiers. The soldiers would shout out to her “ Molly, pitcher” and that is how she got her nickname. When her husband was wounded, she had to step up and take his place. She also helped clean and prepare the cannons for battle. Soon after the Patriots won the battle, Molly’s work in the battlefield was recognized by General Washington. He made her an officer of the army because of her bravery and hard work during the battle. In addition, she was later paid $40 a year for her service.
Who was Polly Cooper?
At that time, Polly Cooper was a Native American woman from the Oneida tribe in New York. She helped soldiers stay alive during the harsh winter of 1777-1778. Polly was responsible for making the meals for the soldiers in the Continental Army and teaching them how to cook, especially with corn. She also taught them how to make medicine from plants. 2,000 out of 10,000 soldiers died that winter and without her help more soldiers would have surely died. To thank her for all of her work and generosity, the soldiers gave her a shawl since she refused to be payed. The Oneida people still have the shawl to this day, it symbolizes friendship between the Oneida people and the U.S.A.
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Polly Cooper’s shawl given to her by the soldiers
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Who was Abigail Adams?
Finally, Abigail Adams was born in 1744, in Massachusetts and was married to President John Adams. John Adams, a young politician at the time, went to Philadelphia to meet with the Continental Congress, she would write letters about the war to her husband. Many of her letters described the fighting that was happening in her hometown of Boston between the British troops and the Patriots. In her letters she said “remember the ladies”. She wanted her husband and the other members of the Continental Congress to keep the ladies in mind when fighting for colonial independence from Britain. She also wrote her thoughts on slavery and how it should be abolished. She became our second First Lady of the United States when her husband, John Adams, became president in 1797. Abigail Adams’ writings about slavery were advanced for a women of her time and extremely important since slavery wasn’t abolished in the United States until 1865.
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| One of the letters written by Abigail Adams to her husband John Adams |
National Heroes
In conclusion, women worked alongside men during the Revolutionary War to gain colonial independence. Learning about Sybil Ludington, Molly Pitcher, Polly Cooper, and Abigail Adams can hopefully give you a glimpse of how these women contributed to our country. They were heroic, whether it was in battlefields or at home. These women all acted bravely, showed determination, and generosity during the Revolutionary War. Had these women not been involved in helping the Colonists, would we have still won the war?
“ These are times that try men's souls” ~Molly Pitcher
“ Remember the Ladies” ~ Abigail Adams
Glossary
Militia- A group of citizens who are trained and ready to fight when needed.
Rations- An amount of something, such as food, given to people especially during the time of war.
Pitcher- A Jug.
Shawl- A piece of clothing worn by women over the shoulders or head.
Continental Congress- One of three meetings of the leaders of the American colonies held before, during, and after the American Revolution.
Stockade- A barrier formed from upright wooden posts or stakes, especially as a defense against attack or as a means of confining animal.
The Continental Army- Formed by the Second Continental Congress after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America.
Name What they did Facts Quotes
Abigail Adams
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Wrote letters to the Continental Congress about what was happening with the war at home.
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She was married to President John Adams. She never saw her son become president (John Quincy Adams).
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“ Remember the ladies.”
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Polly Cooper
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She helped the soldiers through the harsh winters. She taught them how to cook and make medicine from plants.
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She was a Native American of the Oneida tribe in New York.
She was inducted into the Oneida Hall of Fame 2005.
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NONE
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Molly Pitcher
(Mary Ludwig)
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She helped in the battle of Monmouth, New Jersey. She delivered pitchers of water to the soldiers and cleaned and loaded the cannons.
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Her real name was Mary Ludwig. She was married to William Hays. She only had the rations of a soldier. It is believed that George Washington made Molly an officer in his army.
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“These are times that try men’s souls”
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Sybil Ludington
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She warned the troops that the British were attacking Danbury. She made the 40 miles trip on horseback to warn the troops that the British were coming.
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She was only 16 years when she made her famous trip to Danbury. She was the oldest of 12 children.
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NONE
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Time to take the quiz.
What was Molly Pitcher’s real name?
- Molly Ludwig
- Mary Ludwig
- Carrie Fisher
- May Flower
Who was Abigail Adams’ husband
- John Quincy Adams
- Harrison Ford
- John Adams
- George Washington
Sybil Ludington’s dad was the head of the_______
- Milita
- Town
- Farm
- Continental Congress
What did Polly Cooper get in return for her work
- Money
- A jug of water
- A horse
- A Shawl
Answers
- B
- C
- A
- D
