Women of the American RevolutionMolly Pitcher

Mercy Otis Warren

Deborah Sampson

• How was each woman’s life like yours?

• How was her life different?

• Would you have done the same things if you were her? Why or why not?

Think about these questions:

Molly Pitcher

• She was probably born in 1754 in Trenton, New Jersey (or maybe she was born in Pennsylvania).

• Molly Pitcher’s real name was probably Mary Ludwig Hays.

Molly Pitcher

• Because she was poor, Mary probably had no education. She may not have known how to read or write.

• When she was a teenager, Mary worked as a servant for a wealthy family.

Molly Pitcher• When Mary was

sixteen years old, she married a man named William Hays.

• Soon after, he went to war as a soldier on the Patriot side.

Molly Pitcher

• Mary followed her husband to war.

• She helped the soldiers by bringing them pitchers of water when they were thirsty.

Molly Pitcher

• At the battle of Monmouth, her husband was killed.

• Molly (Mary) took over his place at the cannon and fought alongside the men.

Molly Pitcher

• George Washington heard about Mary’s bravery during the battle.

• He gave her the nickname, “Sergeant Molly.”

Would you have been as brave as Molly?

Mercy Otis Warren• Because Mercy was born into wealthy

family, we know a lot about her life and even what she really looked like.

• She was born on Cape Cod, Massachusetts in 1728, one of thirteen children.

Mercy Otis Warren

• Mercy’s brothers were well-educated and she was allowed to be taught along with them. (But no college for girls in those days!)

Mercy Otis Warren

• In 1754, Mercy married James Warren. He was politician active in colonial government when England still owned the colonies.

Mercy Otis Warren

• Mercy and James’ home became a meeting place for citizens unhappy with British rule.

• The Sons of Liberty and the Committees of Correspondence met there.

Mercy Otis Warren

• Mercy’s talent was writing. She wrote several plays that criticized British control of the American colonies. At that time, plays were not performed, but many people read them.

Mercy Otis Warren

• In those times, it was unusual for men to listen to the opinions of women.

• Warren corresponded with many famous Patriot leaders including Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Thomas Jefferson, and George Washington.

Mercy Otis Warren

• Mercy Otis Warren recorded the history of the American Revolution.

• In 1805, she published History of the Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution.

•Do you see yourself as a good writer? Do you feel strongly about political issues?

Deborah Sampson• She was born in Massachusetts in 1760,

one of six children.

• Deborah’s family was poor, and she became an indentured servant at the age of nine.

Deborah Sampson

• She was able to attend school in the winter, so she was able to read and write.

• She also did farm work and became physically strong.

• Deborah’s height was 5’7”, tall for a woman at that time.

Deborah Sampson

• In 1782, Deborah disguised herself as a man and enlisted in the Continental Army. She used the name, “Robert Shurtleff.”

Deborah Sampson

• Deborah fought in several battles. In one, her head was wounded and there were two bullets in her leg.

• The head wound was treated at a hospital, and Deborah left soon after.

Deborah Sampson

• Doctors might have discovered that she was a woman.

• Deborah removed a bullet from her leg by herself!

Deborah Sampson

• Eventually, the army discovered that “Robert” was a woman.

• After serving in the army for a year and a half, Deborah was given an honorable discharge.

Deborah Sampson

• Later in life, Deborah gave lectures about her experiences as a soldier in the Revolutionary War.

•Was Deborah brave or foolish to join the army?

•Could you remove a bullet from your own leg?

• Images taken from: (This may not be the correct format, but at least I tried!)

• Deborah Sampson:• www.sutlersgallery.co.uk/acatalog/Pamela_Patr...• www.honorrollofliberty.com/Communities/sharon.htm• www.honorrollofliberty.com/Communities/sharon.htm• russell.gresham.k12.or.us/Colonial_America/De...•  • Mercy Otis Warren• www.umt.edu/.../pictures.htm• www.womenhistoryblog.com/2008/10/elizabeth-ti...• dually.wordpress.com/.../• cpscia.k12.ar.us/.../new-71.jpg• www.earthportals.com/.../discharge.gi• www.thecaptainsmemos.com/wp-content/uploads/2.•  • Molly Pitcher• aestheticoctopus.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/.• farm1.static.flickr.com/53/185716704_01e45ee1• www.lyneart.com/MOLLY1.JPG•  • Title Slide• static.howstuffworks.com/gif/betsy-ross-1.jpg