- Daughters of Liberty
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The Daughters of Liberty were a successful Colonial American group, established somewhere from 1769-1770, that consisted of women who displayed their patriotism by participating in boycotts of British goods following the passage of the Townshend Acts. Using their feminine skills of the time, they made homespun cloth[1] and other goods. To call attention to this effort, they would hold spinning contests in the village squares. These contests were called "spinning bees" and were widely attended by females and often males as well. Their name was inspired by the Sons of Liberty, who were established shortly before the Daughters of Liberty.
The Daughters of Liberty used their traditional skills to weave yarn and wool into fabric, known as "homespun". They were recognized as patriotic heroines for their success, making America less dependent on British textiles. Proving their commitment to "the cause of liberty and industry" they openly opposed the Tea Act. They experimented to find substitutes for taxed goods such as tea and sugar. Discoveries like boiled basil leaves to make a tea like drink, referred to as Liberty Tea, helped lift spirits as well as allowed for kept traditions without the use of British taxed tea.
They also had a large influence during the war, although not as large an influence as the Sons of Liberty. For example, in the countryside, while Patriots supported the non-importation movements of 1765, and 1769, the Daughters of Liberty continued to support American resistance. They helped end the Stamp Act in 1766. In 1774, the patriot women helped influence a decision made by the Continental Congress to boycott all British goods. In order to support the men on the battlefield, the women made bullets and sewed uniforms. They raised funds for the army and made and circulated protest petitions.
Contents
Women Associated with the Daughters of Liberty
Sarah Franklin Bache was a Daughter of Liberty along with Martha Washington. They were relevant in the shaping of American history.
Esther de Berdt Reed, a London-born woman who worked to raise money in Philadelphia, went with over three dozen women door to door in support of the Revolutionary War, more specifically to address General George Washington's complaints. She helped to organize a woman's group, which used the money to sew linen shirts for the soldiers of the Continental Army. Esther was married to Joseph Reed, one of George Washington's aides-de-camp, and later a delegate to the Continental Congress.Martha Washington, George Washington's wife was also part of this group.
Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man and enlisted as a Continental Army soldier 1782-83 was wounded twice and was later awarded a soldier's pension.
References
- Foner, Eric. Give Me Libery! An American History W.W. Norton & Company 2009
Maude Epperson was also among the group of ladies that helped form the Daughters Of Liberty.
Notes
- ^ "Sons and Daughters of Liberty". U.S. History.org. http://www.ushistory.org/us/10b.asp.
External links
Categories:- American Revolutionary War
- Patriotic societies
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