Women's Role In Colonial America

During the late 18th century, the American colonies began to revolt against their mother country, England. These actions made by those brave rebellious souls, would change the new world forever. The American colonies won the long war for independence and emerged as a fledgling country. The Founding Fathers of the this country knew they were in the process of making history, yet as they built the framework of what would soon become a republic they spent years away from their homes, families, properties, businesses, and other obligations. Undoubtedly, these husbands, fathers, brothers, and sons had several concerns as they left to go serve the cause of freedom. Who would run the business? How will my family survive while I am gone? Will my family
Read ran her husband’s interests during the building of our nation, there were several women who helped the American cause in a completely different way. Mrs. Lydia Darragh of Philadelphia, is a perfect example of this. In 1777, the British army had overtaken the American capital of Philadelphia. 14,000 British troops had overrun the city of 23,000. Mrs. Darragh was required to allow British officers to use her large back room as a council room. Prior to this fortunate event, Mrs. Darragh began a spy-ring for the rebels. With her son, Charles, in the Continental Army she figured out a way to send coded messages to him through an ingenious disguise. She would walk around the city, running common errands with her ears open to any news about the British Army. She would then return home and tell her husband the news, on that occasion Mr. Darragh would code the messages on a piece of paper, his wife then would place the coded letter over a button of her, 14 year old, son’s coat; covering the paper with fabric that matched his coat would make the paper nearly indiscernible, and he would walk to visit his brother in the army campsite. Charles, who knew the routine, would uncover the message, decode it, and deliver it to General George