Women of the Revolution
Sybil Ludington
Lauded by such great Revolutionary leaders as Alexander Hamilton, the French General Jean Bapiste Rochambeau and George Washington, Sybil Ludington is one of the great heroines of the War for Independence. Yet, despite an act of courage that rivals Paul Revere’s famous midnight ride, she has remained a little-known figure in American history.
Sybil was the daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington, commander of the volunteer regiment of minutemen which guarded the area surrounding Fredericksburg, New York. The young girl was helping to put her brothers and sisters to bed on the historic night of April 26, 1777. Meanwhile, 25 miles away, 2,000 redcoats under Governor William Tryon were plundering the town of Danbury, Connecticut, where supplies were stored for the Continental Army.
Since Danbury’s defense consisted of only 150 militiamen, riders were hurriedly dispatched to seek reinforcements. Just after sunset, one of them notified Colonel Ludington that the British were destroying Danbury. Ludington was faced with the task of mustering his men from their widely dispersed farms and marching quickly to Danbury.
Someone was needed to alert the militiamen immediately. It would be a dangerous mission, requiring expert horsemanship to ride along unknown trails in the dead of night. The rider would have to cross territory that was in dispute between the Americans and the British and where army deserters lurked to prey on civilians. Clearly, it was a task for an armed man. Yet when 16- year- old Sybil volunteered, her father had no choice but to accept her offer. No one else was available.
Carrying a stick to hurry her horse and pound on doors, Sybil rode into the night. She urged her horse on from farm to farm in isolated hamlets, calling out at each stop: “The British are burning Danbury! The colonel is mustering the troops!”. Through the night she covered a distance of 40 miles, finding her way on unmarked roads and in heavily wooded areas.
At daybreak Sybil returned to her home exhausted but cheered by the shouts of 400 determined soldiers who greeted her arrival. As soon as the remaining soldiers assembled, the men were ready for the march to Danbury, where they joined with other American forces to drive the British back more than 20 miles to Long Island Sound. And, but for Sybil Ludington’s midnight ride, they would have been too late.
Even though Sybil played a key role in a crucial Revolutionary War battle, historians have given her little recognition. Finally, however, markers were placed along the route of her historic ride. And, in 1961 in Carmel, New York, a larger-than-lifesize bronze statue of the young girl on horseback was dedicated to the memory of Sybil Ludington’s bravery.
Sybil was the daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington, commander of the volunteer regiment of minutemen which guarded the area surrounding Fredericksburg, New York. The young girl was helping to put her brothers and sisters to bed on the historic night of April 26, 1777. Meanwhile, 25 miles away, 2,000 redcoats under Governor William Tryon were plundering the town of Danbury, Connecticut, where supplies were stored for the Continental Army.
Since Danbury’s defense consisted of only 150 militiamen, riders were hurriedly dispatched to seek reinforcements. Just after sunset, one of them notified Colonel Ludington that the British were destroying Danbury. Ludington was faced with the task of mustering his men from their widely dispersed farms and marching quickly to Danbury.
Someone was needed to alert the militiamen immediately. It would be a dangerous mission, requiring expert horsemanship to ride along unknown trails in the dead of night. The rider would have to cross territory that was in dispute between the Americans and the British and where army deserters lurked to prey on civilians. Clearly, it was a task for an armed man. Yet when 16- year- old Sybil volunteered, her father had no choice but to accept her offer. No one else was available.
Carrying a stick to hurry her horse and pound on doors, Sybil rode into the night. She urged her horse on from farm to farm in isolated hamlets, calling out at each stop: “The British are burning Danbury! The colonel is mustering the troops!”. Through the night she covered a distance of 40 miles, finding her way on unmarked roads and in heavily wooded areas.
At daybreak Sybil returned to her home exhausted but cheered by the shouts of 400 determined soldiers who greeted her arrival. As soon as the remaining soldiers assembled, the men were ready for the march to Danbury, where they joined with other American forces to drive the British back more than 20 miles to Long Island Sound. And, but for Sybil Ludington’s midnight ride, they would have been too late.
Even though Sybil played a key role in a crucial Revolutionary War battle, historians have given her little recognition. Finally, however, markers were placed along the route of her historic ride. And, in 1961 in Carmel, New York, a larger-than-lifesize bronze statue of the young girl on horseback was dedicated to the memory of Sybil Ludington’s bravery.
Abigail Smith Adams
Abigail Smith Adams was one of the foremost women of the Revolutionary era. Being the wife of our second President and the mother of our sixth would have been distinction enough to win her the admiration of succeeding generations. But Mrs. Adams has also been called the first fully emancipated woman in American history. And in the midst of the Revolution, this strong woman was confronted with a series of personal and family crisis, each of which she responded to with grace, skill and undaunted patriotism.
A descendant of the Puritan settlers of Massachusetts, she was brought up in a simple, rural society and, like most girls of her day, received a limited formal education. But the young woman possessed a nature both intellectual and practical. She acquired great knowledge and a love of literature through her own reading and observation. She also became a gifted – and voluminous – letter writer and, as such, was unsurpassed by any other woman of her era. Indeed, her writings provide us with detailed information on America’s early history. In addition, they serve as a record of the thoughts and observations of a woman who had a great influence on her times.
In 1764 Abigail married John Adams, a young Braintree lawyer. They had five children, one of whom died in infancy, and Abigail devoted the first ten years of her marriage to caring for her family. But with the onset of the Revolution, her quiet domestic life was shattered. In August 1775 John Adams left Boston for Philadelphia, where he would serve as a delegate to the first Continental Congress. It was one of the first steps in his long career of public service. The years elapsed before the Adams household was to be permanently reunited.
Mrs. Adams’s strength and resourcefulness emerged during the war years. Though she alone had to care for her family and home, she proved herself a very capable manager, and also handled her husband’s farming ad business affairs while he was away. Even as the war raged close to her home and destroyed her neighbors’ farms, Mrs. Adams worked for the good of the community, cheerfully opening her doors to the poor and sick --- though she, too, was weak from illness.
During her lengthy separation from her husband, Mrs. Adams’s gift for letter writing flourished. Her writings, full of references to current politics as well as more intimate news, bring this remarkable woman and her age to life. Mrs. Adams was an ardent Federalist, and her letters contained many proud expressions of patriotism. In her writing, she also advocated women’s rights and the abolition of slavery --- long before these issues touched the national conscience.
With the retuurn of peace, Mrs. Adams joined her husband on a diplomatic mission in Europe, spending eight months in Paris and three years in Great Britain. She was the first woman representative of the new nation in the English court. And her legacy of detailed written accounts of this experience are a valuable and revealing record of the American-English relations during the sensitive period of adjustment following the war.
In 1788 the Adams family returned to the United States. The following year the Constitution was adopted, and John Adams became first Vice President – and later President --- of the United States of America.
During these 12 years, Mrs. Adams divided her time between the Capital and her home in Massachusetts. As First Lady, her tact and good judgment were put to practical use, not only as a hostess but as a respected adviser to her husband.
She asserted her innate cheerfulness and dignity as first mistress of the White House, on which she left the indelible mark of her character.
Unselfish, but with a mind of her own, Abigail Smith Adams is remembered as a woman who not only recorded history in vivid letters but also made history as a leader in the growth of a new nation.
A descendant of the Puritan settlers of Massachusetts, she was brought up in a simple, rural society and, like most girls of her day, received a limited formal education. But the young woman possessed a nature both intellectual and practical. She acquired great knowledge and a love of literature through her own reading and observation. She also became a gifted – and voluminous – letter writer and, as such, was unsurpassed by any other woman of her era. Indeed, her writings provide us with detailed information on America’s early history. In addition, they serve as a record of the thoughts and observations of a woman who had a great influence on her times.
In 1764 Abigail married John Adams, a young Braintree lawyer. They had five children, one of whom died in infancy, and Abigail devoted the first ten years of her marriage to caring for her family. But with the onset of the Revolution, her quiet domestic life was shattered. In August 1775 John Adams left Boston for Philadelphia, where he would serve as a delegate to the first Continental Congress. It was one of the first steps in his long career of public service. The years elapsed before the Adams household was to be permanently reunited.
Mrs. Adams’s strength and resourcefulness emerged during the war years. Though she alone had to care for her family and home, she proved herself a very capable manager, and also handled her husband’s farming ad business affairs while he was away. Even as the war raged close to her home and destroyed her neighbors’ farms, Mrs. Adams worked for the good of the community, cheerfully opening her doors to the poor and sick --- though she, too, was weak from illness.
During her lengthy separation from her husband, Mrs. Adams’s gift for letter writing flourished. Her writings, full of references to current politics as well as more intimate news, bring this remarkable woman and her age to life. Mrs. Adams was an ardent Federalist, and her letters contained many proud expressions of patriotism. In her writing, she also advocated women’s rights and the abolition of slavery --- long before these issues touched the national conscience.
With the retuurn of peace, Mrs. Adams joined her husband on a diplomatic mission in Europe, spending eight months in Paris and three years in Great Britain. She was the first woman representative of the new nation in the English court. And her legacy of detailed written accounts of this experience are a valuable and revealing record of the American-English relations during the sensitive period of adjustment following the war.
In 1788 the Adams family returned to the United States. The following year the Constitution was adopted, and John Adams became first Vice President – and later President --- of the United States of America.
During these 12 years, Mrs. Adams divided her time between the Capital and her home in Massachusetts. As First Lady, her tact and good judgment were put to practical use, not only as a hostess but as a respected adviser to her husband.
She asserted her innate cheerfulness and dignity as first mistress of the White House, on which she left the indelible mark of her character.
Unselfish, but with a mind of her own, Abigail Smith Adams is remembered as a woman who not only recorded history in vivid letters but also made history as a leader in the growth of a new nation.
Elizabeth Annesley Lewis
All of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence were so dedicated to the cause of liberty that they did not hesitate to risk their lives and fortunes. Almost every one suffered as a result of his patriotism. Each needed the wholehearted support of his family, for they, too, were called upon to pay the price of freedom. The wife of one of the signers from New York, Elizabeth Annesley Lewis, made the ultimate sacrifice - her life.
Her husband, Francis Lewis, had been born in Wales. After a good education and several years of training as a merchant, Lewis decided to sail to America.
After establishing mercantile houses in Philadelphia and New York, Lewis formed a partnership with Richard Annesley, a prominent young merchant. In 1745 he married his partner's younger sister Elizabeth.
Throughout the years of their marriage, Mrs. Lewis was separated from her husband much of the time. As his business prospered, Lewis traveled in Europe, even making two trips to Russia. During the French and Indian War, as a supply agent for the British, he was captured by the Indians and imprisoned in Canada. He was later sent to France as a prisoner and exchanged by the British. When he returned to New York, Lewis was granted 5,000 acres of land for his service in the war.
In 1765 Lewis moved with his wife and three children to a country estate on Long Island. With the passage of the Stamp Act, public sentiment against trading with England grew. Lewis, agreeing that British treatment of the colonies was becoming intolerable, retired from business to devote himself to public life. One of the most influential men of his colony, he was chosen as a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress which met in New York and drew up the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances of the Colonists in America."
From this time on, Mrs. Lewis saw her husband involved in the work of many committees devoted to organizing the rebellion. In May 1775 he was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Fighting had begun in April with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. To deal with the impending crisis, Congress issued an "Olive Branch" petition in a final gesture to restore peace. In addition, to show that they were willing to fight for Liberty, they issued a "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Arms."
As the fighting continued, Congress felt the inevitable next step was a Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776 the document was adopted and signed by John Hancock as president of Congress. On August 2, after the document had been "engrossed on parchment," it was signed by most of the other delegates, including Francis Lewis.
For his courageous deed of patriotism, Lewis immediately became a target of British retaliation. A reward was offered for his capture. Less than a month after the signing, when the British occupied Long Island, troops were sent to destroy his property and imprison his wife.
Mrs. Lewis watched calmly as the redcoats advanced toward her home. Proud of her husband's participation in the cause, she determined to display equal courage. As a warship fired a shot into the house, the soldiers entered and went on a rampage of destruction. Though her servant urged her to run, Mrs. Lewis stood firm. When the enemy had wantonly destroyed all the papers, books, and furniture in the house, they burned it and left, taking Mrs. Lewis prisoner.
She was carried off to a New York prison, where she remained for nearly three months. The British were notorious for the inhumanity of their improvised jails, and their prisoners suffered and died in large numbers. Her captors treated Mrs. Lewis shamefully, not allowing her a bed, a change of clothing or any contact with her relatives. After three weeks, her old servant, who had followed her, manage to smuggle her some food and clothing, and to carry her letters to her husband.
An outraged Congress demanded better treatment for Mrs. Lewis. But the British refused, wishing to make an example of a woman of such wealth and prominence. Finally, General Washington heard of her plight and ordered the house arrest of the wives of two prominent Philadelphia Tories. Through his intervention, an exchange was arranged, and Mrs. Lewis was released. However, she was not permitted to leave British-held city of New York.
Despite her own troubles, Mrs. Lewis compassionately went to the aid of her servant. Near death, the old man wished to receive the last rites from a priest. There were no priests in the captured city, but Mrs. Lewis managed to send a messenger to Philadelphia. A priest was smuggled through enemy lines to attend her faithful servant before he died.
After several more months of captivity in New York, Mrs. Lewis was able to join her husband in Philadelphia. However, the harsh treatment she had received, in addition to worry about her husband's financial losses, had ruined her health and she grew steadily weaker.
In 1779, after his election for the fourth time to Congress, Lewis took a leave of absence to care for his wife. Mrs. Lewis died early that year. She did not live to see the colonies achieve independence, but her determination and devotion epitomized the spirit that made the American victory possible.
Her husband, Francis Lewis, had been born in Wales. After a good education and several years of training as a merchant, Lewis decided to sail to America.
After establishing mercantile houses in Philadelphia and New York, Lewis formed a partnership with Richard Annesley, a prominent young merchant. In 1745 he married his partner's younger sister Elizabeth.
Throughout the years of their marriage, Mrs. Lewis was separated from her husband much of the time. As his business prospered, Lewis traveled in Europe, even making two trips to Russia. During the French and Indian War, as a supply agent for the British, he was captured by the Indians and imprisoned in Canada. He was later sent to France as a prisoner and exchanged by the British. When he returned to New York, Lewis was granted 5,000 acres of land for his service in the war.
In 1765 Lewis moved with his wife and three children to a country estate on Long Island. With the passage of the Stamp Act, public sentiment against trading with England grew. Lewis, agreeing that British treatment of the colonies was becoming intolerable, retired from business to devote himself to public life. One of the most influential men of his colony, he was chosen as a delegate to the Stamp Act Congress which met in New York and drew up the "Declaration of Rights and Grievances of the Colonists in America."
From this time on, Mrs. Lewis saw her husband involved in the work of many committees devoted to organizing the rebellion. In May 1775 he was a delegate to the Second Continental Congress in Philadelphia. Fighting had begun in April with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. To deal with the impending crisis, Congress issued an "Olive Branch" petition in a final gesture to restore peace. In addition, to show that they were willing to fight for Liberty, they issued a "Declaration of the Causes and Necessity for Taking Arms."
As the fighting continued, Congress felt the inevitable next step was a Declaration of Independence. On July 4, 1776 the document was adopted and signed by John Hancock as president of Congress. On August 2, after the document had been "engrossed on parchment," it was signed by most of the other delegates, including Francis Lewis.
For his courageous deed of patriotism, Lewis immediately became a target of British retaliation. A reward was offered for his capture. Less than a month after the signing, when the British occupied Long Island, troops were sent to destroy his property and imprison his wife.
Mrs. Lewis watched calmly as the redcoats advanced toward her home. Proud of her husband's participation in the cause, she determined to display equal courage. As a warship fired a shot into the house, the soldiers entered and went on a rampage of destruction. Though her servant urged her to run, Mrs. Lewis stood firm. When the enemy had wantonly destroyed all the papers, books, and furniture in the house, they burned it and left, taking Mrs. Lewis prisoner.
She was carried off to a New York prison, where she remained for nearly three months. The British were notorious for the inhumanity of their improvised jails, and their prisoners suffered and died in large numbers. Her captors treated Mrs. Lewis shamefully, not allowing her a bed, a change of clothing or any contact with her relatives. After three weeks, her old servant, who had followed her, manage to smuggle her some food and clothing, and to carry her letters to her husband.
An outraged Congress demanded better treatment for Mrs. Lewis. But the British refused, wishing to make an example of a woman of such wealth and prominence. Finally, General Washington heard of her plight and ordered the house arrest of the wives of two prominent Philadelphia Tories. Through his intervention, an exchange was arranged, and Mrs. Lewis was released. However, she was not permitted to leave British-held city of New York.
Despite her own troubles, Mrs. Lewis compassionately went to the aid of her servant. Near death, the old man wished to receive the last rites from a priest. There were no priests in the captured city, but Mrs. Lewis managed to send a messenger to Philadelphia. A priest was smuggled through enemy lines to attend her faithful servant before he died.
After several more months of captivity in New York, Mrs. Lewis was able to join her husband in Philadelphia. However, the harsh treatment she had received, in addition to worry about her husband's financial losses, had ruined her health and she grew steadily weaker.
In 1779, after his election for the fourth time to Congress, Lewis took a leave of absence to care for his wife. Mrs. Lewis died early that year. She did not live to see the colonies achieve independence, but her determination and devotion epitomized the spirit that made the American victory possible.
Hannah Hunter Hendee
By the end of the 1770s, the tide of war had begun to turn against the British. In an attempt to capture Albany, New York, Lieutenant General John Burgoyne launched a fruitless attach on Continental troops commanded by Major Generals Philip Schuyler and Horatio Gates. As he began to retreat Burgoyne discovered that he was surrounded by a force of 17,000 Americans and was forced to surrender his entire command of 6,000 British troops.
Encouraging France to enter the fighting on the side of the Americans, his surrender marked a turning point in the Revolution. The gloomy outlook prompted by the British occupation of New York and Philadelphia and the despair of Valley Forge were replaced by hope. The spirit of independence was renewed throughout the colonies.
Yet the British were far from beaten.
They had developed friendly relations with many Indian tribes along the American frontier, and now they encouraged these tribes to attack defenseless American settlements. One was party of 300 Indians representing various tribes and led by British Lieutenant Horton was sent south from Canada to destroy the town of Newburyport in eastern Vermont. However, prisoners taken by the war party convinced them that Newburyport was too heavily guarded to be taken without a struggle. As a result, they decided to attack nearby Royalton.
They had already destroyed several farm houses and terrorized their occupants when Robert and Hannah Hunter Hendee were warned of the attack. Sending his wife and children to the home of a neighbor, Hendee rode toward the town of Bethel to seek help at the fort there. Mrs. Hendee encountered an Indian patrol. Her son was promptly seized and carried off to the Indian's camp. Terror-stricken, Mrs. Hendee watched her only son being led away to what she knew was certain death.
Despite her fear, she led her daughter, her only other child, in pursuit. Although the Indians quickly outdistanced her, she pressed on until she came to the White River and saw the Indian encampment on the opposite side. Roughly 100 yards wide, the river was too deep to be easily forded at that point. Yet the determined woman was prepared to risk everything to save the life of her son and started across. With the assistance of an Indian, who believed she was giving herself up, she and her daughter reached the other side and were taken to Lieutenant Horton.
Far from the protection of American troops, Mrs. Hendee was completely at the mercy of the British lieutenant and the hostile Indians. Nevertheless, when she was told that her son would be trained as a soldier and would not be hurt, she delivered a scathing reply. She forcefully pointed out that no child could keep up with the Indians on their return through the wilderness to Canada. With an eloquence born of desperation, she told the lieutenant that certain death would be the result of such a journey.
Astounded at the boldness of her reply, Horton stated that the Indians would never release their captives. Again Mrs. Hendee responded vehemently, reminding Horton that as the Indians' commander he could order the release of her son and that he was obligated to do so in order to save an innocent life.
Moved by her courage, and determination, Horton gave his word that her child would be returned to her. Yet no sooner was she given custody of her son than a party of Indians returned to the camp with several other children taken from her neighbors. Without hesitation, she demanded that these children, too, be released. Soon nine children were gathered around her. An enraged Indian threatened her son with a knife, but Horton interceded, and Mrs. Hendee left the camp with nine children in tow. She carried two of them across the river, the remainder making the crossing by clinging tightly to each other. After spending the night in the woods, they returned safely to their loved ones.
The raid on Royalton was a disaster for the colonists. Several men were taken prisoner and were captives for a long period in Canada. Farms were destroyed, livestock was killed and farm produce was burned.
Yet in the face of the devastation, Mrs. Hendee's courage was an inspiration to the beleaguered colonists. By risking her life to save nine helpless children, she set an example of personal bravery that remains a shining moment in the annals of the American Revolution.
Encouraging France to enter the fighting on the side of the Americans, his surrender marked a turning point in the Revolution. The gloomy outlook prompted by the British occupation of New York and Philadelphia and the despair of Valley Forge were replaced by hope. The spirit of independence was renewed throughout the colonies.
Yet the British were far from beaten.
They had developed friendly relations with many Indian tribes along the American frontier, and now they encouraged these tribes to attack defenseless American settlements. One was party of 300 Indians representing various tribes and led by British Lieutenant Horton was sent south from Canada to destroy the town of Newburyport in eastern Vermont. However, prisoners taken by the war party convinced them that Newburyport was too heavily guarded to be taken without a struggle. As a result, they decided to attack nearby Royalton.
They had already destroyed several farm houses and terrorized their occupants when Robert and Hannah Hunter Hendee were warned of the attack. Sending his wife and children to the home of a neighbor, Hendee rode toward the town of Bethel to seek help at the fort there. Mrs. Hendee encountered an Indian patrol. Her son was promptly seized and carried off to the Indian's camp. Terror-stricken, Mrs. Hendee watched her only son being led away to what she knew was certain death.
Despite her fear, she led her daughter, her only other child, in pursuit. Although the Indians quickly outdistanced her, she pressed on until she came to the White River and saw the Indian encampment on the opposite side. Roughly 100 yards wide, the river was too deep to be easily forded at that point. Yet the determined woman was prepared to risk everything to save the life of her son and started across. With the assistance of an Indian, who believed she was giving herself up, she and her daughter reached the other side and were taken to Lieutenant Horton.
Far from the protection of American troops, Mrs. Hendee was completely at the mercy of the British lieutenant and the hostile Indians. Nevertheless, when she was told that her son would be trained as a soldier and would not be hurt, she delivered a scathing reply. She forcefully pointed out that no child could keep up with the Indians on their return through the wilderness to Canada. With an eloquence born of desperation, she told the lieutenant that certain death would be the result of such a journey.
Astounded at the boldness of her reply, Horton stated that the Indians would never release their captives. Again Mrs. Hendee responded vehemently, reminding Horton that as the Indians' commander he could order the release of her son and that he was obligated to do so in order to save an innocent life.
Moved by her courage, and determination, Horton gave his word that her child would be returned to her. Yet no sooner was she given custody of her son than a party of Indians returned to the camp with several other children taken from her neighbors. Without hesitation, she demanded that these children, too, be released. Soon nine children were gathered around her. An enraged Indian threatened her son with a knife, but Horton interceded, and Mrs. Hendee left the camp with nine children in tow. She carried two of them across the river, the remainder making the crossing by clinging tightly to each other. After spending the night in the woods, they returned safely to their loved ones.
The raid on Royalton was a disaster for the colonists. Several men were taken prisoner and were captives for a long period in Canada. Farms were destroyed, livestock was killed and farm produce was burned.
Yet in the face of the devastation, Mrs. Hendee's courage was an inspiration to the beleaguered colonists. By risking her life to save nine helpless children, she set an example of personal bravery that remains a shining moment in the annals of the American Revolution.
Catharine Van Rensselaer Schuyler
Wealth and social standing were no obstacles to the patriotism of Catharine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, wife of General Philip Schuyler of New York. Rather, these qualities enabled her to make courageous sacrifices for the cause of liberty. Especially dramatic was the role she played in Burgoyne's defeat at Saratoga in 1777, a defeat which is considered the turning point of the Revolution.
The marriage of Catharine Van Rensselaer and Philip Schuyler, distant cousins, provided another link between two of New York's oldest, wealthiest, and most respected Dutch families. Catharine, born in 1734 at Claverack, New York, was the oldest daughter of Colonel John Van Rensselaer and his wife Angelica. Catharine's father, a British officer who became an ardent patriot when the war began, had vast land holdings and was famous for his generosity. To encourage settlers and aid those away at war, he asked no rents from his tenants. In later years his daughter displayed similar kindness.
Catharine, an attractive and graceful young girl, received a good education, learning French and dancing as well as the arts of homemaking. In 1755 she married Captain Schuyler, her childhood sweetheart, while he was on furlough during the French and Indian War. Their happy marriage was to last nearly 48 years and produce 15 children, eight of whom reached maturity.
The young couple lived at first with Schuyler's mother in Albany, and it was here that Mrs. Schuyler nursed wounded soldiers after her husband's force was defeated at Ticonderoga in 1758. Until the French and Indian War ended, her husband was away much of the time. In 1761 he was sent to England on a mission which lasted 18 months. During this time his young wife capably supervised the construction of their own home in Albany.
The years between the wars were busy and happy for the family. Schuyler, who had inherited much land, established a colony at Saratoga (now Schuylerville), about 30 miles north of Albany on the Hudson River. Here he also built an elegant country house which Mrs. Schuyler made famous with her gracious entertaining and hospitality.
As the Revolution grew imminent, both Schuyler's became devoted patriots. Schuyler was elected to the New York assembly in 1768, and in June 1775 he returned to military service as one of the four major generals under Washington's command. During the next two years he was again away from home, directing the invasion of Canada and the defense of Fort Ticonderoga. The patriots held the fort until July 6, 1777, when it fell to a force of 7,700 British, Hessians, Tories and Indians under General John Burgoyne.
Heartened by the capture of Ticonderoga, Burgoyne's army moved southward along the Hudson River to attack Albany. To make the enemy's advance as difficult as possible, General Schuyler had ordered his troops to fell trees across creeks and trails, and to strip the sparsely settled area of any food the woods and field might provide to sustain the invaders.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Schuyler resolutely set out in a carriage from Albany to Saratoga to retrieve some valuables from her country home which was in the path of Burgoyne's advancing army. She was accompanied only by a young servant boy. When warned of the danger from nearby Indians and British troops, the fearless woman laughed and said, "A general's wife and afraid - ridiculous!"
Arriving at the Saratoga estate, Mrs. Schuyler was met by a messenger from her husband. The general asked her to burn their extensive wheat fields, and to request others nearby to do the same, so that the advancing enemy could not harvest the grain. With her own hands, Mrs. Schuyler unhesitatingly prepared torches and threw them into the fields. As the ripe wheat burned, she sent her horses away with the messenger for use by the patriots, and loaded her possessions onto an ox sled. After she had told the neighboring farmers of her husband's request that they burn their fields, Mrs. Schuyler watched her own fields reduced to blackened stubble and returned to Albany.
Burgoyne's army continued its southward march, crossing the Hudson River at Saratoga on September 13. With a growing force of about 7,000 the patriots occupied fortified ground at Bemis Heights outside of Saratoga. From there they could watch the enemy's approach and stop their advance southward. On September 19 a battle took place in the clearing known as Freeman's Farm. Burgoyne's army was forced back, but he refused to retreat to Canada. On October 7 the armies clashed again near Freeman's Farm. This time Burgoyne conceded defeat and ordered a general withdrawal.
Before he had retreated very far, however, the British general found himself surrounded by a force of 17,000 Americans. On October 17 at Saratoga, "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne officially surrendered his command of almost 6,000 troops. This victory has been called the turning point of the Revolution. It not only greatly bolstered patriot morale, but led to the American alliance with France.
Soon after his surrender, Burgoyne and about 20 of his officers were taken to the Schuyler home in Albany where they would remain until paroled. Though they were prisoners of war, Mrs. Schuyler treated her guests with such kindness and courtesy that Burgoyne was greatly touched. Neither he nor his hostess had forgotten that, on his retreat through Saratoga on October 10, Burgoyne had ordered the burning of the Schuyler mansion and mills. Embarrassed at the hospitality he was extended, he protested that Mrs. Schuyler was too charitable to the one who had destroyed her estate. But with characteristic kindness and generosity, Mrs. Schuyler reassured her prisoner-guest that the war was the cause of her losses.
In 1779 General Schuyler was reelected to Congress and the following year served as military adviser to Washington. His wife and youngest daughters accompanied him, first to Philadelphia and then to Morristown, New Jersey. It was here that their second daughter, Elizabeth, became engaged to Washington's young aide, Alexander Hamilton, whom she married in December 1780.
Mrs. Schuyler's last child, her namesake, was born in 1781. She remained devoted to maintaining her hospitable household, while her husband held public office until 1798. Catharine Van Rensselaer Schuyler died in 1803, a gentle woman who had proved herself a courageous patriot.
This information was taken from The Great Women of the American Revolution, compiled by NSDAR 1974, Mrs. Henry Stewart Jones, President General.
The marriage of Catharine Van Rensselaer and Philip Schuyler, distant cousins, provided another link between two of New York's oldest, wealthiest, and most respected Dutch families. Catharine, born in 1734 at Claverack, New York, was the oldest daughter of Colonel John Van Rensselaer and his wife Angelica. Catharine's father, a British officer who became an ardent patriot when the war began, had vast land holdings and was famous for his generosity. To encourage settlers and aid those away at war, he asked no rents from his tenants. In later years his daughter displayed similar kindness.
Catharine, an attractive and graceful young girl, received a good education, learning French and dancing as well as the arts of homemaking. In 1755 she married Captain Schuyler, her childhood sweetheart, while he was on furlough during the French and Indian War. Their happy marriage was to last nearly 48 years and produce 15 children, eight of whom reached maturity.
The young couple lived at first with Schuyler's mother in Albany, and it was here that Mrs. Schuyler nursed wounded soldiers after her husband's force was defeated at Ticonderoga in 1758. Until the French and Indian War ended, her husband was away much of the time. In 1761 he was sent to England on a mission which lasted 18 months. During this time his young wife capably supervised the construction of their own home in Albany.
The years between the wars were busy and happy for the family. Schuyler, who had inherited much land, established a colony at Saratoga (now Schuylerville), about 30 miles north of Albany on the Hudson River. Here he also built an elegant country house which Mrs. Schuyler made famous with her gracious entertaining and hospitality.
As the Revolution grew imminent, both Schuyler's became devoted patriots. Schuyler was elected to the New York assembly in 1768, and in June 1775 he returned to military service as one of the four major generals under Washington's command. During the next two years he was again away from home, directing the invasion of Canada and the defense of Fort Ticonderoga. The patriots held the fort until July 6, 1777, when it fell to a force of 7,700 British, Hessians, Tories and Indians under General John Burgoyne.
Heartened by the capture of Ticonderoga, Burgoyne's army moved southward along the Hudson River to attack Albany. To make the enemy's advance as difficult as possible, General Schuyler had ordered his troops to fell trees across creeks and trails, and to strip the sparsely settled area of any food the woods and field might provide to sustain the invaders.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Schuyler resolutely set out in a carriage from Albany to Saratoga to retrieve some valuables from her country home which was in the path of Burgoyne's advancing army. She was accompanied only by a young servant boy. When warned of the danger from nearby Indians and British troops, the fearless woman laughed and said, "A general's wife and afraid - ridiculous!"
Arriving at the Saratoga estate, Mrs. Schuyler was met by a messenger from her husband. The general asked her to burn their extensive wheat fields, and to request others nearby to do the same, so that the advancing enemy could not harvest the grain. With her own hands, Mrs. Schuyler unhesitatingly prepared torches and threw them into the fields. As the ripe wheat burned, she sent her horses away with the messenger for use by the patriots, and loaded her possessions onto an ox sled. After she had told the neighboring farmers of her husband's request that they burn their fields, Mrs. Schuyler watched her own fields reduced to blackened stubble and returned to Albany.
Burgoyne's army continued its southward march, crossing the Hudson River at Saratoga on September 13. With a growing force of about 7,000 the patriots occupied fortified ground at Bemis Heights outside of Saratoga. From there they could watch the enemy's approach and stop their advance southward. On September 19 a battle took place in the clearing known as Freeman's Farm. Burgoyne's army was forced back, but he refused to retreat to Canada. On October 7 the armies clashed again near Freeman's Farm. This time Burgoyne conceded defeat and ordered a general withdrawal.
Before he had retreated very far, however, the British general found himself surrounded by a force of 17,000 Americans. On October 17 at Saratoga, "Gentleman Johnny" Burgoyne officially surrendered his command of almost 6,000 troops. This victory has been called the turning point of the Revolution. It not only greatly bolstered patriot morale, but led to the American alliance with France.
Soon after his surrender, Burgoyne and about 20 of his officers were taken to the Schuyler home in Albany where they would remain until paroled. Though they were prisoners of war, Mrs. Schuyler treated her guests with such kindness and courtesy that Burgoyne was greatly touched. Neither he nor his hostess had forgotten that, on his retreat through Saratoga on October 10, Burgoyne had ordered the burning of the Schuyler mansion and mills. Embarrassed at the hospitality he was extended, he protested that Mrs. Schuyler was too charitable to the one who had destroyed her estate. But with characteristic kindness and generosity, Mrs. Schuyler reassured her prisoner-guest that the war was the cause of her losses.
In 1779 General Schuyler was reelected to Congress and the following year served as military adviser to Washington. His wife and youngest daughters accompanied him, first to Philadelphia and then to Morristown, New Jersey. It was here that their second daughter, Elizabeth, became engaged to Washington's young aide, Alexander Hamilton, whom she married in December 1780.
Mrs. Schuyler's last child, her namesake, was born in 1781. She remained devoted to maintaining her hospitable household, while her husband held public office until 1798. Catharine Van Rensselaer Schuyler died in 1803, a gentle woman who had proved herself a courageous patriot.
This information was taken from The Great Women of the American Revolution, compiled by NSDAR 1974, Mrs. Henry Stewart Jones, President General.
