George Washington The Man Who Didn’t Forget About the Ladies

How do I write about women in history and have a fascination about the man of history? It goes to facts leading to George Washington. In general text and non-fiction books and documents on the American Revolution George Washington was the curator of all that happened.

Authors who research the American Revolution feel they confirm what has already been written and claim to be experts on the subject. In usual fashion they forget about the ladies. George Washington has many stories and they all lead to his great leadership abilities, intelligence and driven ambition. The man holds the honorary title as the father of our country. If it wasn’t for Washington what might have happened? Would we be the independent country of America? Would we have the freedom today if it weren’t for him? It is quite mind boggling to try and work through all of the what ifs, it’s best to say Thank You and praise him for all that he did.

You cannot give credit to one person, he obviously didn’t do it alone. A soldier of war, a prisoner of war, a surveyor, a business owner, a land owner, a man of dignity and honor, he had all the requirements to lead the army for the patriots. His record of accomplishments surpassed all at the time and was unanimously voted to be the leader of the Continental Army and fight for the independence of America.

The one myth of Washington I relish squashing whenever I can, is that he hated women. HOGWASH! The independence of America didn’t happen by men alone. The ladies played a very methodical part in American history and we must give thanks to George Washington for realizing our abilities. During these days several women followed their husbands, known as camp followers, and were just as close to the frontline action. It is noted that Washington hated this, the women were a burden and a distraction to the men and the task at hand. Well, maybe at first then he figured out the women cooked, aided the wounded, and kept up camps. He got over it.

In the days of the American Revolution we didn’t have highly protected bases, store front offices where you could go in and get the sales pitch of a lifetime to join. If you could hold a musket, had the honor to fight for the Americans you went to the closest tavern or walked directly to a base camp and spoke to the Captain in charge and signed up. They didn’t ask if you were married, gay or born in the United States. They didn’t even ask if you were male or female. Four hundred and five women dressed and disguised as manly as possible signed up as foot soldiers for the Continental Army. These women were also discovered and hanged for treason and fraudulent acts against their country. There were no medical exams or boot camp you went to first. You signed a piece of paper, handed a bounty (money for signing up),a uniform and a musket and told where to go and who to report to. From there you fought in the war on the frontlines.

George Washington also figured out women who elected to stay and protect the home could be utilized as well. They became messengers for the Washington founded Culper Spy Ring. This would be the original name for what we now know as the CIA. In the time of the war if the British happened to be marching down your road and come upon your home they took up camp in your house. You had one of two options: you could go ballistic on them, try and stand alone and fight, then they would steal all your worldly possessions, possibly kill you and burn your house down. OR you could welcome them, feed them, serve them tea and let them squat on your property for a few days. In the meantime eavesdrop on their conversations and make notes and secretly send them onto the American Army via signals or messages dropped in noted locations. Many smart women chose the latter and were known as secret operatives for the Culper Spy Ring. What many people don’t know is the discovery of Benedict Arnold’s treason was founded and foiled by a woman. Known only as Agent 355 (Culper code for Lady). She reported directly to General Washington, and was the facilitator in the arrest of Major John André and played a key part in the counterintelligence of Benedict Arnold.

One notable gal who made it past all the discovery was none other than my gal Deborah Sampson. The clever hiding of her secret astonishes people to this day. The untold and undocumented details of her enlistment, in my opinion, are quite clear. She was appointed by those who held power in high circles. A close friendship with Paul Revere, who was close to those higher circles was really a messenger in the Revolution. Yes, most notably known for the “midnight ride” but how he came to know this information was his place as the “middle man”. He received messages from the Culper Spy Ring and relayed them to the army. Deborah Sampson was placed as a foot soldier in the 4th Massachusetts Regiment for the Continental Army, the regiment was a scouting party, and served a noted eighteen months of a three year term in the military service.  She didn’t complete the three year term because the war ended, it’s that simple. In my findings, she was placed by Paul Revere and reported to generals and a few times even to George Washington himself as a secretive operative. She greatly admired the commander and had a tremendous amount of respect for his intelligence and dedication to the independence of our country. A driven individual herself she knew who to befriend and where she needed to be to do it.

Today is February 22, 2012.  In 1732, two hundred and eighty years ago today George Washington was born. He served as a leader of not only an army but as the first and most notable president of the United States. We recognize him and many other leaders this month with President’s Day. George Washington didn’t taut his ‘celebrity’ status and in his last will and testament signed George Washington, a citizen of the United States. He died on December 14th of 1799 at Mount Vernon his home he shared with our nations first lady Martha Washington, a notable and driven woman in her own right. 

 

Teresa L. Watts

Author of women in US History

Another Gutsy Woman in History Takes a Flight of Faith

Every morning I go through today in history from the http://history.com website. One of my favorite sites when I’m researching. I share the information on Facebook, Twitter and Google+. Facebook and Google+ I don’t get to many shares or responses, but on Twitter I get several compliments that read “thank you, enjoy reading your daily history post.” I really appreciate hearing those comments and I thank you if you are reading this post today.

The first post I share is always from The Revolutionary War, every day in history something happened. Sunday through Saturday. The Revolution was the most notable time in history, each and every detail was a first in American history. The trinkets of information I discover from the era intrigue me on a daily basis. You won’t learn this type of information in a text book and I think that’s a shame.

Of course, the ladies were doing equally important deeds on a daily basis. Today I jump forward to 1935 and write about Amelia.

In 1935, Amelia Earhart Putnam was the first PERSON to fly solo from Hawaii to California. It took two days! With commercial airlines a way of transportation today, people don’t realize how incredible this event was in history. Air flight goes back centuries. Until the Wright brothers successfully flew their glider 622 feet in 1902 did air flight really begin it’s advancement in technology.

Thirty-three years prior with no computers, robots, Microsoft or Apple fancy software, two men and nothing more than a pencil, paper, a creative collaboration and good old fashioned sweat and hard labor (you know when you physically create something that is not computer generated) helped advance technology for humans, particularly one gal to fly in the air over land and sea to get somewhere. Now for a woman to do this – well it was phenomenal.

Her arrival on January 13, 1935 in Oakland California.

On July 2,1937 on a flight around the world Amelia Earhart along with her passenger navigator Fred Noonan vanished and were never found. I don’t like to dwell on the death of the women I write about, I prefer to write about the outstanding accomplishments they conquered while they were living. They lived and they lived the way they wanted to.

As Amelia said it in a letter she wrote to her husband George, the letter he was to read in case she never came home from one of her record breaking flights:

“I want to do it because I want to do it. Women must try to do things as men have tried. When they fail, their failure must be but a challenge to others.” ~ Amelia Earhart

Teresa L. Watts,

 Author discovering amazing women in US History, one gal at a time

For the Ladies

Gannett Family Grave site Deborah Sampson a.k.a. Robert Shurtlieff

Rock Ridge Cemetery, Sharon Massachusetts November 2010

Me at Deborah Sampson’s Grave site, Sharon Massachusetts November 2010.

I recently found out a male resident in Sharon Massachusetts has taken a keen interest in Deborah Sampson and is writing her story. GREAT! I wish him much success.

During my research of women in US History, Deborah is one of the most fascinating women I discovered. But… men writing about women has always rang too technical to me. Which always takes me back to conversations I have with women about men and history. “It’s done their way and they forget about the ladies.” “That’s why it’s called HIS-story” I giggle a little. The dividing line between men and women always gives me a little giggle, I can’t help it.

As a woman I research between the lines. It’s what we do, we are known for beating the facts to death right? (sarcasm). Fact are facts and behind every factual situation is an emotion the compelled someone to do it. The emotional intent on doing what we do. How women think and the desires behind our actions is one thing that men will not EVER be able to grasp – I don’t care how many debates I will have with anyone on this topic. In turn,I don’t think like a man and don’t pretend I know how to or want to for that matter.

Women of our history are just as responsible for the founding of our country as the men were. They accomplished successful deeds, just as the men did. Women didn’t sit back and watch what the men were doing, they were working and working hard. Men and women worked as a team. They were each others most trusted companions and together they worked and labored on every task that was needed to survive and create a new life. As most want to say they didn’t have a choice. True. However, men and women weren’t any different then as they are today in the process required to accomplish what needs to be done.

Women were not allowed to be educated, even though most women in history were very well educated?  Women were not allowed to have an opinion even though most men listened to their women’s advice. Abigail Adams for one, Eleanor Roosevelt another.

Deborah Sampson fought in the Revolutionary War as male soldier Robert Shurtlieff, a foot soldier with the 4th Massachusetts Regiment. She was felled by a musket ball to her left thigh and slashed by a sabre across her forehead. After the war she went to her Aunt and Uncle Waters farm, met and married Benjamin Gannett and bore three children, adopted a daughter Patience. Petitioned and received veteran’s pay as a soldier of the war as Deborah Gannett. Went on the lecture circuit and spoke about her time in the war and performed military drills dressed as a soldier, and was paid for it. Retired to a quiet life in Sharon Massachusetts and was known in town as the “Old Soldier”. Died on April 29,1827 in the upstairs bedroom of the home she shared with her husband, son and daughter in-law.

All of this information and more are documented facts readily available to anyone who would like to know more about Deborah Sampson Gannett.

For this author, my interest in the remarkable life of Deborah Sampson Gannett and all the women I will write about in US History and all that they accomplished and the REASONS behind their actions are but one question.

Why?

Teresa L. Watts, Author of the remarkable women in US History, telling THEIR stories, their way.

Jane Austen December 16, 1775

Although I write about women in US History I can’t overlook the influence of Jane Austen. Her stories continue to influence readers centuries later. The author is still referred to as one of the great writers of all time.

Jane Austen was quiet and kept to herself most of the time. One of eight children she was unhappy about her family relocating to Bath in 1801 she retreated deeper into her world of words. Her father’s passing in 1805 and another move to the home of one of her brothers Jane continued to pen her stories.

Publishing romance with a comical twist on 18th Century society received moderate reviews in her time. It wasn’t until the 1940s that she became a noted English author.

Jane Austen never married and died at the young age of 42 on July 18, 1817. Her nephew published her Memoir in 1869.

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/jane-austens-birthday

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jane_Austen

Teresa L. Watts

December 14, 1799 George Washington Passes

The announcement of George Washington’s death opens my book. He died on the 14th however the official announcement wasn’t made until Dec 20th.

George Washington passed around 10 AM on December 14th, by 12 Noon Martha had burned all of the letters he wrote to her over the years. I found that piece of information interesting. What was in the letters for her to burn them so quickly?

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/george-washington-dies

Teresa L.  Watts

18th Century Holiday Traditions

Modern society holiday traditions are marked by lights, lighted trees, gifts, parties, and fattening up the fourth quarter of retailers bottom lines. Where did it come from? How did it all begin? With so much focus on the birth of Christ the meaning of Christmas lost the real meaning of the Holiday Season. Through the research of this writer, well the mention of the bible wasn’t the only focus of the season. There were other sides to celebrating the holiday’s. Of course Church was a primary focus of how people lived, but celebrating the holiday had other meanings as well. (I’m not  trying to debunk the meaning of Christmas so don’t start blasting me with religious beliefs and I’ve lost my way comments. Each person has their own meaning of the holiday’s, this post is about the HOLIDAY SEASON not Christmas Day. I’m just a curious person who seeks American history traditions)

There are many stories and theories of how the holiday’s marked the mid-winter festive season. When did Santa Claus come about (American Tradition) How did the Christmas tree with a star on top come about? (German, then became widespread around the world from a photo in Windsor Castle in 1848) and why do we display a circle greenery of garland on our door? (Dated back as far as the ancient Romans). Source:(http://www.history.org/almanack/life/christmas/hist_customs.cfm)

The holiday season meant celebration of balls, fox hunts, and festive socializing. Since the mid-winter season is bleak and dreary adding greenery with berries spruced up homes and towns adding joy. Candles placed on town trees and in the windows provided a cheery glow.

In modern society we get the ball rolling early, the day after Thanksgiving let the festivities begin! Well okay now the day before, well no actually doesn’t it start in October now?

In Early America the holiday season began on December 25th, marking the 12 days of Christmas concluding on January 6th. Early America didn’t celebrate New Year’s as we do today. It really comes up as just another day on the calendar, writer Lou Powers commented “these were the days before Times Square and Guy Lombardo wasn’t born yet”… (loved that line). The song The Twelve Days of Christmas it has been said didn’t have anything to do with the holiday’s, the song came about to teach children how to count… (this before Count Dracula and Sesame Street)

One of the holiday traditions that started in Early America and still happens to this day are candles in the window. The candles were lit at 5:00 pm and flickered until 10:00 PM from December 25th until January 6th.

My home in 2010, photo by Teresa Watts

For me, this is the best tradition and gives me the holiday spirit. During my research road trip last fall the discovery of Deborah Sampson putting a lighted candle in every window of her home was how she decorated for Christmas, all 37 of ‘em. On our way back west I started noticing candles in the windows alongside the roads we traveled. I found this fascinating! Putting a lit candle in your window is a fire hazard, hands down no one can argue with that. As modern technology now provides battery and electric candles for your safety. To me this is more decorative and festive for the holidays than blasting your house with strings of lights, not to mention the power bill (eeks).

Gift giving good ‘ole American tradition. Christmas gift were not “exchanged” but servants and children were given a special treat and it was only one sided.

So why was this time of year for celebration? Well harvesting was done, planting seeds were done, the ground was covered with snow so you really couldn’t do anything, maybe it was the time of year that everyone took a break and got together to catch up and rest. Gathering for balls, feast and socializing was the perfect way to end the year. That’s my theory.

The Holiday Season is about being thankful for all that we have; family, good health, good food, and good friends. Enjoy and Good Cheer!!

 

Teresa L. Watts

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