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Women of the American Revolution
This diverse collection of profiles on women who had an impact on the revolution offers a rare window into the female experience of the burgeoning nation.
Women of the American Revolution explores the trials of war and daily life for women in the United States during the War of Independence. Many names will be familiar, such as Martha Washington who traveled to winter camps to care for her husband and rally the troops, and Abigail Adams who ran the family’s farms and raised children during John’s long absences. Others are forgotten legends, like the mysterious spy Agent 355, or sixteen-year-old Sybil Ludington, who was said to make an all-night ride to rally American forces.
Not all American women served the side of the revolutionaries. Peggy Shippen gambled on the loyalist side and paid severe consequences. From early historian Mercy Otis Warren to Dolley Madison, who defined what it means to be an American First Lady, women of the American Revolution strived to do more than they had previously thought possible during a time of hardship and civil war.
Women of the American Revolution explores the trials of war and daily life for women in the United States during the War of Independence. Many names will be familiar, such as Martha Washington who traveled to winter camps to care for her husband and rally the troops, and Abigail Adams who ran the family’s farms and raised children during John’s long absences. Others are forgotten legends, like the mysterious spy Agent 355, or sixteen-year-old Sybil Ludington, who was said to make an all-night ride to rally American forces.
Not all American women served the side of the revolutionaries. Peggy Shippen gambled on the loyalist side and paid severe consequences. From early historian Mercy Otis Warren to Dolley Madison, who defined what it means to be an American First Lady, women of the American Revolution strived to do more than they had previously thought possible during a time of hardship and civil war.
205 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 20, 2022
36 people are currently reading
133 people want to read
About the author
Samantha Wilcoxson
20 books420 followersWriter, history enthusiast, and sufferer of wanderlust, Samantha strives to reveal the deep emotions and motivations of historical figures, enabling readers to connect with them in a unique way. She can frequently be found lakeside with a book in one hand and glass of wine in the other.
New Release: James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution, published by Pen & Sword History
WIP: Wars of the Roses trilogy, published by Sapere Books
New Release: James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution, published by Pen & Sword History
WIP: Wars of the Roses trilogy, published by Sapere Books
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
June 25, 2024
This is an entertaining, well-written, informative, non-fiction account of popular and lesser known Revolutionary War historical figures. It recognizes the contributions of these brave women, and offers insight into their fascinating lives. I listened to the audio book, and the narrator, Ms. Kim Niemi, has a lovely voice and does an excellent job narrating this book.
December 23, 2022
I don't usually sit down with a non-fiction book expecting to love it. I read non-fiction primarily for research rather than for enjoyment. I shouldn't have been surprised, however, when this book slipped into my subconscience, its stories swirling in my mind when I wasn't reading it and leaving behind traces of its warmth. Samantha Wilcoxson's writing usually does this, and I can only think that her background in writing biographical fiction honed her pen for these very tendencies.
Each chapter highlights a well-known woman we know because of her husband, but the focus is less about her story parallel to her husband than the woman’s own story - what can be known about her personal thoughts, feelings, fears, and sufferings as it related to her children, her home, her personal desires and dreams. There are great reminders for modern audiences about just how precarious their lives were when we study them from our warm, comfortable modern homes. This book brought to the forefront their fears when contemplating the coming of an invading army, when losing an infant to a common sickness, or facing any number of the other devastating circumstances inevitably faced by households of that day.
One thing I appreciate the most about this book is that the writing is based on facts with little conjecture about what is not certain or documented. Where facts or history is missing, Wilcoxson offers plausible scenarios without making guesses and stating those guesses as unequivocal fact. This makes her writing stand out from other historians who want to put their own stamp on history.
I know the author is working on another piece of non-fiction, and I will be first in line to get my hands on a copy.
Each chapter highlights a well-known woman we know because of her husband, but the focus is less about her story parallel to her husband than the woman’s own story - what can be known about her personal thoughts, feelings, fears, and sufferings as it related to her children, her home, her personal desires and dreams. There are great reminders for modern audiences about just how precarious their lives were when we study them from our warm, comfortable modern homes. This book brought to the forefront their fears when contemplating the coming of an invading army, when losing an infant to a common sickness, or facing any number of the other devastating circumstances inevitably faced by households of that day.
One thing I appreciate the most about this book is that the writing is based on facts with little conjecture about what is not certain or documented. Where facts or history is missing, Wilcoxson offers plausible scenarios without making guesses and stating those guesses as unequivocal fact. This makes her writing stand out from other historians who want to put their own stamp on history.
I know the author is working on another piece of non-fiction, and I will be first in line to get my hands on a copy.
March 11, 2025
I enjoyed this nonfiction account of Revolutionary times through the eyes of a few women of that era, some you've heard of, some you probably haven't.
As an avid enthusiast and researcher of these moments in American history, I enjoyed the straightforward writing style of the author in giving each of these women their moment in the spotlight.
While I didn't fully agree with her leanings at times, I appreciate the way in which she brought well-known facts and little-known facts alongside each other in this telling.
Highly recommend for those wanting to dip their toes into Revolutionary stories (some factual, some speculation) without committing to several lengthy tomes to gather the same information.
The audiobook is also highly recommended.
As an avid enthusiast and researcher of these moments in American history, I enjoyed the straightforward writing style of the author in giving each of these women their moment in the spotlight.
While I didn't fully agree with her leanings at times, I appreciate the way in which she brought well-known facts and little-known facts alongside each other in this telling.
Highly recommend for those wanting to dip their toes into Revolutionary stories (some factual, some speculation) without committing to several lengthy tomes to gather the same information.
The audiobook is also highly recommended.
February 24, 2023
The Founding Fathers knew full well, but rarely admitted, how much of their success they owed to the women in their lives. Most of them could never have done what they did without them.
As the author asks in her excellent summary, would George Washington have been great without Martha? We can certainly say that John Adams would have failed early on without Abigail.
The women of the founding generation often knew better than the men what the country needed and stepped up to provide it or be an example of it. But their stories have stayed too long in the shadow of the men.
This book unearths the tales of these women—the ones you’ve heard of and some you haven’t. Each story is brilliantly told and well-researched. It is great and necessary history.
Highly recommended.
As the author asks in her excellent summary, would George Washington have been great without Martha? We can certainly say that John Adams would have failed early on without Abigail.
The women of the founding generation often knew better than the men what the country needed and stepped up to provide it or be an example of it. But their stories have stayed too long in the shadow of the men.
This book unearths the tales of these women—the ones you’ve heard of and some you haven’t. Each story is brilliantly told and well-researched. It is great and necessary history.
Highly recommended.
November 7, 2022
Women of the American Revolution is a cool look at women who made a difference during the American Revolution. I'll admit that at first, I thought I wouldn't walk away from this book thinking it was any different from all the other books on women in the American Revolution that are out there, but I was really impressed! I love being put in my place like this! Agent 355 is a woman whose story especially stood out to me, and I agree with the other reviewers that I think she was real. (I at least hope that she was!). Samantha Wilcoxson handles the subject matter with love, and it's clear that she cares about the women whose stories she tells. I recommend this book, especially for people who like learning about history of the unsung!
September 21, 2025
An excellent survey of several women involved, in one way or another, in the events of the American Revolution. Patriot, Loyalist, or someone in between, these women had their fingers on the pulse of events, whatever the supposed views and restrictions upon them. A very well-put-together book, and a great read.
March 10, 2023
Women of the American Revolution is a book it would never have occurred to me to pick up if I'd not heard of it through the Historical Writers Forum on Facebook. The author, Samantha Wilcoxson, mentioned that it had just come out on audiobook.
I like audiobook as it adds to the amount of time I can spend reading for enjoyment. I can listen while out for a walk, driving to the supermarket or doing housework. I'm often prepared to try something different when it's an audiobook and occasionally, as in this case, I discover a real gem.
My lack of knowledge about the American Revolution is nothing short of embarrassing. I could give you a cautious summary of the political situation in England which led to it but the closest I've come to knowing anything more about it when when I read the Outlander series a few years back and I've given up on that now. I can remember watching the Patriot many years ago but I wouldn't expect to get any actual history from that and it wasn't even a good film.
It has frequently occurred to me that I should learn more, especially as I have some ideas about writing the war of 1812 later on and could do with some background. This book felt like a good start. I began listening to it casually while cleaning the bathroom and ended up doing very little else until I got to the end. The house is surprisingly clean and the book was great.
Samantha Wilcoxson has chosen to explore the years of the American Revolution through the eyes of the women involved. Using their letters, diaries and a variety of secondary sources, she devotes each chapter to a different woman and examines the effects of war on their daily lives.
When writing about the women of past eras, the source material is often far less than is available for men. Women were probably given little choice in the side they took as it was assumed they would share their menfolk's loyalties. They experienced hardship and tragedy without being able to control the course of events. They lost husbands and children and other family members. They suffered and grieved.
All these aspects of eighteenth century social history are fully explored in this book, but there is a lot more besides. Samantha Wilcoxson's straightforward writing style makes the book an enjoyable read and the narrator makes a good job of the audiobook. The author is also a popular writer of historical fiction which may explain the excellent pace and narrative style. I loved her genuine warmth for her subjects. The personality of each woman steps out of the pages in all their flawed humanity.
The author also handles the historiography of the period very well. She shows no particular bias for women on either side of the conflict and she is particularly good at weighing up some of the myths of the era, looking at how much is likely to be true and at why and how such stories developed.
I came away from this book with a genuine enthusiasm to learn more about this period and with a desire to read more of Samantha Wilcoxson's books. She is a lovely writer with the ability to make her subjects feel like real people, even within the constraints of a single chapter. I'd like to see what she can do when she has a whole book to play with.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book and highly recommended.
I like audiobook as it adds to the amount of time I can spend reading for enjoyment. I can listen while out for a walk, driving to the supermarket or doing housework. I'm often prepared to try something different when it's an audiobook and occasionally, as in this case, I discover a real gem.
My lack of knowledge about the American Revolution is nothing short of embarrassing. I could give you a cautious summary of the political situation in England which led to it but the closest I've come to knowing anything more about it when when I read the Outlander series a few years back and I've given up on that now. I can remember watching the Patriot many years ago but I wouldn't expect to get any actual history from that and it wasn't even a good film.
It has frequently occurred to me that I should learn more, especially as I have some ideas about writing the war of 1812 later on and could do with some background. This book felt like a good start. I began listening to it casually while cleaning the bathroom and ended up doing very little else until I got to the end. The house is surprisingly clean and the book was great.
Samantha Wilcoxson has chosen to explore the years of the American Revolution through the eyes of the women involved. Using their letters, diaries and a variety of secondary sources, she devotes each chapter to a different woman and examines the effects of war on their daily lives.
When writing about the women of past eras, the source material is often far less than is available for men. Women were probably given little choice in the side they took as it was assumed they would share their menfolk's loyalties. They experienced hardship and tragedy without being able to control the course of events. They lost husbands and children and other family members. They suffered and grieved.
All these aspects of eighteenth century social history are fully explored in this book, but there is a lot more besides. Samantha Wilcoxson's straightforward writing style makes the book an enjoyable read and the narrator makes a good job of the audiobook. The author is also a popular writer of historical fiction which may explain the excellent pace and narrative style. I loved her genuine warmth for her subjects. The personality of each woman steps out of the pages in all their flawed humanity.
The author also handles the historiography of the period very well. She shows no particular bias for women on either side of the conflict and she is particularly good at weighing up some of the myths of the era, looking at how much is likely to be true and at why and how such stories developed.
I came away from this book with a genuine enthusiasm to learn more about this period and with a desire to read more of Samantha Wilcoxson's books. She is a lovely writer with the ability to make her subjects feel like real people, even within the constraints of a single chapter. I'd like to see what she can do when she has a whole book to play with.
This is a thoroughly enjoyable book and highly recommended.
April 25, 2023
I have read a few of Samantha Wilcoxson's novels before and really enjoyed them, my favourite being 'But One Life' about Nathan Hale whose story also sits in the period centred around the American Revolution. I absolutely adored Nathan, so when I saw that this author had written a non-fiction book about the women of the revolution, I was very keen to read it.
A period totally different from my usual era of interest, I have come recently to be intrigued about this fascinating time in American history. Being a Brit, myself, and somewhat of a rebel, I was eager to learn the stories of the women whose lives became entangled in the revolution in some way.
There are eight women with their own chapters, all but one of whom I knew nothing about. I had recently watched the TV series John Adams, and met Abigail Adams who said the famous line, 'remember the ladies'. She is still one of my favourites, alongside Peggy Arnold, and Eliza Hamilton. But I was totally absorbed by all of these ladies. The extensive research Ms Wilcoxson applies to her narrative is one of absolute dedication. Her writing is infused with the enthusiasm with which she attends to each chapter, never once sidelining the women for the sake of their men.
Deborah Sampson is also one that stands out for me, her life as a soldier in the American army is a fascinating insight into what it was like for the men fighting for their country in such dire circumstances and terrible conditions. Wilcoxson's talent in drawing the reader into the lives and experiences of these women, their trials and tribulations, their endurances and the strength with which most of them prevailed throughout the years of the wars, is second to none. She asks questions, and exhorts the reader to think about how this and that must have felt to these women, whose battle to keep themselves and their children safe and alive was in someways every bit as difficult and dangerous. Starvation, loss, degradation, and terror, are starkly put before us in no uncertain terms. These were not weak and feeble women, and the author makes sure we are clear of it.
The author utilises diaries and letters and other resources to create a clear chronological narrative for each women. It is almost as though she had been there with them, going through their lives at every turn, twist, and moment. I have previously been capitivated by the manner in which she presents people of the past, and she somehow manages to apply her keen sense of duty to the people of the past by writing an acurate portrayal of people's lives in the most unbiased and balanced way.
It is no surprise that I am looking forward to her next book about Alexander Hamilton's son James, and I can honestly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of America, especially through the eyes of their women.
A period totally different from my usual era of interest, I have come recently to be intrigued about this fascinating time in American history. Being a Brit, myself, and somewhat of a rebel, I was eager to learn the stories of the women whose lives became entangled in the revolution in some way.
There are eight women with their own chapters, all but one of whom I knew nothing about. I had recently watched the TV series John Adams, and met Abigail Adams who said the famous line, 'remember the ladies'. She is still one of my favourites, alongside Peggy Arnold, and Eliza Hamilton. But I was totally absorbed by all of these ladies. The extensive research Ms Wilcoxson applies to her narrative is one of absolute dedication. Her writing is infused with the enthusiasm with which she attends to each chapter, never once sidelining the women for the sake of their men.
Deborah Sampson is also one that stands out for me, her life as a soldier in the American army is a fascinating insight into what it was like for the men fighting for their country in such dire circumstances and terrible conditions. Wilcoxson's talent in drawing the reader into the lives and experiences of these women, their trials and tribulations, their endurances and the strength with which most of them prevailed throughout the years of the wars, is second to none. She asks questions, and exhorts the reader to think about how this and that must have felt to these women, whose battle to keep themselves and their children safe and alive was in someways every bit as difficult and dangerous. Starvation, loss, degradation, and terror, are starkly put before us in no uncertain terms. These were not weak and feeble women, and the author makes sure we are clear of it.
The author utilises diaries and letters and other resources to create a clear chronological narrative for each women. It is almost as though she had been there with them, going through their lives at every turn, twist, and moment. I have previously been capitivated by the manner in which she presents people of the past, and she somehow manages to apply her keen sense of duty to the people of the past by writing an acurate portrayal of people's lives in the most unbiased and balanced way.
It is no surprise that I am looking forward to her next book about Alexander Hamilton's son James, and I can honestly recommend this book to anyone interested in the history of America, especially through the eyes of their women.
October 12, 2022
Samantha Wilcoxson's elegant and flowing prose makes these courageous American women come to life. They include the well-known ones like stoic Abigail Adams, altruistic Elizabeth Hamilton and vivacious Dolley Madison, who transformed the position of First Lady. There are also the mythical women, such as Agent 355. Wilcoxson also covers the famous traitor Peggy Arnold, and her devious plans and strange relationship with Captain Andre. Most of these women led quite tragic lives, having to endure the deaths of husbands and children. Often they also had fierce political rivalries and scandals to contend with, as well.
Anyone who is interested in American history will enjoy this entertaining book. I especially enjoyed reading about Dolley Madison, who threw off her Quaker heritage, to dress in the latest French fashions, and become a society lady.
I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781399001007
PRICE £20.00 (GBP)
Anyone who is interested in American history will enjoy this entertaining book. I especially enjoyed reading about Dolley Madison, who threw off her Quaker heritage, to dress in the latest French fashions, and become a society lady.
I received this free ebook from NetGalley in return for an honest review.
EDITION Hardcover
ISBN 9781399001007
PRICE £20.00 (GBP)
September 6, 2025
“Remember the ladies.” That’s what Abigail Adams, First Lady (1797-1801), said. After reading this, how could I? While history books are ripe with what our American forefathers did, these books lean to putting women in the footnotes. Not this author in this book. It is the story of the women who shaped our country, some who were on the British side, some on the American side, and even a spy! Through historical records and their own letters, these women tell their stories through the author’s pen. I come away, having read this book, with a greater understanding of this era and with a keen awareness for the contributions by these woman. They were wives, mothers, and active participants in the politics and issues facing them. It is a well-woven book that explores the context of that time with heart-felt insight.
October 3, 2022
Women of the American Revolution is a well written collection of mini biographies of women who played an important role during the American Revolution. Included in this book are the heavy hitters you would expect, like Martha Washington, Peggy Shippen, and Dolly Madison, but the author also gives us a glimpse at who the elusive Agent 355 could be, and a collection of women who disguised themselves as men in order to fight for independence.
This book was a quick read, none of the chapters went into much detail on these extraordinary women, but if you are looking for an introduction to women of the era, this would be a fantastic starting place.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This book was a quick read, none of the chapters went into much detail on these extraordinary women, but if you are looking for an introduction to women of the era, this would be a fantastic starting place.
Thank you to NetGalley, the publishers and the author for an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.
August 27, 2025
This was a good introductory survey of famous women from the Revolution. Yet it didn’t add anything new to the scholarship. It was a series of biographies, mostly of the wives of the Founding Fathers but with a few more notable women thrown it. There wasn’t much context for the experience of women as a whole or how women of different backgrounds- whether racial or financial- interacted with the world around them. The author does note how challenging it is to find biographical accounts of Native Americans or enslaved people, but that is all she says about them and it felt like an excuse. She admitted a hole in the scholarship but instead of trying to fill it, she wrote the same book about women in the American Revolution that has been written so many times already.
May 7, 2023
Thoughtful retelling
Samantha helps shed light on the roles and influence of Revolutionary War women. These women were not afraid to influence events both directly and indirectly. Well written and researched.
Samantha helps shed light on the roles and influence of Revolutionary War women. These women were not afraid to influence events both directly and indirectly. Well written and researched.
January 23, 2024
Well researched and presented. Greatly enjoyed the stories of these women who, for good and bad, shaped the United States of America we are part of today. Learned a lot and couldn't stop sharing with others the fascinating stories I was reading.
January 24, 2024
This was a great read! I really enjoyed learning more about the women who shaped our country in the early days, during the American fight for independence. We hear and learn so much about the men, but what these women contributed is just as important.
May 20, 2024
America
This is an account of influential women who helped and watched out country become independent from Britain. It tells their background and family lifestyles.
I found this very interesting and informative.
This is an account of influential women who helped and watched out country become independent from Britain. It tells their background and family lifestyles.
I found this very interesting and informative.
August 17, 2023
Good. I learned some new information
June 3, 2024
It has interesting stories. It was just a hard read for me. It took longer then I usually take to read. Interesting, yes. Page turner , not really.
August 1, 2025
fascinating and full of information that would make a class vibrate!
October 27, 2025
Women of the American Revolution by Samantha Wilcoxson is a compelling nonfiction book that shines a light on the women who helped shape the birth of a nation. Some of these women are already well-known, while others are only now gaining the recognition they deserve.
Too often, the women of the American Revolution are mentioned only as extensions of their husbands. Wilcoxson instead focuses on their personal stories: their courage, sacrifices, and accomplishments as well as the challenges they faced when the thirteen colonies broke away from England.
My favorite chapter was the one on Peggy Shippen, the loyalist wife of Benedict Arnold, whose story adds a fascinating perspective to this turbulent period.
If you enjoyed Cokie Roberts’s Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, you’ll find Women of the American Revolution an inspiring and insightful read.
Too often, the women of the American Revolution are mentioned only as extensions of their husbands. Wilcoxson instead focuses on their personal stories: their courage, sacrifices, and accomplishments as well as the challenges they faced when the thirteen colonies broke away from England.
My favorite chapter was the one on Peggy Shippen, the loyalist wife of Benedict Arnold, whose story adds a fascinating perspective to this turbulent period.
If you enjoyed Cokie Roberts’s Founding Mothers: The Women Who Raised Our Nation, you’ll find Women of the American Revolution an inspiring and insightful read.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews