The American Revolution

Roles of Women and

Native Americans

Roles Women Played

in the American Revolution
Seamstresses, Cooks, and Maids
Molly Pitchers
Spies or Messengers
Secret Soldiers
Nurses
Advocates for Womens Rights

Roles Women Played

Molly Pitchers
Molly Pitchers brought

the troops water on

the battlefield.
Mary Ludwig Hays of
New Jersey was one
who took her
husbands place firing
canons when he was
injured.

Roles Women Played

Spies or Messengers
Many women worked as

cooks and maids for the

British and American
military camps.
This allowed them to
eavesdrop on
conversations about troop
movements and military
plans.
Since the war was fought
on farms, city streets, and
front yards, it was easy to
circulate these messages.

Roles Women Played

Secret Soldiers
Although women were not allowed to join the

military, some women disguised themselves

as men by cutting their hair and adopting
masculine names.
Ann Bailey enlisted twice
after being arrested and
jailed the first time.
Deborah Sampson served
for over a year before
being caught.

Roles Native Americans Played

in the American Revolution
Fighting with the British
Fighting with the Patriots
Neutrality

Roles Native American Played

Fighting with the British
Those who fought with

the British wanted the

colonists to stop taking
their land.
Joseph Brant, a
Mohawk leader, met
with King George III
before the war and
influenced his people
to side with the British.

Roles Native Americans Played

Fighting with the Patriots
Some Native American groups, such as

Oneida and many Tuscarora, fought on the

Patriot side.
The primary reason for fighting on the Patriot
side was to maintain
relationships with
trading partners.