Daughters of Liberty

Daughters of Liberty: The Boycotts

Britain levied taxes on the colonists to aid in funding the war debt incurred by the Seven Years' War. For example, the Stamp Act of 1765 mandated stamps on all printed goods. The act negatively impacted influential colonists who began to take a stance against the British parliament. Colonists organized groups such as the Sons of Liberty to promote anti-parliament sentiment. Consequently, colonists boycotted British imported goods such as tea and cloth.

The Daughters of Liberty, solely composed of women, wished to show their loyalty by also boycotting British goods.

With the passing of the Townshend Acts, the Daughters of Liberty organized various events to influence colonial participation, reigniting the boycott of British goods. The group began making tea and producing fabric. To avoid buying British tea, women created their own from various plants and called it Liberty Tea. The group ultimately became domestic manufacturers of everyday items. The women initiated a particularly influential movement surrounding the creation of homemade cloth. The group organized events known as spinning bees, where groups of women competed to see who could make the finest cloth. Newspapers quickly picked up the spinning bee movement and circulated articles describing the significant events. While the women did not participate in the initial decision to boycott, they dedicated themselves to the cause. Thus, helping to provide a strong economic foundation for a successful boycott.

As seen in the excerpt above, spinning bees became an important event for women in colonial America. The spinning bees not only helped support the anti-British cause but became an event to unite women.

Daughters of Liberty: Members

Daughters of Liberty: A Timeline

Uniting Colonial Women

The Daughters of Liberty created new significance for women whose household chores had taken on new power and prestige. Social class lines became blurred with the efforts of the Daughters of Liberty. The wealthy elite and country farmers all participated in boycotting the British. The elite often refused to purchase fine cloth and linens imported by the British. The social equality created through the group spread throughout the colonies. For example, a young farm girl from Connecticut proudly stated:

The Daughters of Liberty united women throughout the colonies, and though women still did not have any rights, the movement would start the foundation for women's rights later on.

The Coffee Party

The Daughters of Liberty took matters into their own hands in 1777 and organized their version of the Boston Tea Party. Finding a wealthy merchant storing excess coffee in his warehouse, the group took the coffee and drove away. Abigail Adams wrote to John Adams recounting the event:

Daughters of Liberty: Facts

• Martha Washington was one of the most notable members of the Daughters of Liberty.

• The Daughters of Liberty had their version of the Boston Tea Party called the "coffee party," where they took the coffee from a wealthy merchant.

• Aiding in the boycotts allowed women to influence the political sphere behind the scenes.

• The group brewed tea using mint, raspberries, and other plants, calling it Liberty Tea.

• The group organized spinning bees where large groups of women competed to see who could spin the finest cloth.

Impact of the Daughters of Liberty

The Daughters of Liberty impacted colonial life and created a foundation for other women in the American Revolution. While spinning bees became popular throughout the colonies as acts of rebellion, they solidified women's influence in political affairs without direct participation. While not having the right to vote, colonial women paved a road for the future of American women. For example, controlling the household purchasing power allowed colonial women to influence political action indirectly. Ultimately, the Daughters of Liberty strongly influenced Britain's profit from imported goods. Consequently, importing British goods fell by almost half. While the group influenced political and economic outcomes, they also created unique opportunities for colonial women.

The events and boycotts organized by the group created a socially equal environment where both wealthy elite and country farmers could participate in the patriotic cause. While participation in the boycotts did not give women complete access to the political realm, it later created a foundation for women's rights.

2. Mary Norton, Liberty's Daughters: The Revolutionary Experience of American Women, 1750.

3. Hannah Griffitts, The Female Patriots, 1768.

4. Abigail Adams, "Letter to John Adams, 1777," (n.d.).