Women Patriots of the La Puerta de Oro-San Francisco Chapter, NSDAR

Most of us trace our ancestry and NSDAR membership to a male ancestor who served as a soldier, officer in the militia or army, served in local government on the side of the Patriots, supplied money, services or supplies to support the American Revolutionary War.  

We have all heard the stories of the famous women Patriots, like Martha Washington, Abigail Adams and Betsy Ross who have been recognized for their acts of individual Patriotism. During the American Revolutionary war we know that women were spies, provided medical help, went to the troops to supply clothing, food or even gave up their liberty and life in combat alongside their husbands. But only a few of us can trace our lineage to these well-documented and famous women.

Our sisters from the Sequoia Chaper dedicated the Liberty Tree they planted in Golden Gate Park to all the hero’s of the American Revolution, including these heroic women, “...in commemoration of the services of the Revolutionary Soldiers, Sailors, Patriots, and Heroic Women who have bequeathed to us our noble heritage.”  Planting of the Liberty Tree in Golden Gate Park, Sequoia Chapter, April 19, 1894

how to find a Heroic Woman Patriot 

Most wives of Patriots also supported the efforts in the war by providing supplies and services alongside their husbands.  During the Colonial times the Coverture laws meant that a married woman did not have separate legal existence from her husband, so while her husband was alive any property donated or taxes paid were only credited in the husband’s name.  However, there is a great opportunity for us to find a new female Patriot if her husband died during the war and the wife continued with support of the war through donation of goods or services or paid war taxes.   It takes more work to find these women in our lineage but it is worth the effort to add the names of these brave and sacrificing women to the roles of Patriots in NSDAR.