Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky
The vast American frontier, a landscape of untamed wilderness and boundless opportunity, drew countless individuals westward in search of new lives. While the stories of male pioneers often dominate historical narratives, the contributions of women were equally essential to the survival and development of these nascent communities. These were not passive observers, but active participants who demonstrated remarkable courage, resilience, and resourcefulness in the face of hardship and danger. In 1877, William Worthington Fowler captured the essence of these remarkable women in "Woman On The American Frontier: A Valuable And Authentic History," highlighting their multifaceted roles as soldiers, laborers, and caregivers. This article delves into the lives of three such Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky, each representing a distinct facet of the pioneer experience.
Fowler observed that if these courageous women had kept diaries, they would have revealed a world of immense hardship and suffering. These women often acted as self-sacrificing mothers, tender and devoted wives, benevolent matrons, and heroines who did not flinch in the face of battle. However, unnumbered thousands of them lived strenuous and brave lives far from the scenes of civilization and then went to their graves. Only a few have had their memories embalmed, and even fewer left diaries containing a record of their lives.
The unique perspective of women in frontier life is invaluable. More sensitive to the nuances of their environment, they possessed a particular ability to capture the essence of their experiences. Their diaries, therefore, offer a compelling blend of historical accuracy and personal insight, illuminating the challenges and triumphs of life on the edge of civilization. Let us explore the lives of Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky.
Mrs. Williamson of Pennsylvania: A Captive’s Courage
The diary of Mrs. Williamson, written in the distinctive style of the era, chronicles her extraordinary experiences in the Pennsylvania wilderness. Her story unfolds in stages, beginning with her role as a devoted daughter, assisting her father in establishing a home on the frontier after her mother’s death. She displays unwavering resolve in enduring the many trials of pioneer life, caring for her aging father until his death. She then takes on the role of wife and mother, working alongside her husband and raising their sons. Her life is then dramatically altered when her husband is brutally murdered by Native Americans, leaving her a widow.
Even after her sons established their own homes, Mrs. Williamson remained on the frontier, demonstrating remarkable independence and self-reliance. A true frontierswoman, she continued to cultivate her land with the help of two Black men. However, her life took another dramatic turn when her home was attacked by a band of Native Americans. Displaying incredible bravery, she defended her home with such ferocity that her attackers, impressed by her courage, spared her life and adopted her into their tribe. This tale is about one of the Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky
Forsaking any sign of her own reluctance, she feigned contentment and accompanied them on their raids. While with them, she was able to save lives and relieve the suffering of other captives.
Her account of her escape, preserved in her own words, reveals the depth of her courage and determination. She recounts how, one night, noticing her captors asleep, she cautiously tested their alertness before embarking on her daring escape. Aware of the risks, she attempted to secure a weapon but was unsuccessful. Despite being naked and defenseless, she resolved to flee, trusting in divine protection.
Her journey was fraught with peril. She describes her fear and anxiety, pausing every few steps, fearful of discovery. She hid in a hollow tree and a canebrake, constantly alert to danger. On the third day, she encountered two armed Native Americans, forcing her to conceal herself until nightfall. On the fourth night, she stumbled upon a group of Native Americans around a fire, sending them fleeing into the woods. She eventually reached the house of John Bell, exhausted, injured, and terrified, but free. This section is about Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky.
Mrs. Daviess of Kentucky: A Mother’s Defiance
Mrs. Daviess, a contemporary of Mrs. Williamson, was another embodiment of frontier heroism. Possessing both physical strength and feminine grace, she displayed remarkable composure and resourcefulness in the face of constant danger. Her husband, Samuel Daviess, was an early settler in Lincoln County, Kentucky.
In August 1782, an attack on the Daviess home tested Mrs. Daviess’s mettle. While her husband escaped to alert his brother, she and her seven children were captured by a group of Native Americans. Realizing that time was of the essence, she deliberately delayed the Native Americans by prolonging the dressing process and engaging them in conversation about the clothing.
When one of the Native Americans returned, claiming to have killed her husband, Mrs. Daviess quickly discerned the deception. As they marched into the wilderness, she noticed that the Native Americans were intending to kill the children, so she instructed her older sons to carry the younger ones on their backs. The Native Americans, keen to hide their trail, forced their captives to avoid breaking any twigs or weeds. In this dangerous situation, Mrs. Daviess plotted to kill the Native Americans at night, knowing that if they were attacked in the dark, they would flee. This section is about one of the Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky.
Fortunately, Mr. Daviess and his companions were able to pursue the Native Americans and overtook them. During the pursuit, one of the Native Americans was able to knock down and scalp Mrs. Daviess’s oldest son. The Native Americans became alarmed and confused, and Mrs. Daviess jumped into a sinkhole with her infant in her arms. In the confusion, the Native Americans fled, and every child was saved.
On another occasion, when her husband and his neighbors were pursuing a thief, Mrs. Daviess was left alone with her children when the suspected thief came to her home. After inviting him in, she picked up his gun and forced him to sit down until her husband and the other men returned.
These instances highlight Mrs. Daviess’s extraordinary courage and her pivotal role in protecting her family and community. She was renowned throughout the frontier settlements for her bravery, quick thinking, and ability to outwit her adversaries.
Mrs. Elizabeth Estaugh of Pennsylvania: A Quaker’s Benevolence
In contrast to the perilous lives of Mrs. Williamson and Mrs. Daviess, Mrs. Elizabeth Estaugh represents a different facet of frontier life – that of gentle benevolence and unwavering faith. Born into a wealthy Quaker family in London, Elizabeth Haddon displayed a strong sense of purpose and a deep desire to serve others. Inspired by William Penn’s accounts of Pennsylvania, she longed to emigrate and contribute to the Quaker community in the New World. She begged her parents to allow her to move there and eventually they gave her their blessing.
In the spring of 1700, she set sail, accompanied by a widow who served as her friend and housekeeper and two trusted men-servants.
Upon arriving in New Jersey, she established a home in a remote clearing and immediately set about improving the lives of her neighbors. She was quick to learn how to farm and what crops grew best on her land. She also became a skilled healer, learning about medicine from the Native Americans. This section is about one of the Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky.
She also made her home a refuge for travelers and those in need, and her kindness and generosity earned her the respect and affection of the surrounding community, including the local Native Americans.
One winter evening, John Estaugh, a Quaker preacher, arrived at her home. She remembered being deeply impressed by his preaching years earlier in London. That evening, a snowstorm made the roads impassable. Elizabeth and John worked together to clear the roads and provide food and medicine to those in need.
The next day, they attended a meeting at Newtown, and John Estaugh spoke words that sank into the hearts of his hearers. Elizabeth listened to the preacher with meek attention, and the impression made by the young preacher seemed to open a new window in her soul.
In May, John Estaugh stopped at her house again while on his way to the quarterly meeting at Salem. As they were riding to the meeting, Elizabeth told John that she felt that the Lord had sent him to her as a partner for life. John was surprised but said that he would consider it. This section is about one of the Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky.
When John Estaugh returned to England in July, he told her that he would return to her soon if it was the Lord’s will. He returned to America in September, and they were married at Newtown Meeting.
Elizabeth and John Estaugh shared a long and happy marriage, marked by mutual respect, devotion, and a shared commitment to serving others. She crossed the Atlantic three times to visit her parents, and he often left her to preach abroad.
Elizabeth survived her husband by twenty years. She continued to be useful and honored to the last. She left behind a legacy of kindness, compassion, and unwavering faith.
These three women, Mrs. Williamson, Mrs. Daviess, and Mrs. Elizabeth Estaugh, offer a glimpse into the diverse experiences of Some Remarkable Women in Pennsylvania & Kentucky. Their stories serve as a testament to the courage, resilience, and enduring spirit of the women who helped shape the American frontier. They stand as enduring examples of the vital role women played in the development of this nation, often in the face of unimaginable hardship and adversity.