Free Black Americans
Portraits and letters that illustrate the lives of free Black Americans in New York City.
Life Story: Dolley Madison
The story of the woman who established the role of First Lady.
Growing Frustration
A woman speaks out about women’s exclusion from Federal era voting rights expansions.
Reaffirming Coverture
Excerpt from the Massachusetts Supreme Court decision that cemented coverture in the new nation.
Republican Motherhood
Republican Motherhood Mrs. Robert Bolton (Anne Jay, 1793-1859) and Children, Robert and Anne William Etty (artist), Mrs. Robert Bolton (Anne Jay, 1793-1859) and Children, Robert and Anne, 1818. New-York Historical Society, Bequest of Reginald Pelham Bolton. Document Text Summary The ladies resorted in the afternoon to a large and delightful bower, erected for them, on Pepper’s Hill, upon the bank of the Thames, where one of the Ladies, inspired with the rest by the festive and joyful occasion, made an elegant address to her associates. The following is an extract: The ladies went together to a shady spot away from the men, and one woman gave the following speech: “In every age of the world the conduct of females has had a conspicuous effect on society. Among
Abolition Loopholes
A 40-year indenture contract that demonstrates how enslavers circumvented abolition laws in “free” states.
On the Capabilities of Women
Two documents that illustrate how the debate over women’s capacity for political engagement changed over the course of the Federal period.
Federalist v. Anti-Federalist
Mercy Otis Warren and Judith Sargent Murray weigh in on the biggest political debate of the Federal period.
