A Woman of Business

The practice of coverture made it difficult for married women to own and operate businesses in the English colonies. Most woman-owned businesses were operated by widows who had either been fortunate enough to inherit their husband’s business or received a license from the city as a form of charitable support. The majority of women business owners ran taverns or small shops to support their families. A select few were able to grow their businesses over time and establish themselves as major players within the business community.

Mary Alexander was one of these exceptional women. She was a descendent of the wealthy Dutch DePeyster family. When she married merchant Samuel Provoost in 1711 he invited her to be an active partner in his business. When he died nine years later, he left the business to her. Mary married wealthy lawyer James Alexander within two years of Samuel’s death. James supported Mary’s work, and with his permission she continued to manage the business for the rest of her life. At the time of her death in 1760 Mary Alexander had become one of the wealthiest people in the colony. Adjusted to today’s currency, she would have been a millionaire.

In this letter we see that Mary Alexander was a savvy and tough businessperson. She oversaw both the importation of goods from around the world and the sale of those goods through her store in New York City. Her customers came from as far away as New Jersey and Albany. Mary’s business stands as a testament not just to the history of women in business, but to the wealth and prosperity of English colonial trade.

• coverture: A common law practice where women fell under the legal and economic oversight of their husbands upon marriage.
• importation: Bringing goods or services from another country for sale.
• inherit: To get money or property from a person who has died.
• merchant: A person whose business is buying and selling goods.
• tavern: A business that serves food and drink to customers.
• widow: A woman whose husband has died.