During the Revolutionary War, women in Newburyport played essential and often underrecognized roles in supporting the cause—or, in some cases, resisting it. As men marched off to war, their contributions spanned military encampments, home-front industry, and even Loyalist dissent.

Traditional sewing circles took on revolutionary significance, becoming spaces of political action. Clothing the troops became a tangible form of resistance. A manuscript dated August 10, 1775—titled “Sundry persons bills for making cloth for the army”—documents the work of 14 Newburyport women and one man in producing breeches and shirts for soldiers. Among those named are Sarah Moody, Ann Bradish, Mary Fowler, Judith Stickney, and Hannah Somerby. Each was individually compensated, their labor both patriotic and professional. These contributions were crucial to outfitting the Continental Army at a time when every resource was scarce.

The legacy of these women is preserved by organizations like the Old Newbury Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, named for Brigadier General James Brickett of Newbury. These Daughters of Liberty counted 300 members in Massachusetts by early 1770, including in Byfield, Newbury, Newburyport Rowley, and Salisbury.

However, not all women in Newburyport sided with the Revolution. The story of Sarah Atkins, a Loyalist woman, adds complexity to the narrative. A committed Loyalist, Atkins remained vocal in her support for the Crown even as tensions grew in her community. As revolutionary sentiment swept through Newburyport, her home was targeted and eventually destroyed by an angry mob. Atkins was forced to flee, leaving behind her belongings and social standing. Her experience reflects the deep divisions the war created—not just between colonies and Britain, but among neighbors, friends, and families. Loyalist women like Sarah Atkins endured threats, violence, and exile, revealing the very real personal costs of political allegiance during the Revolution.

As the conflict grew in scope and scale, a key aspect of women’s involvement was their presence in military camps. By 1777, at least 2,000 “camp followers,” including women and children, traveled with the Continental Army. Many followed husbands or sons; others came seeking safety or employment. These women served as laundresses, cooks, and nurses, offering indispensable labor under grueling conditions. Their work, while often marginalized or overlooked, was vital to sustaining the army’s daily functions and morale.

The women of Newburyport—Patriots and Loyalists alike—embodied the complexity of the Revolutionary era. Whether supporting the Continental Army through labor and care, or holding firm to Loyalist convictions in the face of persecution, their choices and sacrifices shaped the town’s experience of the war. These stories remind us that the Revolution was not only a battlefield conflict but also a deeply personal, often painful transformation that reshaped communities and defined the lives of women on both sides.