Colonial Women In Jamestown

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Today the United States of America is a mighty nation with a population of over 300 million. However, this great country of ours had very humble beginnings. As the first colonization attempts occurred, the colonists lacked many of the essential key components that would be needed to allow them to thrive in their new land of opportunity. One of these components: women! When Jamestown was first founded, the settlers thought little of their long-term sustenance and cared only for robbing the resources of the land. Consequently, this first party had not thought to bring women along. The original Jamestown colony proved to be a dismal failure. How much better could it have been if there were strong women behind these inexperienced, but adventurous …show more content…
Perhaps the earliest example of an influential colonial woman is the unsurpassed Lady Deborah Moody. After leaving her English homeland to escape religious persecution for her criticizing of the Anglican church, she put down roots in Massachusetts. She later bought a house in Salem and lived next to the infamous Reverend Hugh Peter, who had just banished the renowned Anne Hutchinson two years earlier. The New Hampshire Historical Society reported, “Given [Lady Moody’s] unconventional beliefs she could hardly have chosen a worse neighbor” (“Lady Deborah Moody - A Dangerous Woman Comes to New England”). Consequently, Lady Moody was soon called out for her beliefs and exiled from Salem. Lady Moody’s ideas definitely did not die out, however; she attracted a large following and reestablished in present-day New York. Her influence was so strong that even the notable John Winthrop once remarked about her in his journal writing: “The Ladye Moodye, a wise and anciently religious woman, being taken with the error of denying baptism to infants, was dealt withal by many of the elders and others, and admonished by the church of Salem (whereof she was a member)” (Winthrop 148). After being cast out of Massachusetts, Moody founded the town of Gravesend where she then lived until she died in 1659. The character and courage of Lady Deborah Moody prove that the role of colonial women was much more respectable than just being the kitchen maids that they were thought to be. Lady Moody is known throughout history as the only woman to start a village in early America and to be the very first woman landowner in provincial