Elizabeth F. Ellet

Name: The Women of the American Revolution — Sarah Reeve Gibbes, Mary Anna Gibbes
Author: Elizabeth F. Ellet

The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

Summary

“The Women of the American Revolution — Sarah Reeve Gibbes, Mary Anna Gibbes”, published in 1849, is a work by Elizabeth F. Ellet. It explores elements such as Gibbes, South Carolina and Savannah.

Quotes from The Women of the American Revolution… (Elizabeth F. Ellet)

Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

“ It was doubtless the fame of the luxurious living at this delightful country-seat-which attracted the attention of the British during the invasion of Prevost, while the royal army kept possession of the seaboard. A battalion of British and- Hessians, determined to quarter themselves in so desirable a spot, arrived at the landing at the dead of night, and marching up in silence, surrounded the house. The day had not yet begun to dawn, when an aged and faithful servant tapped softly at the door of Mrs. Gibbes' apartment. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

“ At the period of the Revolution this mansion was well known throughout the country as the seat of hospitality and elegant taste. Its owner, Robert Gibbes, was a man of cultivated mind and refined manners--one of those gentlemen of the old school, of whom South Carolina has justly made her boast. Early in life he became a martyr to the gout, by which painful disease his hands and feet were so contracted and crippled that he was deprived of their use. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

“ All these arrangements were made without the least confusion, and so silently, that the British had no idea anyone was yet awake within the house. The object of Mrs. Gibbes was to prevent violence on the enemy's part, by showing them at once that the mansion was inhabited only by those who were unable to defend themselves. The impressive manner in which this was done produced its effect. The invaders had no knowledge that the inmates were aware of their presence, till daylight, when they heard the heavy rolling of Mr. Gibbes' chair across the great hall towards the front door. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

“ Gibbes sent her servants to search among the slain left upon the battle-ground, for Robert Barnwell, her nephew, who had not returned. They discovered him by part of his dress, which one of the blacks remembered having seen his mother making. His face was so covered with wounds, dust and blood, that he could not be recognised. Yet life was not extinct; and under the unremitting care of his aunt and her young daughter, he recovered. His son, Robert W. Barnwell, was for some years president of the South Carolina College. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

“ Sir Henry Clinton determined to make the South his most important field of operations for the future, and planned the campaign of 1780 on an extensive scale. He arrived in Georgia late in January, and early in the succeeding month left Savannah for the siege of Charleston, then defended by General Lincoln. The fleet of Arbuthnot was anchored in the harbor, and the British overran the country on the left side of the Cooper river. The surrender of Charleston on the twelfth of May, seemed to secure the recovery of the southern section of the Union ”

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Source: Wikisource

Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

“ The soldiers roved at their pleasure about the plantation, helping themselves to whatever they chose; breaking into the wine room, drinking to intoxication, and seizing upon' and carrying off the negroes. A large portion of the plate was saved by the provident care of a faithful servant, who secretly buried it. Within the mansion, the energy and self-possession of Mrs. Gibbes still protected her family. The appearance of terror or confusion might have tempted the invaders to incivility ”

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Source: Wikisource

Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

“ Gibbes; and the fact that the house was not fired upon, is attested by a near relative now living. The house never bore any marks of shot; though balls and grape-shot have been often found on the plantation. ”

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Source: Wikisource

Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution… (1849)

“ Two other children-one her nephew, Robert Barnwell, were added to her charge. The multiplied cares involved in meeting all these responsibilities, with the superintendence of household concerns, required a rare degree of energy and activity ”

Elizabeth F. Ellet

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