Hey, so I know no one care, but in honor of womens history month, I think I should mention my favorite woman in Connecticut during the Revolutionary Era, Anna Keyes (or Anna Knowlton/Anna Keyes Knowlton).
She was born on September 1st, 1742/43 in Ashford, Connecticut, British America. She was the oldest of twelve children in a middle class family.
On April 5th, 1759, a 15 or 16 year old Anna married a 18 year old Thomas Knowlton.
In 1760, Frederick Knowlton was born while Anna was taking care of their 400 acre farm, which she and Thomas had brought a year before.
From 1763 to 1772, Anna and Thomas had 6 of their 9 children, Salley, Thomas, etc. One of there children Anna (I) died in 1772 at a year old.
In 1773, Thomas became a select man at the unusually young age of 32 or 33. This same year, Anna had Anna (II).
In 1775, Thomas went back to war leaving Anna with 7 children and a 400 acre farm ro maintain and keep alive.
Soon, in 1776, Frederick, at the age of 16, ran off to join his father in the army.
On September 16th, Thomas Knowlton was shot and killed at the Battle of Harlem Heights. He was buried with military honors near the battlefield. Frederick was sent home by George Washington to take care of his siblings and Anna.
At the time of Thomas's death, Anna was about 5-7 months pregnant with their final child, Lucinda.
On November 5th, 1776, 5 days before giving birth to Lucinda, Anna appear in court to fight to become administratrix of the Knowlton Estate. She won and got 1,000 pounds to take care of the farm.
In 1777, Sampson Knowlton, Anna's youngest son, died at 7 years of age.
Between the years of 1776–abt. 1785, Anna paid Thomas's debts, she paid for taxes, and she paid for this Thomas lost.
On January 9th, 1778/9, Anna went to court and fought for custody over her daughters, Anna and Lucinda Knowlton. She won once more and got 800 pounds to take care of her children.
Anna maintained her 400 acre farm with no help and was completely against slavery so she used paid labor instead.
In 1801, Anna's mother, Abigail Brooks, died in Ashford, Connecticut.
In 1805, Lucinda, Annas youngest, died without a husband or child at 28 or 29.
In 1805/6, her father, Sampson Keyes, passed.
On May 22nd, 1808, at the age of 64 or 65, Anna died on her farm in Ashford, Connecticut. She likely died from natural causes. She outlived her husband by 32 (thats what is cited in most books and websites but its actually 31) years and remained a widow and feme sole.
She was a feme sole, this mean she could legally vote but it wouldn't be under her name, this means their would be no record of her voting if she even did. That means she could he one of the first women in America history to vote.
You can find her final resting place in Snow Cemetery, Ashford, Connecticut. Her headstone says:
"This monument is erected in memory of Col. Thomas Knowlton & his wife. The Brave Col. in Defence of his country fell in Battle Sept. 16th 1776 at Harlem Heights Island of new York. AE 36 years.
Mrs Anna, the Amiable consort of Col. Knowlton died May 22nd 1808, AE 64, and is buried beneath this monument.
Remember friends God did us part,
Receive it with a thankful heart."
It unknown if she asked to have the "remember friends" line on her headstone or not. Her headstone was made into Lt. Col. Knowlton's memorials...
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