~ UNDER CONSTRUCTION ~

American Association of University Women, New Jersey Division; Ladies at the Crossroads, Eighteenth-Century Women of New Jersey, Morristown, NJ, 1978.

While most books written about 18th century people deal primarily with the men, their heroics along with their trials and tribulations, this book looks at that time from a woman's point of view. My opinion is that the book is a must read. Here are some of the highlights from the book.

Role of Women

• production of clothing, soap, candles
• keeping vegetable gardens and tending domestic animals
• care of house and preparation of food
• as wife, she was helpmate, as mother she bore many children (perhaps one for every 2 yrs of fertility during married life)
• death in childbirth may have been as high as 1 in 10
• legally subordinate to husband and father
• "The common law during the 18th century  was kinder to widows and spinsters than married women, since they could enjoy most of the personal and property rights of free men."
• expected to care for sick or injured. Taught by mother how to provide care for various sicknesses and to deliver babies
• trained to handle weapons in defense of themselves and their families

It appears the New Jersey was ahead of its time in regards to women's rights. In NJ they were the first to be given the vote. Due to the phrasing of the New Jersey Constitution, drafted in 1776, women were given the right to vote.

. . . all inhabitants of this Colony, of full age, who are worth fifty pounds proclamation money, clear estate in the same, and have resided within the county in which they claim a vote for twelve months immediately preceding the election, shall be entitled to vote for Representatives in Council and Assembly; and also for all other public officers that shall be elected by the people of the county at large.

Have no fear, the "error" was "rectified." In 1807 a bill was passed that disenfranchised all classes of voters whose rights were doubtful. In 1875 black men were given the right to vote, but it was not until the Constitution was amended in 1920 that women regained the right to vote.

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