Margaret Cochran Corbin
Season 1 Episode 1 Airdate May 4, 2023
Episode’s Audio
Summary of Episode
In the beginning of the episode, we discuss women’s roles in general during the American Revolutionary War – known then as The Cause. The war was fought from 1775 – 1783. We discuss that women’s rights were not a major concern and while women played crucial parts during the war, their efforts were overlooked and rarely recorded. During the American Revolutionary War, the foundation of American Feminism was developed.
This episode pays particular attention to Margaret Cochran Corbin, a camp follower who watched her husband die and took his place loading the cannons. She was shot three times by Hessian troops, and severely wounded and paralyzed for the rest of her life. Because of the soldiers and officers she took care of at West Point, they helped spread word of her heroism and Congress awarded her a military pension. She was the first woman in the United States to receive a military pension, even though it was half of a man’s pension.
Quotes From Show
Women also created education societies. Education was largely reserved for men, some women saw the importance of education for their own empowerment and founded societies to provide education to girls and women. Judith Sargent Murray was a huge driver behind women’s education and women’s rights and consistently distributed literature about it.
Tabitha Bear, Episode 1 Margaret Cochran Corbin
Because of the amount of women that were part of the everyday routine of life in battle, it was very easy for women to act as spies, for either the Patriots or British. They would often, and easily, enter behind enemy lines, gain information about artillery, troops, and potential deployment plans, then slip back to their lives just as easily.
Tabitha Bear, Episode 1 Margaret Cochran Corbin
Margaret immediately took charge and started to load the cannon and fire. It was said, she fired with such a fatal accuracy that Hessian and British troops started to aim for her specifically because she caused quite the inconvenience to the advancement of nearby enemy troops.
Tabitha Bear, Episode 1 Margaret Cochran Corbin
Transcript
Helpful Resources
National Women’s History Museum Link
Daughters of the American Revolution Link
A Note From Us
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