Esther de Berdt Reed facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Esther de Berdt Reed
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| First Lady of Pennsylvania | |
| In role December 1, 1778 – September 18, 1780 |
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| Governor | Joseph Reed |
| Preceded by | Elizabeth Smith Bryan |
| Succeeded by | Sarah Lloyd Moore |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October , 1746 London, England |
| Died | September 18, 1780 (aged 33) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 6; five lived to adulthood. |
Esther de Berdt Reed (born October 22, 1746 – died September 18, 1780) was an important leader during the American Revolutionary War. She served as the First Lady of Pennsylvania from 1778 to 1780. Her husband, Joseph Reed, was the president of Pennsylvania's government at that time. This role was similar to being a governor today.
Esther was very active in helping soldiers. She published a special message called Sentiments of an American Woman. In this message, she encouraged women to help the war effort. She asked them to give money and take on more public roles. With Sarah Franklin Bache, the daughter of Benjamin Franklin, Esther helped start the Ladies Association of Philadelphia. This group raised a lot of money for George Washington's troops. After her death, she was honored as a member of the Daughters of Liberty for her support of the American Revolution.
Contents
Who Was Esther de Berdt Reed?
Early Life in England
Esther de Berdt was born in London, England, in October 1746. Her parents were Dennys and Martha (Simon) de Berdt. Her family had moved to Britain in the 1500s. They were Protestant refugees from Ypres, Belgium. Her family was also involved in trade with America.
We do not know much about Esther's childhood. However, her letters show she often had poor health. In 1763, she met Joseph Reed in London. Joseph was a law student from New Jersey. Esther and Joseph kept their relationship a secret for five years. They wrote many letters to each other while Joseph was back in New Jersey. They finally married in 1770 when he returned to London.
Moving to America
After their wedding, Esther, Joseph, and Esther's widowed mother moved to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Esther helped her husband with his law practice. She managed his letters and kept his business records. The Reeds had a very successful life in Philadelphia between 1770 and 1775.
Family Life and the Revolution
Joseph Reed became a successful lawyer. He also served in the Continental Congress from 1777 to 1778. As British forces approached, the family had to leave Philadelphia for safety. Esther and Joseph had six children together. Five of their children lived to be adults. Esther took care of their children. Meanwhile, Joseph served as an important assistant to General George Washington.
A Leader for American Women
Becoming First Lady of Pennsylvania
In 1778, Joseph Reed successfully ran for president of Pennsylvania's government. This made Esther the First Lady of Pennsylvania. She took on this important role during a difficult time for the new country.
Helping Soldiers During the War
Esther wanted to do more to help the American soldiers. In 1780, she organized a big fundraising effort. This was done with the Ladies Association of Philadelphia.
The Ladies Association of Philadelphia
On June 12, 1780, Esther Reed published her famous message. It was called Sentiments of an American Woman. In this message, she asked women across the 13 American colonies to help. She urged them to make financial sacrifices. She also called for women to take a bigger role in public service. Women responded by raising over $300,000 for the Continental Army.
A Special Message for Women
Esther's husband wrote to General George Washington on June 20, 1780. He told Washington about the money the women had raised. The letter shared the Ladies' hope that the army would use the money as they wished.
Washington replied four days later. He suggested that the women use the funds to buy linen instead of giving cash. He explained that clothing was a great need. He also worried that some soldiers might not use cash wisely for their essential needs. Esther wrote back, saying she and the ladies still hoped the money could be used differently. After more letters, Esther agreed to buy linen. By the end of that summer, volunteers made more than 2,000 shirts for Washington's army. The seamstresses even sewed their names into the shirts. This showed their strong support for the troops.
Esther Reed's Lasting Legacy
Esther de Berdt Reed sadly passed away on September 18, 1780. She died from dysentery, a serious illness, shortly before her 34th birthday. Philadelphia was experiencing an outbreak of this illness at the time. Esther became sick and died within a few days.
She was first buried in a church cemetery in Philadelphia. Later, in 1868, her remains and her husband's were moved. They were reinterred at Laurel Hill Cemetery. Esther Reed is remembered as a Daughter of Liberty. She is honored for her important work and dedication to the American Revolution. Her efforts showed how much women could contribute to their country.
Interesting facts about Esther de Berdt Reed
- Despite her British upbringing, Esther became a passionate American Patriot.
- Her life was tragically short. She died during a dysentery epidemic in Philadelphia in 1780 at the young age of 33.
- On her deathbed, Esther asked to be buried in an unmarked grave in the Arch Street Presbyterian Church cemetery.
- Her legacy was carried on by her daughter, Martha Reed, who, at the age of 14, presented the first batch of shirts to General Washington on behalf of her late mother.
- Her son, Joseph Reed Jr., was a Pennsylvania lawyer and legal writer, who served briefly as the state Attorney General.
