New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-09
NARY DRAPER.
A WOMAN OF REVOLUTIONARY DAYS.

WOMAN OF REVOLUTIONARY DAYS.
From Womans Progress
have searched everywhere to ascertain the
maiden name and parentage OF the woman VINO rs.
to my mind. the greatest heroine OF the Revolution
airy days though, II objection is made to this A.
sert!on. could modify it by claiming that she was
certainly the most patriotic In the State Of Massa-
chusetts She was Mary Draper wife Of Captain
Draper. of Dedham. Mass. married long before tho
war and with children well grown up when the
trouble began at Lexington; therefore the seeming
impossibty OF finding any history OF her early
lfe She is spoken OF among the many prominent
women who were loyal to the American cause only
by her married name.
Captain Draper thriving farmer, and had
always prospered. If could judge from his sur
round!ngs and the manner of living carried on In
his family. His house and his barns were both
large, and the latter always filed TO their ut
most capacity with the stores for winter for his
family and the dumb animals which belonged to
him. Plenty Of cows were in his barns. and the
dairy the special pride and Of Mrs
Draper.
Benevoence was her greatest characteristic. and
the resources at her command. through her gener-
Gus husband. were more than the neghborhood
could rival at this particular time. and enabled
her contribute much to charitable purposes
Their house built with two large ovens. either
of them large enough to bake bread for the
whole village.
When the heard OF the expected attack
Of the British upon patriots Lexington, Gen.
eraV)Putnam. in Connecticut, at work in his
field ploughng. He left all and seized his musket.
and. not waiting TO change his apparel. marched on
to Cambridge calling on all he his to
join in. bring any weapons they had, and follow
without delay. Their route happened be the road
passing the home Of the Drapers in Dedham.
Men thought Of nothing but liberty and the safe
trust in the Lord. and LETT ali in the hands Of
provdence but struck with their right arms their
women showed the same patriotic zeal and began
10 encourage asst and sustain the
helping hand as FAR as lay in their power to do So
develop almost any character, and such benev-
olent woman Mary Draper would become q
At he.hrst call she exhorted her husband to lose
no ume IN preparing and fastening TO the scene
and blanket TO the shoulders of her only son. boy
duty in the foosIeps Of i his father The
daughter entreated the mother 10 allow him to
must so but you and Kat sg wifi have enough
90 &c, to feed the hungry who Will pass here on their
Hundreds d.d come and We're fed. and passed on.
o on to be followed by hundreds more who were
ana rested and encouraged to 80 on, by Mary
praPer' they continued to pass along this road that
di,spline were established.
Mary Draper. assisted by her daughter and do
nestle In her family spent the Whole day and night
and following day in baking brown bread. The two
large capacity. set in full blast and they never
had been before 80 pushed to their fullest extent
ana doubt If ever since. in such small space OF
time No one could stop long TO dine. and as soon
as the hungry were relieved from their cravings,
without waiting to rest they pushed on II at ali
able to do Some were almost exhausted, and
the excitement Of the arrival OF more patriots kept
up their courage and as soon as they were able
VIII The hep Of a disabled Frenchnan.
m o naa 'sa svs Mary pspe En-
had all the refreshments in readiness to offer the
Wooden fo@ crested bs the possde aps
pans of bread and cheese We're placed upon 1t and
brought tubs which were filed full Of cider from
their cellar and 1t was served out by two lads who
this entertainment. and when her stock OF provisions
Eaye G th aSd upon IN, her negb9r for Son,bv
were made to have the troops rationed in regular
Her husband had purchased bullet mould to
supply himself and son with this article of warfare
pewter To- the seTa Gemand @ S he great
est ornament of her old home began herself to melt
into the required ammunition
Winter W was now approaching and With it fears
could scarcely yield what was sure to be the de.
ea upon pirate Sccame
and the question Of clothing for the patriots who
mentous one Mrs Draper was one Of the first
to see this approaching difficulty. and became
render all the aid in her power, and inspired her
neishbors to do ks Jew Her house had always
est sympathies were enlisted for the newly forming
Army-to which the hardships of war were almos\
entirely unknown.
She considered their possessions only as Q.
means of assisting her distressed country, and
would share with those who ready to lay down
their lives TO place this land OF their adoption be.
yond the reach OF tyranny and taxation unjustly
demanded OF 1t. The supply OF cloth, woven 70.
use In her own family. was converted into coats
for soldiers by her daughter and maid under her
direct supervision. and sheets and blankets were
reaS rh as dS Of The ' last n"S
for herself were converted into such mems wear
needed. These deeds OF disinferested
generosity scarcely known beyond their own
years in this anne house and continued to befriend
the destitute and needy wayfarer. Up TO the cate
Of 1850 her descendants continued to live IN TINS
same place and am told the house is still stand
ing.