A Spot of Tea With Mary Lindley Murray
Mary Lindley Murray had tea with the British…and saved the Continental Army.
Mary Lindley Murray
Like most women of the 18th century, Mary Lindley Murray’s story is often told through that of her husband.
As a Quaker Family, they were non-violent and could skirt the line as to which side they supported in the Revolutionary War.
That being said, Mary’s husband Robert was one of those New York merchants who had tea dumped off his ship in resistance to high taxes.
Additionally, her son would flee the United States after the Patriots won, though he would become one of the best selling authors in the world, with approximately sixteen million school books being sold in America alone.
The British Enter New York
OK, so why is Mary today’s Founder?
Well, despite the opinions of the men in her life (and possibly her own) Murray saved the lives of thousands of Patriot soldiers.
In the aftermath of the Battle of Kipp’s Bay, which would give the British Army control of Manhattan Island, General Israel Putnam was leading a contingent of approximately 3,500 men in retreat.
This army was heading up the road with the intention of turning just before Murray’s house.
It just so happens that British General Howe was moving down the same road with a much, much larger force.
This is where Mary stepped in.
A Spot of Tea
As the much larger British force was approaching the Patriots, Mary Murray invited General Howe and his officers in for tea.
Not aware of how close Putnam was, Howe accepted.
The two hour engagement gave the Americans just enough time to steak by and safely evacuate the island.
Murray’s Motives
Legend has it that Mary had a servant watch from a window upstairs to make sure the Continentals had escaped before letting Howe leave.
Unfortunately, all of this is hearsay. We cannot even be sure of Murray’s motives.
While it is nice to think that she was secretly a Patriot, she may simply have been trying to prevent a battle from breaking out on her nice property.
Either way, Murray’s actions saved thousands of men from being captured, if not killed.
Want more Female Founders?
OK, here you go:
Phillis Wheatley - From Slave Girl to Master Poet
Amelia Simmons - The Mother of American Cookbooks
Martha Bratton - Explosions, Death Threats and Huck’s Defeat
The Adventures of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton
If you want to learn more about Founder Mothers, ‘Ladies of Liberty’ is an absolute must.
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