Mar 18

Mar 18 Rebecca Biddle Feeds Weary Continental Soldiers

Rebecca Biddle followed her husband to war and joined the Continental Army as it travelled the nation.

Biddle had one notable moment in the Revolution, where she fed hungry soldiers.

Oh, also, she was part of a mass murder of pigeons.

Thanks to a subscriber, Janet, who recommended Rebecca to me and sent some very helpful information. If you have a Founder you’d like to learn more about please let me know.

Rebecca Cornell

Rebecca Biddle was born into the Cornell Family, one of the most important parts of colonial Rhode Island.

Her father, Gideon Cornell, was a merchant and leader of the community who helped build one of the first public libraries in North America, create Brown University and sat as the first Chief Justice of the Rhode Island Supreme Court.

Furthermore, Rebecca descended from many of the first settlers of Rhode Island.

Her status makes it no surprise that she married into another elite family...the Biddle’s of Philadelphia.

Rebecca Biddle

Rebecca married Clement Biddle after his first wife passed away.

The Biddle’s became one of the leading Patriot families in Revolutionary Pennsylvania and, as such, Rebecca supported the cause.

As a Quaker, she was kicked out of the church for supporting the war (the Society of Friends, as they were called, supported complete non-violence).

When Clement was commissioned as an officer in the Continental Army, Rebecca became a camp follower. She formed close relationships with many of the wives of other, more famous, officers.

The Biddle’s would have 10 children during their marriage. Notably, the first three were born while Rebecca was travelling with the army. (One son was respectfully named George Washington Biddle).

A Wartime Feast

Rebecca’s most immediate contribution to the American Revolution was in the mess hall.

Expecting an attack from the British, General Washington ordered all the women out of camp.

Biddle found Washington and pointed out that the soldiers would need some provisions when they returned. She volunteered herself to make this meal.

Washington permitted her to oversee the cooking but instructed her to leave immediately if he were to send word of danger.

She went about this business and when the men returned they were all extremely satisfied with the feast.

Among the 100+ soldiers who dined on Mrs. Biddle’s meal that night was the Marquis de Lafayette.

Pigeons

Four decades later, when he returned to the United States for his famous tour, Lafayette stopped in for a visit with Rebecca.

Among the many interesting topics they discussed was another meal they enjoyed…pigeons.

Though they are no longer a common staple of the American diet, pigeons used to travel the United States in the millions. They travelled in such great numbers that it was common for a flock to block out the son.

At a time of great hunger in the Continental Army, one of these great flocks arrived. There were so many of them that soldiers were swatting them out of the sky with sticks. They were quickly plucked and cooked.

There is no word on whether or not Mr. Biddle snagged a bird out of the sky herself, but it is certainly interesting to reflect on the amusement she and the General shared on an event that, due to extinction, we no longer are accustomed to now.

Want to read about more FOUNDING MOTHERS?

Great! Check out these articles:

Phillis Wheatley - From Slave Girl to Master Poet

Martha Bratton - Explosions, Death Threats and Huck’s Defeat

The Adventures of Eliza Schuyler Hamilton

Do you want to learn more about women in the Continental Army?

‘Following the Drum’ takes a deep look at the ladies of Revolution.

Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below…