Page:The part taken by women in American history.djvu/224

Rh The influence wielded by the women in the early days of our Republic cannot be underestimated. During the colonial period in American history there are some women who shine out conspicuously by their brilliancy and mental attainments. Their influence in public affairs was conceded at that time and appreciated to-day. They were worthy helpmeets of their distinguished husbands and did their part in shaping the affairs of the nation in its infancy and crudity.

In 1749, Mrs. Jeykell was quite a leader socially in Philadelphia. Mrs. Schuyler, a niece of the first Colonel Philip Schuyler, was born in 1702, and married her cousin, Philip Schuyler. The French Canadian prisoners called her the "Good Lady, Madame Schuyler." She kept a liberal table and had much influence in the primitive society of that day. Miss Tucker, who married William Fitzhugh, and from whom the Fitzhughs in Virginia, Maryland and western New York are descended, was one of the influential women of her time.

The first wife of Governor Page, Frances Burwell, may be mentioned among these. At the time Mrs. Washington visited her husband when commander-in-chief of the Colonial forces, it is mentioned that at a brilliant entertainment given in the camp near Middlebrook, Mrs. Washington, Mrs. Greene, Mrs. Knox and other distinguished ladies were present, forming "a circle of brilliants." At the ball given at the Assembly Rooms on the east side of Broadway above Wall Street on the 7th of May, 1789, to celebrate the inauguration of President Washington, the members of Congress and their families were present with the ministers of France and Spain, distinguished generals of the army and persons eminent in the state. Among the most noted ladies were Mrs. Jay, Mrs. Hamilton and Mrs. Montgomery, the latter the widow of the hero of Quebec.