Remember One of America’s Founding Mothers: Sarah Bradlee Fulton

Every Independence Day we revisit the stories of great revolutionary heroes who helped lay the foundation for a “more perfect union” centered on the individual’s right to self-determination and a government that was bound by the chains of a Constitution.

Be they stories of the Sons of Liberty, General George Washington, John Adams, or the Boston Massacre, we know these tales by heart. But what of the unsung heroes—the regular people without rank, military expertise, and political status? The ones who, absent the superb record-keeping of the internet, have been all but lost to history. 

No group of heroes is as often passed over as our Founding Mothers, who deserve the same recognition as the brave men who fought for independence. Perhaps one of the most fascinating, and oft forgotten figures, is Sarah Bradlee Fulton or the “Mother of the Boston Tea Party.”

Behind The Scenes of The Boston Tea Party

Like many supporters of American Independence, Sarah lived in Massachusetts—the hotbed for all things revolutionary. 

Sarah had a brother, Nathaniel, whose home was the backdrop in which many rebellious plans were hatched by the most ardent supporters of American independence. Sarah visited her brother often and loved cooking codfish for the men while they plotted against the British Crown. 

She not only had a front row seat to the planning of the Boston Tea Party, she would play an integral role.

We all know the story of men storming cargo ships dressed as Native Americans and throwing tea into the sea, but we may consider all the logistics. For example, to execute the plan someone had to help the revolutionaries play the part with convincing costumes. And this is where Sarah came in. 

Sarah helped the men create their disguises, a vital aspect to the plan since they could be charged with acts of treason if their identity was revealed. She painted their faces and gave them the clothes to wear, and she took great pride in doing so.

While the men were off enacting their plan, Sarah waited at Nathaniel’s home, ready to help them out of their disguises and hide all the evidence in case any British suspected their involvement. As the men returned in haste, she had boiling water ready to remove their makeup and hide all traces of their involvement.

The men were grateful and gave her the endearing nickname, the “Mother of the Boston Tea Party.”

A Revolutionary Woman

Sarah would go on to help during the war as well, tending to the wounded soldiers in any way that she could. Her bravery was unmatched. When General Washington needed someone with extensive knowledge of Massachusetts to go behind enemy lines and deliver a letter, she didn’t bat an eyelash before volunteering to take on this most dangerous task.

She was successful in her mission and earned the respect of General Washington, who would later pay a visit to her home after the war ended–an honor she carried with pride to her dying day. Sarah even went to great lengths to preserve the chair in which Washington sat, along with the silver punch bowl from which he was served his beverage. Both items are still in her family today. 

During the siege of Boston, Sarah heard that British soldiers were buying up all the wood in Massachusetts to keep it out of the hands of the Continental Army. Sarah wasn’t going to stand for this. She sent her husband to go buy a large shipment that had just arrived in port.

On his way back to their home, he met a group of soldiers who surrounded him demanding the wood. It is unclear how, but Sarah caught wind of the situation quickly, grabbed her shawl and ran to meet her husband. 

As the soldiers blocked the path of her husband and the Oxen carrying the wood, Sarah came right up to the animals and grabbed them by the horns leading them back in the direction of her home. As can be expected, the soldiers drew their guns at this small woman who dared stand in their way. 

It wasn’t just the revolutionary cause that led to this act of what some might call foolish bravery. Like many colonists, Sarah believed in the individual’s right to property. And this shipment of wood was bought and paid for with her money. It belonged to her and no one else, and she wasn’t going to allow the British soldiers to take it. 

She looked into the barrel of their guns and uttered two words: “shoot away.”

The soldiers stood, stunned with dropped jaws. Was this woman really risking her life for a pile of wood? Did she really just tell the well-armed soldiers to “shoot away?”

They may have been mortal enemies, but even the soldiers were impressed by the grit and courage it took for this woman to look into their eyes and refuse to surrender. And in an unbelievable turn of events, they put down their weapons and let her pass. 

To  everyone’s astonishment, maybe even her own, Sarah Bradlee Fulton had just overpowered the greatest army in the world with a couple of words. 

Honoring Our Founding Mothers

The role many women played in the founding of this country is often forgotten, but no less important than any of the brave men. Sarah may not be a household name but she is a hero and her role in American history was vital.

As we honor her memory, we would do well to remember that she is just one of many women who valiantly fought for American independence.