Martha Washington, Lucy Knox and Kitty Greene: Revolutionary Pals

In late fall, 1775, Martha Washington joined her husband in Cambridge, MA.

The Continental Army General

It was never a secret that the bonds of affection between the American Colonies and Great Britain, the mother country, had been fraying for a decade. It was mostly about money, and specifically about taxes. The various wars that GB periodically engaged in (usually with France) for a couple of centuries had spilled over to the American continent. During the 1750s, what was called the Seven Years’ War (there) and the French and Indian War (here), was fought in a variety of places mostly north and/or west of the Appalachian Mountains.

Wars cost money. Money must be raised. The Brits wanted the Colonies to help foot the bill. The Americans agreed – so long as we had a say in the matter. But Americans had no voice in Parliament. It was the primary bone…