6. Esther Reed created a society to provide relief for the Continental Army
Esther de Berdt married American law student Joseph Reed in her native London, then traveled to his American home in Philadelphia. During the early years of the American Revolution, members of the Continental Congress frequently visited the Reed home. She became familiar with the Patriots’ cause, and despite her British birth and short time in America adopted it wholeheartedly. Her husband Joseph joined Washington’s staff as an aide. Esther, in Philadelphia, became a leader in the creation of the Ladies Association, formed to raise money for the support of the troops. At the time Congress lacked the power to tax in order to raise funds. The Ladies Association successfully raised over $300,000. Esther wanted to distribute the money, in hard currency, directly to the troops.
Washington demurred, believing that most of the money, and thus the Ladies Association’s efforts, would be wasted. In his opinion, his men would simply spend it on alcohol. He asked instead the Ladies use the money to purchase linen, and have it sewn into shirts and smallclothes (the term for underwear at the time). Esther agreed, but died suddenly before the project could be completed. Her efforts were picked up by Sarah Franklin Bache, daughter of Benjamin Franklin. Bache wrote to acquaintances in several other American towns, urging them to adopt similar projects, though the lack of hard currency throughout the United States by 1780 impeded many of their efforts.