Homefront Archives is the only digital history project dedicated to uncovering the lives of America’s military spouses—from the Revolution to the present. Not lifestyle. Not resources. Just history—told from behind the uniform.
Esther de Berdt Reed wasn’t just a military wife—she was a Revolutionary force. After fleeing British-occupied Philadelphia as a refugee, she returned determined to act. Her bold broadside, The Sentiments of an American Woman, launched an 18th-century fundraising movement that equipped soldiers and inspired women across the colonies. Her story proves women helped shape America’s Revolution.
Before they had the right to vote, Revolutionary wives were organizing, protesting, and redefining patriotism—one spinning wheel and tea boycott at a time.
As men marched to war, women redefined what it meant to fight for freedom. From camp followers to civic leaders, military wives held the Revolution together—proving that liberty was forged not only on the battlefield, but in the resilience of those who stayed beside them.
The Enlightenment didn’t just spark revolutions—it empowered women to claim their place in history. From Martha Bratton’s defiance to Rebecca Motte’s sacrifice, meet the women who turned reason into rebellion and redefined patriotism on the home front.
