# Women of the American Revolution: How the brave acts of three Upstate women fueled Patriot victories

*Updated: 12:43 PM EDT Mar 9, 2025*

**NINETY SIX, S.C. —** In honor of Women's History Month, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie Historical Park highlighted three heroic Upstate women of the American Revolution.

The historic site focused on three women from the same family: Elizabeth, Grace, and Rachel Martin. Elizabeth was the mother-in-law of Grace and Rachel.

**More News:** 

Historians said this trio from Ninety-Six did what they could to fuel the Patriot cause. Despite their home regularly being occupied by British soldiers, it was a safe haven for wounded Patriots as the three women would tend to the wounds of Continental Army soldiers. As British soldiers frequently occupied their home, the Martin women would take any critical papers British soldiers may have carried.

In May 1781, during the siege of Ninety-Six, the Martin women had heard that a British courier would be passing through the area and they made plans to ambush the messenger.

While Elizabeth remained at home to avoid suspicion, Rachel and Grace disguised themselves as men, and positioned themselves along a turn in the road. Just before nightfall, they heard the courier and two guards approaching. Armed with guns, the women jumped out and forced the British soldiers to surrender. The women seized the courier’s documents and also confiscated the British soldiers' weapons.



**More News:** 

According to historians, the tactics used by the Martin women allowed critical information to be passed to Greene and helped assure the success of the southern campaigns and the American Revolution.

## Top Picks

- 
- 
- 
- 
```