Mary Shotwell (Martin)

At one time during the Revolutionary War, when it was thought that a bombardment of the city was imminent, part of the Martin family retired to the country and there lived with relatives for several months; but Mary, on learning that the prospect of military operations would not induce her father to forsake his home, or by any act of his give countenance to the warlike preparations, decided to remain with him at all hazards. During the bombardment they merely sought safety in the cellar. She had been carefully trained in the use of the needle; and, in the pursuit of her daily task, all unconscious or observation, was frequently noticed through their field glass by British officers who lodged not far away, and who, seeing her diligence and skill engaged her to make a considerable number (18, 17, or 13 as remembered by different grandchildren) of fine linen shirts for the Lord Cornwallis then in command of the city for which she was paid in silver at the rate of one Spanish Dollar each. She afterward took this price to a goldsmith and had it made into, or exchanged it for, a set of solid silver spoons, one of which was afterward given to each of her married children.

Richard Shotwell and Mary Martin were married on 10 Apr 1782.