North Carolina Women Support a Non-importation Campaign

This declaration, reprinted in a London newspaper, provides an example of women's political activism during the revolutionary period. Over fifty "American ladies" from Edenton, North Carolina signed an agreement to stop buying and using tea, British cloth, and other imported luxuries in protest of British policies toward the colonies.

The provincial deputies of North Carolina having resolved not to drink any more tea nor wear any more British cloth, etc., many ladies of this province have determined to give a memorable proof of their patriotism, and have accordingly entered into the following honorable and spirited association. I send it to you to show your fair countrywomen how zealously and faithfully American ladies follow the laudable example of their husbands, and what opposition your matchless ministers may expect to receive from a people, thus firmly united against them:

Edenton, North Carolina, October 25 (1774).

As we cannot be indifferent on any occasion that appears nearly to affect the peace and happiness of our country, and as it has been thought necessary, for the public good, to enter into several particular resolves by a meeting of members deputed from the whole province, it is a duty which we owe, not only to our near and dear connections, who have concurred in them, but to ourselves, who are essentially interested in their welfare, to do everything, as far as lies in our power, to testify our sincere adherence to the same; and we do therefore accordingly subscribe this paper as a witness of our fixed intention and solemn determination to do so:

Abagail Charlton,
Elizabeth Creacy,
Anne Johnstone,
Mary Woolard,
Jean Blair,
Frances Hall,
Mary Creacy,
Mary Blount,
Margaret Cathcart,
Jane Wellwood,
Penelope Dawson,
Susanna Vail,
Elizabeth Vail,
Elizabeth Vail,
J. Johnstone,
Elizabeth Patterson
Margaret Pearson,
Sarah Beasley,
Grace Clayton,
Mary Jones,
Mary Creacy,
Anne Hall,
Sarah Littlejohn,
Sarah Hoskins,
M. Payne,
Elizabeth Cricket,
Lydia Bonner,
Anne Horniblow,
Marion Wells,
Sarah Mathews,
Elizabeth Roberts,
Rebecca Bondfield,
Sarah Howcott,
Elizabeth P. Ormond
Sarah Valentine,
Mary Bonner,
Mary Ramsey,
Lydia Bennett,
Tresia Cunningham,
Anne Haughton,
Elizabeth Roberts,
Ruth Benbury,
Penelope Barker,
Mary Littledle,
Elizabeth Johnstone,
Elizabeth Green,
Sarah Howe,
Mary Hunter,
Anne Anderson,
Elizabeth Bearsley,
Elizabeth Roberts.