Page:A cyclopaedia of female biography.djvu/591

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MOT.
569

a bow and its apparatus, which had been imported from India, and was prepared to carry combustible matter.

Mrs. Ellet, in her "Women of the American Revolution," gives a good account of this heroine; the following extract refers to another portion of her history, and is important, as illustrating her high sense of honour, her energy, and patient, self-denying perseverance. Her husband, in consequence of the difficulties and distresses growing out of the American war for independence, became embarrassed in his business; and after his death, and termination of the war, it was found impossible to satisfy these claims:—

"The widow, however, considered the honour of her deceased husband involved in the responsibilities he had assumed. She determined to devote the remainder of her life to the honourable task of paying the debts. Her friends and connexions, whose acquaintance with her affairs gave weight to their judgment, warned her of the apparent hopelessness of such an effort. But, steadfast in the principles that governed all her conduct, she persevered. Living in an humble dwelling, and relinquishing many of her habitual comforts, she devoted herself with such zeal, untiring industry, and indomitable resolution, to the attainment of her object, that her success triumphed over every difficulty, and exceeded the expectations of all who had discouraged her. She not only paid her husband's debts to the full, but secured for her children and descendants a handsome and unencumbered estate. Such an example of perseverance under adverse circumstances, for the accomplishment of a high and noble purpose, exhibits in yet brighter colours the heroism that shone in her country's days of peril!"

Mrs. Motte died in 1815, at her plantation on the Santee.

MOTT, LUCRETIA,

Widely known for her philanthropy, and distinguished as a preacher among her own sect of "Friends," or "Quakers," is a native of the Island of Nantucket, Massachusetts. Her parents were Thomas and Anna Coffin; the latter, born Folger, was related to Dr. Franklin. Lucretia was in childhood instructed to make herself useful to her mother, who, in the absence of her husband, had the charge of his mercantile affairs. In 1804, when she was about eleven years old, her parents removed to Boston, where she had the advantage of attending one of the public schools. At the age of thirteen, she was sent to a "Friends' boarding-school," in the State of New York, where she remained three years, during the last year being employed as an assistant teacher; which shows how great her proficiency and faithfulness must have been. Her parents had, meantime, removed to Philadelphia; there she joined them, and at the age of eighteen was married to James Mott, who also belonged to the "Society of Friends," and subsequently entered into mercantile partnership with her father. Thus early was Mrs, Mott settled in life; and it is but justice to her to state, that she has been attentive to discharge well the womanly duties devolved on her—has been the mother of six children, five of whom are living, and do credit to their mother's former care. She has also, in the chances and changes of an American merchant's life, been called to help her husband in the support of their family; and she did it, as a good wife does, willingly, with her whole heart. But these duties did not engross all her time; her active mind, directed