Feme Sole is an historic legal term that refers to a woman who acts as her own agent. The term literally means "A woman alone". A feme sole could own property, engage in the legal system, and conduct business. A feme covert, a married woman, had no legal or economic status independent of her husband. In Colonial and Early American law, a woman had to petition to act as a feme sole.
In this series, I have identified a feme sole from each of the thirteen colonies. These are women who created, invented, and contributed to their Colonial and Early American communities. We know of these women because there is a legal record of them. These portraits frame them and their small acts in history.
13 Feme Sole from Early American History
Mary Dixon Kies, Milliner & Patent Holder
Connecticut
12 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Kitty Foster, Washer Woman
Virginia
12 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Alice, Dunk's Ferry Toll Collector and Historian
Pennsylvania
16 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Duchess “Charity” Quamino, Pastry Chef and Caterer
Rhode Island
7 in x 5 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Elizabeth Marriott, Tavernkeeper
Maryland
16 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Mary Boone, Spinster
North Carolina
20 in x 16 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Margaret Hardenbroeck, She-Merchant
New York
12 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Hannah Thomas, Lighthouse Keeper
Massachusetts
12 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Mary Musgrove, Trading Post Entrepeneur and Interpreter
Georgia
16 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Sallie Shadd, Caterer and Ice Cream Chef
Delaware
16 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Hannah English Williams, Naturalist
South Carolina
16 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Elizabeth Pascall, Shop Owner
New Hamspire
7 in x 5 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Sybilla Righton Masters, Inventor
New Jersey
7 in x 5 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Mary Randolph, Author
Virginia
12 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
Clementina Rind, Printer
Virginia
12 in x 12 in
acrylic on canvas
2024
©
Maremi Hooff Andreozzi 2024
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