Mercy Otis Warren, "Mother" of the Bill of Rights
Mercy Otis was born on September 25, 1728 in Barnstable, Massachusetts into a family of boys.. Her parents quickly recognized her potential as a scholar and allowed her to be tutored along with her brothers. She was the sister of James Otis, one of the first leaders for the break from England. Mercy was a highly intelligent woman and was dedicated to the American cause, yet her gender kept her from getting involved in politics. Instead she made her statements on the page of her books, which made her a famous author.
She married James Warren in 1754 at the age of twenty-six. Warren was a farmer and merchant from Plymouth, Massachusetts. Eventually, they had five sons of their own. James encouraged Mercy’swriting, calling her the “scribbler.” Mercy developed a strong band of friends including Abigail Adams and Martha Washington. When her brother James became a pre-revolution leader, Mercy became a counselor and advisor to him and his friends, Samuel Adams, John Hancock, Patrick Henry, and Thomas Jefferson. Around 1765, Mercy started to write patriotic poetry, which at the time was used for her and her friends’ amusement. She published "Massachusetts Song of Liberty" and it soon became the most popular song of the colonies. She also write political plays, two are "The Adulateur" and "The Group." Mercy’s friendsincluded George Washington, John Adams, and Alexander Hamilton.
Mercy woremany hats including mother, author and supporter of civil liberties. Along with her political writing, she also published plays and poems.In 1790 she published all her poetic plays in one book which was dedicated to George Washington. She also published a three volume book in 1805 called "History of the Revolutionary War." She is recognized today for having penned a 19-page pamphlet that set forth the precepts that later became the Bill of Rights. Her most famous work may have been the 1805 “History of the Rise, Progress and Termination of the American Revolution.” Mercy Otis Warren died October 19, 1814 in Plymouth at the age of 86.
In a1996 Cape Cod Times article, a New Jersey woman Dawn Moiras, who advocated for the creation of a statue of Mercy, statedthe “without her, you wouldn’t have jury trials, you wouldn’t have freedomof speech, you wouldn’t have a free press.”Local historian Marion Vuilleumier wrote that “shehad to write under a pen name in the beginning because women weren’tsupposed to be writers.” So long before George Eliot and the Brontesisters, Mercy Otis was forced to mask her femininity in order to get her message across to a wider audience. Now we remember her passionate words, such as
(government) “is instituted for the protection, safety and happiness ofthe people, not the profit, honor or private interest of any man,family or class of men”
or “silence is the only medium of safety forthose who have an opinion of their own that does not exactly square withthe enthusiasms of the time.”
These are wise words for any time. Thereare many reminders of Mercy on Cape Cod, including her statue on thelawn of Barnstable Superior Courthouse (created by sculptor David Lewisof Osterville). Each year a local woman is nominated for the MercyOtis Warren Cape Cod Woman of the year award. This award honors anoutstanding woman in the community for leadership in the arts,education or business or for her efforts “embracing the ideals ofpatriotism.”
Because Mercy Otis Warren was willing to fight for what shebelieved in, her life and writings are still an inspiration for ustoday. For someone who lived centuries ago, her message seems modernand timely.(Source: Cape Cod Times archives,
Answer the following in complete sentences:
1. List Warren’s date of birth, death, and final age.
2. Why did Mercy use a “pen name”?
3. List at least 3 people she advised.
4.Why is Mercy called “Mother of the Bill of Rights”
5. Who did Mercy dedicate her book of poetic plays to?
6. What is the title of Mercy’s most famous work?
7. Who does the Mercy Otis Warren Cape Cod award go to each year?