the Spectacles in Second-street, near Black-HorseAlley," where she sold: Variety of the finest Chrystal Spectacles, set in Temple, Steel, Leather or other Frames. Likewise true Venetian green Spectacles for weak or watery Eyes, of various Sorts. Also Concave Spectacles for short sighted Persons, Magnifying and Reading Glasses, Telescopes, Perspectives, with Multiplying Glasses; and Glasses for Davis's Quadrants, &c. &c. 1 In a later advertisement, she mentioned "Ox-eye Glasses for taking Landskips," and added: N.B. As the said Hannah Breintnall has settled a suitable Correspondence, she will constantly be supplied with the above Articles, which the Curious may at all times furnish themselves, in the completest manner at reasonable rates. Unfortunately, the curious cannot satisfy themselves now as to what "ox-eye glasses for taking Landskips" may be. Several drug stores were run by women, of which the following, inserted by the Widow Mankin in Market-Street, Philadelphia, is a sample: 2 Lately arrived, a select Parcel from London, consisting chiefly of such things as are principally used in the Modern Practise of Physick, being a great variety 1 Pennsylvania Gazette, March 30, 1758; May 16, 1765. 2 American Mercury, November 21, 1734. of Materia Medica, both simple and compound, Chymical and Gallenical. Remedies, "Chymical and Gallenical," sound potent enough to cure anything. Bookstores were sometimes kept by women. One of these was managed by Joanna Perry, the widow of Michael Perry, bookseller on King Street, Boston. Apparently she continued the business energetically, as several pamphlets are known to have been printed for her. She died in 1725.1 Mrs. Elizabeth Bass advertised her bookstore in Philadelphia.2 In 1773 Miss Ann Smith "returned to Philadelphia from a voyage to London, with a handsome assortment of books, and set up a bookstore." Unfortunately, she soon yielded to the importunity of an old sweetheart, who after marriage proceeded to manage his wife's business, and we are told that "the store then went to the dogs." 3 Hardware, cutlery, and braziery were important articles of trade in the pre-Revolutionary days, and several women dealt chiefly in these. One of the most interesting of early shopkeepers is among them. Our first knowledge of Mary Jackson comes in 1744, when "Robert Charles, in co-partnership 1 Thomas, vol. II, p. 423. 2 American Mercury, August 18, 1726. Thomas, vol. 11, p. 449, and Proc. A.A.S. 1921, p. 102. with Mary Jackson," advertised that he was about to go to England, and desired all accounts to be settled before he went. Two years later, we read:1 All persons that have any Demands on the late Company of Jackson and Charles, are desired to bring in their accounts to Mrs. Mary Jackson, Administratrix, in order to a Settlement; and all those indebted to the said company are desired to pay their respective Dues, as they would avoid being sued. There is nothing to indicate how long they had been in partnership or what their business was. The second question is presumably answered, however, in 1747, with the advertisement: 2 Just imported, and to be sold by Mary Jackson at the Brazen Head in Cornhill, all sorts of Ironmongery, Braziery, Cutlery, also Pewter and Lead by the hundredweight, and Nails of all sorts by the Cask or smaller Quantity, at reasonable Rates. Two months later, she announced a new importation of mourning goods. In May, 1748, she had a handsome new chaise for sale; in September, lead, shot, and pewter dishes; in 1750, after the usual statement of imported goods, came this N.B. The said Mary makes and sells Tea-Kettles 1 Boston Evening Post, October 6, 1746. 2 Ibid., September 28, 1747. 8 Ibid., November 23, 1747. ▲ Ibid., June 11, 1750. and Coffee-Pots, copper Drinking-Pots, brass and copper Sauce-Pans, Stew-pans, Baking-pans, Kettlepots and Fish-Kettles &c. The next year she added that she would sell "for cash or truck that will answer," and called attention to her new-fashioned tureens.1 From 1753 on, she generally carried butter, sometimes Connecticut pork and Florence oil, but she always emphasized the hardware. In February, 1759, the familiar card had an addition - "Mary Jackson and Son." In May, 1760, they informed their customers that they "have open'd their Shop, since the late fire, a few doors from the Town Hall." In 1761 they were back at the Brazen Head, selling braziery and butter as usual. But this was the last appearance of Mary Jackson's name, and in 1764 William Jackson alone at the Brazen Head was advertising cutlery goods. The name Jackson is a common one, and it is impossible to identify her absolutely, but it seems probable that she was the Mary Goodwin who was married to William Jackson April 17, 1740; and the Mary Jackson whose will, naming her sons William and James, was probated December 8, 1780.2 1 Boston Evening Post, June 3, 1751. 2 Probate Records, Suffolk County, vol. 79, pp. 580-81. Another woman who carried on her husband's business with energy and success for many years, was Mrs. Sueton Grant, of Newport, Rhode Island. Her husband came from Scotland to this country in 1725, established an importing house, and married here. In 1744 he was killed by an explosion of gunpowder. His wife, who was left with several young children, immediately assumed the management of her husband's business, which included interest in several privateers, and relations with mercantile houses in England and on the Continent. When her son grew old enough, he assisted her, at first as a clerk under his mother's direction. Mrs. Grant was still carrying on an active and successful business at the time of the Revolution. One incident may be quoted from "Reminiscences of Newport," which illustrates Mrs. Grant's force of character: With large interests at stake, and having at times unscrupulous debtors to deal with, it is not surprising that occasionally she was drawn into litigation. In this instance at the last moment she discovered the duplicity of her counsel, and at once went to the court-room. Her lawyer, seeing her there, urged her to withdraw, but without effect; and when the judge, disturbed by the interruption, called for an explanation, she stepped forward, told why she was there, held forth the evidence of her counsel's treachery, and asked permission to argue her own case. The dignity |