Lecture: Duxbury’s Women at Sea

Lecture presented by Carolyn Ravenscroft on Duxbury’s Women at Sea

Between the late 18th and early 19th centuries, hundreds of ships were built in Duxbury, Massachusetts. The resulting economic boom resonated throughout the community and contributed to a rise in both employment and population. Duxbury became the home to many shipbuilding and maritime families, including dozens of master mariners and their wives.

For all the history that has been examined and celebrated, however, very little has been said of the women, other than to mention the obvious – that they were the mothers, wives and sisters of the male shipbuilders and sailors. This project puts them not only into the narrative, but directly on to the ships.

Duxbury Rural and Historical Society Archivist & Historian, Carolyn Ravenscroft, embarked on a journey to find the names of other women who made voyages and to discover their stories. Although it is still a work in progress, to date, Ravenscroft has discovered 33 Duxbury women who sailed from 1809-1890. Many of these women came from Duxbury’s maritime families, and were related to each other as well. Ravenscroft was also able, in many instances, to personalize their stories.

This event is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at 6:30 pm with the talk to begin at 7 pm.