Rebecca Brewton Motte: American Patriot and Successful Rice Planter

Most people in this country have probably never heard of Rebecca Motte and those who have heard of her know her only as a great patriot who was ready to sacrifice her home to further the American cause during the Revolutionary War. However, Rebecca was more than just an ardent patriot, she was also a successful and innovative rice planter who, after the war, was able to support herself and pay off her deceased husband’s debts ensuring a substantial, unencumbered inheritance for her children.

 

Rebecca left no diaries and only a few letters; therefore, this account of her life is based primarily on period documents, the correspondence of her contemporaries and family history carefully researched to separate fact from myth.