Published March 21, 2017
Eliza Lucas Pinckney (1722 - 1793) was an innovative person whose mother died while she young, and her father encouraged her to to study whatever interested her.
She studied arts and music, and although they made a relaxing pastime, her favorite subject was botany.
As a teen, she raised her siblings at time when most young women her age were getting married and starting their own families. She took care of the plantations, and all the workers, most of whom were slaves. She practiced teaching them to read and write so they could help care for the plantation.
When her father suggested she look at more crops the plantations could grow, her botany knowledge gave her ideas. Her foresight knew that crop color would matter, and would improve their lives. With the help of her slaves and work crews, she developed ways to grow indigo, and other plants, that would be beneficial financially. She also tried to grow other crops like flax and hemp.
Eventually, during the American Revolution, the plantations were destroyed.
However, by that time, she had married and raised three sons of her own.
When she died, she was poor. Something she had never been before.
Works Cited: All Accessed on 02/23/17
http://distinguishedwomen.com/biographies/pinckney.html
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