Women Scorned: Petit Treason and Punishment in 18th Century Delaware

When Delaware declared its independence in 1776, it prompted a plethora of changes pertaining to its government and legal system. As the state grew and evolved, it reflected on crime and punishment in this new era. One crime that the new government reviewed was petit treason, which was treasonous acts committed against a person of authority other than the government.

Throughout its history, two Delaware women were tried for petit treason: Catherine Bevan in 1731 and Sarah Kirk in 1787. While their charges were the same, their punishments were not. Join us as we examine documents from the Delaware Public Archives’ collections to discuss these women and the changing legal system of a new Delaware.

Presented by: Dana Niemeyer, Delaware Public Archives