Margaret Hardenbrook Philipse

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Margaret Hardenbrook Philipse (c. 1637 – c. 1690) was an accomplished businesswoman and merchant in New Netherland.[1]

Emigrating from Germany, she made the Dutch colony of New Amsterdam her home in the late 1650s.[2] She started by working as an agent for her cousin, Wolter Valck, who was an Amsterdam trader.[1] She traded pins, cooking oils and vinegar in exchange for furs.[1]

In 1659 she married Peter Rudolphus DeVries but continued to do business under her maiden name.[2] Together they had a daughter, Maria, and expanded their business ventures. Only a couple of years of marriage passed before her husband died in 1661. Two years later, she married Frederick Philipse, a former carpenter.[2] With him she entered a special kind of marriage that was allowed under Dutch law and permitted women to maintain their legal identity and the ability to conduct business in ones name, called usus. In addition to this she signed a prenuptial agreement with him ensuring that her daughter would inherit all her former husband's wealth.

Together they purchased many properties, and expanded their transatlantic trading ventures.[2] In addition to this, Margaret owned several ships, one of which was named King Charles.[2] She made several voyages between Europe and America on her ships acting as supercargo.[2] Under that title she was responsible for all the purchases and sales of goods.[2]

In 1664, the British seized control of New Amsterdam and under the new laws of the British many of her rights were taken away.[2] As a woman, she was no longer considered legally independent.[2] She was no longer able to purchase goods under her own authority or act as legal agent. In addition to this, all the profits that had been made by her thriving businesses were now legally her husband's.[2] Despite all this she continued to work in the business, and with her husband they continued to make it thrive.[2]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Catterall, Douglas (2012). Women in Port: Gendering Communities, Economies, and Social Networks in Atlantic Port Cities, 1500-1800. BRILL. p. 183. ISBN 90-04-23317-2. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 2.8 2.9 2.10 Mays, Dorothy A. (2004). Women in Early America: Struggle, Survival, and Freedom in a New World. ABC-CLIO. p. 295. ISBN 1-85109-429-6. 
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