Catharine Littlefield Greene is one of the bravest and most resourceful ladies in Rhode Island history. Born in 1753 on Block Island, she lived through two wars with Great Britain and some major triumphs and tragedies. At age 8, she lost her mother and before Caty died in 1814, she saw her husband and oldest son meet untimely deaths.

During the Revolutionary War, young Mrs. Greene exhibited the type of fortitude and determination that made her an inspiration to the women of her era. In addition, she won the respect and admiration of the men in the Continental Army, including that of George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and General Anthony Wayne.

As the wife of Major General Nathanael Greene, she could have remained safe and secure in her home. Instead, she traveled many miles to join her husband, enduring the difficulties of a woman traveling over difficult terrain by horse and carriage. She was constantly in danger of being captured by the enemy or of being robbed and assaulted by highwaymen.

When the Revolutionary War ended, Caty and her husband found themselves land rich but cash poor. Instead of living in comfort in their Rhode Island home, they found they had to go to Georgia to the plantation that the state had given to the general out of gratitude for his role in freeing them from the British Crown. The Greene family, with their five children, hoped to make a new life in the South. Unfortunately, this was not to be as once again tragedy entered the young woman's life. At age 44, General Greene succumbed to a stroke and died. The blow was devastating and yet more tragedy was to follow. After the general's death, her eldest son, George Washington Greene, went to France to study as a protÈgÈ of the Marquis de Lafayette. Young George had often accompanied his mother as an infant and she doted on him and missed him a great deal while he was away. In 1793, much to her joy, he returned to the family. Her joy turned to sorrow as seven years after her husband's death, her eldest son, George Washington Greene, died when his canoe capsized on the Savannah River.

In the late 18th century, Caty found that unscrupulous scoundrels often took advantage of a widow. She was in financial difficulty and, despite many well-wishers, found Congress not coming forward with her husband's pension and financial aid she thought she would receive.

Despite the heavy obstacles and disappointments, she persevered and went on to play a significant role in the future of the United States. It was Caty who invited 27-year-old Yale graduate Eli Whitney to Mulberry Grove, her Georgia plantation. Whitney was hired to tutor her children and soon his genius was recognized in his ability to fix all things mechanical. It is said that it was she who prompted Whitney to invent the cotton gin, which was able to separate the fibers from the seed and made the growing of cotton practical and very profitable. She not only supplied the capital for his machine but she also gave him ideas for his invention.

Her contribution to the moral of the Revolutionary War soldiers and her role in the invention of the cotton gin emphasizes the role played by women in our history.