"The problem of street harassment was particularly acute for young women of Lanah's station, genteel enough to value a reputation as modest, respectable, and sexually innocent yet obliged by necessity to work to help support her family financially. A working-class girl could hardly afford the luxury of a chaperone...". Harry Bedlow, bystander, good samaritan, rescued her from the attentions of some catcalling men. "Harry Bedlow, a gentleman...escorted her to her father's house-told her his name was Lawyer Smith." "He seemed like 'an unexpectedly fine beau' but late at night, walking together up Broadway she realized who he really was, where he was trying to take her, and the trouble she was in."

In the Early Post-Revolutionary War Republic in 1793 New York City, Lanah Sawyer was dragged down a dark, narrow street and forcibly carried to Mother Carey's brothel, where she was raped. Her neighbor's implicit warning that her escort's name was not Lawyer Smith but Harry Bedlow "a very great rake...a seducer of young naive women" had fallen on deaf ears. "The lure of love could so easily push caution aside" for a young, inexperienced sewing girl. The aftermath. Larah, disoriented, her calico gown torn, undergarments stained, was reluctant to go home. Once the truth of her attack was revealed to her family, "...it was clear that Lanah Sawyer was not going to let her story end the way either Harry Bedlow or Mother Carey had expected."

How could Lanah get a fair trial? "Harry Bedlow had every reason to expect that he would be protected by the social armor of a gentleman in a hierarchal society." He would be protected by his social standing and political connections. His defense "dream team" would consist of six powerful lawyers. A jury of peers? Not a chance! The jury pool consisted of propertied men only. No lower working class males could sit on the jury. Women, considered to be chattel, had no rights.

Did Lanah's claim of rape meet the criteria for a conviction? In an attempt to address false accusations of rape, the gold standard for rape prosecution was based upon the work of 17th Century lawyer Sir Matthew Hale. "The question was not simply whether a woman had been forced to have sex against her will but also whether her reputation was good enough, whether she had resisted vigorously enough, whether she had cried out loudly enough, whether she had sustained conspicuous physical injuries and whether she had reported the crime soon enough." The trial took one day, the deliberations and verdict were handed down in fifteen minutes. Had justice been served?

"The Sewing Girl's Tale by John Wood Sweet is a meticulously researched history of the first documented rape trial in the United States. "Although written as narrative, The Sewing Girl's Tale is an extremely, fascinating work of history. Highly recommended, especially for legal history buffs!

Thank you Henry Holt & Company and Net Galley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Having come across this book review in nytimes, I was intrigued by it. Before I got hold of the book, I read the trial notes. The author has not only recreated the happenings but also tried to provide context of the times and attitudes then. He went over many similar cases and how they resolved. If you are interested in the legal side of it, you will find your legal vocabulary increase with this reading.

What a splendid, rewarding read! In THE SEWING GIRL'S TALE, John Wood Sweet crafts a nonfiction story that reads as enticingly as a novel. Painting a rich portrait of a time and a vivid portrait of women's rights (or lack of them) in pre- and post-Revolutionary America, Sweet delivers a detective tale which is wonderfully alive and alight with insight. Highly recommended.

Many thanks to the publisher and to Netgalley for the opportunity and pleasure of an early read.

I found this a very well-researched book that examines not only the specific instances of the trial of Lanah Sawyer's rape, but also delves into the political turmoil that affected the United States as it moved from a group of British colonies into the early years of the Republic. It also examines the legal history of the late 18th and early 19th century, and how court rulings for civil and criminal actions changed over those years. It is also a very thoughtful presentation of women's rights (or lack thereof) and really, how many things related to women and how society perceives them have changed little in the past 200+ years.

The book covers a lot of legal history, some of which I will admit I skimmed a bit as it is extensive and in-depth, although it does serve the purpose of helping the reader understand how Lanah's Sawyer's cases were handled. (There were 2, in fact: The criminal case, similar to what we would prosecute today, which she lost, and a second civil case, which was based on a much older British law that entitled her stepfather to sue her rapist for damages and "loss of social position".) This also allows Sweet to discuss some of the implications of each and how the early Republican period was a time where the idea of an upper social strata of "gentlemen" and lower classes of "working laborers" was coming under question with the new "all men are created equal" concepts put forth in the Declaration of Independence.

Additionally, Sweet covers a lot of historical group, presenting information about New York (where the crime took place) before and after Revolutionary War and how the city was attempting to rebuild during this time. The book presents an amazingly vivid picture of social and economic life in NYC in the 1790s and into the early 19th century. Readers interested in the time period will recognize names like Alexander Hamilton, who played a role in the second (civil) lawsuit and trial.

As is typical of much history of this period, not very much is actually known about Lanah Sawyer. As a female, she was always going to be pigeon-holed as someone's daughter/stepdaughter or wife, and after her trials, she is known to have moved to Philadelphia and gotten married, but the trail of her story goes cold after that. Much more is known about her stepfather, who was a prominent pilot (independent marine/ship owner who worked in the port) and is an imposing figure who plays a starring role in this young woman's tale. Understanding his motivations to support (or perhaps push) his stepdaughter into pressing charges also helps one understand the class distinctions and friction that existed at this time in America (and still does today).

The role of women in society is also examined in this book. While Lanah Sawyer's decision to prosecute her attacker was rare for the time, it took it's personal toll. She attempted suicide at one point between the two trials, and Sweet discusses the intense scrutiny she would have been under by her peers and neighborhood after the rape was made public. Sadly, many of today's sexual assault victims can probably sympathize with Lanah, as there is still cultural bias towards many rape victims. The role of women in the young Republic was one that would increase in importance over the intervening years between Lanah's lifetime and ours, although many of the same biases and inequalities still remain.

I couldn't put this book down! John Wood Sweet has written and extensively researched this novel based on the factual story of the rape of a young 17 year old girl in New York City during the late 1700's. The appalling fact that women were no more than things owned by men was angering to me, but the entire story enflamed even more anger in me. A rake, ( an unscrupulous man with no moral compass, only the compass in his pants), takes advantage, in a terrible way, of this young girl, Lanah Sawyer, and when taken to court, WINS!
It's all downhill for him after that, but the things that occur make up this book. The story takes place during the time of Alexander Hamilton, John Adams and our country's founding fathers. How they treated women was harrowing! Our country's court system favored men and is still corrupt. Anyway, The Sewing Girl's Tale is an incredible read about New York history, and I loved it! Thank you to NetGalley and Henry Holt and Company Publishing for the arc. I am sorry that the illustrations, which must be terrific, did not show up on my Kindle.

It feels strange to say that I loved this book given the subject matter, but I really did love this book! I honestly can't think of a single thing about it that I didn't like, aside from the horrible injustice that Lanah Sawyer & others like her experienced/still experience. This book excellently exposes the injustice that Lanah suffered, and explains the context of how such mind-boggling grievances could have happened.

The thoroughness of Sweet's research greatly impressed me while reading. He expertly explains considerations such as social status of the parties involved, political implications of the trial, connotations of words that aren't common in modern language, such as "rake" & "bawd", to give deeper insight into Lanah's experience. As an avid history buff & frequent reader of both historical fiction - classic literature, I've come across these terms many times, but have never seen their significance explained as explicitly as they are in this book. Sweet also explains why justice was not served in the way that a modern reader would expect it to be, & why the way some semblance of it was achieved was deemed acceptable and, at the time, the somewhat obvious solution.

I loved Sweet's engaging writing style. Nonfiction history books can be dry at times, but this one blends a narrative style with factual information well. There are even quite a few cliffhangers in between chapters! The book is peppered with footnotes to provide citations & explain details further, &, at least in the ebook format, they are formatted very well, in a way that is convenient and user-friendly.

I feel like this goes without saying if you read the book summary, but readers should know that this book does contain details about a rape, one that really did happen to a young woman. There is also blatant misogyny (from "good guys" as well as "bad guys") & a suicide attempt. Even so, this is a fantastic book & I recommend reading it!

In 1793 a young woman was raped in New York City. She was not the first woman to be assaulted there, nor would she be the last. But Lanah Sawyer, who was only seventeen, pressed charges against her rapist, Harry Bedlow. This was extraordinarily brave of her, as courts and society favored the man in these situations, especially if he were rich or connected, which Bedlow was.

Even today most rapes, even the reported ones, don't go to trial. And there are supposed protections in place for the victim during testimony. It is still very, very difficult. How much more intimidating it must have been for a teenage seamstress in the eighteenth century. But Lanah's ordeal eventually resolved itself in her favor. She was lucky in her stepfather who believed in her and fought for her.

"The Sewing Girl's Tale" is a most interesting and revealing look at social and legal mores in the early Republic. It is also a bit dispiriting compared with now, because one would think we would have come further in two and a quarter centuries. Sexual assault victims are still disbelieved or disdained, especially if the accused is well-connected. Raped women are told that their reporting the crime will have an adverse effect on the rapist's life! It's disgusting. Lanah Sawyer lives on in American jurisprudence.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC

I found the rape trial of Lanah Sawyer against Harry Bedlow in 1793 very interesting. Against the backdrop of New York City society and the fluctuating circumstances it’s an examination of law, gender expectations, relations, and social wrapped up in one girl’s reputation ruination.
Colonial history is one of my many areas of interest and Sweet gives a good slice of life, society, and the law.
I learned about seduction cases, which I had never heard before.
It’s an introspective contribution to the canon of colonial history.

The more things change the more they stay the same. The Sewing Girl's Tale is frighteningly modern in many respects. Lanah Sawyer was a seventeen year old in colonial America who was sexually assaulted by Harry Bedlow, a man from a prominent family who clearly expected no repercussions to come of his crime. Why would he when shame and victim blaming keeps many assault victims quiet even today? What he got instead was Lanah and her step father coming forward and accusing him of rape. Lanah's step father doggedly persisted in bringing Bedlow to some sort of justice and the community itself, who had warned Lanah initially of Bedlow's reputation and therefore clearly had concerns about men of such a predatory nature, supported her.

The horrific crime resonates today and John Sweet lays out a highly readable presentation of historical material. Much research has been done for this book and also took into account the social and economic divide in play in the case. The author has clearly done much primary source work and makes the story fresh and alive to the reader. The case itself is an intense study of how things have and haven't changed when it comes to sexual assault crimes and offers a fascinating look at a bold young woman and her step father, determined to make a criminal responsible for his actions.

Thank you to Net Galley and Macmillan Publishing for the ARC copy.

A fascinating account of the 1793 rape of young Lanah Sawyer(the sewing girl of the title) is many things: a social history, a courtroom drama, a mystery and all true, well researched and written in a lively style which keeps the the reader engaged throughout. Lanah, with the support of her family, has the audacity to challange in court the upper class layabout who raped her. A well written account of the history of women, their place in society and the evolution of the way rape has been viewed over the centuries. Of special interest to those who like NYC history & feminist history

This was a heartbreaking work of nonfiction about a woman who was sexually assaulted but did not get the justice she deserved. There were many parts that was heavily fictionalized for dramatization. I think that this should have been either a full nonfiction work or a historical fiction novel. Still, this book shone light on a tragic piece of history that I did not already know!

why are women long suffering underdogs who have via history still are fight for equal rights , we certainly have to continue to hold others accountable for treating women as second class, this book is not a stretch from today's world and certainly points out we have to keep fighting for rights in the legal system when we are violated, The long ago tale is great to understand how hard it is for woman to fight for injustice and still feel like no one is really helping , laws and attitudes have to change . I like this book because it sheds light on the justice system and how laws were in that day. Good weave

This is a well-researched true story of a young woman who was the victim of a premeditated rape and chose to press charges, setting a precedent in the newly formed US. It is a depressing read in the present climate in which women are still not believed and our rights are being stripped away. But it is an important story for those interested in women's issues, early US history, and legal history.

Thank you to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a temporary digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

When 17-year old Lanah Sawyer agreed to an afternoon stroll with a charming young mani in the summer of 1793, she had no idea where the night would lead. In this fascinating narrative that reads like a modern day true crime, After a decade of detective work, Historian John Sweet brings to life all the characters involved both the crime and its subsequent repercussions.

As one unfamiliar with this case, I found myself swept along by the twists and turns. Upon conclusion of the trial, I considered the story to be coming to a close, only to underestimate the perserverance of Lanah's stepfather and fellow New Yorkers in fighting back and how the continued legal actions would affect the main (male) characters.

Things I loved include the exploration of class structure in 1793, the approach to the criminal versus civil cases, the to debtors prison's mock justice , and the intricate connections between the New York names we recognize today and those everday people we don't. Although, I wanted the author to offer a little more context comparing any differences between the law and trials in pre-Revolutionary English colonial law and the post-Constitution United States.

There were at least two twists that had me raising both eyebrows in surprise and kept me from putting the book down until after hours. A complex true crime story that weaves across many layers of social and legal history.

There's no mystery about the event that precipitates this tale. Right up front you face the grim reality of Harry Bedlow's sexual assault on Lanah Sawyer. But there are surprises to come as the aftermath unfolds in New York City of the early Republic.

It's no shock to any woman today that bad behavior by a well-off son of a noted family will expect to escape unscathed from his actions. The early part of the story was sometimes difficult to read because the parallels to cases even 200 years later, and many women's own experiences. But then the case takes a fascinating turn: the support for Lanah from the community, and the persistence of her step-father, deliver actual consequences to the perpetrator. In fact, the community response rhymed with recent US history for me as well, as protests demonstrated that a woman's fate mattered to her neighbors in ways I didn't expect to hear about in this period, and was new information to me.

I ache to know more about what went on in Lanah's internal dialog as this all played out. But we just don't have that kind of information from 18th century women. The author's choice to not speculate was the correct one for a historical and fact-based text. But I yearned for it nonetheless. And I'll be thinking about Lanah for a long time.

As a historical re-enactor of this time frame, I found the historical context to be just what I'd hoped. The legal framework was useful but not overwhelming. The descriptions of the middle class life are helpful. Even the impact of Yellow Fever on the city residents was reminiscent of things we can easily imagine today.

In all, this book was a revealing look at a time that seems distant, but in fact echoes with today in many important ways. It was definitely worth the time.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Publishers for the DRC.

“The Sewing Girl's Tale: A Story of Crime and Consequences in Revolutionary America,” by John Wood Sweet (ISBN: 9781250761965), publication date: 19 Jul 2022, earns a strong five stars.

John Sweet presents his beautifully-written and exhaustively researched narrative about a 1793 rape of 17-year-old Lanah Sawyer by a rake, a member of the insulated privileged class, and that most personal crime’s public and affecting aftermath that lasts even to today. Evocative and disturbing in ways almost indescribable, the crime and its effects are as brutally fresh and relevant today as they were when the rape occurred in New York City in 1793.

This is history, but not merely history. It is also a continuing tragedy, and a human story. We are there, uncomfortably present, through the preceding events, the crime, and the courtroom dramas, and during the complex actions following involving the press, the government, protests, and mob actions. Many are involved—even historical figures such as Alexander Hamilton who come away quite deservedly and forever tarnished.

We cannot help but admire the painful but amazing courage of Lanah Sawyer and her stepfather John Callanan. Together, they tenaciously fight for justice, despite women having essentially no real rights and most of the general population having little more. Tragically, they never quite achieve full justice. As tragic, we lose Lanah to history, so can only hope her life improved for her. In sum, this is a worthy read about a tragic situation and a compelling topic that leaves the reader changed.

Thanks to the publisher, Henry Holt & Company, for granting this reviewer the opportunity to read this Advance Reader Copy (ARC), and thanks to NetGalley for helping to make that possible.

There is nothing like good historical true crime to send you into a rage. The Sewing Girl's Tale is a wonderfully written book which examines the rape of a young woman in 1793 New York. Author John Wood Sweet tells a vividly detailed account of the entire saga from beginning to end. Sweet dives deep into the life of Lanah Sawyer and her rapist, Harry Bedlow. There is an amazing amount of documentation for the 1700s and it provides for a completely different view of post-Revolution New York City.

I would venture two caveats to my enthusiastic review. First, historical true crime requires the author to set the stage and explain the day to day life and times of the protagonists. Sweet is meticulous in explaining a tremendous amount of New York City and its people in the 1790s. For those looking for a short and fast narrative which sticks to the bare bones facts, you may be frustrated. I personally loved this aspect, but it is worth pointing out.

Second, John Wood Sweet clearly has a strong perspective on these people and events. While praising Lanah and demonizing Harry is straightforward, there are times where some readers could perceive a bias. If you are someone who will swear off a book because you don't agree with a certain viewpoint then this may prove a challenge for you. While I didn't necessarily agree with Sweet in all interpretations, it did not hinder my enjoyment of the book overall.

(This book was provided to me by Netgalley and Henry Holt & Company. The full review will be posted to HistoryNerdsUnited.com on 7/19/2022.)

This book was a difficult read. I'm generally interested in rediscovered histories of women's lives and it's clear a lot of meticulous research went into this book. I don't know what I was expecting going into it, but the whole book centers around the rape of a teenage girl at the end of the 18th century and the fallout for everyone involved. It's a grim tale and one I found myself considering over and over again, there but for an accident of birth and chronology, might go I.

Recommended if you're doing research on anything related--women's histories of the time, a novel with similar characters, etc. Should probably contain a content warning for survivors of sexual assault.

This is not just a recounting of a little-known but pivotal trial in American history. Sweet effectively brings post-Revolutionary War New York City to life, along with the dangers and restrictions that women faced.

The actual details of the rape are sparse, for readers who might need to know that information.

Readers who are drawn to top-notch narrative fiction will not want to miss this.

Librarians/booksellers: This is a unique and remarkable addition to your women's history collection.

Many thanks to Henry Holt & NetGalley for a digital review copy in exchange for an honest review.

Excellent read. What I thought would be a story of one young girl’s sad tale of sexual exploitation turned out to be filled with the history of rape trials, amid changing mores and social constructs. Lanah Sawyer was a 17 year old sewing girl walking unescorted down a busy street, when a Frenchman began flirting with her. A man, Harry Bedlow, supposedly came to her rescue, and they became friendly. His idea of friendship was to accost her, drag her into an alley and a back door brothel where he brutally assaulted her. He was wealthy, she was not. In those days an incident like this could easily ruin a woman’s reputation. Unlike most women, she had the support of her family and decided to fight back in the courtroom. This was the first rape trial in NYC. The courts were most likely to favor men, especially wealthy ones, and Lanah did live to see justice served. I liked how well-researched the book was. It was worth the long read, and is relevant for today’s times.
Thank you to Netgalley, the author, and publisher for an ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.