Abigail Stoneman

Abigail Stoneman (birth after 1740, fl 1760 to 1777) was a Colonial American widowed woman who operated inns and tea and coffee houses in Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and New York. She offered musical entertainment and dancing.

Background In the 18th century, it was unusual for women to operate businesses. Any property or money a woman may have owned before or acquired during her marriage was managed by her husband. Stoneman became a feme sole as a widowed woman and could thus operate businesses and manage her financial decisions.