Mercy Otis WarrenMercy Otis Warren was a pamphleteer and playwright who attacked the British government. She also devoted time to being a wife and mother to five sons, while also writing a three-volume book published in 1805 called The Rise, Progress, and Termination of the American Revolution, based on her first-hand knowledge of the subject. Thanks to these accomplishments, Mercy Otis Warren was an influential figure during the American Revolution. Mercy Otis Warren was born on September 25, 1728, in Barnstable, Massachusetts, near Plymouth. His parents were James Otis and Mary Allyne Otis. They lived on a farm in Barnstable where James prospered as a merchant, farmer, and lawyer for seventy-six years. James Otis also served as a judge in his country's Court of Common Pleas and as a colonel in the militia. Mercy's great-great-grandfather came to America aboard the Mayflower as a servant and signed the Mayflower Contract. James Jr., Joseph, Mary, Hannah, Elizabeth and Samuel were the only seven, plus herself, of her thirteen siblings to survive. The Otises ensured that their sons were prepared for college, but the girls received no formal education. As the daughter of one of the country's leaders, Mercy was exposed to frequent political discussions. Sometimes Mercy was also allowed to attend her brother's lessons as they were tutored by their uncle, the local pastor, Reverend Russell. He let Mercy borrow books from his library. She zealously absorbed Sir Walter Raleigh's History of the World (1614) and other classics. From there she got a good education. At the age of 16, Mercy was introduced to James Warren, who at the time was attending Harvard College. Their friendship slowly evolved into a courtship that lasted several years, until they married on November 14, 1754. Mercy and James Warren had five sons, James in 1757, Winslow in 1759, Charles in 1762, Henry in 1764 and George in 1766. Even though she had five sons to support and a very powerful husband, Mercy Otis Warren always found quiet time to read and even write poetry herself. "For you are more than life, and if our destiny should bring life and my love into conflict, how can I then forget that I love you more than life.