Women of The Revolutionary War
1775-1783
During the Revolutionary War, in which the colonies felt that they did not need the protection
of the British any longer, and could protect themselves, was also a war of patriotism. Many
people maintained much pride for their colonies, and the people witnessed the reading of the
Declaration of Independence, as well as experiencing war. Women were not exempt from these
feelings pride, however during these times women were not allowed to show their patriotism as
the men did. They were not allowed to enlist in the military so that they could fight for their
country as well. Many asked the questions, "Why can I not serve my country?' Because of this
there was a rise in women who disguised themselves as men so that they could fight and defend
their land from the British,and gain their independence. It is not certain as to the exact
number of women who fought in the Revolutionary War since the women held their identity, however
it is known that they served with pride, and served admirably.
Deborah Samson Gannett
Born: Dec 17, 1760 in Plymouth, Massachusetts to John and Deborah Samson
Family could trace lineage to the Mayflower on both sides.
Died: Apr 19, 1827 in Sharon, Massachusetts at the age of 67.
Deborah Samson, born on Dec 17, 1760 was from a modest family. She was born to John and
Deborah Samson in Plymouth, Massachusetts. Deborah was the oldest of 6 children, 3 girls and
3 boys. At the age of 5 her father left to go to sea, and it is thought that he died at sea,
however there is conflicting information involving her father. It was later found out that her
father actually walked out on his family and started a new family in Maine. Since her father
was the main income to the family there were problems financially after her father left. Her
mother was very poor, and had a difficult time keeping up financially. When Deborah was age
9 or 10, her mother sent her to live with a family because she could no longer take care of
her children. She ended up living with Jermain Thomas and his boys from Middlesborough.
Since she was the only female in the household she had to take care of them by cooking, and
cleaning and also read to, and taught the boys. By the time she was 18 she was able to
move out and become a school teacher in Middlesborough.
During this time the Revolution began, and Deborah wanted to help fight for the independence
of the colonies, however she was unable to do so since she was a female. So in the beginning
of 1782 she enlisted into the American Army for the first time, however feelings of fear came
over her, and so when her company was to leave the following day she did not show up. Again on
May 20, 1782 Deborah enlisted into the American Army as Robert Shirtliffe, and was put into the
4th Massachusetts Regiment, that was commanded by Captain Nathan Thayer from Medway Massachusett
s, and served for three years(or so say the resources however if you go by the dates it is much
less then 3 years). On May 20, 1782 Deborah as Robert left with her company on a two week march
to West Point, New York. Here Washington was located, and her company was to barricade the
enemy from getting to Washington. Her company was with limited supplies as well as limited
clothing. They wore rawhide strips on their feet even during the winter months. The church in
Deborah's home town found out about her dressing as a man and enlisting into the army, and as
an end result she was ex-communicated from the church for immorality.
Deborah fought in numerous battles in Tarrytown, Tappenbay, and Yorktown. During the battles
she was wounded twice. Once in Tarrytown she was wounded in the head by a sword. Another time
she was hit by a musketball in East Chester. There is some conflict in the resources that I
have found on Deborah as to the exact location that she was injured. Some say that she was
injured in her shoulder and others say that she was injured in her leg. There is also
conflicting information as to how she dealt with the injury. Some say that she asked the
doctor for more medication, others say that she did not tell the doctor about the injury,
and pulled the ball out herself, and others say that she could not get the ball out, and left
it in her leg, which caused her problems later on in life. As to the exact location and
method of removal I am not sure, however these injuries did not cause her to be revealed as a
woman.
The incident that caused her to be revealed was an illness. When Deborah came down with a
brain fever. The attending physician was Dr. Binney of Pennsylvania. During this time he
discovered that in fact she was a woman, however he did not reveal her identity. He removed
her from the military medical facilities and took her to his private home where he could give
her better care.
Well here comes another conflict in resources. One source says that after she was recovered
from her illnesses she was sent back to her company but the doctor did not tell her commander.
However her commander gave her a letter which she was to personally deliver to Washington.
When she arrived and handed the letter to Washington he asked her to leave the room. When she
returned to the room, he handed her a letter which was a discharge from the Army. Also she
received a pension, and some land for her service as a "Revolutionary Soldier". Another resource
says that after the Doctor turned her in to the General at Fort Knox, and when she arrived at
her post they immediately discharged her from the Army. I tend to believe the second source
since the first source said that the date of the letter delivery to Washington was in 1804,
however her discharge date was on Oct 23, 1783.
In 1784, Deborah met and married a farmer from Sharon, Massachusetts-Benjamin Gannett.
They have three children, two girls named Mary, and Patience, and a boy named Earl. There
is some information that she adopted a little baby girl named Susanna. The Gannett's had a
happy marriage, however it was not a rich marriage. During their times together they had
numerous financial problems. It is said that Paul Revere had so much respect for Deborah
that he personally went to the Massachusetts Legislation and requested that Deborah receive
a pension. In 1805 Deborah received a pension for being a disabled Veteran in the amount
of $4.00 a month. And in 1818 her pension was raised to $8.00 a month. At the age of 41
Deborah still in need for money, donned her old Army uniform and traveled around the Us
giving lectures on her experience, and receiving money for them. She became the first woman
to lecture in the US. On April 19, 1827 Deborah Samson Gannett died, leaving her husband
widowed. He in return received her pension.
Dates:
1797: The Female Review writes an autobiography of Deborah Samson.
1944: The liberty ship "Deborah Samson Gannett is christened.
1983: Deborah Samson is named the heroine of the commonwealth of Massachusetts.
1985: Deborah is honored with the commemorative medal by the US Capital Society.
Rachel and Grace Martin.
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
There is little know about these two sisters, however these two women disguised themselves as
men and assailed the British Courier and his guards. The took important information from these
individuals and then this information was forwarded to General Greene. After they attained
the information from the officers, they let the men go. These officers never knew that these
two captors were women. It is not known what else conspired from this event, or what other
brave acts these women performed.
Prudence Wright:
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Prudence was known for commanding a troop or company of women who in fact had disguised
themselves as men. These "men" defended the town of Pepperell Massachusetts, which more
that likely contained the Martin sisters. I am not sure of this, however in the information
that I have found on Prudence it says that "this group of women captured a British courier, and
sent the plans he carried to the leaders of the Massachusetts Militia.".
Anne Trotter Bailey Aka "Mad Anne Bailey"
Born: 1742 in Liverpool, England
Died: November 22, 1825 in Gallia County, Ohio of old age
Anne Trotter Bailey is probably one of the most outrageous female figures of history. She
is known for her outlandish behavior, as well as for her patriotism. Born in Liverpool,
England in 1742 as Anne hennis, she was then transported at the age of 19 to Virginia in
Shenandoah Valley after her parents passed away, living with relatives. In 1765 she married
Robert Trotter, and had one son named William Trotter. When William was at the age of 7 in
1774, Lord Dunmore called for a militia to fight against the Indians of the western boarder.
Robert answered this call, and enlisted, but on Oct 10, 1774 at the Battle of Point Pleasant,
he was killed fighting against the forces of the Shawnee leader, Cornstalk.
Due to the loss of her husband, things changed in her life. She decided to help the forces
against the Indians. She left her son William with her neighbor Mrs. Moses Mann, and set
out to become a skilled frontier scout, a horsewoman, hunter, messenger and storyteller.
Disguising herself as a man and joining the Army, she did not look like any other soldier,
wearing her buckskins, carrying a hatchet, knife and long rifle. She went to militia meeting
to meet with the men, conversing how to fight against the British and the Indians.
Mad Anne was famously know for her ride in 1791. In 1861a poet named Charles Robb even wrote
a poem about this outlandish ride made by Anne named "Anne Bailey's Ride". In what is now
know as West Virginia, was then an unsettled wilderness in the middle of a frontier war between
the would be settlers and the local Indian Tribes, Fort Lee had run into a bit of difficulty
when they ran out of ammunition. A runner from Point Pleasant had come to Fort Lee bringing
the message that the Indians had plans to attack within the next few days. Being without
ammunition this posed a problem for the Fort. In order to avoid the ambush by the Indians,
Anne made a 100mile trip to Fort Savannah in Lewisburg across the wilderness to obtain the
ammunition and gunpowder that would be needed. She returned with the much needed supplies,
in time to fight off the ambush by the Indians. Her heroism was shown through this action,
because she had made the long dangerous trip just to save her fort, which is currently
Charleston, West Virginia. She continued with her frontier career until 1795, when she saw
through the signing of the Greenville Treaty, which would end the Indian Wars.
In 1785 Anne married again, to another frontiersman, and army ranger, named John Bailey.
After her marriage they moved to Clendenin's Settlement, where Anne made her famous ride,
and in 1802 John Bailey died. After John's death, she made her home with her son, but also
made numerous travels working as a storyteller, and a trader. Then in 1817 her son decided
to move to Gallia County, Ohio. Though Anne did not want to leave Virginia, she also did not
want to be without her son. So reluctantly she moved with her son to Ohio. On November 22,
1825 Anne died of natural causes, and basically old age.
Anne had numerous Nicknames due to her adventures. Some of them included "Daughter of the
Revolution", "The Pioneer Heroine of the Great Kanawah Shore", "Mad Anne", and "The White
Squaw of Kanawah". The most famous of her nicknames was "Mad Anne", and received this name
mainly due to her outrageous actions. Some resources say that she received this nickname
from the Indians because they felt as if she was possessed with a spirit, and plainly was
just insane. There is a folklore which states that one day Anne was being chased by a group
of Indians. Knowing that she could not outrun these Indians, Anne abandoned her horse and
hid in a log. The Indians, not being able to find her, thought that she had vanished, and
so they took her horse. Later on that night Anne immerged from the log, snuck into the
camp, and stole her horse back. After retrieving her horse she began screaming and hollering,
and shooting off her gun. Whether or not this story is true, I have no idea.
Anne has had the honor of having a school named after her, an elementary school in St. Albans
in West Virginia, near Charleston Virginia. Also a chapter of the NSDAR, as well as a look out
tower in Watoga State park is named after her. In 1825 her remains were moved from from Ohio,
to the Point Pleasant Battle Monument State Park, which also contains memorabilia of Anne.
Not only were there the women during this war that fought in disguise, but there were many
prominent women who fought just as themselves showing the men that she had just as much
bravery and pride that any man would.
Mary Hays McCauly Aka "Molly Pitcher"
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
There is not any definite information about Mary Hays, except that she took part in the battle
of Monmouth on June 28. The nickname that most people associate with Mary, "Molly Pitcher"
is also put into doubt as well. There are so many mysteries surrounding her, but it is known
that Mary must have done something special, otherwise I would not be writing about her today.
Mary Hays was married to William Hays as an artillery wife. She served for 7 years with her
husband in the 7th Pennsylvania State Regiment of Artillery. The day she is most know for is
June 28, 1778 the day of the Battle of Manmouth. On this day the battle was strong, and there
was a need for backup to the soldiers. This is when Mary began to earn her nickname as "Molly
Pitcher". Molly ran furiously around the field supplying numerous pitchers of water to the
soldiers, among other tasks that she accomplish. She also aided in the care of the wounded,
swabbed out cannon bores, loaded shots, and even carried a wounded soldier out of harms way
of the British soldiers.
As Molly looked on from her duties, she saw that her husband among other soldiers had fallen
wounded. As an immediate reaction Molly ran over to where her husband had fallen and grabbed
the rammer staff from his hands and began to continue her husbands position shooting off the
cannon. She stood her position as as the matross (gunner) any other man in the battle would,
ignoring her own wounds.
It is said that General Washington was so impressed with her patriotism and bravery that he
warranted her a noncommissioned officer, and soon she was called Sergeant Molly. In 1882
Molly was awarded a $40 per year by the State of Pennsylvania for her time served in the war.
When she died there was a flagstaff and a cannon placed as a memorial for her service placed
on her gravesite in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. There is also a sculpture on the Battle monument
as a memorial to the legion/real life "Molly Pitcher".
Margaret Cochran Corbin
Born: November 12, 1751 in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania
Died: 1800 in West Point, New york at the age of 51
Margaret Corbin born on November 12, 1751 In Pennsylvania, was orphaned at the age of five.
From then she ended up being raised by family members. At the age of 21 Margaret married John
Corbin, who shortly after joined the Continental Army, and when the American Revolution began
4 short years later, Margaret accompanied her husband on the battlefields. During this time
is was very common for service mens wives to help out the soldiers by cooking, washing laundry,
or aiding the wounded. Margaret was not exception. Not only did she accomplish these tasks,
but she also learned the drills,and the method for using the weapons through observation.
On November 16, 1776 Margaret was stationed with her husband at Fort Washington, New York.
On this day the fort was attacked by the British and the hessian troops, and it was a harsh
battle. Margaret's husband John was assisting a gunner, until the gunner was killed. At that
time John stepped up and took his place, and Margaret then assisted her husband. A short while
later, John was then killed, and without hesitation Margaret stepped up, and took her husband's
place. For she knew that is she did not then they would have to retreat. She did not have
the time to grieve over her husband's demise, she only had to think of her colonies. She had
to think of the future settlers of the colonies.
Margaret was also wounded during this war. She was gravely shot in her shoulder, mangled her
chest, and also her jaw. She was then pulled from her post and sent to get medical attention.
In the long run Margaret suffered greatly from these wounds. Her whole left side was left
paralyzed for the rest of her life. She was known to have lived in New Jersey, and Pennsylvania
after the war.
In July of 1779 Margaret was awarded by Congress a pension for her heroism, as well as a suit
of clothes, as well as being included in the regimental muster list until the war was over in
1783. In 1920 the Daughters of the American Revolution moved Margaret's remains from her obscure
grave to the Old Cadet Chapel in West Point where the other soldiers were buried. There is a
bronze monument standing there now that commemorates her bravery, which states "the first
American woman to take a soldier's part in the war for liberty."
Judith Sergeant Murray
Born: 1751
Died: 1820
Known writer during the Revolution times reflecting on her opinions of feminism, and women's
rights. She stands as 18th Century America's greatest educational reformer for women, and
one of the world's greatest ethical leaders.
Anna Warner Bailey:
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Known as the wife of Captain Elijah Bailey during the revolution time. She earned the title
of "The Heroine of Groton" due to her fearless effort to help and aid the wounded at the
terrible massacre at Fort Griswold in Connecticut. In order to achieve her efforts she went
from house to house in an attempt to collect materials and medical supplies that she could use
to help the wounded soldiers.
Angelica Brooman
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Know for patiently constructing numerous bullets as the battles went on for the soldiers so
that they could use them for their battles.
Deborah Champion
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Known for traveling 2 days through enemy lines just so that she could bring intelligence
information to General Washington.
Mary Hagidorn:
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
When ordered by Captain Hager that the women and children were to go to the long cellar, she
replied:"
Captain, I shall not go to that cellar should the enemy come. I will take a spear which I can
use as well as any man and help defend the court". The Captain impressed with her courage
and determination then replied to her:"Well then take a spear Mary, and be ready at the pickets
to repel the attack." She immediately did so and awaited the ambush which never occurred.
Elizabeth Zane:
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Elizabeth is known for her courageous acts when the troops at Fort Henry were under attack
by the Indians, and they ran out of ammunition. She volunteered to go to her brother's house
to retrieve some gun powder that she knew was in his house. The house was outside the gates
of the fort. She was able to walk past the Indian's unnoticed and retrieve the gunpowder.
Though she did run into some hostile fire on the way back to the fort, and return safely. In
1903 the children of Martin's Ferry , Ohio put up a monument to commemorate her actions.
Abigail Smith Adams:
Born: Nov 11, 1744 in Weymouth, Massachusetts.
Died: Oct 28, 1818 in Quincy, Massachusetts
The Smith family, decending from the Quincy family, as well as many congregational ministers,
and leaders were know as a very prestigious family in Weymouth, Massachusetts. However Abaigail
was not very educated, due to her weak health. This was typical for the times though that
numerous women were not educated. She did however love to read and much of her education was
influenced by her grandmother Mrs. John Quincy. Through her love of reading she met her future
husband John Adams, who was then a Harvard Graduate, with a career in law. In 1764 when Abigail
when she was 20 they were married, and within 10 years they bore 3 sons and 2 daughters.
Abigail Amelia Adams, b. July 14, 1765
John Quincy Adams the 6th President of the United States
Susanna Adams, b. Dec. 28, 1768
Charles Adams, b. May 29, 1770
Thomas Boylston Adams (Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Massachusetts), b. Sept. 15, 1772
A majority of the time that Abigail and John were married, they were separated, since John was
traveling as a circuit judge. And through this Abigail stayed at home and did what was then
considered the "typical" womanly duties. She took care of her family, and taught her children.
During her marriage the revolution began, and Abigail was known for her numerous letters of
women pride to her husband. She wroter to her husband telling him to "remember the ladies". Her
letters tried to gain more rights for women, and to gain equality. This was the first form of
the women's movement, and feminism. Many of her letters to her husband were well know, and still
are to this day.
Emily Geiger
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Traveled 100 miles through the South Carolina swamps to deliver intelligence information from
General Nathaniel Greene to General Thomas Sumter.
Susanna Bolling
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
This teenager was known to have crossed the Appomattox River alone and at night to pass on the
message to General lafayette that the British planned to attack.
Cathrine Van Rennsaelear
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Was the wife of General Rennsaelear, and the mother of 14 children who ignored the danger of
hostile Native Americans who were allied with the British and advancing to her farm to burn her
crops so that they would not be able to harvest her crops.
Betsy Dawd
Born: Unknown
Died: Unknown
Known for warning the Americas of Governor Dunmore's plans to take over the coast. Due to her
actions the army was able to defeat Dunmore's troops, and take Norfolk, Virginia.
Sybil Ludington
Born: April 5, 1761 to Col. Henry Ludington and Abigail Ludington in Fredericksburg
Died: February 26, 1839 at the age of 77 years
Sybil born in Fredricksburg, which is now named after her family (Ludington), made a remarkable
dent on history at the young age of 16. The oldest of 12, Sybil was accustomed to taking care
of her siblings, and on the night of April 26, 1777 she was doing just that. At that time a
messenger of Col. Henry Ludington's came to the home to relay a message to him. About 2,000
English forces, under the command of General Tryon had advanced on Danbury, and that the American
troops had to be called together. Realizing that the messenger was tired, as was the horse,
and having to organize a group of soldiers since at that time there was only 150 soldiers
present at the time, Sybil volunteered to go out and relay the message to her father's regiment.
The regiment had been sent to their homes after a long period of duty for rest time so that they
could harvest their farms Most people remember the ride of Paul Revere, but most people do not
know of the ride that Sybil made on this night. Her ride to her father's regiment was a much
longer and treacherous ride then the one that Paul Revere made. She rode along in the dark,
wet, unpaved roads. She rode from Ludingtonville, to Carmel Village, into Mahopac and Mahopac
Falls, and then through the Kent Cliffs, and Farmer's Mills. During her ride, just as Paul
Revere had done, she called through the night to the families that the British were coming.
Today in Carmel there stands a statue of her and her horse, Star, which commemorates her
treacherous ride and bravery.
Nancy Morgan Hart
Born: Circa 1744 or 1747 in Orange County, North Carolina
Died: Unknown.
Nancy Morgan was known for her fiery attack against the Tories, and for shooting one in her
own home, and holding the others captive until the Whigs arrived.
To do justice to her tribute please visit this page on Nancy Morgan Hart, and read the scandals
surrounding her life.
Mary Weisgerber, Known for sewing the First Flag of the United States.
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