The Story of Deborah Sampson, Woman Soldier of the Revolution
By: Heather Michon
“An extraordinary instance of virtue in a female soldier, has occurred lately in the American Army, in the Massachusetts line, viz., lively comely young nymph, 19 years old, dressed in men’s apparel has been discovered,” went the story first published in the New York Gazette. “And what redounds to her honor, she has served in the character of a soldier for nearly three years undiscovered; during which time she displayed herself with activity, alertness, chastity and valour, having been in several skirmishes with the enemy and receiving two wounds,” fragments of which remained in her body.
Published in newspapers from New York City to Boston in January , the story actually got many of the details wrong: the woman had served 17 months, not three years; she was 23, not 19; and few would have described her as “comely” or nymph-like. Instead, Deborah Sampson was a tall, somewhat plain-looking weaver and schoolteacher from Middleborough, Massachusetts, who had disguised herself as “Robert Shurtliff” and served with an infantry company in the final months of the Revolutionary War. Twice wounded
Deborah Sampson
Edited by Debra Michals, Ph.D., | Updated January
Deborah Sampson became a hero of the American Revolution when she disguised herself as a man and joined the Patriot forces. She was the only woman to earn a full military pension for participation in the Revolutionary army.
Born on December 17, in Plympton, Massachusetts near Plymouth, Sampson was one of seven children to Jonathan Sampson Jr. and Deborah (Bradford) Sampson. Both were descendants of preeminent Pilgrims: Jonathan of Myles Standish and Priscilla Alden; his wife, the great granddaughter of Massachusetts Governor William Bradford. Still, the Sampsons struggled financially and, after Jonathan failed to return from a sea voyage, his impoverished wife was forced to place her children in different households. Five years later, at age 10, young Deborah was bound out as an indentured servant to Deacon Benjamin Thomas, a farmer in Middleborough with a large family. At age 18, with her indenture completed, Sampson, who was self-educated, worked as a teacher during summer sessions in and and as a weaver in winter.
In , as the Revolutionary War raged on, the patriotic Sampson disguised herself
Deborah Sampson was a woman who disguised herself as a man and fought as a soldier in the Continental Army during the American Revolution.
She was one of only a small number of women who fought in the Revolutionary War and was later awarded a pension for her military service.
The following are some facts about Deborah Sampson:
Deborah Sampson&#;s Childhood & Early Life:
Deborah Sampson was born on December 17, in Plympton, Massachusetts to Johnathan Sampson, Jr. and Deborah Bradford.
Bradford was a direct descendant of the Mayflower pilgrim, William Bradford, and Johnathan Sampson, Jr., was a direct descendant of the Mayflower pilgrims Miles Standish as well as John Alden.
Deborah Sampson was the oldest of seven children. The Sampson family lived in poverty due to Johnathan Sampson, Jr&#;s, bad luck and lack of business skills.
According to Sampson&#;s biographer, Herman Mann, who personally interviewed Sampson for his biography on her titled The Female Review, or the Memoirs of an American Young Lady, after Sampson&#;s grandfather died in , her father Johnathan was cheated out of his inheritance by his brother-in-law, which eventually led him to go to sea to seek h
Deborah Sampson
Deborah Sampson is one of the American Revolution heroes. It is a rare story in which Deborah disguised herself as a male to join the forces fighting the British.
She was the only woman to earn a full military pension for her Revolutionary army participation.
Deborah had a difficult upbringing. She was one of seven children of Jonathan Sampson, Jr. and Deborah (Bradford) Sampson.
Each side of the family held claim to being descendants of the Pilgrim founders. Jonathan was descended from Myles Standish and Priscilla Alden, and his wife was the great-granddaughter of Governor William Bradford.
Deborah Sampson Facts for Kids
- Deborah Sampson was born in Massachusetts,
- She disguised herself as a man to join the army.
- Sampson served in the Revolutionary War.
- Her pseudonym was “Robert Shurtliff.”
- She was wounded in battle but wasn’t discovered.
- Sampson was honorably discharged in
- She became a speaker, sharing her war stories.
Deborahs Early Years
Even with such a superb heritage, the Sampson family was always struggling. Jonathan set out to see, and when he didn’t come home, his wife had to put all seven children in different homes.
Deborah was onl
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