DEBORAH SAMSON
In
October of 1778 Deborah Samson of Plympton, Massachusetts disguised herself as a
young man and presented herself to the American army as a willing volunter to
oppose the common enemy. She enlisted for the whole term of the war as Robert
Shirtliffe and served in the company of Captain Nathan Thayer of Medway,
Massachusetts.
For
three years she served in various duties and was wounded twice - the first time
by a sword cut on the side of the head and four months later she was shot
through the shoulder. Her sexual identity went undetected until she came down
with a brain fever, then prevalent among the soldiers. The attending physician,
Dr. Binney, of Philadelphia, discovered her charade, but said nothing. Instead
he had her taken to his own home where she would receive better care. When her
health was restored the doctor met with Robert's commanding officer and
subsequently an order was issued for Robert Shirtliffe to carry a letter to
General Washington. (This may also be "legend" as there is no record
of her ever being in Philadelphia.)
When the order came for her to deliver a
letter into the hands of the Commander-in-chief, she knew that her deception was
over. She presented herself at the headquarters of Washington, trembling with
dread and uncertainty. General Washington, to spare her embarrassment, said
nothing. Instead he sent her with an aide to have some refreshments, then
summoned her back. In silence Washington handed Deborah Samson a discharge from
the service, a note with some words of advice, and a sum of money sufficient to
bear her expenses home. (This, too, may well be more legend than fact.)
After
the war Deborah Samson married Benjamin Gannett of Sharon and they had three
children. During George Washington's presidency she received a letter inviting
Robert Shirtliffe, or rather Mrs. Gannett, to visit Washington. During her stay
at the capital a bill was passed granting her a pension, in addition to certain
lands, which she was to receive as an acknowledgment for her services to the
country in a military capacity as a Revolutionary Soldier, in part thanks to the
efforts of Paul Revere.