Deborah Sampson

Deborah Sampson was born on May 17, 1760. Deborah lived a childhood of poverty and while she was raised in Plympton Massachusetts. The family could trace their lineage to the Mayflower on both sides including such notables as Priscilla Alden and Myles Standish. Her mother, Deborah Sampson was a very ill widow who had six children, Deborah being the oldest. Deborah’s father was a seaman who left the family in search for adventure, and had died in a shipwreck. Although he was thought to have been dead, rumors arouse that Deborah's father just walked out on his family, pretending to go to sea, and truly starting a new life in Maine. Deborah's moth

Deborah was invited to visit Washington D.C by George Washington, he addressed the letter to Robert Shurtliff or preferably, Deborah Sampson. Paul Revere wrote a letter to congress on behalf of Deborah asking that she recieve a pension. In 1804 Deborah received a pension of four dollars a month. While Deborah was in Washington a bill was passes giving her certain lands and pensions. Following is her pension. "GANNET, Deborah alias Robert Shurtliff, 832622, MA line, this lady enl under the name of Robert Shurtliff & was wounded in 1783 & she rec'd a pension under the act of 18 Mar 1818 & had previously been pensioned by the state of MA, she had m Benjamin Gannett on 7 Apr 1784 & she d 29 Apr 1826 & he rec'd a pension from 4 Mar 1831 at $80 per annum for life, a P. Parsons stated she lived in the family of Benjamin Gannett more that 46 yrs after he m Deborah Sampson at his father's in Sharon MAY, they lived at Sharon in Norfolk Co MA, the said Deborah was the daughter of Jonathan Sampson who was b 3 Apr 1729 at Plympton MA & her mother was also named Deborah who was the daughter of Elisha Bradford of Kingston MA & her parents were m 27 Oct 1751, she (the sol Deborah) was the granddaughter of Isaac Sampson one of the 1st settlers of Plympton MA, her husband Benjamin Gannett d in Jan 1837 & in 1838 final payment was made to Earl B. Gannett, Mary Gilbert & Patience Gay ."# Deborah died on April 29, 1827 in Sharon, Massachusetts. Deborah was 67 years old and lived a very full life. After her death Deborah's husband asked congress for an increased pension do to her high medical bills and was granted it one year after he died. The Sampson-Gannets received a total of $466.66 in pension.

Only two weeks after her musket injury, “Robert” was called to march. Beside her was another sick soldier by the name of Richard Snow, one day Richard fell to the ground and both Deborah and Richard went to a nearby farmhouse. This farmhouse was owned by a torry by the name of Van Tassel. Deborah and Richard were given an attic. When “Robert” requested a straw bed Van Tassel replied that his attic was good enough. Unfortunately, Richards condition was getting worse and ten days later he died. This upset Deborah but she knew that she must move on. Deborah, Van, and Van’s daughter helped bury Richard.

Deborah's bravery was known throughout the army and General Patterson requested her to be his aide de camp. Deborah accepted this offer and received many valuable gifts. She was given, a feather bed, a good horse, some fine equipment, and a private bathroom. Deborah traveled all over with General Patterson and formed a strong bond with him. On one occasion the troops went to Philadelphia and many of them caught a malignant fever. Deborah was one of the “men” who caught the fever and was immediately hospitalized. Dr. Binney was to take care of the patient but Deborah soon slipped into a coma. After she awoke Deborah found soldiers fighting over her clothes. She was already presumed dead. With all of her strength she called for the nurse and told the nurse to get Dr. Binney. When the doctor arrived in the room Deborah had already slipped back into another coma. Dr.Binney reached his hand down the soldier’s jacket to listen to “his” heartbeat and found that this soldier was a woman. Dr. Binney kept this secret and after Deborah began to recover she stayed at the Binney’s home. Deborah still dressed as a soldier and was introduced to doctor Binney’s wife and Daughters. Soon “Robert” became part of the family. She attended plays with the Binney's and did other activities such as sailing, taking walks and going to large gatherings with them. At large banquets Deborah was congratulated on her acts of bravery and courage. Deborah enjoyed staying with them and son she forgot about the serious trouble she was in. Her secret was known and she knew her days as a soldier were short lived. One day Deborah was asked to deliver a lette

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