Sculpture of Deborah Sampson in the town of Sharon, MA. Artist Lu Stubbs.
Deborah Sampson (1760-1827)
Occupation: Revolutionary Soldier
Class: Lower Sort
Political Scale: 9
Allowed in the Old State House? No Admittance
· Since women are not allowed to enlist, you disguise yourself as a man to join the Continental Army. You manage to escape discovery for five years.
· You pass easily for a man when in disguise and enlist as ‘Robert Shurtleff.’
-You fight in several battles and are shot in the leg. You tend to your wounds yourself to keep your gender secret. As a result your leg never heals properly.
· You contract a fever and are tended to by a doctor who discovers your secret. You are given an honorable discharge from the army.
·You get married, have children, and adopt an orphan.
· Your friend Paul Revere argues your case to get you veteran’s benefits.
-You are the first woman soldier to receive veteran's benefits.
Social Network: Paul Revere (friend), General John Patterson (soldier), General Henry Knox (soldier), Benjamin Gannett (husband)