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Deborah Sampson, a remarkable figure from Plympton, Massachusetts, forged an unforgettable link to the American Revolution as the first woman to enlist in the United States military and the first to sustain an injury on the battlefield. Her unique journey was marked by her decision to disguise herself as a man for nearly two years, taking on the name Robert Shurtlieff.
Sampson served in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment during the Revolutionary War from 1781 to 1783, coinciding with a commemoration of the conflict that began 250 years ago.
Amateur historian Steve Connolly from Sharon has delved deep into Sampson’s life, culminating in a nine-part documentary that explores her extraordinary story.
The Path to Military Service
Connolly reveals that Sampson’s early life was shaped by hardship; she was thrust into indentured servitude at a young age after her father left the family, which included her mother and six siblings. While living with a new family, she secretly educated herself by studying her brothers’ textbooks and acquired skills that were rare for women of her time, such as marksmanship, hunting, and woodworking. These abilities ultimately positioned her to enlist in George Washington’s Continental Army under her male guise.
“Deborah’s lineage traces back to the Mayflower, giving her a strong heritage,” Connolly noted. “Her physical strength played a role in her success, and journals from the time describe her as capable of chopping wood with ease.” He added that Sampson was determined to contribute to her nascent nation and set her sights on military service.
To maintain her disguise, Sampson bound her chest and, at 21, was drafted into an elite light infantry unit known for its agility and speed.
“She displayed significant insight as a soldier, scouting out potential battle locations and relaying strategic information back to her fellow troops,” Connolly stated.
Her Historic Injury
During her first encounter in Tarrytown, Sampson was shot in the thigh by a musket ball fired by British loyalists. Her reaction was one of remarkable resilience, securing her place in history.
“Deborah Sampson boldly became the first woman to be wounded for her country. She fought for ideals that did not fully extend to her; the Declaration emphasized male equality without mentioning women,” actress Meryl Streep remarked during a speech in 2016. After sustaining her injury, instead of seeking medical help, she used a penknife to remove the musket ball and stitched her wound herself, demonstrating extraordinary fortitude.
Discovery and Aftermath
Her two years of secrecy came to an end when Sampson fell ill. Her doctor, Barnabas Binney, made a shocking discovery.
“Here was a soldier from our top light infantry, and it’s a woman!” Connolly recounted Binney’s astonishment. “He quickly moved her from the hospital to his home for her recovery.” Upon regaining her health, Sampson revealed her identity. Instead of facing repercussions, she was honored for her service, receiving an honorable discharge and, with assistance from Paul Revere, becoming the first woman to gain a military pension.
“This was a woman who answered her country’s call—not simply as a nurse, but as a soldier. What should have been controversial was, in fact, a testament to her courage,” Connolly emphasized.
After her military service, Sampson provided for her family, raising four children. In 1802, she became the first woman in America to embark on a lecture tour to share her experiences.
Deborah Sampson passed away in 1827 at the age of 66 and lies buried in Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon, Massachusetts. Her gravestone marks her as ‘The Female Soldier,’ recognizing both her true name and the alias she adopted. A statue in her honor stands outside the library in Sharon.
In 1983, Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis proclaimed Sampson the official heroine of the Commonwealth. More recently, Congress enacted the Deborah Sampson Act in 2021, establishing the Office of Women’s Health at the Department of Veterans Affairs, ensuring increased support and resources for women veterans.
To learn more about Deborah Sampson’s life and legacy, please visit the state’s official website.
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