Valley Forge FAQs

Paul Revere's Ride

Q.I am having difficultly learning about a woman who reputededly was involved in the famed Paul Revere warning of redcoats coming. Have you any information of this, or any such information about women, other than the wives visiting their husbands?
Susan Casey, Annapolis, MD

A.You are probably referring to Sybil Ludington, who did not ride with Paul Revere in 1775. On 26 April 1777, Sybil, the 16 year old daughter of Patriot Colonel Henry Ludington, and her family in Fredericksburg, NY, were warned of an impending British attack at Danbury, CT (across the state line). Danbury was a supply depot for the Americans with approximately 200 or less Continental troops on guard. Col. Ludington was in charge of a militia unit. The militia unit was scattered about the area/surrounding community. Sybil mounted her horse and took a 40 mile ride throughout the countryside that late night, waking militia members as she went. The men were not able to save Danbury, however, eventually the troops were able to push the British back to their ships at Long Island, New York.

Some books on this subject include:

• The Uncommon Soldier of the Revolution. The National Historical Society/Eastern Acorn Press
• Founding Mothers: Women of America in the Revolutionary Era by Linda Grant DePauw
• The Way of Duty: A Woman and Her Family in Revolutionary America by Joy Day Buel and Richard Buel, Jr.
• Revolutionary Ladies by Philip Young

SAS, Courtesy The Valley Forge Historical Society