Deborah Sampson Gannett

Deborah Sampson Gannett is considered one of the nation’s first female soldiers. Born in rural Plymouth County, Sampson enlisted in the military in 1782 under the pseudonym Robert Shurtleff and served courageously in battle throughout the Northeast as a Continental soldier, hiding her true identity as a woman. After the war, she led a quiet life as a wife and mother, but secured her legacy by sharing her singular story on a speaking tour and successfully lobbying for a military pension. 

For additional information on Deborah Sampson Gannett, read our companion biography.