Deborah Sampson Gannett

Private, Continental Army

Deborah Sampson was born on 17 December 1760 in Plympton, MA.

Deborah Sampson was the first known American woman to disguise herself as a man to join the Army. In May 1778, she enlisted in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment of the Continental Army.

None of her fellow soldiers suspected she was a woman, despite teasing her that she never had to shave. She fought in several battles, and was wounded twice. On both occasions, she refused medical attention, for fear her identity would be discovered. However, her true identity was discovered by a doctor who was treating her for a severe illness. She was honorably discharged in October 1783.

She later married Benjamin Gannett and gave birth to two daughters and a son. With the help of Paul Revere, Deborah received a pension of 34 pounds starting in 1792. She was named official Heroine of Massachusetts in 1983.

Death and Burial

Deborah Sampson Gannett died on 29 April 1827. She is buried at Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon, MA.