America Untold:
Forgotten heroes, Forgotten Stories
Scarlet Ingstad
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Christian, Independent Author, Historian
Welcome back to Revolutionary Voices, a series aimed at highlighting the lesser-known figures of the American Revolution era. This month, I introduce you to some of the first women to spy for America! A disclaimer for this special edition article for Women’s History Month: these stories are difficult to prove, given their very nature. The history of espionage is challenging, for many obvious reasons, and a lot of the stories and information come from oral history told through generations. Also, be sure to check the "Upcoming Heroes and Heroines" section for a sneak-peek at what's to come in the "Revolutionary Voices" series! Anna Strong Anna Strong was born on April 14, 1740 in Setauket, New York. She married a man named Selah STrong in 1760 and the couple had nine children together. Selah was a Patriot judge, and Anna's family owned a large manor on Long Island. These two factors made them prime targets for the British soldiers who occupied Long Island near the end of 1776. In 1778, Selah was arrested after the British determined he was a Patriot sympathizer and a threat. He was sent to the British prison ship, Jersey, in New York harbor, which was essentially a death-sentence. Prisoners who boarded this ship rarely ever came back alive. However, Anna managed to successfully appeal to have Selah paroled in Connecticut instead. Selah would stay there for the remainder of the war, along with their children, while Anna stayed behind to take care of the family manor. It was during this time when Anna became a spy for the Americans, joining with her childhood friends Caleb Brewster, Abraham Woodhull, and the spymaster himself, Benjamin Tallmadge. Brewster was tasked with crossing the Long Island sound to drop off and receive messages for the Culper Spy Ring. Having already been identified as a spy, Brewster was constantly at risk of being captured. Because of this, Brewster began hiding his boat in one of six different locations to throw off the British soldiers. The issue became quickly apparent: how was Woodhull going to know which of the six coves to meet Brewster in order to drop off his intelligence? The answer: Anna Strong. As the story goes, Tallmadge and Woodhull allegedly approached Anna and requested her assistance. Given what she had endured regarding the treatment of her husband, Anna likely did not hesitate to join in with their espionage endeavors. The devised a system of hanging laundry that would serve as a way to send signals to Woodhull regarding which cove Brewster was hiding in. Anna would hang a black petticoat on the line, signalling to Woodhull that Brewster had arrived and made contact with her. She would then hang one to six white handkerchiefs next to the petticoat to indicate which of the coves Brewster selected. Woodhull would then travel to the indicated cove, pass the information to Brewster, then Brewster would row back across the sound and deliver the information to Tallmadge. Agent 355 Anna's name is not specifically mentioned in any of the Culper letters that the spies exchanged between one another, but an "Agent 355" is. 355, according to Tallmadge's codebook, stood for "lady." There are many theories as to who this 355 could be--Anna Strong, a mysterious woman in New York, or a young enslaved woman named Elizabeth. The concept of "Agent 355" and her existence is highly debated by historians to this day. Some believe that she did not exist, others claim that she changed the entire course of the war. One letter sent by Abraham Woodhull seems to refer to a specific woman he was working with: "I intend to visit 727 [New York] before long and think by the assistance of a 355 of my acquaintance, shall be able to out wit them all." In 1948, a newspaper article titled, "Girl Who Spied for Washington Died on Wallabout Prison Ship. Say Child was Born to Her in Hulk of Vessel," insinuated that 355's fate was rather grim in the final years of the war. However, it is impossible to know if this story is true. Another possibility could be an enslaved woman named Elizabeth who was a childhood friend of Robert Townsend, a leading figure of the Culper Spy Ring. Elizabeth's story was uncovered and made public in a recent book by Claire Bellerjeau and Tiffany Yecke Brooks: Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth. Elizabeth also played a prominent role in turning one of America's first spies into an ardent abolitionist. Regardless of who "Agent 355" was, it is incredible that this woman was not only able to maintain her cover throughout the Revolution, but also remain a mystery to us today. Lydia Darragh Lydia Darragh was a Quaker woman who supported the Patriot side of the American Revolution. Her story was not revealed until years after the war by her daughter, Ann. During the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777, Lydia was a housewife who lived on Second Street. Shortly after the British arrived, Major John Andre, the Head of British Intelligence, knocked on Lydia's door and ordered her to move out so her come could be used by his officers. Lydia decided to visit Lorde Howe, a British General, to contest the matter. On her way to Howe's quarters, she ran into a British officer who was also her second cousin, Captain Barrington. Barrington interceded on her behalf and Lydia was granted permission to stay in her own home as long as she kept a room free for British officers to conduct their meetings. On December 2, 1777, high-ranking British officers held a conference in Lydia's home. Howe took the opportunity to finalize his plans to launch an attack against Whitemarsh on the 4th. Lydia placed herself in a nearby linen closet next to the meeting room and eavesdropped. After the meeting, Lydia retreated to her room where she feigned sleep. In reality, she began planning how to get this information to the American forces within the short two-day window before the planned attack. The next morning, Lydia left her home and walked several miles through snow toward the Rising Sun Tavern. According to her daughter, just before Lydia reached the tavern, she ran into Thomas Craig, a member of the Pennsylvania militia. She passed along her information to the militiaman who stated he would report to General George Washington. Another version of this story came from a man named Elias Boudinot, Commissary of Prisoners, who was at the Rising Sun Tavern. He said that he and several others spoke to Lydia while they dined and asked her why she was there. Elias claimed Lydia left an old book behind that contained several hidden pockets. Inside one of these pockets was a message with detailed information regarding Howe's plan of attack. Elias then took this information to headquarters immediately. Regardless of how the information arrived, it was evident that it had been leaked by someone close to the British soldiers that night. George Washington's men were prepared for the attack and responded accordingly. Desperate to find the source of the leak, Major John Andre returned to Lydia's home and asked her if anyone had been awake on the night of December 2nd while they were planning their attack. Lydia told Andre that everyone was sleeping during that time and Andre believed her. He left, stating: "One thing is certain, the enemy had notice of our coming, were prepared for us, and we marched back like a parcel of fools. The walls must have ears." Little did he know exactly how right he was. Upcoming Heroes and Heroines: - Next month, I will introduce you all to a man who was often accused of being a pirate and later became known as the "Father of the American Navy," John Paul Jones! - In May, I introduce you all to Phillis (also spelled Phyllis) Wheatley, the first African-American woman to publish a book of poetry, which challenged many prominent figures during this era. - In June, prepare to meet a woman who manned a cannon after witnessing the death of her husband on the battlefield, Molly Pitcher. - For July, we'll learn about a very-successful African-American abolitionist, privateer, and entrepreneur during the Revolution named James Forten. - In August, we'll return to the world of the Culper Spy Ring by way of the privateer-spy, and forerunner of the United States Coast Guard, Caleb Brewster. Sources: - "Revolutionary Spies," National Women's History Museum - "History of American Women," www.womenshistoryblog.com - "Culper Spy Ring," George Washington's Mount Vernon. Washington Library, Center for Digital History. - Washington's Spies: The Story of America's First Spy Ring, by Alexander Rose - Spies, Patriots, and Traitors: American Intelligence in the Revolutionary War, by Kenneth A. Daigler - George Washington, Spymaster: How the Americans Outspied the British and Won the Revolutionary War, by Thomas B. Allen - Spies of Revolutionary Connecticut: From Benedict Arnold to Nathan Hale, by Mark Allen Baker - "The Mystery of Agent 355, The Unknown Woman Who Spied for General George Washington," by Genevieve Carlton - Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth, by Claire Bellerjeau and Tiffany Yecke Brooks - "Lydia Darragh," edited by Dr. Debra Michals, National Women's History Museum - "Lydia Darragh," additional biography article from the National Women's History Museum website.
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Scarlet Ingstad
I am an independent author and historian seeking to uplift the stories of the lesser-known heroes and heroines of the American Revolution, alongside modern-day heroes and heroines who have served in the U.S. military and continue their service through their historical work. Archives
March 2022
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