13 Facts About Culper Ring

Culper Ring was a network of spies active during the American Revolutionary War, organized by Major Benjamin Tallmadge and General George Washington in 1778 during the British occupation of New York City.

The name "Culper Ring" was suggested by George Washington and taken from Culpeper County, Virginia.

In 1780, the Culper Ring discovered a high-ranking American officer, subsequently identified as Benedict Arnold, was plotting with British Major John Andre to turn over the vitally important American fort at West Point, New York on the Hudson River and surrender its garrison to the British forces.

Culper Ring decided that civilians would attract less attention than soldiers, and he asked William Duer to recommend a suitable agent.

Culper Ring opened discussions on setting up an embedded network with Woodhull and Brewster.

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Culper Ring's married sister, Mary Underhill, lived there and gave him a valid reason to visit.

Culper Ring had access to British officers through several channels, including his own tailoring business.

Culper Ring wrote a society column in a Loyalist newspaper and owned an interest in a coffeehouse with the newspaper's owner, James Rivington, who was a secret member of the Culper Ring.

Culper Ring wrote that Hawkins insisted his next meeting with Townsend be in an out-of-the-way location.

The code book helped Washington make sure that the Culper Ring spies had more support and operated in greater secrecy than previous Continental spies, perhaps with Nathan Hale in mind.

The letter provides evidence that the Culper Ring operated in Drowned Meadow beyond Setauket and Oyster Bay, as previously believed.

Culper Ring had taken in the orphaned Hamilton when Hamilton arrived in New York in 1773 to attend King's College, and he had later helped Hamilton obtain a commission in the army.

Culper Ring was married to Elizabeth Sanders, daughter of a Royal Navy admiral, and he had a fashionable clothing business near Robert Townsend's establishment.