24 Facts About Deborah Sampson

Deborah Sampson was proclaimed the Official Heroine of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on May 23,1983, and in 1985 the prestigious United States Capitol Historical Society honored "Deborah Samson" with the Commemorative Medal.

Deborah Sampson's mother was the great-granddaughter of William Bradford, the first Governor of Plymouth Colony.

Deborah Sampson's family was told that her father died in a shipwreck, but evidence indicates that he actually abandoned the family and migrated to Lincoln County, Maine.

Deborah Sampson had a common-law wife named Martha, with whom he had at least two children, and returned to Plympton in 1794 to attend to a property transaction.

In 1770, a man named Jonathan Deborah Sampson was indicted for murder in Maine, but it is uncertain whether this individual was Deborah Sampson's father because the case never went to trial, so no details about the defendant are known.

Historians believe Deborah Sampson learned to read while living with the widowed Thatcher, who might have wanted Deborah Sampson to read Bible verses to her.

Deborah Sampson was able to overcome Thomas's opposition by learning from Thomas's sons, who shared their school work with her.

Deborah Sampson worked as a weaver in the winter; Sampson was highly skilled and worked for the Sproat Tavern as well as the Bourne, Morton, and Leonard families.

Deborah Sampson's skills included basket weaving, and light carpentry such as producing milking stools and winter sleds.

Deborah Sampson was experienced with fashioning wooden tools and implements including weather vanes, spools for thread, and quills for weaving.

Deborah Sampson produced pie crimpers, which she sold door to door.

In early 1782, Deborah Sampson wore men's clothes and joined an Army unit in Middleborough, Massachusetts under the name Timothy Thayer.

Deborah Sampson collected a bonus and then failed to meet up with her company as scheduled.

Inquiries by the company commander revealed that Deborah Sampson had been recognized by a local resident at the time she signed her enlistment papers.

Deborah Sampson's deception uncovered, she repaid the portion of the bonus that she had not spent, but she was not subjected to further punishment by the Army.

Deborah Sampson joined the Light Infantry Company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, under the command of Captain George Webb.

Deborah Sampson led a raid on a Tory home which resulted in the capture of 15 men.

Deborah Sampson removed one of the balls herself with a penknife and sewing needle, but the other was too deep for her to reach.

Deborah Sampson carried it in her leg for the rest of her life and her leg never fully healed.

In 1802, Deborah Sampson began giving lectures about her wartime service.

Deborah Sampson performed both to earn money and to justify her enlistment, but even with these speaking engagements, her husband and she were unable to pay all the family's expenses.

Deborah Sampson frequently had to borrow money from her family and from her friend Paul Revere.

Deborah Sampson's petition was initially denied, but when it came before Congress again in 1816 an award of $76.80 a year was approved.

Deborah Sampson was buried at Rock Ridge Cemetery in Sharon, Massachusetts.