Deborah Sampson, portrayed by Katherine "Sue" Lee of the Loyalty Chapter DAR, told the chapter her life story at the May 27th Enemund Meullion Chapter meeting. Sampson disguised herself as a man named Robert Shurtliff to serve in the Continental Army in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment from May 1782 to October 1783.
She was assigned to Captain George Webb’s Company of Light Infantry at West Point, New York. For over two years, Sampson's true identity remained undiscovered. She left a bullet in her shoulder that she received in a skirmish with Loyalists. Another time she was shot in the thigh and then extracted the bullet herself. While on a mission to Philadelphia, she fell ill with a high fever and passed out. While unconscious, the doctor discovered Shurtliff was a woman.
Sampson was honorably discharged and received a pension for her military service from her native state of Massachusetts. She also went on a lecture tour across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. Her husband Benjamin Gannet successfully petitioned Congress for a pension four years after Sampson's death.
Jim Morock, M.D., acting Chapter President, presented Katherine Lee with a Certificate of Appreciation for her presentation.
She was assigned to Captain George Webb’s Company of Light Infantry at West Point, New York. For over two years, Sampson's true identity remained undiscovered. She left a bullet in her shoulder that she received in a skirmish with Loyalists. Another time she was shot in the thigh and then extracted the bullet herself. While on a mission to Philadelphia, she fell ill with a high fever and passed out. While unconscious, the doctor discovered Shurtliff was a woman.
Sampson was honorably discharged and received a pension for her military service from her native state of Massachusetts. She also went on a lecture tour across Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and New York. Her husband Benjamin Gannet successfully petitioned Congress for a pension four years after Sampson's death.
Jim Morock, M.D., acting Chapter President, presented Katherine Lee with a Certificate of Appreciation for her presentation.