Emmalin Domiano

Did you know there was a female Paul Revere? Many do not realize it. Sybil Ludington, "Female Paul Revere” saved lives of a lot of colonists through one ride as a teenage patriot during the Revolutionary War. An EXTREMELY important historical figure thanks her for her acts themselves.

Sybil Ludington had a normal childhood. Sybil Ludington was born on April 5, 1761, in what is today known as the Ludington section of New York. Her parents’ occupations included her father, Henry Ludington, who was a militiaman and a gristmill owner, also owning a lot of the land that is now New York. Her mother Abigail Ludington was, as normal, just a housewife. She had 11 siblings, her being the eldest, and having no education, though this was common, as she was a woman.

Her family were patriots. She was known to be a patriot at a noticeably early age as well and open to politics. Her father took part in the Battle of Lake George in 1755 and served in the French and Indian War. What were her influences? Your question may be, who or what made her choose to do what she had done? The person who influenced Sybil Ludington to go on the ride was her father. When a man came to their door tired out and unable to move on with the job, her father begged her to do it. So, she took her horse, Star, and went on throughout all of Danbury.

What influenced her to be a Patriot, you may ask? Her Family were all Patriots, and being that she was raised by her parents, she was as well. What event convinced her to do the ride and risk her own life for others? The British were setting Danbury aflame, and she was to ride her horse around the whole town and shout, “The British are burning Danbury! Muster at Ludington's Mill!,” The quote is fabricated, or not entirely exact though., keep in mind they were still British. She DID NOT say “the British” she may have said “the regulars,” “The Redcoats,” “The lobsters” or any other mocking name to the British army. The colonists safely evacuated to her father’s home, which was safe from the fires and well-known being that her father just happened to be a colonel of the New York Militia.

She had to ride on a horse without training at age 16, successfully warn the colonists and ride through a route twice as large as William Dawes and Paul Revere. she had to not get caught by the British, which was an easy fix since she was smaller than a man and younger, so her silhouette was obscured by the darkness of the night. It had its difficulties, though. If she were small, she would have to scream to be heard, and the people were sleeping! How was she supposed to do that?

Will she get caught by the British, or will she save the lives of as many people in Danbury as possible? Who is this historical figure who rewards her? During the ride to warn the colonists of Danbury of the British’ plans, she saved many lives that night, and Washington came to thank her personally. Now we have freedom, partly thanks to her heroic acts and she is now very well known.

When she was given the nickname “Female Paul Revere” after her death and she was made well-known, everyone knew she was a woman, yet they celebrated her acts, even the men. Even today, we know her for that well-earned title.

Sybil Ludington died February 26, 1839, at age 77 in her home facing poverty. She was buried in Patterson Presbyterian Cemetery, NY, like her father, where her gravestone has her name spelled S-I-B-B-E-L-L. The name spelling is mixed up and unknown. She was only recognized for her deeds after her death.

There are many words some people would describe Sybil with. Heroic, kind, helpful, brave, and taking charge are just a few. She was a real hero, not just some comical fantasy. She set the scene for young women to represent themselves. She was one of the many that guided the horse to lead the country to freedom, literally. Holding but a stick and the reign of a horse named Star’s bridle. Today, you can hold her memory by looking at the statue of her, made by Anna Hyatt Huntington, the historical markers to her ride made in the 1930s through Putnam County, and the stamp made in memory of her in the 70s.