The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1897-12-12
ATua Interesting Papers Read Before Great
Bridge Chapter, D. AR.
LYDIA DARRAGH, HEROIC QUAKER MAID
I A Parscr by. Mrs. Hugh Nelson Page
ON Her Services 30 Struggling am
crican ratriots-Mrs. :. Icatn,nn'a
Paper on tho Ratio OF Great
Bridge.

The following interesting papers were
read at the anniversary celebration Of
5 the Battle of Great Bridge, held last
y Thursday night by the Chapter OF the
4 Daughters OF the American Revolution,
named in honor OF that historic CO.
s counter between the Virginia patriots
and the British forces under Lord
!. Dunmore, Which was the first decisive
victory for the struggling republic.
IS The following paper was rcsd by
Mrs. Hugh Nelson Page, regent OF the
chapter:
LYDIA DARRAGH."
Just before, the Revolutionary war
Lydia and William parragh came over
4 from Ireland TO Philadelphia They
! belonged to the Society of Friends and
as it was against the religion OF the
Quakers to engage in war, the British
considered this family inoffcclSivc.
chose the Darragh house to hold their
secret councils in.
In December, 177I, General IIose
h commander of the British forces in
Philadelphia. had his Headquarters in
the house Of Mr.. Cadwalader, on Sec
ond street. The house opposite was oc-
cupied by the Darraghs. General Howe
. ordered William Darragh to open his
house for the accommodation of the
troops, and TO find other quarters for
his family. 1t was cold winter ard
the city was crowded, and he knew
not what to do, but finally Lydia de-
termined to go herself to General Howe
and ask for relief.
While she was waiting for an audi
ence one OF the officers entered into
conversation with her, ana finding she
was from Ireland. as he was, BECAME
interested in her and asked General
Howe TO relieve her from the order
This he declined to do, being 80 pressed
for room. hut at length decided to take
only one very large room at the back
OF the house for 4 council chamber
Even this relief Inconvenience the
family very much, obliglng them to
send their younger children 10 the
country. Having the house occupied
by the enemy was n grief TO Lydia,
for she had son, her eldest, n lleutcn-
ant in General Wnshington's Army,
then at White Marsh, ana all her SYM
pathy was with those poorly clad, half
starved patriots. william Darragh was
an expert shorthand writer and often
dur!mg these troubled times, did Lydia
gather from various sources nformn-
lion relating to the strength or the
british forces, etc, etc. and send them
TO Washingtcns camp. These bits of
information were written in Shorthand
by her husband, in scraps OF paper,
which she concealed under the covers
OF the large mould buttons then worn,
and covered with tho same cloth OF the
coat. My grea grandfather. then n lad
OF H. would with these make his way
10 the American camp Che Da-ragh
FAMILY having n pass from General
Howe to visit the children In the coun-
try), and give them to his brother,
who would dccirher them and carry
the information to General Washing
ton.
I Councils were frequently held in the
Darragh house. much to their distress
and one day arl officer came ana told
Lydia 10 have her family in bed at m
early hour, rs they wished to use the
room free from III Interruption. This she
promised to do, and when all was quiet
she lay down herself. but could not
sleep. y presentment OF evil weighed
down her spirit, and at last, henring
loud talking, she went into closet
separated from the council chamber by
a thin board Partition, covered by
paper, In time to hear the reading Of
1.-The minutes of the council just conc.ud-
ed, which were the troops shall march
out ~ certain might and attack Wash
Sington's Army, and with their superior
forces and the unpreparcd condition of
the enemy, victory WAS certain. Lydia
determined to do something to save the
army, of which her son was member
She returned to bed and the officer
who came to call her to lock up the
house had to knock three times before
she answered. The next day was spent
In planning some mode of action. At