The Republican journal., 1899-01-19
Two Historical Papers.

tiers Of the American Revolution.
A regular meeting of the Abigail Adams
Chapter, Daughters of the American Re
YoIution, took place this forenoon, Miss
Pauline Mackay of 2lS Commonwealth
avenue being the hostess. There was a
good attendance, and Miss Caroline Tick
nor, the regent, presided. Little bust
ness was considered, this meeting being
for the presentation of two historical
papers. 1t was voted that the chapter
take some part, through delegate yet to
be chosen, in the meetings to be held by
the general committee representing all
patriotic organizations, and which will,
when necessary, consider all matters of a
patriotic nature which may seem of mutual
interest and which may require concerted
action on the part of all societies. Miss
Remick, the Misses Fisher and Warren
are to represent the chapter at the Con-
tinental Congress of Daughters of the
American Revolution, to convene in
Washington on Washington's birthday.
Mrs. Francis Batcheller gave a paper
this morning on General Greene
Prominent Man of Revolutionary Times"
In this Mrs Batcheller spoke of the
patriots life as a youth and of the rea-
sons which actuated him in throwing him
self so strongly into the military move
ments Of the day. The work done by the
men under the command of Nathaniel
Greene was shown to have been most i'm
portant in its bearing upon the outcome
of the Revolution. Though General
Greene occasionally met with failure in
his noble undertakings, he yet was stead
fast and won for himself glory for the
l. "a
quoted by the eSsayist in showing how
great a military general the man was, how
active and fearless were his efforts in be-
made of his life after the Revolution, and
of his death, with the eulogy paid his
memory by Washington.
Following this paper another equally
interesting one having about it many
quaint touches OF humor was read by Miss
Louise johnson, whose subject was
deborah Sampson, the Romantic Hero
inc of the Revolution.'' Miss johnson
might almost have said ''hero,'' inasmuch
as she showed that this wonderful wo-
mans career led her to adopt mans at
tire and under that disguise, sinking her
own identity, she performed under the
assumed name Robert Shurtletf much
valiant work for her country. Miss John
son told of the simple life of the child
and of her later life as the adopted daugh-
ter ill a family in Middleboro, where she
was well reared. She taught school for
a time and also did excellent work at
farming, taking her place beside the men
in the fields.
Feeling that she was called to other
things, Deborah Sampson dressed in
mans garb and went out into the world.
She first shipped as sailor, from New Bed
ford. but the brutality of the captain of
the ship caused her to change her mind, and
she then came to Boston and enlisted as
soldier. She was looked upon as young
soldier of markedly fine appearance. She
went with company to West Point, and
on the march the handsome young soldier
was highly esteemed for refusing to drink
or smoke, while always light hearted and
hard working, great favorite with all.
She went through many hard experiences
in her military service, sometimes being
wounded, but always hiding her identity
as a woman. Finally, while in a hospital
in Philadelphia, her sex was discovered but
was respected and kept secret. While in
the Quaker City, wearing her soldiers
uniform, she received a formal offer of
marriage from Baltimore belle who be-
came enamored of her Only by dis
closing her secret could she satisfy her
wooer. 1t was later that her identity was
discovered in the hospital. Deborah
Sampson afterwards married, and when
she died left two daughters and son.
She received many letters from Washing
ton and other leading men of her day,
commencing her bravery. Incidentally,
Miss johnson brought out many interest
ing facts which were cleverly woven into
her story. Boston Transcript Jan. 9th.