The Montgomery advertiser., 1908-05-10

nell. e graduate of Yale in f77s.
 brought to Governor Trumbulrs atten-
 tion an invention Of his called B,Ish- | nelfs American Turtle If was a tor tofse-shaped diving boat and could be | propelled under water. It succeeded | Tn blowing up one small schooner and Killing two men, but was not perfect- ana even in our century there may be Improvements upon those now in use. So much space has been taken up with the great men of the Revolution, that l have not room for the half I l should like to tell of their wives. daughters and sweethearts-their un- selhshness, their patience, courage, and | strength to bear the sorrows that came to them, and their wise assistance in emergencies.
 want to read. however. this one pe- culiar story of
 Deborah Sampson.
 The remarkable story of Deborah Sampson has no parallel in American history. Brave and coura geous as oth- CT women have been, she is the only one. so far as is known, who entered the ranks of the Revolutionary army as common soldier. That her motives were keenly patriotic has been estab- lished beyond question: and although we may not hold up her career as a commendable example to pattern af- ter, we cannot fail to admire her mar vicious fortitude, and bravery and self control. And even though the stories that have come down concerning her may not be strictly authentic the rec ords of the First Baptist Church of Middleborough, the records of the pen- sion office of the United States, the act of Congress granting a pension to the heirs of Deborah Gannet, and, the obit- uary notices published in papers after her death. afford enough reliable in- formation to invest the story with a
 "'iar interest.
 Deborah Sampson was born in P1ymp- ton, Mass. in December, f7eO. Al- though direct descendant of William Bradford for several years Governor of Plymouth Colony, she was born and reared in humble obscurity. Her pa- rents were poor and at an early age she and her older sister and brothers were bound out to different families, where they at least could be sure of enough food and clothing, and fair amount of respectable up-bringing. Deborah, was fortunate in finding q home with kind farmer, whose wife took considerable interest in their young charge. |
 The early years of her life afforded few educational advantages. but she eSSAnOa tO H6N6 aH luDOTn CFdNluk IOT knowledge. She even borrowed books from the school children who passed her home, and by dint of unceasing study she learned to read fairly well.
 Upon reaching her eigh hteenth year, her term of service having expired. she went to work in the home of a farmer and attended a neighboring district school. Her capacity for learning was remarkable, and she was fm n. .1Ng. .A soon far in adance of pupils who had She afterwards taught two terms in the same school About this time the Rev. olutionary struggle began. Deborah heard of the distressing situation with great interest, and as time went on she became filled with an uncomfortable desire to do something for her coun- try's cause. Her enthusiasm could not be cast aside, and one day she quietly left her associates, telling them no word of her wonderful, carefully though t-out plan. Her work at the district school had brought her SIP. With part of this she bought some coarse fustian, and for days before her departure worked se- cretly until complete suit of mems clothing was fashioned. She was practically alone in the world. and when she announced her intention of going away to seek bet ter employment there was no one to care particularly or to wonder She was tall for a woman finely rropor- toned and her feaures although pleas ing, were inclined to masculinity. Her manner inspired confidence and she therefore had little dificulty in car. rying out her cherished plan.
 In her self prepared disguise, she made her way to the Continental army, enduring many hardships on the jour ney and in 17S2 enlisted for the entire | term of the war as private in the | 4th Massachusetts Regiment, under the | name of Robert Shirtleff. Nathan Thayer was captain of the company. | and as she seemed to have no home or | friends, he invited the young volun- teer to stay with his family until the | company should be complete and ready | to join the main army. For seven | weeks she remained there but not once | did her resolution falter. Always ac- | customed to hard work and outdoor | life. she found no difficulty in per forming the arduous duties of the | camp. For three years she served | volunteering in several haz-