By: Avery Eskin
Congratulations to Garnet Valley senior Sanjana Balaji for winning the “Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest”! Sanjana graciously agreed to be asked a few questions regarding her essay.
Q: What was the focus of your essay?
A: “My essay was on Deborah Sampson.”
Q: Can you please provide some background on her?
A: “Of course. She disguised herself as a man and said her name was Shuttliff. After passing as a man, she enlisted in the Continental Army. Sampson was a modern-day feminist.”
Q: What did you connect Sampson’s story to?
A: “I talked about how she was influential in the American Revolution.”
Q: How do you feel having received this award?
A: “Astonished and honored.”
Q: Will there be a ceremony to recognize you?
A: “Yes, I will be recognized by the Daughters of American Revolution on January 15th at Lima Church.”
Another congratulations to Sanjana Balaji! If you want to read her award-winning essay you can find it below.
The American Revolution was a turbulent era characterized by a passion for liberty, independence, and the spirit of revolutionaries who dared to challenge the British Empire. Under the finest leaders of the cause, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Hamilton, countless Revolutionaires put their lives at stake for their cause: a free America. However, among the countless brave men who ventured into the war, one woman stands out, although disguised in a man’s uniform. As a voice against the stereotypes, her determination changed the image of women and brought immense help to the fight for freedom. In a time when women’s roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere, Deborah Sampson not only challenged societal norms but also risked everything for the cause of American independence. Her name, while less familiar than the Founding Fathers, is equally emblematic of the spirit of the times. Sampson’s story is a tale of audacious rebellion that remains a symbol of the courage and the passion for liberty in the hearts of countless patriots.
Born in Plympton, Massachusetts, on December 17, 1760, Deborah Sampson’s early life was marked with hardship. Sampson was one among Jonathan Sampson Jr. and Deborah Bradford’s seven children. Jonathan was thought to have died at sea but was later discovered to be alive and living in Maine. He had abandoned his family leaving them impoverished and with next to nothing. Following his abandonment, Jonathan’s wife was forced to place her children under the care of different relatives due to her financial insecurity. At the young age 10, Deborah became an indentured servant to Deacon Benjamin Thomas until she turned 18. But, Sampson’s life was characterized by a relentless quest for independence and purpose. So, once she finished her indenture, self-educated Sampson worked as a teacher and as a weaver in winter to support herself.
On May 23, 1782, at the age of twenty-one, Sampson took on a secret and audacious adventure– dressing as a man and enlisting in the Continental Army. Now, she was Robert Shurtliff and was enlisted in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment. Her decision to enter the military was huge for both her time and the expected social norms where women were expected to stay at home, help with keeping a household and raising children. Women enlisting in the army were unheard of at the time. As a pioneer, Sampson grappled with not only the imminent dangers of war, but also with the prospect of being discovered as an imposter. Her enlistment in the Continental Army showed the fervor for freedom that coursed through the colonies during the American Revolution. She was willing to risk anything for America’s freedom.
Deborah Sampson’s remarkable journey through the ranks of the Continental Army was nothing short of astounding. Her dedication, physical endurance, and unwavering commitment to the revolutionary ideals quickly caught the attention of her superiors. While serving at West Point, Sampson served in the incredibly prestigious, active, and dangerous Light Infantry Troops. As part of this infantry, Deborah traveled with fewer supplies and took part in risky missions and fights. For example, in June of 1782, Sampson led 30 soldiers on an expedition that resulted in a vicious confrontation with the Loyalists. Bravely, she raided a Tory home, resulting in the capture of 15 opposers to the American cause. However, one of the most remarkable episodes in Sampson’s military service was her experiences in the Battle of Tarrytown in 1782. While valiantly fighting, she was wounded by a musket ball to her thigh and later by a cut on her forehead. Rather than revealing her true identity, she endured the pain and suffered in silence. She extracted the musket herself, with her bravery and resilience being a testament to her sense of duty and passion for the cause.
She served as Robert for an astounding two years before her identity was discovered. When she became ill during an epidemic and lost consciousness, Dr. Barnabas Binney discovered that Robert was actually Deborah. In a surprising display of both compassion and discretion, Dr. Binney did not expose her but arranged for her to be honorably discharged from the army. Sampson’s service record was exemplary, and she received commendations for her service, even as “Robert Shurtliff.”
Deborah Sampson’s courageous decision to serve in the Continental Army was not just an individual act of defiance but a groundbreaking move that challenged the gender norms of her time. She changed the role for women during the time. Her revolutionary spirit beautifully illustrates how the pursuit of freedom was so strong that gender did not stop her from performing what she thought was her duty to the nation. The significance of Sampson’s actions extends beyond just her military service. She wanted to get the pension she deserved for her role in America’s victory against the British. She started an arduous mission to secure her recognition for and the compensation she rightly deserved, and she did just that. This victory marked a momentous step in recognizing the contributions of female soldiers during the American Revolution.
Deborah Sampson’s legacy, although not as famous as others, is a symbol of the power of a unified goal. Not deterred by the gender norms, she fought for her beliefs under any circumstance. Her story has inspired generations of women who have ventured into male-dominated spheres and challenged the status quo. Sampson’s journey reminds us that the battle for equal rights is not bound by anything: anyone can take on the challenge and fight for their beliefs. As a revolutionary icon, a symbol of grit and determination, and a pioneer for gender equality, Sampson symbolizes the spirit of liberty and reminds us that equality knows no gender, and the pursuit of liberty has no boundaries.
Works Cited Brigit Katz. “Diary Sheds Light on Deborah Sampson, Who Fought in the Revolutionary War.” Smithsonian, Smithsonian.com, 2 July 2019, http://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/diary-sheds-light-deborah-sampson-who-fought-r evolutionary-war-180972547/. “Deborah Sampson: American Revolutionary War Hero | Mass.gov.” http://Www.mass.gov, http://www.mass.gov/info-details/deborah-sampson-american-revolutionary-war-hero. Michals, Debra. “Deborah Sampson.” National Women’s History Museum, 2015, http://www.womenshistory.org/education-resources/biographies/deborah-sampson . Rodriguez, Heather. “Unsung Heroes of the Revolutionary War – the College of Liberal Arts at Texas A&M University.” Liberalarts.tamu.edu, 1 July 2021, liberalarts.tamu.edu/blog/2021/07/01/unsung-heroes-of-the-revolutionary-war/. Serfilippi, Jessie. “George Washington’s Mount Vernon.” George Washington’s Mount Vernon, Mount Vernon, 2010, http://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/deborah-sampso n/.
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