Discover the Unexpected: Top 15 Fun Facts About Revolutionary War Heroine Deborah Sampson

1. The Original GI Jane

Who said girls can't soldier on? Meet the original GI Jane, who proved that you can fight like a girl and still be a hero: Deborah Sampson was not only recognized by the state of Massachusetts and Congress for her bravery, but also embarked on a year-long lecture tour – as the first woman in America – to discuss her experiences as a Revolutionary War soldier, occasionally donning her full military garb for extra authenticity.
Source => mass.gov

2. Petticoat Trailblazer

Dearest reader, brace thyself for a revolutionary tale of triumph over petticoats and powdered wigs: Deborah Sampson, our valiant heroine, not only risked life and limb by disguising herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War but also trounced the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1792, becoming the first woman to successfully demand her withheld army pay and later obtain a military pension in 1805, thus securing her place in history as a bona fide trailblazer in the fight for women's equality.
Source => en.wikipedia.org

Discover how Abigail Adams sneaked women's rights into love letters to her husband, John Adams, during the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, setting the foundation for early feminist writings in America! 📜💪♀️

=> Fun Facts about Abigail-Adams

3. "Bob the Brave" Revolutionary

Meet "Bob the Brave", who wasn't just a comic book hero, but a real-life, veil-slipping avenger of the Revolutionary War: Deborah Sampson, the enigmatic lady who skillfully swapped petticoats for military breeches, enlisted as Robert Shurtleff, and scouted with the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment, resulting in her becoming a fully-pensioned, battle-hardened heroine.
Source => mass.gov

4. 1790s Lady Gaga

Dashing through New England in Revolutionary War get-ups and wowing the crowds like a 1790s Lady Gaga on a catwalk, Deborah Sampson was truly a woman ahead of her time: The trailblazing heroine embarked on America's first year-long lecture tour, captivating audiences about her experiences as a soldier in the war, and proving that sequined ballgowns weren't required to make waves.
Source => mass.gov

5. Extreme Identity Swap

Deborah Sampson: The Original "She's the Man" – This brave woman didn't let a little thing like gender norms hold her back, embarking on a daring double life: Serving as a soldier in the American Revolutionary War for over two years, seamlessly concealing her true identity amidst close calls, sword gashes, and even a self-extracted musket ball from her thigh.
Source => mass.gov

6. Redcoat Infiltrator

Talk about an extreme wardrobe malfunction: Deborah Sampson was not only a fierce Revolutionary War soldier, but she even went as far as to channel her inner chameleon by donning a British redcoat for an undercover mission. The serious reveal: Successfully impersonating a British soldier, she infiltrated their camp to gather valuable intelligence for the Patriot cause, elevating her status as one of America's most daring heroes.
Source => womenshistory.org

7. 18th-century Ms. Fix-It

Meet Deborah Sampson: the 18th-century Ms. Fix-It, capable of whopping your furniture into shape and dressing you up in revolutionary style, all while pretending to be a man! The secret's out: This Revolutionary War warrior, famed for her masculine disguise, was a multitalented artisan, skilled in weaving, carpentry, and even whittling, supporting herself by selling her own handcrafted creations.
Source => samsonhistorical.com

8. Disguised Military Pensioner

Disguising herself as the not-so-average Bob and tackling the Revolutionary War like a boss: Deborah Sampson was the only woman to earn a full military pension for her service, despite having hidden her true identity as "Robert Shurtleff". After an honorable discharge in 1783, she hung up her 'Bob' boots, married, had kids, and toured the nation – sometimes in full military attire – sharing her incredible soldier's tale.
Source => womenshistory.org

9. Tricorn Hat Motivational Speaker

Hold onto your tricorn hats and grab some popcorn, folks: America's first female motivational speaker was a bonafide Revolutionary War hero! Sporting full military attire in her revolutionary presentations, Deborah Sampson became the first woman in America to embark on a speaking tour – dazzling audiences with her unmatched tales of fighting for freedom during the Revolutionary War.
Source => womenshistory.org

10. Gender-bending Superheroine

Before She-Ra or Wonder Woman, there was an original gender-bending superheroine with a penchant for disguise: Deborah Sampson, who enlisted in the Continental Army as a man named Robert Shurtliff during the Revolutionary War, secretly serving for three years until a battle injury unmasked her true identity.
Source => juliabrownley.house.gov

11. Gender Ruse Lecture Tour

When life gives you Samsons, make a Deborah: Deborah Sampson donned full military regalia, a clever disguise as a man named Robert Shurtleff, and became the first woman in America to launch onto a year-long lecture tour about her military experiences after serving in the Fourth Massachusetts Regiment during the Revolutionary War, having led a raid that captured 15 men, and maintaining her gender ruse for over two years.
Source => mass.gov

12. Excommunicated Colonial Rebel

Before there was Mulan, there was a feisty colonial lass cooking up mischief and busting norms like a rebellious pioneer at the annual Thanksgiving potluck: Deborah Sampson was scandalously excommunicated from the First Baptist Church of Middleborough, Massachusetts, for donning men's attire and enlisting as a soldier in the American army.
Source => fairchild.af.mil

13. Disney-worthy Woman Warrior

Breaking gender barriers like a colonial Mulan, Deborah Sampson's cunning and courage deserves its own Disney ballad: She was the first woman to ever receive a full military pension from the U.S. government for her service in the American Revolution, disguising herself as a man and collecting $96 annually until her death in 1827.
Source => goodreads.com

14. First Female Military Pension

Before she could cash in on her Revolutionary War efforts, Deborah Sampson had to convince the government she was the real deal, not some history-inspired catfish: In 1805, Congress granted her the first military pension awarded to a woman, of four dollars a month for her service in the Continental Army, which was later bumped up to $10 a month (thanks, inflation).
Source => en.wikipedia.org

15. Redcoat-kicking Warrior Princess

Who needs Superman when you've got Deborah Sampson flexing her girl power? This 18th-century 'Warrior Princess' tucked her ladylike demeanor in the closet, slipped into her trusty pair of britches, and stormed onto the battlefield under the alias Robert Shurtleff to kick some Redcoat derriere: Deborah Sampson didn't just throw caution to the wind but chucked it headlong into the Revolution when she disguised herself as a man to join the 4th Massachusetts Regiment and serve in combat. Despite suffering numerous injuries, she kept her secret intact until an illness eventually led to her discovery and honorable discharge. Today, the Deborah Sampson Act continues to honor her indomitable spirit, working towards ensuring equitable care and services for women veterans.
Source => boozman.senate.gov