Anna Strong (spy) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anna Nancy Smith Strong |
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| Anne | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
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| Birth name | Anna Nancy Smith |
| Born | April 14, 1740 |
| Died | August 12, 1812 (aged 72) Setauket, New York |
| Buried | East Setauket, Suffolk County, New York, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Selah Brewster Strong III |
| Children | 10 |
| Occupation | spy, homemaker |
Anna Smith Strong (born April 14, 1740 – died August 12, 1812) was an amazing American spy. She lived in Setauket, New York. Anna might have been one of the few women in the Culper Ring, a secret spy group during the American Revolution. Her main job was to send secret signals. She would signal a messenger who carried out missions for General George Washington. After the war, Anna and her husband, Selah Strong, lived a quiet life in Setauket. She passed away on August 12, 1812.
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Anna's Family Life
Anna married Selah Brewster Strong III. He was an important person in colonial New York. Selah helped lead the New York government before the American Revolution. He was also a captain in the New York army in 1776.
Selah's Imprisonment
The British thought Selah was a spy. They put him in a prison in New York City. Some stories say Anna brought him food while he was imprisoned. Anna eventually helped Selah get released. This happened with the help of her family members who supported the British. After his release, Selah went to Connecticut with their younger children. Anna stayed on Long Island during the rest of the war.
Anna's Children
Anna and Selah had ten children. Their children included Keturah, Thomas, Margaret, Benjamin, Mary, William, Joseph, George Washington, and another Joseph. Sadly, Mary and the first Joseph died when they were young. Thomas became a judge. He did not know his mother, Anna, was part of the secret Culper Ring.
The Culper Spy Ring
The Culper Spy Ring was a secret group of spies. They worked for Continental Army Major Benjamin Tallmadge. He started the group with Abraham Woodhull in 1778. This was during the American Revolutionary War.
Anna's Secret Signals
People believe Anna Strong had a special way to send messages. She would hang a black petticoat (an underskirt) on her clothesline. This was at her home in Setauket. Her home was called Strong Point. The clothesline was easy to see from a boat in Long Island Sound. Abraham Woodhull could also see it from his nearby farm.
Anna would also hang a certain number of handkerchiefs. Each number told the messenger which secret cove to use. The messenger would bring his boat there. Then, Woodhull would meet him. Some historians say this clothesline signal story is hard to prove. But the British did suspect a woman in Setauket who matched Anna's description.
Was Anna a Spy?
Some authors, like Brian Kilmeade and Don Yaeger, wonder if Anna was really a spy. They say that British law allowed them to take land if it was left empty. This might have made Anna stay on Long Island. She also had her children with her. If she was arrested, her children would have been left without parents.
However, Selah Strong was on George Washington's list. This list was for people who needed to be paid back for spy activities. Some people think this money was for Anna's work. This is because Selah was in prison for much of that time.
Agent 355
Abraham Woodhull once wrote a message to Benjamin Tallmadge. He said he would visit New York again. He also wrote that "by the assistance of a [lady] of my acquaintance, shall be able to outwit them all."
Who Was Agent 355?
Many historians think Anna Strong was this "lady." She was known by the code name "355." This was Tallmadge's code for the word "lady." Anna might have visited New York to see her husband. He was on a prison ship. She could have brought him food. If she was Agent 355, her main job was to distract people. This would help Woodhull do his spy work.
However, Kilmeade and Yaeger also suggest another idea. Agent 355 might have been a young woman from a powerful family. This family supported the British. She might have been staying in the city with her relatives. This young woman might have even met Major John André. She could have gathered information for the Culper Ring too.
See Also
- Intelligence in the American Revolutionary War
- Intelligence operations in the American Revolutionary War
