Elizabeth Burgin facts for kids

Elizabeth Burgin was a brave American hero during the American Revolutionary War. She is famous for helping over 200 prisoners of war escape from British prison ships. She worked with a spy named George Higday, who was part of the Culper Spy Ring. When Higday was caught, a British general, James Pattison, ordered Burgin's capture. Elizabeth had to hide for weeks and was separated from her children. She lost her home and all her belongings. Later, with help from George Washington, she received financial support for her amazing service. Washington even wrote to the Continental Congress, saying many American officers praised her for helping them escape.

Life During Wartime

During the American Revolutionary War, American and British forces often captured each other's soldiers. These prisoners of war were kept in very difficult and unhealthy conditions. Many were held on ships or in crowded jails. Soldiers often went hungry and became sick because there was not enough food or clean spaces. They also lacked proper medical care, clothing, and blankets. The goal was to keep them from fighting again. Sadly, there were no good records of who was held captive.

During the Revolutionary War, more American soldiers died as prisoners of war than perished on the battlefield. British prisons were notorious for their terrible conditions, and none were worse than the prison ships of New York City.

In New York City, about 10,000 American prisoners were held. A heartbreaking 7,000 of them died while in captivity.

Elizabeth's Early Life

We don't know much about Elizabeth Burgin's early years. She was a mother of three children. It is thought she might have been a war widow, meaning her husband died in the war. She lived in New York City near the shipyards, close to New York Harbor. Her neighbors were John Franklin, a wine merchant, and his wife, Deborah.

Elizabeth's Brave Actions

Elizabeth Burgin and her neighbors, the Franklins, bravely helped American prisoners. At that time, only women were allowed to visit the British prison ships. These ships were anchored in Wallabout Bay. Elizabeth would row a small boat to the ships. She delivered important supplies like clothing, medicine, blankets, and food to the suffering prisoners.

The Spy Ring Connection

In 1779, a spy named George Higday asked Elizabeth for help. Higday was part of the Culper Spy Ring, a secret group organized by Benjamin Tallmadge. This spy ring gathered information for George Washington. Higday had contacts within the British Army. Together, Elizabeth and Higday helped three officers escape from Long Island. Elizabeth was a very daring person. She might have been a secret agent herself, possibly known as Agent 355.

Map of Brooklyn, New York, made in 1766, showing Wallabout Bay.

Elizabeth and Higday managed to help over 200 prisoners escape from the ships in just a few weeks! The British didn't even notice at first. This was because there were no proper records of who or how many people were held captive.

An image showing the Jersey Prison Ship in Wallabout Bay in 1782.

A Dangerous Discovery

The British eventually found out about these escapes. They intercepted a secret letter from George Washington to Benjamin Tallmadge. This letter mentioned Higday's spy work. On July 13, 1779, British soldiers raided Higday's home and arrested him. To try and help her husband, Higday's wife told the British that Elizabeth Burgin had helped 200 prisoners escape.

When the British checked their prison ships, they realized many soldiers were indeed missing. Major General James Pattison, the British commander in New York, quickly took action. On July 17, 1779, he ordered guards to watch Elizabeth's house. He also offered a large reward of £200 for her capture. This was a huge amount of money back then. If Elizabeth had been caught, she would have faced severe punishment. Elizabeth knew she was in danger and had to go into hiding.

Starting Anew

Elizabeth Burgin hid for two weeks. Then she moved to Long Island. She might have met more spies from the Culper Ring there. After hiding for another five weeks, she traveled to Connecticut. Finally, she reached Philadelphia, a safer place.

In October 1779, Elizabeth received a special permission called a "flag of truce" from the Board of War. This allowed her to safely travel back to New York to get her children. By November, she was in Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth, New Jersey). She made arrangements and, within a month, was able to bring her children to safety. However, she was not allowed to take any of her clothes or furniture. She had lost almost everything.

Because she had nothing left, Elizabeth asked George Washington for help in November 1779. Thomas Franklin, Jr., who helped American prisoners, offered her a place to live. In late 1779, Elizabeth and her three young children were allowed to live in a part of the house where the Board of War was located. She also asked for a job to support her family.

On December 25, 1779, George Washington wrote a letter to the Continental Congress. He asked them to provide Elizabeth with food and supplies. Washington praised her, saying:

Regarding Elizabeth Burgin, recently an inhabitant of New York, from the testimony of our own Officers who have returned from captivity, it would appear that she has been indefatigable for the relief of the prisoners, and for facilitating their escape. For this conduct she incurred the suspicion of the British, and was forced to make her escape under disturbing circumstances.

Her request for help was delayed at first. This was because the rules didn't cover people like her; she was not a soldier or a recognized war widow. However, she eventually received an annuity, which is a series of regular payments. These payments started in 1781 and continued at least until 1787. The last payment she received was in January 1801.