Mrs. David Wright's Guard facts for kids

Mrs. David Wright's Guard was a special group of women who helped during the American Revolutionary War. This all-woman militia was formed by Patriots in Massachusetts. A militia is a group of ordinary citizens, not professional soldiers, who train to protect their community.

The Guard had about 30 to 40 women. Their job was to watch the Nashua River crossings. They wanted to stop Loyalist messengers from moving around. Loyalists were people who stayed loyal to the British King during the war.

The Story of Mrs. David Wright's Guard

How the Guard Started

The Guard was formed in a town called Pepperell, Massachusetts. This happened in April 1775, right after the American Revolutionary War began. At that time, most of the men from Pepperell had left. They went to fight in important battles like the Battle of Concord.

With the men gone, the women of Pepperell decided to take action. A brave woman named Prudence Cummings Wright started this special group. The Guard was named after her. Prudence was 35 years old and a mother of six children. Her husband, David, was a soldier in the Massachusetts militia.

Prudence Wright's Discovery

Prudence was visiting her mother in a nearby town called Hollis, New Hampshire. While there, she overheard something important. Her two brothers were talking to a Loyalist named Leonard Whiting. She found out that Whiting was planning to meet British spies. These spies were coming from Canada and Whiting was supposed to guide them to Boston.

Prudence knew she had to do something. She quickly returned to Pepperell. There, she gathered her female friends to form a militia.

Forming the All-Woman Militia

Prudence chose Sarah Shattuck from Groton to be her lieutenant. A lieutenant is like a second-in-command. The Guard grew to include 30 to 40 women from the local area. They were ready to protect their homes and support the Patriot cause.

Capturing a Loyalist Spy

One night, the Guard put on men's clothing. They armed themselves with guns and even pitchforks. They took their positions at Jewett's Bridge, which crossed the Nashua River. This bridge was between Pepperell and Groton.

They hid themselves where the road curved, waiting quietly. Soon, a horseman tried to cross the river. It was Leonard Whiting, the Loyalist spy Prudence had heard about! The women surprised him and captured him. They found important secret papers on him.

The Guard held Whiting overnight at Solomon Rodgers' tavern in Pepperell. The next day, they handed him over to the Groton Committee of Safety. This committee was a local group of Patriots who helped manage the town during the war. The papers they found were sent to the Committee of Safety in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Recognition for Their Service

The women of Mrs. David Wright's Guard were not paid by the state. This was because they were women. However, a Pepperell town committee recognized their bravery. In 1777, they were given money for their service. This showed how much their community appreciated their efforts.

Other Known Guard Members

Here are some other women who were part of Mrs. David Wright's Guard:

• Sarah Hartwell Shattuck (Mrs. Job Shattuck): She was the lieutenant, second-in-command, and was 37 years old.
• Mrs. Susanna Quailes: She was 25 years old.
• Elizabeth Hobart: She was 17 years old. Her father was an important town official. Elizabeth later married Joseph Heald, who was also a town leader.
• Mrs. Jonathan Shattuck: She was also known for burning tea before the church door, a protest against British taxes. Her likely first name was Abia[h].
• "Rebecca" Chamberlain Shattuck: She was also a member of the Guard.
• A Great-Aunt of Captain Phineas Adams: Her name is not known today.