Prudence Wright facts for kids

Prudence "Pru" Cummings Wright (born November 26, 1740 – died December 2, 1824) was a brave leader during the American Revolutionary War. She commanded a group of women who helped protect their town.

Who Was Prudence Wright?

Early Life and Family

Prudence was born in Dunstable, Massachusetts. Her parents were Prudence and Samuel Cummings. She had two brothers. While Prudence believed in American independence, many of her family members supported the British king.

In 1761, she married David Wright. David was a soldier in the American militia. He strongly believed that the American colonies should be free from British rule. Prudence and David had eleven children together.

Joining the Church

In 1770, Prudence joined the Congregationalist church. This was an important part of her community life.

Prudence Wright's Guard

How Did the Guard Start?

During the American Revolution, many men from towns like Pepperell joined the fight. After the Battles of Lexington and Concord, most of the local men marched off to Boston. This left their towns unprotected.

According to a story from 1899, the people of Pepperell chose Prudence Wright to lead a special group. This group was called the Mrs. David Wright's Guard. It was made up of about 30 to 40 local women who supported the American cause.

What Did the Guard Do?

The women in the Guard dressed in their husbands' clothes. They carried anything they could use as a weapon, like pitchforks. Prudence chose Sarah Hartwell Shattuck as her second-in-command.

The Guard started patrolling their town and the areas nearby. Their main goal was to keep an eye out for British supporters or spies.

Catching Spies

In April 1775, Prudence and her group caught some loyalist spies. Loyalists were people who stayed loyal to the British king. These spies were caught at Jewett's Bridge, which crossed the Nashua River.

Interestingly, two of the spies caught were Prudence Wright's own brothers!

The Capture of Captain Whiting

Prudence Wright and her Guard also stopped Captain Leonard Whiting. He was a well-known Loyalist from Hollis, New Hampshire. They caught him as he rode his horse across the bridge.

Captain Whiting was held overnight in a tavern in Pepperell. The next day, he was taken to Groton and put in jail. A family story says that Prudence's brother, Thomas Cummings, was with Captain Whiting that day. But when he saw his sister leading the Guard, he quickly turned back.

Recognition for Their Actions

Were They Paid for Their Service?

Normally, women were not paid for serving in the militia. However, in 1777, the town of Pepperell decided to pay Mrs. David Wright's Guard for their brave actions.

The town called them "Leonard Whiting's Guard" in their official records. This was because it was not common to openly pay women for military service during the Revolution.

How Much Were They Paid?

On March 19, 1777, Prudence Wright's Guard received 7 pounds, 17 shillings, and sixpence. This payment showed that the town appreciated their important work in protecting the community.

Later Life

Prudence Wright passed away in 1824. Her gravestone has a special message: "In Memory of the Captain of the Bridge Guard." This epitaph honors her leadership and bravery during the American Revolutionary War.