Prudence Wright facts for kids

Prudence "Pru" Cummings Wright was an amazing woman who lived during the American Revolutionary War. She is remembered as a brave leader of a women's militia. This group helped protect their town when the men were away fighting for independence.

Prudence Wright: A Revolutionary War Heroine

Early Life and Family

Prudence Cummings was born on November 26, 1740, in Dunstable, Massachusetts. Her parents were Prudence and Samuel Cummings. Her father was the town clerk. Prudence grew up in a family with different views on the upcoming war. While she strongly supported American independence, some of her brothers, Samuel and Thomas, remained loyal to the British King. Her youngest brother, Benjamin, was also a Patriot, meaning he supported independence.

In 1761, Prudence married David Wright. David was a soldier in the American militia and a strong believer in independence. Together, they had eleven children. Sadly, two of their children, Mary and the first Liberty, passed away when they were young. In 1770, Prudence joined the Congregationalist church.

The American Revolution Begins

The American Revolutionary War began in April 1775 with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. Many men from towns like Pepperell, Massachusetts, left their homes to join the fight. This left their towns vulnerable. Prudence Wright and other women in Pepperell decided they needed to protect their community.

Leading the "Mrs. David Wright's Guard"

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 were also Patriots. They dressed in their husbands' clothes and carried whatever they could find as weapons, like pitchforks. Prudence appointed Sarah Hartwell Shattuck as her second-in-command. Together, they organized patrols to keep their town and the surrounding areas safe.

Protecting Pepperell

The women of the Guard were very watchful. They knew that people who supported the British King, called Loyalists, might try to spy or cause trouble. Prudence and her group patrolled important areas, including Jewett's Bridge over the Nashua River. This bridge was a key crossing point.

Capturing Loyalist Spies

In April 1775, Prudence Wright and her Guard made a very important capture. They stopped Captain Leonard Whiting, a well-known Loyalist from Hollis, New Hampshire, as he crossed Jewett's Bridge on horseback. They held him overnight in a local tavern before moving him to Groton for official custody.

Interestingly, two of Prudence's own brothers, who were Loyalists, were also caught by the Guard as spies at the same bridge. One of them, Samuel Cummings, reportedly turned back when he saw his sister leading the armed women at the bridge! This shows how dedicated Prudence was to the cause of American independence, even when it meant standing against her own family.

Recognition for Their Courage

Even though women were not usually paid for military service during the Revolution, the town of Pepperell recognized the bravery of Prudence Wright's Guard. In 1777, a committee was formed to pay the women for their actions.

On March 19, 1777, Prudence Wright's Guard received 7 pounds, 17 shillings, and sixpence. In the official town records, the group was called "Leonard Whiting's Guard." This was because, at the time, it was not common for women to be openly paid for their military efforts. However, this payment was a clear sign of how much the town appreciated their courage and service during a difficult time.

See also

• Anne Bailey
• Margaret Corbin
• Mary Ludwig Hays
• Molly Pitcher
• Anna Maria Lane
• Deborah Sampson
• Sally St. Clair