Sybil Ludington facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sybil Ludington
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| Born | April 5, 1761 |
| Died | February 26, 1839 (aged 77) |
| Spouse(s) |
Edmond Ogden
(m. 1784; died 1799) |
Sybil Ludington (also spelled Sibbell) was an American heroine. She was born on April 5, 1761, and passed away on February 26, 1839. Sybil is known for her brave actions during the American Revolutionary War. On April 26, 1777, when she was just 16 years old, she rode her horse all night. Her mission was to warn local soldiers in Putnam County, New York, and Danbury, Connecticut, that British forces were coming.
Sybil's story became widely known much later. The first time it was written down was in 1880 by a historian named Martha Lamb. Another mention appeared in a book about her father's life in 1907. Because there are not many records from Sybil's time, some historians wonder if the ride happened exactly as told.
Some old newspapers from 1777 suggest that the American army and the town of Danbury already knew the British were approaching. For example, The New-York Gazette reported on May 19, 1777, that an urgent message reached Danbury on April 26. It said that British troops had landed and were marching towards the town. However, Sybil's father was a colonel in the local militia. He needed to gather his hundreds of soldiers quickly and plan for battle. So, Sybil either offered to warn the towns and rally the troops, or her father asked her to do it.
Sybil Ludington has been celebrated since the early 1900s. There are statues honoring her, and many books have been written about her bravery. She was also featured on a United States Bicentennial postage stamp. This stamp, released on March 25, 1975, shows her riding her horse.
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Sybil's Early Life and Family
Sybil was born in a place called Fredericksburg, New York. Today, this area is known as Ludingtonville. She was the oldest of 12 children in her family. Her parents were Abigail Knowles and Henry Ludington, who were actually first cousins. Later, her family moved to a large farm in Dutchess County, New York. All of Sybil's younger brothers and sisters were born there.
The Famous Ride: Warning the Militia
Why Sybil Rode at Night
The story says that on April 26, 1777, Sybil Ludington rode her horse for 40 miles. She rode through the night in Putnam County, New York. Her goal was to warn about 400 militiamen who served under her father's command. British troops were planning to attack Danbury. This town was important because the Continental Army had a large supply depot there.
How Sybil Spread the Word
As Sybil rode to gather her father's troops, she warned people who were sleeping in their homes. She did this by banging on their window shutters with a stick. She also yelled, "The British are burning Danbury!" Her father had fought in the French and Indian War before. During the Revolutionary War, he volunteered to lead the local militia. Sybil's actions played an important part in helping the American colonies during their fight for freedom.
The Impact of Sybil's Warning
During the British raid, the Continental Army's supplies in Danbury were burned. However, not many soldiers were hurt on either side. This was partly thanks to Sybil's quick actions. Her ride began at 9 p.m. and ended around dawn. She mostly followed what are now Route 6, Route 52, and Route 32.
Sybil's Earlier Act of Bravery
Before her famous ride, Sybil also helped save her father from being captured. A Loyalist (someone loyal to the British) named Ichobod Prosser and 50 other Loyalists tried to capture him. But Sybil lit candles all around their house. She then organized her brothers and sisters to march in front of the windows. This made it look like many soldiers were guarding the house. The Loyalists were tricked and quickly ran away.
The Route and Outcome of the Ride
Sybil rode a total of 40 miles in the dark. She traveled through towns like Carmel, New York, Mahopac, Kent Cliffs, and Farmers Mills. Finally, she rode back home. She used a stick to encourage her horse and to knock on doors. When she returned, she was wet from the rain and very tired. But most of the 400 soldiers were ready to march. The American militia arrived too late to save Danbury from being burned. However, they were able to force General William Tryon and his men back to Long Island Sound. Sybil was praised for her bravery by her friends, neighbors, and even by General George Washington.
Sybil's Later Life and Passing
Sybil Ludington married Edmond Ogden in 1784 when she was 23 years old. They had one son named Henry. Edmond worked as a farmer and also ran an inn. In 1792, the family settled in Catskill, New York. Edmond passed away in 1799. In 1811, Sybil moved to Unadilla, New York. She lived there until her death on February 26, 1839, at the age of 77. She was buried near her father in the Patterson Presbyterian Cemetery in Patterson, New York. Her tombstone shows a slightly different spelling of her first name.
Sybil's Legacy and Honors
Historical Markers and Statues
In 1935, New York State placed several historic markers along the route Sybil rode. A special statue honoring her was created by Anna Hyatt Huntington. It was put up near Carmel, New York, in 1961. Smaller versions of this statue can be found in other places. These include the Daughters of the American Revolution headquarters in Washington, D.C., the public library in Danbury, Connecticut, and the Elliot and Rosemary Offner museum at Brookgreen Gardens, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina.
Postage Stamp and Other Tributes
In 1975, Sybil Ludington was honored with a postage stamp. It was part of the "Contributors to the Cause" series for the United States Bicentennial. Since 1979, a 50-kilometer (about 31 miles) foot race called the Sybil Ludington 50k Run has been held every April in Carmel, New York. The race course follows a path similar to her historic ride. It finishes near her statue by Lake Gleneida in Carmel.
In 1993, a composer named Ludmila Ulehla wrote an opera about Sybil's ride. It was called Sybil of the American Revolution. In 2014, Sybil Ludington was featured in a documentary on the American Heroes Channel called American Revolution: Patriots Rising. There was also a movie made about her in 2010, titled “Sybil Ludington, The Female Paul Revere.”
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