Lydia Darragh

Lydia Darragh is a war hero!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lydia's Famous Quote

"Though we consider thee as a public enemy, we regard thee as a private friend. While we detest the cause thee fights for, we wish well to thy personal interest and safety."

-Lydia Darragh

(Thee means you and Thy means your.)

Left and far Left:

Drawings of Lydia Darragh

Lydia Darragh

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lydia_Darrah

http://www.ushistory.org/march/bio/lydia.htm

http://www.revolutionary-war.net/lydia-darragh.html

http://www.thefinertimes.com/Spies/lydia-darrah.html

http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/philadelphia-nurse-overhears-british-plans-to-attack-washington

http://www.womenhistoryblog.com/2010/09/lydia-darragh.html

http://score.rims.k12.ca.us/score_lessons/women_american_revolution/darragh.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_White_Marsh

http://prezi.com/

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The Battle of White Marsh

On December 4, 1777, General William Howe led the British troops out of Philadelphia in one final attempt to defeat the Patriots before winter came. Their plan failed. George Washington and the Patriots were waiting for them. The battle lastEven though they had less men, the Patriots won. The British were the ones who retreated. In the end, the Patriots had 150 men killed or wounded and 54 men captured. The British had 9 killed, 60 wounded 33 missing, and 238 deserted. After the battle, the British troops questioned Lydia, but she denied eveything and was not further questioned. Lydia is known as the Heroine of the Battle of White Marsh.

Lydia Darragh's Early Life and Family

Lydia Darragh was born in 1729 in Dublin, the Republic of Ireland. On November 2, 1753, she married William Darragh at age 24. A few years later, they moved to Philadelphia. There she worked as a midwife and gave birth to nine children, 5 named Charles, Ann, John, William, and Susannah. Her other four children had died during infancy. During that time period, it was very common for children to die during infancy.

Warning the Army

When the soldier's meeting finished, Lydia snuck back to bed and did not respond to their knocking at her door until the third knock, pretending to have been asleep. The next day, Lydia was given permission to head to the mill and get flour. When she got to the mill, she dropped off her bag and headed to the Patriot army camp. On her way, she ran into Colonel Thomas Craig of the Light Horse (a patriotic military organization), and told him about the British plan to attack. This information was immediately sent to Washington. Then, Lydia picked up the flour and returned to her house as if nothing had happened.

Lydia's War Involvment

As Quakers, Lydia and her family were pacifists (people who oppose war and violence). However, her son Charles served in the Patriot army (the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment of the Continental army, to be specific). On September 26, 1777, British troops occupied Philadelphia. Conveniently for Lydia, General William Howe moved across the street from the Darraghs. Then, Darragh began regularly sending Charles information. The British requested permission to stay in her home. Lydia protested, but agreed as long as she and her family also got to stay.

Later Life and Importance

In 1783, her husband, William, died. Lydia then ran a successful store until she died at age 60 on December 28, 1789.

Even though Lydia's story is not well-known, she is remembered for her bravery. If she had been found out, she might have been hanged or executed. Without Lydia, the Patriots might have lost the Battle of White Marsh.

On December 2, 1777, Lydia and her family were told to retire early to bed. Since Quakers were known to be unsupportive of the war, the soldiers were not worried of being overheard. Lydia pretended to be asleep, and then snuck downstairs and listened at the door of the room the British were using. She learned that all British troops were being ordered to leave the city to launch a surprise attack on part of the Continental army (Patriot army) led by George Washington.

Spying on the British