Deborah Sampson Gannett was a Massachusetts woman who disguised herself as a man, so she can serve in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. She served 17 months in the army under the name "Robert Shurtleff’’. Deborah's mother was the great-granddaughter of William Bradford, Governor the Plymouth Colony. Some of Deborah's ancestors included passengers on the Mayflower. Deborah was told that her father had disappeared at sea, but some evidence shows that he abandoned the family and went to Lincoln County, Maine. the Sampson had financial difficulties and, after Jonathan (Deborah’s father) “failed” to return from a sea voyage, his wife was forced to put her children in different households. At the age of 10, Deborah was bound out as an indentured servant to …show more content…
The church that she belonged to, learned of her actions, and withdrew its fellowship, meaning that its members refused to associate with her until she apologized and asked for forgiveness. In May 1782, Sampson enlisted again in Uxbridge, Massachusetts under the name "Robert Shurtleff", and joined the Light Infantry Company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment, under the command of Captain George Webb. This unit, was first quartered in Bellingham, Massachusetts, but then later moved in Worcester with the rest of the regiment commanded by Colonel William Shepard. Light Infantry Companies were elite troops, specially `picked because they were taller and stronger than the average men. Their job was to provide rapid flank coverage for advancing regiments, because she joined this unit Sampson's disguise was more likely to fool them, since no one would be looking for a woman in a unit with only soldiers who were specially picked for their above average size and superior physical