Lydia Darrah
Encyclopedia
Lydia Barrington Darragh (also spelled Darrah or Darrach) (1728 – December 28, 1789) was an American woman said to have crossed British lines during the British occupation
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
during the American Revolutionary War
, delivering information to George Washington
and the Continental Army
that warned them of a pending British attack
. Contemporary sources claim Darragh's uncorroborated story is historically unsubstantiated.
of the Continental Army.
On September 26, 1777, British troops occupied Philadelphia. General William Howe took up residence across the street from the Darrahs, in a house formerly belonging to John Cadwalader
. Darrah began regularly providing her son Charles with information regarding the enemy's plans, gathered by eavesdropping in her home and around town. She would often write this information in simple code on pieces of scrap paper, which she hid in large buttons that she and the messengers wore.
In late fall of 1777, British troops (one of whom was a distant relative of the Darrahs from Ireland) requested use of the Darrahs' home for meetings. Lydia told them that they had already sent away their two youngest children to live with relatives in another city, but that they had nowhere else to go and would like to stay in their home. They were permitted to remain, as Quakers were known to be unsupportive of the war, even on the side of the colonies, therefore posed no apparent risk to the British army.
On December 2, 1777, Lydia received the request that she and her family retire early, by 8 o'clock, and that she would be awakened when the soldiers were finished so she could let them out. Lydia pretended to go to sleep, but instead listened to the soldiers through the door. She learned that British troops were being ordered to leave the city on December 4, 1777, to make a surprise attack on the Continental army
camped at Whitemarsh led by George Washington. Lydia sneaked back to bed and pretended to be asleep until the officer knocked three times at her door to awake her to follow them out and blow out the candles.
Lydia decided not to share this information with her husband or family so that it would not put them in a compromising situation. The following morning she received permission from General Howe to cross British lines in order to go to Frankford
to get flour. Lydia dropped off her empty bag at the mill and then headed towards the American camp. Along the way she met an American officer, Colonel Craig of the Light Horse
, and told him about the impending British attack so that he might warn Washington. After the warning, Lydia made her way back to the mill, picked up her flour and started her long journey home. After the British troops attempted their attack and realized that the Americans were waiting for them, the officer questioned Lydia and asked if anyone was awake on the night of the meeting, because it was obvious that someone had betrayed them. Lydia denied any knowledge of this and was no longer questioned.
There are variations on this story; according to Elias Boudinot
, Commissary of Prisoners, who was eating at Rising Sun Tavern, Lydia came in and gave him a “dirty old needle book, with various small pockets.” In one of the pockets he “found a piece of paper rolled into the form of a pipe shank. On unrolling it I found information that General Howe was coming out the next morning with 5000 men, 13 pieces of cannon, baggage wagons, and 11 boats on wheels.” The information was then passed on to Washington and the troops were prepared.
Glory, Passion, and Principle: The Story of Eight Remarkable Women at the Core of the American Revolution
by Melissa Luke Bohrer
And then later didsoj ikl dm kjfnm h ewjbd shbewy bhjhkh uybjewkruy bwesuhpd uijwe u iuiudsi jsuei9843eij gk
Philadelphia campaign
The Philadelphia campaign was a British initiative in the American Revolutionary War to gain control of Philadelphia, which was then the seat of the Second Continental Congress...
of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
during the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, delivering information to George Washington
George Washington
George Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
and the Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
that warned them of a pending British attack
Battle of White Marsh
The Battle of White Marsh or Battle of Edge Hill was a battle of the Philadelphia campaign of the American Revolutionary War fought December 5–8, 1777, in the area surrounding Whitemarsh Township, Pennsylvania...
. Contemporary sources claim Darragh's uncorroborated story is historically unsubstantiated.
Early life
Lydia Barrington Darrah was born in 1729 in Dublin, Ireland to John Barrington and his wife. On November 2, 1753, she married the family tutor, William Darragh, the son of a clergyman. After a few years of marriage, they immigrated to Philadelphia. William worked as a tutor and Lydia as a midwife. She gave birth to and raised five children, Charles (born 1755), Ann (born 1757), John (born 1763), William (born 1766), Susannah (born 1768), and four others that died in infancy.American Revolutionary War
As Quakers, the Darrahs were pacifists. However, their eldest son Charles served with the 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment2nd Pennsylvania Regiment
The 2nd Pennsylvania Regiment, also known as The 1st Pennsylvania Battalion, was raised, October 12, 1775, under the command of Colonel John Bull for service with the Continental Army. The regiment saw action during the Battles of Brooklyn, Valcour Island, Trenton, the Brandywine, Germantown,...
of the Continental Army.
On September 26, 1777, British troops occupied Philadelphia. General William Howe took up residence across the street from the Darrahs, in a house formerly belonging to John Cadwalader
John Cadwalader (general)
John Cadwalader was a commander of Pennsylvania troops during the American Revolutionary War.-Early life:...
. Darrah began regularly providing her son Charles with information regarding the enemy's plans, gathered by eavesdropping in her home and around town. She would often write this information in simple code on pieces of scrap paper, which she hid in large buttons that she and the messengers wore.
In late fall of 1777, British troops (one of whom was a distant relative of the Darrahs from Ireland) requested use of the Darrahs' home for meetings. Lydia told them that they had already sent away their two youngest children to live with relatives in another city, but that they had nowhere else to go and would like to stay in their home. They were permitted to remain, as Quakers were known to be unsupportive of the war, even on the side of the colonies, therefore posed no apparent risk to the British army.
On December 2, 1777, Lydia received the request that she and her family retire early, by 8 o'clock, and that she would be awakened when the soldiers were finished so she could let them out. Lydia pretended to go to sleep, but instead listened to the soldiers through the door. She learned that British troops were being ordered to leave the city on December 4, 1777, to make a surprise attack on the Continental army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
camped at Whitemarsh led by George Washington. Lydia sneaked back to bed and pretended to be asleep until the officer knocked three times at her door to awake her to follow them out and blow out the candles.
Lydia decided not to share this information with her husband or family so that it would not put them in a compromising situation. The following morning she received permission from General Howe to cross British lines in order to go to Frankford
Frankford, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Frankford is a large and important neighborhood in the lower Northeast section of Philadelphia situated about six miles northeast of Center City. Although its borders are vaguely defined, the neighborhood is bounded roughly by the original course of Frankford Creek, now roughly Adams to Aramingo...
to get flour. Lydia dropped off her empty bag at the mill and then headed towards the American camp. Along the way she met an American officer, Colonel Craig of the Light Horse
First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
thumb|right|300px|Captain [[Joseph Lapsley Wilson]] of the First City Troop circa 1894The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, also known as the First City Troop, is a unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.-History:...
, and told him about the impending British attack so that he might warn Washington. After the warning, Lydia made her way back to the mill, picked up her flour and started her long journey home. After the British troops attempted their attack and realized that the Americans were waiting for them, the officer questioned Lydia and asked if anyone was awake on the night of the meeting, because it was obvious that someone had betrayed them. Lydia denied any knowledge of this and was no longer questioned.
There are variations on this story; according to Elias Boudinot
Elias Boudinot
Elias Boudinot was a lawyer and statesman from Elizabeth, New Jersey who was a delegate to the Continental Congress and a U.S. Congressman for New Jersey...
, Commissary of Prisoners, who was eating at Rising Sun Tavern, Lydia came in and gave him a “dirty old needle book, with various small pockets.” In one of the pockets he “found a piece of paper rolled into the form of a pipe shank. On unrolling it I found information that General Howe was coming out the next morning with 5000 men, 13 pieces of cannon, baggage wagons, and 11 boats on wheels.” The information was then passed on to Washington and the troops were prepared.
Later life
In June 1778, British troops left Philadelphia, and Darrah's children returned to their family home. William Darrah died on June 8, 1783. Charles lost his membership to the Society of Friends on April 27, 1781. Lydia lost her membership on August 29, 1783. In 1786, Lydia and the children moved into a new house, and she ran a store until her death on December 28, 1789.Further reading
- Elizabeth F. Ellet, The Women of the American Revolution, Third Edition. New York: Baker and Scribner, 1849.
Glory, Passion, and Principle: The Story of Eight Remarkable Women at the Core of the American Revolution
by Melissa Luke Bohrer
And then later didsoj ikl dm kjfnm h ewjbd shbewy bhjhkh uybjewkruy bwesuhpd uijwe u iuiudsi jsuei9843eij gk
External links
- “Biography of Lydia Darragh”
- “Lydia Darrah Biography”
- “Lydia Darrah Biography”
- "Lydia Darrah's House", Muscatine Journal, Friday, January 6, 1854
- Lydia Darrah at AmericanRevolution.org