Two Women of the Revolution
Women whose stories we may never know undoubtedly contributed to the cause for Independence. A few stories are known including the story of Sybil Ludington and Tyonajanegen:
Sybil Ludington: “The Female Paul Revere”
In 1961 the Daughters of the American Revolution commissioned sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington to depict Ludington near the shore of Lake Glenida in Carmel NY.
Ludington was the 16 year-old daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington, born in Fredericksburg NY, now called Patterson. When word arrived to her father that the British were attacking Danbury Connecticut, just 14 miles away, Sybil managed a late-night ride more than 40 miles through the countryside to rally her father’s militia men for battle. Because of her the Patriots were successful in driving the British back to Long Island Sound.
After the war Sybil married Edmond Ogden and settled in Catskill NY until his early death in 1799. On her “midnight ride” she had ridden nearly three times the distance as Paul Revere and was less than half his age.
Tyonajanegen, also known as Two Kettles Together
Detail from Oneidas at Orskay by Don Troiani
During the Battle of Oriskany, this Oneida woman fought alongside her husband, Chief Warrior Han Yerry Tewahongarahkon, leader of their fellow Oneidas and the American group of Tryon County militia. When her husband was shot she loaded his rifle for him in addition to firing her own pistols. After the battle she rode through nearby towns to spread word of the incident.
Tyonajanegen fought bravely again on August 14, 1781 at the fortified homestead of Fort Timmerman. While the men were away pursuing raiders, 150 Loyalists and British allied Indians attacked the homestead. Tyonajanegen and the small group of Oneida and White women with her defended the home and drove the attackers off.