Deborah Sampson

Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man and joined the 4th Massachusetts Regiment during the Revolutionary War. She is the only woman known to have received a full pension for serving in the Continental Army.

Collection Highlights

Two different objects related to Deborah Sampson tell the story of her service during the Revolutionary War.

Book, "The Female Review: Life of Deborah Sampson the Female Soldier in the War of the Revolution," opened to show its title page

Online Collection

Biography of Deborah Sampson

Deborah Sampson worked with editor Herman Mann to write this biography the documented her life and wartime story or dressing in men's clothes to serve in the army.

See Object

Small book opened to show two pages filled with short, handwritten notes

Online Collection

Abner Weston's Daybook

Abner Weston, a corporal in the Massachusetts militia, mentions an "uncommon affair" of Deborah Sampson's first attempt to enlist in the army.

See Object

Deborah Sampson Unveiled: A Virtual Conversation

Explore the life and dress of Deborah Sampson, who disguised herself as a man to fight in the Revolutionary War, in a discussion co-presented by American Repertory Theater featuring A.R.T.'s Sarah Schofield-Mansur as moderator, 1776 costume designer Emilio Sosa, author and Sampson descendent Alex Myers, and the Museum's Tyler Putman.

Watch

More Resources

Explore more about Deborah Sampson and her world with books featured in the Read the Revolution series and more resources on women during the American Revolution.

Read the Revolution

Revolutionary

Read an excerpt from Alex Myers's historical fiction novel on Deborah Sampson, a woman who joined the Continental Army at the age of 21 disguised as a man.

Read an Excerpt