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Sybil
Sybil on Horse
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b
y Susan Groves - Center Street Elementary - El Segundo Unified
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We know about Sybil Ludington from letters, records, books, and
articles written by people who lived when she lived. There is even a
letter written by Sybil herself. There are also birth, marriage, and
death records on file that give us information.
Sybil's Childhood
Sybil Ludington was the oldest of 12 children. She was born April 5, 1761, and lived in Dutchess County, New York. Since she was the oldest child, she was expected to help out with the raising of her brothers and sisters.
Her family had a gristmill, where wheat and grains are ground into flour, and a sawmill. The mill was built mostly by the women because the men were away in military service at the time. The family did a good business in the mill.
Sybil had a horse named Star. She was a good rider and enjoyed riding Star.
Sybil's Father
Sybil’s father was Colonel Henry Ludington. He was called The Colonel. He fought in the French-Indian War, and later served in the militia. He led a regiment of 400 men. Since the Colonel and his men were fighting in the Revolutionary War for freedom from Great Britain, he was gone from home for long periods. During his absences, Sybil and her sister Rebecca kept guard over the family home.
Sybil and Rebecca also managed to fool the British once when the British were looking for her father. They pretended that the house was full of people so the British would not attack their home.
Sybil's Ride
When Sybil was 16, her father needed her help.
The Colonel had sent his men home to work on their farms. On the night of April 26, 1777, news came that the British were burning the nearby city of Danbury. The Colonel needed someone to ride and tell the men to meet at his home so they could defend the city. It was a dark, stormy night and the only one who could go was Sybil. So Sybil rode Star for 40 miles in the rain to alert The Colonel’s men.
Sybil's Later Years
Not much is known about Sybil’s life after her famous ride. She stayed at home until she was 23, to help raise the other children in her family. She then married Edmond Ogden and had one son, named Henry. She outlived Edmond, and she died when she was 77 years old.
Sybil was a teenage heroine who, through her courage and strength, helped in our country’s fight for independence.
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