Deborah Sampson, who fought in the American Revolution disguised as the soldier Robert Shurtlieff, was born on December 1, 1760 in Plymton, Massachusetts, near Plymouth. Growing up Deborah and her family were very poor. When Deborah’s father failed to return from a sea voyage, her mother, unable to provide for her seven children, placed them in various households. At the age of 18 she made a living teaching school during the summer sessions.Slowly the idea of joining the army dressed as a man took hold. After venturing out undetected in her disguise, she resolved to enlist, which she did in the spring of 1781 she was assigned to a scouting party given the dangerous task of marching through the Westchester County to assess the British buildup
