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Lydia Darragh was a Quaker, a pacifist, who lived in Philadelphia while it was occupied by the British in the Revolutionary War. The British at first requisitioned her family's house for quartering officers, but she was able to persuade them to allow her to live there with her youngest children. On the evening of December 2, 1777, British General Howe, headquartered in a neighboring house, and his officers demanded the use of a room for a meeting, and told Darragh's family to stay in their rooms. Concerned due to the secrecy, Darragh managed to find a place to listen as the officers planned a surprise attack on George Washington and his Continental army two nights later at Whitemarsh, 8 miles away from Philadelphia. On the morning of December 4, she set out for the Rising Sun Tavern, a known message center for colonists. There she encountered Colonel Elias Boudinot of the Continental Army. As he recorded in his private journal, "a little poor looking insignificant Old Woman came in & solicited leave to go into the Country to buy some flour. . . she walked up to me and put into my hands a dirty old needle book, with various small pockets in it." Boudinot told the woman to wait for an answer, but she left. Curious, Boudinot opened the needle book and found a rolled-up piece of paper on which was written the information that "General Howe was coming out the next morning with 5,000 men, 13 pieces of cannon, baggage wagons, and 11 boat on wheels." Boudinot quickly reported back to Washington, and so the British troops that night found the Continental army awake, alert and at arms. The attack was repelled, and Howe was forced to return to Philadelphia.
It is also possible that Darragh had spied on Howe's activities and sent messages to General Washington earlier, as claimed by her daughter many years later, but the Whitemarsh incident is the only one corroborated by external evidence.
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What was Lydia Darragh's mothers name?
Linda barrington , she died when lydia was born or at lydias birth
Do you have a picture of Lydia Darragh?
http://www.norfolk.k12.ma.us/pages/NPS_DiscoveryZone/socstud/images/lydiadarragh.jpg
Where did Lydia Darragh go to school?
Lydia darrah went to a school in Philadelphiashe did not go to schoolShe most likely went to school in Dublin, Ireland-- where she was born and raised.
What was Lydia Barrington darragh's childhood like?
Lydia Barrington Darragh was an American woman who is believed to have crossed British lines during American Revolutionary war to warn George Washington and Continental Army of an impending British attack. She was born in 1729 in Dublin, Ireland. She had a reasonably good childhood according to Encyclopedia Britannica. Her family was affluent and could afford tutors for her siblings. She married her family tutor William Darragh, at the age of 24. The couple then moved to Philadelphia.
What is the least common girl name in the US?
Lydia is the least common girl name in the US
How many siblings did Lydia Darragh have?
Lydia Darragh had five children. Charles Darragh, Ann Darragh, John Darragh, William Darragh, and Susannah Darragh
Who did Lydia darragh spy for?
Lydia darragh was a spy for George Washington
How do you pronounce Lydia Darragh?
Lydia darragh
Were there any memorials for Lydia Darragh?
There is a gravestone after Lydia Darragh.
Did Lydia darragh have a British accent?
no, lydia Darragh did not have a british accent. She was Irish.
Who di Lydia darragh spy for?
Lydia Darragh spied for George Washington.
Who are the important people of the Revolutionary War?
Lydia Darragh A woman who spied on the british Lydia Darragh A woman who spied on the british Lydia Darragh Henry Knox Joseph Martin
Why was Lydia darragh important?
Lydia Darragh told George Washington's group about an attack that the British were planning.
What was Lydia darragh husbands name?
William Darragh
Was Lydia Darragh a spy?
No, Lydia Darragh was not a spy himself. However, he had hired people to do his spy and investigative work for him.
When was lyda darragh children born?
who old were lydia darragh children
Did Lydia Darragh have a mother?
No one really knows if Lydia Darragh has a mother. Though it is believed that a mother to hers existed. Lydia had other siblings that had to have come from a mother. Lydia and her father always spent time together. Then came Lydia's husband named William Darragh. From then on Lydia's last name was no longer Barrington. Back to the mother thing Ibelieve that Lydia Darragh did have a mother but passed away when Lydia was born or even before Lydia was born.
