Ludington, Sybil (1761-1839)
Item
Title
Ludington, Sybil (1761-1839)
Ludington, Sibbell (1761-1839)
Contributor
Raisch, Elly
birthday
1761-04-05
Birthplace
Fredricksburg, NY
Death Date
1839-02-26
Biographical Text
Sybil Ludington is credited as an American Revolutionary War heroine for riding 40 miles on horseback to alert militiamen of incoming British troops, though there is little historical evidence to prove this event occurred. Born to Colonel Henry Ludington and his wife Abigail, Ludington was only sixteen years old on the night of her historic ride through Putnam County following the British invasion of Danbury, Connecticut. Her warning supposedly allowed around 400 militiamen to mobilize, eventually thwarting their opponents in the Battle of Ridgefield. However, modern scholarship suggests that Ludington’s ride was fabricated by her nephew and later popularized by the New York State tourism department through the construction of statues along the path of her alleged ride.
Ludington was married to Revolutionary War soldier Edmond Ogden from 1784 until his death in 1799. She had one son named Henry. Ludington died at age 77 in Unadilla, New York, where she had spent the last 28 years of her life.
Ludington was married to Revolutionary War soldier Edmond Ogden from 1784 until his death in 1799. She had one son named Henry. Ludington died at age 77 in Unadilla, New York, where she had spent the last 28 years of her life.