National Women's History Museum Spies Exhibition

As the idea of war became a reality, colonial homes were transformed into storehouses for contraband and military supplies, field headquarters for both British and American commanders, and selected sites for dead drops-- secret locations where materials were left for another party to retrieve. Women tried to maintain some element of domestic normalcy, all the while knowing there was a strong possibility that they could lose their homes, be arrested and imprisoned, or even killed.

Martha Bratton (? – 1816)

Famous for blowing up ammunition and gunpowder held on her property just before British troops could excavate it.
Defiant and without apology, proclaimed, “It was I who did it…Let the consequence be what it will, I glory in having prevented the mischief contemplated by the cruel enemies of my country."

Other women such as Sybil Ludington and Deborah Champion became “floaters,” successfully relaying vital intelligence over great distances and behind enemy lines.

Martha Bratton
Photo Credit: Bratton Family

Lydia Barrington Darragh (1728-1840)

Became an “agent in place” when British General William Howe took over Philadelphia in 1777.
Gathered intelligence and smuggled-out coded reports on British occupation.
December 1777, learned of a surprise attack on Washington’s troops and was able to send advance warning to General Washington.

Nancy Morgan Hart
Photo Credit: The New Georgia Encyclopedia

Nancy Morgan Hart (1735-1830)

Very effective “agent in place.”
Captured numerous Tories in the area.
Captured one British spy.
Gathered intelligence on the British army in Augusta, Georgia.
Aided a young Whig's escape from a group of Tories.
Helped defend a fort from an assault by a group of Tories and Native Americans.

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