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Story
February 11, 1837
South Branch Intelligencer
Romney, Hampshire County, West Virginia
What is this article about?
In 1776, 15-year-old Mary Millman of Martha's Vineyard and two girls sabotaged a Liberty pole by filling it with gunpowder and igniting it, rendering it useless to a British cruiser. Now 76 and poor, she petitions Congress for compensation, equating her act to capturing enemy colors. Petition referred.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
A Spunky Yankee Girl.—A Mrs. Mary Millman, of Martha's Vineyard, has petitioned Congress for some gratuity in her old age, for the following service: She states that when about 15 years of age, in 1776, residing at Martha's Vineyard, a British Cruiser came in, and wanting a Spar, managed to buy the only one to be had, which was then erected as a Liberty pole; that herself and two other girls, on the night previous to its intended removal, bored holes in the pole, filled them with gunpowder, and applying fire split the pole to pieces, so that it was rendered useless to the enemy. Poor, and now 76, she asks for some small compensation for an act which she considers equal to taking a stand of colors from an invading enemy. The petition was referred.—Gen. of Liberty.
What sub-type of article is it?
Heroic Act
Historical Event
What themes does it cover?
Bravery Heroism
Triumph
What keywords are associated?
American Revolution
Sabotage
Liberty Pole
Gunpowder
British Cruiser
Martha's Vineyard
Petition Congress
What entities or persons were involved?
Mrs. Mary Millman
Where did it happen?
Martha's Vineyard
Story Details
Key Persons
Mrs. Mary Millman
Location
Martha's Vineyard
Event Date
1776
Story Details
Fifteen-year-old Mary Millman and two other girls bored holes in a Liberty pole, filled them with gunpowder, and set it ablaze to destroy it, preventing a British cruiser from using it as a spar.