Lydia Darragh
1729 - 1789
A heroine of the American Revolution
Lydia Barrington Darragh.
Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (file no. LC-USZ62-53578)
Many affluent Philadelphians fled during the British occupation of the City, but Lydia and her husband stayed. They believed they would be okay as Quakers with high social status.
General William Howe’s British troops claimed Darragh’s home and used it as headquarters. Lydia listened in on the soldiers’ meetings and heard their plan to attack General Washington at Whitemarsh. Lydia gave the secret to the Patriots, and when the British troops tried to attack Whitemarsh, Washington’s troops were armed and ready.