Honor Sybil Ludington's Ride

Assembly Resolution No. 307 BY: M. of A. Byrne COMMEMORATING the 240th Anniversary of Sybil Ludington's legendary ride, alerting the American Militia that British forces were approaching to be observed April 26, 2017 WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body to acknowledge and celebrate individuals and events of historic significance which add vitality, sensitivity, understanding and inspiration to the diversity and value of the people of this great Empire State; and WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long-standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to commemorate the 240th Anniversary of Sybil Ludington's legendary ride, alerting the American Militia that British forces were approaching to be observed on Wednesday, April 26, 2017; and WHEREAS, Sybil Ludington is an unsung heroine of the American Revolutionary War; on April 26, 1777, she and her horse, Star, rode through the night alerting militia forces to the approach of the British regular forces; and WHEREAS, This action was similar to that performed by Jack Jouett, William Dawes and Paul Revere, although she rode more than twice the distance of Paul Revere, and was only 16 years-old at the time of her action; and WHEREAS, The legend has been very widely disseminated, and Paula D. Hunt concludes an extensive study of it by saying, "The story of the lone, teenage girl riding for freedom, it seems, is simply too good not to be believed"; and WHEREAS, Sybil Ludington, born on April 5, 1761, in Kent, New York, was one of 12 children of Colonel Henry and Abigail Knowles Ludington; she and her family moved to Dutchess County, New York, where they farmed a very large piece of land; and WHEREAS, On April 26, 1777, Sybil Ludington rode 40 miles through the night to warn approximately 400 militiamen under the control of her father that British troops were planning to attack Danbury, Connecticut, where the Continental Army had a supply depot; on her way to gather her father's troops, she also warned the people of Danbury of the imminent danger by knocking on doors with a stick; and WHEREAS, The afternoon after Sybil Ludington's ride through Danbury, the British troops burned down three buildings and destroyed multiple houses but, due to her steadfast efforts, they did not as kill many people as expected; at the start of the Battle of Ridgefield, however, the militia was able to drive General William Tryon, then governor of the colony of New York, and his men, to Long Island Sound; and WHEREAS, Sybil Ludington was congratulated for her heroism by friends, neighbors and General George Washington; and WHEREAS, After the war, Sybil Ludington married Edmond Ogden in

1784; together, they raised their son, Henry; in 1792, she settled with her husband and son in Catskill, New York, where they lived until her death on February 26, 1839, at the age of 77; and WHEREAS, In 1935, the State of New York placed a number of markers along Sybil Lundington's historic route; a statue of this courageous young woman, sculpted by Anna Hyatt Huntington, was erected near Carmel, New York, in 1961 to commemorate her ride; and WHEREAS, Smaller versions of the statue exist on the grounds of the Daughters of the American Revolution Headquarters in Washington, DC, as well as the grounds of the public library in Danbury, and in the Elliot and Rosemary Offner Museum at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, South Carolina; and WHEREAS, In 1975, Sybil Ludington was honored with a postage stamp in the "Contributors to the Cause" United States Bicentennial series; and WHEREAS, Since 1979, the Sybil Ludington 50k Run has been held in Carmel in recognition of her long and cold ride; the course of this hilly road race approximates her significant ride, and finishes near her statue on the shore of Lake Gleneida in Carmel; and WHEREAS, This Legislative Body recognizes that New York State is the home to countless women who are strong and colorful threads, vital to the fabric of our rich heritage, who have contributed, and continue to add to the advancement of our culture through their traditional and non-traditional roles in society; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to commemorate the 240th Anniversary of Sybil Ludington's legendary ride, alerting the American Militia that British forces were approaching to be observed on April 26, 2017.