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.