Matriarch of Spies

It's time to revisit two topics I haven't discussed in a while: women in the American War for Independence and espionage. Our subject today addresses both themes and was briefly mentioned in a previous Yankee Doodle Spies post. This female patriot supported George Washington’s efforts in a very unusual way—by letting the British quarter troops in her home. She is also notable because she was a Quaker, even though her actions eventually led to her being expelled from the pacifist Society of Friends.

Immigrant Patriot

Like many of our early patriots, Lydia Barrington was born in Ireland, Ireland, in 1729. At age 24, she met and married William Darragh, the tutor son of a clergyman. Soon after, the couple emigrated and settled in Philadelphia, where they became respected members of the local Quaker community. Although she was somewhat petite and frail, Lydia became a midwife, and like many women of her time, she did sewing on the side. Lydia and her husband enjoyed a prosperous and comfortable life in Philadelphia, as reflected in their large family of nine children (five of whom survived childbirth). The reliable Quaker, Darragh, grew alarmed when one of his sons decided to leave the Friends and join the Continental Army, holding a commission as a lieutenant in the Second Pennsylvania Line. The Society shunned any member who took an active role on either side, especially a military one.

Philadelphia in the 1700s

An Occupied City

Like many Americans, life changed when the war arrived in Philadelphia. In October 1777, the British army under General William Howe took over the former American capital. By chance, Lord Howe set up his headquarters in the home of patriot rebel leader John Cadwalader, just across the street from the Darragh residence at 177 South Second Street. At some point, Howe requested use of the Darragh parlor for staff councils and private meetings. Most war plans during that time were made by “councils of war,” so this was a significant matter. And a great opportunity.

Darragh's House

Making of a Spy

Who recruited Lydia for espionage and why is it uncertain? What motivated her—her son’s military service, concealed patriotism, or anger at the British occupation? Whether she volunteered or was recruited, she clearly became part of an established network. Although lacking formal education, Lydia possessed a brilliant mind, was incisive politically, and perceptive of her surroundings. She also had a remarkable memory. Perhaps her most valuable trait, especially for her role in serving her country, was her unassuming demeanor—the ability to blend in and hide.

Lydia's family operated at the center of
British-occupied Philadelphia

Family of Spies

During the occupation, Lydia’s nursing activities allowed her to move freely through British lines. Soon, her growing family was involved in supporting the cause by gathering intelligence from the heart of the British high command in North America. During the winter of 1777–1778, the occupation of the rebel capital gave the impression of British dominance and the inevitable downfall of the rebellion. After all, Washington’s struggling army was trapped on the frozen plains of Valley Forge. 

While the British enjoyed plenty of resources, the rebel army was deteriorating due to shortages of food, clothing, medicine, and other supplies. The British lowered their guard, holding meetings with the modest nurse in the background. Of course, they knew that the Darraghs, as practicing Quakers, could not support either side in the war or take part in anything related to it. Lydia was able to overhear most of the meetings and conversations in her parlor, then quickly relayed what she heard to her husband William, who carefully recorded the information in special shorthand on small strips of paper. 

Her seamstress skills played a vital role in her espionage efforts. Lydia would sew the thin paper strips into buttons on her 14-year-old son John’s coat. Once done, she sent John as a courier. He would slip through the British lines and meet up with his older brother Charles, who was with Washington’s army. Charles understood the shorthand, transcribed the messages, and transformed them into valuable intelligence.

Lydia Darragh: Nurse, Seamstress, Spy

Secret Mission

But the spy ring’s MO and tradecraft did not play a part in what is considered Lydia Darragh’s boldest achievement. On December 2, Lydia and her family were suddenly ordered to their rooms during an important meeting. An emergency war council took place. This was before the Continental Army had settled in Valley Forge. Washington was still near the capital, hoping to find an opportunity to act before both sides settled into “winter quarters." 

Undeterred, and perhaps spurred by the British’s urgency, Lydia put her ear to a keyhole and listened in as General Howe gave detailed instructions to his commanders. She overheard the British commander-in-chief give orders for a multi-column move against General Washington. The plan was for December 4. The strike was meant to catch the rebels off guard, scatter their army, and maybe even capture Washington in the process.

General Howe's secret plans to surprise and destroy
The Continental Army would spur a bold gambit

She would not leave this critical mission to her young son. Instead, she devised a quick “cover for action” and slipped out of town on December 3rd with sacks, hoping to refill them with flour at a mill near Frankford, located between the opposing army lines. The risk was high, as patrols from both sides roamed the area. It was a 13-mile trek in winter. Undeterred, she went to Pearson’s Mill and left the empty sacks for the owner to fill. She planned to pick them up on her way back. With her cover now in place, Lydia continued her true mission: to deliver the British plans to the American forces.

Clandestine Meeting

There are two versions of what happened next. In one, she encounters a friend, Colonel Thomas Craig, along the road. She tells him what she has learned, and he gallops off to report to Washington. Lydia then secures her flour and makes her way home. In the other version, Lydia heads to a tavern called The Rising Sun. There, she meets with Colonel Elias Boudinot, Commissary-General of Prisoners, who also acts as an intelligence officer. 

Allegedly, Lydia walks into the pub, hands him an old, tattered needlebook, and leaves. When he searches the book, Boudinot finds a roll of paper in one of the pockets. The paper indicates that General Howe will attack Whitemarsh the next morning with 5,000 men, 13 cannons, and 11 boats on wheels. Boudinot mounts his horse and gallops to Washington’s headquarters. He gives her report to Washington but keeps Lydia’s cover safe by naming “captured prisoners” as his source. 

This highlights the crucial role Lydia and the Darragh family played in gathering intelligence from Philadelphia. The fact that Lydia knew Boudinot might be at the tavern shows how sophisticated the spy ring was. I prefer the latter version.

Darragh at The Rising Sun

An Army Saved

Lydia's intelligence, a form of indications and warning (I&W), helped Washington prepare the Continental Army, which repelled General Howe’s “surprise” attack at White Marsh. The multi-day battle saved the army and the cause, allowing it to eventually settle at Valley Forge. The British returned to Philadelphia in disgust.

The series of skirmishes at White Marsh
ended the 1777 campaign with a modest
American victory

A Critical Source

Upon her return, Darragh was questioned by the British, who suspected treachery. She managed to disarm them and convince them she was unaware of their plans. However, Lydia and her family continued to gather information from the heart of the British high command throughout the winter. 

As Washington trained the army at Valley Forge, reports from the capital were critical as he prepared for the spring campaign he knew was coming. So the commander in chief was not caught off guard when Howe was relieved of command in the spring, and the British Army left Philadelphia on June 18, 1778. The departure of the British ended the need for the spy ring, and Lydia and her family’s service faded into the shadows like many effective clandestine operations.

Darragh's espionage continued into 1778

Banned by The Friends

In June 1783, William Darragh died. The Society of Friends was not so welcoming when rumors about the Darragh family’s involvement began to spread. The Friends expelled Lydia later that year. Her oldest son, John, had already been expelled in 1781. 

In 1786, Lydia moved from South Second Street into a new house and, along with her children, operated a store there until her death in 1789. She was buried with other family members in a Quaker cemetery not far from where she spent her post-war years.

Lydia returned to a "normal" life after
the war, but lost her standing with  her "Friends"

Shadow Heroes

Like many espionage and covert actions during the American Revolution, Lydia Darragh's story was scrutinized. Darragh’s daughter, Ann, published her mother’s spy activities in 1827. However, many doubted the story and questioned its truthfulness. 

Suspicion eased in 1909 when Elias Boudinot’s memoirs were released, confirming Darragh’s involvement. He described a woman matching Darragh’s profile, though he, for obvious reasons, did not name her. 

General Washington often expressed frustration over the inability to reveal and properly thank all those early patriots who participated in the shadow war, as they couldn’t receive recognition or rewards for their sacrifices. I, for one, believe Lydia Darragh and her family are among those shadow heroes.

Elias Boudinot's memoirs shed light
on Lydia Darragh's wartime espionage