Sybil Rides tells the inspiring true story of events during the American Revolution which resulted in sixteen-year old Sybil Ludington becoming known as the Female Paul Revere. Her ride took place during an event in American History designed by the British commanders to bring an end to the Revolutionary War.
On a cold rainy night in the spring of 1777, the British Regular Army, along with some Loyalists, attacked and burned Danbury, Connecticut. That raid was part of Lord William Howe’s plan to end the Revolution. During the raid a messenger was sent to the home of Colonel Henry Ludington asking for help. The Colonel’s sixteen-year old daughter, Sybil, bravely rode forty miles on that cold rainy night throughout the Hudson Valley to call the Militia to action.
On her ride Sybil stopped quickly at each home, banged on the doors and windows, and yelled, “Call to arms! The Regulars and Tories are burning Danbury! The Militia is needed! Call to arms!” Families woke. Men dressed quickly. They grabbed their muskets, and headed into the night to face a powerful enemy. Sybil’s brave ride earned her the nickname, The Female Paul Revere.
A larger than life monument honoring Sybil Ludington, stands in Carmel, New York along the route where she made her historic ride. It shows her riding on her horse as she rode to call out the Militia.
This story starts at the beginning of the Revolutionary War with Paul Revere in a rowboat in Boston Harbor, two years before Sybil’s ride.
From there it goes to Lexington, Massachusetts, where we see the Militia who responded to Revere’s call. They stood and faced the might of the powerful British Army.
We then watch the war shift to New York.
All the events and characters in this book are historical.
This story tells the true story of Sybil Ludington and of her father, Colonel Henry Ludington, his family, and other unsung heroes.
In this book you will meet British officers and their Loyalists allies and see the conflicts between them.
You will see the brave, yet funny way Sybil and her siblings stop the Loyalists attempt to capture their father.
You will meet Enoch Crosby, a friend of the Ludingtons, who served as a spy in the struggle for independence.
You will meet Jacob Angevine, a former slave who earned his freedom and that of his family, by serving in the French and Indian War. You will also meet Joseph, his teenage son, who is a friend of Sybil Ludington and a brave member of the Colonel Ludington’s Militia.
You will meet John Gano the famous Fighting Preacher and his friend, Haym Salomon, a Jewish immigrant who helped get funding for the Revolution.
You will meet Daniel Nimham, Sachem (chief) of the Wappinger Indians and his son Abraham, true unsung American heroes who sacrificed everything.
You will see how Luther Holcomb, another brave young unsung hero, helped delay the entire British Army and its attack on Danbury.
One of the surprising characters you will meet is Benedict Arnold who later becomes America’s most notorious traitor. He was once a hero and played an inspiring important part in this story.
This Elementary Reader Edition was designed for Elementary School Students. It includes all the chapters, events and dialogue as the Regular and Expanded editions. It uses a slightly larger typestyle. The sentence structure and vocabulary are geared to make it a better read for the Elementary student. There are a few more illustrations than in the Regular edition. Teachers can use the Expanded Edition, which has suggested educational activities, while their students use this edition.
Hopefully this book will help bring history alive and inspire you as you read this true story about Sybil Ludington and some unsung American heroes.
Larry A. Maxwell is a historian and author. While working as a journalist he won the coveted Associated Press Writing Award. He served as Chairman of the Company of Military Historians at West Point. He is the New York State Town Historian for Patterson, New York. During the Revolutionary War, Patterson was part of Fredericksburg, Dutchess County, New York. Sybil Ludington and her family lived in Fredericksburg. He has served more than twenty years as Pastor of the Patterson Baptist Church. The church was originally called The Baptist Church of Fredericksburg. It is the oldest Baptist Church, still in existence, in New York State. The Ludington family donated the property where the church had its first building. Sybil Ludington and Edmond Ogden were married in the church. That church was part of the Danbury Baptist Association which wrote a letter to President Thomas Jefferson, to which he responded with his famous Separation of Church and State letter. He is a re-enactor and historical tailor. He is the founder and director of The Living History Guild, an organization which helps re-enactors keep history alive. He is also commander of the 4th New York Regiment of the Continental Line. He served as a historical advisor and costumer for film projects and appeared on screen in numerous productions. He wrote a companion screenplay for this book. He also wrote another children's book about Sybil Ludington and some of the events in this book. It is called Travels Through Time - A Revolutionary Adventure. He is available to speak at conferences and at historical or educational events or functions. He often speaks wearing historical attire. He also does book signings. He can be contacted at LarryMaxwell@cheerful.com
Matthew R. Maxwell has designed covers for numerous books. He is also an acomplished musician and song writer.
