Ludington, Sybil

(1761–1839) daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington, has been celebrated as a heroine of the American Revolutionary War who, mounted on her horse, Star, became famous for her night ride on April 26, 1777, to alert militia forces to the approach of the British regular forces. Her action can be compared with that of Paul Revere, but she rode 40 miles – more than twice the distance that Revere did – and was only 16 years old. Her ride started at 9 pm and ended around dawn. She used a stick to prod her horse and knock on doors. When she returned home, exhausted and soaked with rain, most of the 400 soldiers were ready to march. A vivid statue of Sybil commemorates her ride.