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Title
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Gannett, Deborah Sampson (1760-1827)
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birthday
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1760-12-17
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Birthplace
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Plympton, MA
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Death Date
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1827-04-29
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Occupation
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Military officer
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Teacher
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Soldier
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Textile worker
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Farmer
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Public speaker
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Biographical Text
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Deborah Sampson Gannett was a US military officer during the Revolutionary War who enlisted while disguised as a man. As a child, Gannett was placed in the care of multiple extended family members, family friends, and others following the abandonment of her father and eventual death of her mother. After the death of her caretaker Mary Prince Thatcher, Gannett became an indentured servant to the family of Jeremiah Thomas until 1778, where she was denied a formal education, but able to learn from Thomas' sons. Before enlisting in the military she worked as a teacher and weaver. After a failed attempt to enlist in early 1782, Gannett successfully joined the Light Infantry Company of the 4th Massachusetts Regiment as "Robert Shirtliff" in May of that same year. During her year and a half of service, Gannett saw multiple battles, often attending to her own wounds to avoid discovery. She was honorably discharged at West Point in 1783, a rarity for women enlisted at the time. Gannett spent the remainder of her life as a public speaker.
Gannett was married to Benjamin Gannet in 1785. Together they raised their children Earl, Mary, Patience, and adopted daughter Susanna Baker Shepherd on her father-in-law's Massachusetts farm. She passed away due to yellow fever in 1827 at age 66.
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Contributor
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Raisch, Elly
