Deborah Sampson was born in Massachusetts, US in 1760. She was the fifth oldest of the seven children in her family. The family was so poor that the mother sent the kids off to live with friends and relatives. At the age of 5, Deborah was taken in by an old woman and was then sent to work as a servant in another home one year later.
At the age of 10, she helped with the housework and worked on a farm for about eight years, growing to be about 173 cm tall, almost 30 cm taller than the average woman of her day. Hard physical work helped her develop a strong body.
She dreamed of going on some adventures. When the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775, women were not allowed to serve in the army. But Deborah dressed herself to look like a man and joined the army in 1782. She called herself Robert Shurtliff.
One day, during an attack, Deborah was shot (射中) in the back and leg. Another soldier took her to the hospital. A doctor treated the wound on her back and asked if she had any other wounds. Deborah lied and said no. She was afraid that if the doctor examined her leg, he would find out her secret. The bullet was deep in her leg. Using a pocket knife, Deborah took it out. She left the hospital and continued to fight.
After the war ended, Deborah got married and had children. But she still longed for adventure. So she put on her soldier's uniform and traveled around the country telling of her life as Robert Shurtliff, the young and brave soldier.
