Introduction

Sybil Ludington was a prominent figure and heroine during the Revolutionary War, although many believe her story is more myth than fact. She was born on April 5, 1761, in Fredericksburg, New York. Today, the area where she grew up has been renamed Ludingtonville. Ludington was the daughter of Henry Ludington, an officer in the militia and a future aide to General George Washington. Ludington was supporting the Patriot cause, which fought for independence from England.

Attack on Danbury

On April 25, 1777, Governor William Tryon arrived near Connecticut with a 2,000-man British military force. His plan was to attack the city of Danbury, where the supplies for the Continental Army were being stored. That day, Tryon and his army moved south, searching for the army’s weapons and foodstuffs; they left chalk marks on the houses of British supporters and informers, setting any house that was unmarked for destruction. Since the Continental Army had recently moved its supplies to Danbury, the area was not well-guarded; all of their food stores, including flour, beef, pork, and wheat, were left vulnerable.

Hero at Age Sixteen

On the night of April 26, 1777, a messenger arrived at the Ludington house who explained the imminent British attack. Henry Ludington tried to pull together his forces, but all of his men had traveled home for spring planting and were spread out across the area. The messenger didn’t know the area well enough to find each of them and warn them - but Sybil Ludington did. At only sixteen years old, she embarked on a 40-mile journey atop her horse, Star, traveling south to Mahopac and north to Stormville to warn the men of the impending attack. She rode more than twice the distance of Paul Revere, another prominent Revolution hero, calling out: “The British are burning Danbury. Muster at Ludington’s at daybreak!”

Her Story was Lost in History Until 1907

The next day, most of the 400 soldiers in the area were ready to fight, thanks to Sybil Ludington’s brave and heroic efforts. Although Danbury was partially burned down, her famous ride helped protect a Continental Army storehouse. Her journey was not fully recognized until 1907, when her great nephew, Louis S. Patrick, revealed it to the world in an article. Today, statues of Sybil Ludington on her horse can be found on the shore of Lake Gleneida in New York, in Danbury, and in Washington D.C., at the headquarters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Was the Story of Sybil Ludington Fact or Fiction?

Side‑by‑side chart of key points historians consider

Evidence For	Evidence Against
The British raid on Danbury (April 1777) and regional militia mobilization are well documented. Henry Ludington is a verified militia leader in the area; a rapid local call‑up would be plausible. Warning rides by civilians (including teens) occurred elsewhere during the war, so the scenario fits known patterns.	No known contemporary (1777) letters, newspapers, or military records mention Sybil’s specific ride. There is no independent roster of men she alerted, route log, or official after‑action report tying mobilization to her ride. Key details (40 miles, exact wording, precise towns) lack primary‑source verification.
Family tradition preserves a consistent core story of a night ride to summon militia. The ride would have leveraged Sybil’s local knowledge when a messenger unfamiliar with the roads arrived.	The earliest printed accounts appear more than a century later (early 1900s) and rely on family reminiscence. Late sources increase the risk of memory error, embellishment, or myth‑making.
Statues and commemorations (NY, Danbury, and at a national organization’s HQ) indicate long‑standing public recognition. Local geography makes a looped ride to multiple settlements conceivable in one night for a skilled rider.	Monuments reflect commemoration, not proof; they were created based on later narratives. Some versions closely parallel Paul Revere’s story, suggesting later shaping for patriotic symbolism.
Overall: The story is plausible given the context and roles of militia families.	Overall: The story is unverified; lacking primary documentation, historians label it as legend or uncertain.

Glossary

• Militia: A military force made up of regular citizens to help in emergencies.
• Patriot: A colonist who supported independence from England.
• Continental Army: The main army of the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.
• Storehouse: A building used to store supplies.
• Loyalist: A colonist who supported British rule.

Five Interesting Facts

• Sybil was only sixteen during her famous ride.
• She rode about 40 miles—twice as far as Paul Revere.
• Her horse was named Star.
• Her story wasn’t widely known until over 130 years later.
• Statues of her can be found in three different places in the United States.

Timeline

• April 5, 1761: Sybil Ludington is born in Fredericksburg, New York.
• April 25, 1777: British troops arrive to attack Danbury.
• April 26, 1777: Sybil makes her famous night ride.
• 1907: Her great nephew publishes her story.
• Today: Statues of Sybil honor her bravery in multiple locations.