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Letter from Elizabeth Burgin to Reverend James Calville
November 19, 1779
Background
Elizabeth Burgin was an American woman who risked her life helping prisoners of war during the American Revolution. Her letter to Reverend James Calville is the earliest known information about her. It is part of Gen. George Washington’s letters to the Continental Congress, 1774-1789, held by the National Archives. She was in New Jersey with her three children, requesting assistance because she was a refugee from New York City, hinting that she was wanted by the British because she had helped as many as 200 American prisoners escape. When Gen. Washington heard of the situation, he wrote to Congress on Burgin’s behalf. Congress granted her free lodging, continued food rations, and ultimately a pension until 1787.
Elizt. Town [N.J.] November 19 1779
July 17th being Sent for by general Patterson
Surspacted For helping the amaricans presiners to mak their acape gorge Hebbuy Coming from your Exelence the Weak before and Cared out Mager van Burah Capt. Crain Lt Lee Who Mad ther acape from the guard on Long Island Gorge Higby Braught a paper to me from your aide Derectted to Col. Md gaw on Long Island he the Sd gorge Higly being taking up and Confined in the provost Guard his Wife told gener. Patteson that he Carad out Two hundred amarican preseners for Me for Witch Reason Known My Self guilty Did hide My Self for two weeaks in New york understanding genr. Patterson had Offerd a bounty of two Houndred pounds for taking me he Keep a guard five days at my house Leting no body Come in or out thin throu the hal[p] of Frinds got on Long Island and ther Staid five Weeaks Then William Scudder Came to Long Island in wale boat And I Maid My Escape With him wee being Chased by two Boats half way the Sound then got to New Englan and Came to Phaladelphia Then I got a pass of The Bord of War to go to Elizt. Town to try to git My Children from New york Witch I obtained in three or four Weeks but Could not git My Close or Any thing But My Children. When application wais Made by mr John Franckling My Close & Furnture thay Should be Sold And the Money be giving to the Loyles.
I am now Sir very Desolate without Money without Close or friends to go to I Mean to go to philadelphia Whir god know How I shall Live a Cold winter Coming on For the Throuth of the above your Excellence Can inquir Mager John Stuart or Col. Thomas Thomas I Lived opsied Mr John Franklings and by their desire make this Application if your Excelence pleiasd you Can derect Mr Thomas Fankling in phaladelpia Wheir I Can be found If the gener. thinks proper I should be glad to Drow provisions for My Self and Childrens in Phaladelphia Wheir I Meain to Remain helping our poore preseners Brought Me to Want Whith I don’t Repent.
Elezebeth Burgin[1]