A Girl Called Samson

When Jeremiah Thomas decides to enlist, Samson longs to come with him and commit courageous deeds, like the woman who loaded a cannon after her husband became ill. Jeremiah tells her, “You would make a good soldier. A good sailor too. I’m sure of it. But they won’t take you” (80). The departure of their youngest son sends both Mr. and Mrs. Thomas into deep grief, and Samson looks after them as best as she can.

In April 1781, Samson is now 21. The Thomases receive a letter from Benjamin, informing them that he and Jacob will return home soon. However, Samson’s joy turns to sorrow when a letter from General John Paterson informs her that his wife and Samson’s pen pal, Elizabeth, died suddenly the previous September. Samson feels as though she has no one left to live for. She goes to her room and whispers to herself, “I do not want to be a woman [...] I want to be a soldier” (86). She cuts her hair and constructs a chest binder from a corset. She then enlists in the army under the alias Elias Paterson and uses the money the muster man gives her to purchase shoes and a hat.