January, 2015 - Sybil Ludington - The Patriot

Sybil Ludington - April 5, 1761 - February 26, 1839

Paul Revere wasn't the only colonial hero to take a midnight ride through dangerous territory to warn of the coming British army.  Sybil Ludington, the 16-year-old daughter of an American colonel, actually rode twice as far as Paul Revere did in April 1777.

A young patriot from upstate New York, Sybil was tapped for a dangerous midnight mission after the British raided Danbury, Conn.  Setting out after dark in freezing late-winter rain, Sybil rode 40 miles, through Carmel, New York on Mahopac, then to Kent Cliffs, to Farmers Mills and back home.  She used a stick to prod her horse and knock on doors.  She also managed to defend herself against a highwayman along the way.  By the time she returned home, soaked with rain and exhausted, most of her father's 400 soldiers had been mobilized and were ready to march.

The men arrived too late to save Danbury, Connecticut.  But thatks to Sybil's ride, they arrived at the start of the Battle of Ridgefield and were able to drive General William Tryon, the governor of the colony of New York, and his men all the way to Long Island Sound.

The Drink

The Patriot

1 cup sugar
2 Tbsp whole cloves, crushed
1 3" piece of fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
1 cinnamon stick
3 oz apple cider
1 1/2 oz bourbon
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
dried apple slice for garnish

Drinkability:  5
Drunkability:  2
Taxic Diversity:  3.5
Accessibility:  3
Priority for Conservation:  5

Comments:  "Having to make spicy syrup sounds complicated" - "This is a cold hot toddy"

From "Forgotten Women"hosted by CZ