Patriots in Petticoats Block 2

This block is to honor Ann (Mad Ann) Bailey. She was born in 1742 in England and came to US in 1761. Her first husband was killed fighting Indians, and she vowed revenge. She dressed as a man and rode a black stallion named Liverpool. She became an Army courier and scout, and her belligerent mannerisms and hatred of Indians terrified them, so they named her 'Mad Ann'

Ann enlisted as Samuel Gay on 2-14-1777 in a company of the 1st Massachusetts Regiment. She quickly rose to the rank of Corporal and for reasons unknown, she deserted in less than three weeks. A warrant was sworn out for her arrest and on 3-3-1777 it was discovered that she was a woman. She was fined 50 lbs and given 2 years in prison for 'appearing in men's clothes'.

In 1785 she married again to John Bailey and after his death moved close to her son. At the age of 70, she built her own log cabin and lived there until her death at 83 on 11-22-1825.