Sybil Ludington (April 5, 1761 – February 26, 1839) was the daughter of Colonel Henry Ludington. She became a heroine of the American Revolutionary War. She completed a night ride on her horse, Star, on April 26, 1777 to alert American colonial forces that the British were approaching. Her action was similar to that performed by Paul Revere, although she rode more than twice the distance of Revere and was only 16 years old at the time of her action.
Ludington's ride started at 9 p.m. and ended around dawn. She rode 40 miles, more than twice the distance of Paul Revere, into the damp hours of darkness. She used a stick to prod her horse and knock on doors. When, soaked with rain and exhausted, she returned home, most of the 400 colonial soldiers were ready to march.
The men arrived too late to save Danbury, Connecticut from the British attack. At the start of the Battle of Ridgefield, however, they were able to drive General William Tryon, then governor of the colony of New York, and his men, to Long Island Sound. She was congratulated for her heroism by friends and neighbors and also by General George Washington.
Today there is a statue at the library in Danbury, Connecticut honoring her bravery. There is also one in New York.
In 1975, a postage stamp was made in her honor. Each April since 1979, the Sybil Ludington 50-kilometer footrace has been held in Carmel, New York. The course of this hilly road race approximates Sybil's historic ride, and finishes near her statue on the shore of Lake Gleneida, Carmel, New York.
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