Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Mad Anne On Western Wednesday...!

There were many memorable women in the old west. Some were housewives, some were robbers and thieves, and the some were like "Mad Anne" Bailey.

Anne made quite a name for herself by her actions, working as a scout and messenger. Here is part of her story!

‘MAD’ ANNE BAILEY: Frontier Scout and Messenger



A statue of 'Mad Anne' Bailey along the Ohio River. (Credit: Nicole Beckett/Wikimedia Commons/CC BY-SA 4.0)

Anne Hennis Trotter Bailey, known as “Mad Anne,” worked as a frontier scout and messenger during the Revolutionary War. Originally from Liverpool, England, Anne sailed to America at the age of 19, after both her parents died. She eventually married a veteran frontiersman and soldier named Richard Trotter and settled in Staunton, Virginia.

Richard, who joined the Virginia militia as tensions between frontiersmen and Native Americans grew, was killed in the Battle of Point Pleasant, West Virginia in late 1774. After learning of her husband’s death, Mad Anne showed her mettle: She dressed in buckskin pants and a petticoat, left her son with neighbors—and sought revenge.

With rifle, hunting knife and tomahawk in hand, Anne became a scout and messenger recruiting volunteers to join the militia and sometimes delivering gunpowder to the soldiers. She couriered messages between Point Pleasant and Lewisburg, West Virginia—a 160-mile journey on horseback.

Her most famous ride took place in 1791. After soldiers at Fort Lee got word that the Native Americans were planning to attack, and discovered that their gunpowder supply was desperately low, Anne galloped to the rescue. She rode the 100 miles to Lewisburg, where she switched horses, loaded up with gunpowder and rode back to Fort Lee. Her journey was memorialized in an epic poem by militiaman Charles Robb, “Anne Bailey’s Ride.”

Anne remarried to John Bailey, a member of the Rangers, a legendary group of frontier scouts, in 1785. As the group worked to defend new settlements from Native American attacks, Mad Anne once again used her skills as a scout and courier. After her second husband’s death, she spent the rest of her days living a solitary life in the woods.

This was probably one of those women you didn't want to mess with.

Coffee outside again. Looks and feels like Spring.

9 comments:

Gorges Smythe said...

Her story used to be taught in our WV schools. I seriously doubt if it is anymore.

HermitJim said...

Hey Gorges...
Must have been back when they taught real history. Now they leave out so much!
Thanks for stopping by today!

Mamahen said...

I don't remember reading about her. But then, I was raised on the other side of the river.

Hermit's Baby Sis said...

Never heard of her, but she sounds like a good 'un.

Big hugs ~

linda m said...

Never heard of her, but if she was real she was one tough cookie. Just don't understand tho how these women could just leave their kid with a neighbor and never return.

HermitJim said...

Hey Mamahen...
Don't think many folks know about her now days. But here's hoping that she will be remembered from now on.
Thanks for coming over this morning!


Hey Sis...
She was a good one, no doubt.
Thanks for the visit this morning!


Hey Linda...
Better than taking them out on the trail with her, I guess. After all, she was Mad Anne!
Many thanks for stopping by today!

JO said...

I had never heard of her either but now I know of her. Thanks for posting her story. One tough cookie there.

Chilly here again this morning. See you on the patio

Dizzy-Dick said...

Wow!!! She was quite a gal. No, I wouldn't care to mess with her, for sure. Another great story Mr. Hermit. Thank you.

HermitJim said...

Hey Jo...
I figured you would enjoy her story. I am surprised that you haven't heard of her, though.
Thanks, dear, for dropping by today!


Hey Dizzy...
Glad you enjoyed the bit of history today, my friend.
Thanks for the visit!