A Girl Called Samson, by Amy Harmon, was published in 2023. It’s a sweeping historical fiction novel that follows the remarkable true story of Deborah Samson. Abandoned by her father and forced into indentured servitude as a child, she defies the rigid gender norms of the 18th century to disguise herself as a man and fight in the American Revolution.
Born in Plympton, Massachusetts, Deborah’s early years are defined by hardship and poverty. When she is five years old, her mother can no longer provide for the family and begins indenturing out her children. Raised among strangers and eventually living with the large Thomas family, Deborah grows up as a fierce tomboy, learning to shoot, farm, and compete alongside the Thomas brothers. As she comes of age, the Revolutionary War breaks out. Inspired by the patriotic fervor and desperate for an adventurous life that is otherwise denied to women, she chafes at the limitations of her sex.
When she is twenty years old, Deborah decides to take control of her destiny. With remarkable daring, she binds her chest, dons male clothing, and assumes the alias Robert Shurtliff. She successfully enlists in the Continental Army, stepping into a perilous world of war and camaraderie. Rather than being discovered, she becomes a standout light infantry soldier, leveraging her sharp wit and literacy to write letters for illiterate fellow soldiers and prove her tactical value.
During her more than two years of service, Deborah rubs shoulders with prominent revolutionary figures, including General John Paterson and General Washington himself. Her bravery is continually tested. She even manages to patch her own wounds and remove a bullet from her own thigh to keep her secret safe. However, the physical and emotional tolls of military life—combined with a growing closeness to her commanding officers and a compelling fictionalized romance—deepen her inner conflict. She struggles with whether her exclusion from the military was born out of misogyny or a misguided male desire to protect women from unspeakable horrors.
Her grand deception finally comes to light when she falls severely ill and is treated by a doctor, who discovers her true identity. Discharged honorably as a woman, Deborah returns home to live a complex post-war life. She goes on to become the first woman in American history to successfully petition Congress for a military pension, cementing her legacy as a true patriot.
Ultimately, A Girl Called Samson is a meticulously researched fictionalized tribute to an actual though forgotten heroine. It weaves real-life historical milestones with elements of romance and personal sacrifice. Exploring themes of freedom, independence, and the resilience of the human spirit, the novel vividly captures the blood, sweat, and tears of a woman who staked her rightful claim in the birth of a nation.