Elizabeth Burgin

She worked with George Higday of the Culper Spy Ring, and after he was caught by the British, Major General James Pattison ordered her capture.

In a letter to the Continental Congress, he stated those who attest to her service include "many of our own officers who have returned from captivity" due to her missions.

[10][b] Burgin rowed a boat to the ships to deliver[11] clothing, medicine, blankets, and food to the prisoners.

[14] Higday, who had connections within the British Army, and Burgin helped three officers escape imprisonment on Long Island.

[3] As a result, Major General James Pattison, the British commander of New York, sent for Burgin on July 17, 1779, ordered guards to watch her house for five days,[18] and placed a bounty of £200 (£24,820 or $34000 in 2016).

[19] In a letter to James Caldwell written on November 19, 1777 from Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth, New Jersey), Burgin admitted her guilt and her need to hide.

[16] In October 1779, Burgin received a flag of truce from the Board of War in order for her to get her children from New York back to Philadelphia.

The issue was brought before the Pennsylvania Supreme Executive Council on December 23, 1779, and the next day Joseph Reed corresponded with New Jersey governor William Livingston about the matter.

[22] Washington said of her, Regarding Elizabeth Burgin, recently an inhabitant of New York, from the testimony of our own Officers who have returned from captivity, it would appear that she has been indefatigable for the relief of the prisoners, and for facilitating their escape.

[26]The request was delayed because "this Post does not comprehend persons of this description";[23] Burgin was not a war widow and she was not a soldier.