Born: April 14, 1740 (Setauket, New York)
Died: August 12, 1812
Biography:
Anna Smith Strong (April 14, 1740 – August 12, 1812) of Setauket, New York was an American Patriot and may have been one of the only female members of the Culper Spy Ring during the American Revolution. Born to Colonel William Smith and Margaret Lloyd Smith, Anna came from a prominent family with ties to the colonial elite.
Anna married Selah Brewster Strong III, a delegate to the first three provincial congresses in colonial New York, and a captain in the New York militia. Selah was later imprisoned on the prison ship HMS Jersey as a presumed spy. Family knowledge suggests that Anna brought him food during his imprisonment. Through her influence, Anna eventually secured Selah’s parole, and he spent the rest of the war in Connecticut with their younger children while Anna remained on Long Island.
During the American Revolution, Continental Army Major Benjamin Tallmadge, along with Abraham Woodhull, established the Culper spy ring. Tradition holds that Anna Strong played a pivotal role in the ring, relaying signals to a courier who ran smuggling and military missions. She would hang a black petticoat on her clothesline at Strong Point in Setauket, which was easily visible from a boat in the Sound. This signal would inform the courier that it was safe to approach and exchange information.
Anna’s contributions to the Culper Spy Ring were invaluable, providing critical intelligence to General George Washington’s forces. The surveillance and information gathering efforts of the Culper Spy Ring greatly aided the American cause during the Revolutionary War.
After the war, Anna and Selah returned to a quiet life in Setauket. They had several children together, including Keturah, Thomas, Margaret, Benjamin, Mary, William Smith, Joseph, George Washington, and another Joseph. Unfortunately, Mary and the first Joseph passed away at a young age. Thomas went on to become a judge and fathered Selah B. Strong IV.
Anna Strong died on August 12, 1812, leaving behind a legacy as a brave and dedicated patriot. Although her activities after the war are not well-documented, her contributions to the Culper Spy Ring and the American Revolution have ensured her place in history. Anna Strong’s involvement in the ring as a woman demonstrates the important but often overlooked role that women played in shaping American history, particularly during times of war.