My mom's side had many soldiers in the Revolution. Here is a snippet about one of my female ancestors from the Revolution:
Jannetje Van Rypen Tuers, was a Jersey City patriot whose actions quite possibly changed the course of the Revolutionary War.
Jane was the wife of a Bergen Village farmer, Nicholas Tuers, whose homestead was located at the corner of Bergen Avenue and Mercer Street (now Jersey City). During the Revolution, she traveled from Bergen to New York to sell produce, and deliver food to colonial prisoners. She sold her produce in Bear Market where traders spoke Dutch despite the English occupation. She often stopped at Fraunces Tavern (restored at Pearl & Broad Street in Manhattan) operated by "Black Sam" Fraunces. Fraunces was a West Indian and a loyal patriot who became Washington's steward when Washington was sworn as president, and the capitol was New York.
Fraunces told her that he overhead English officers in the tavern speak of Benedict Arnold and his treacherous plan to surrender the West Pont garrison to English forces. The English had gone so far to drink a toast to Arnold.
Jane hurried home, back across the Hudson River, and told her brother, Daniel Van Rypen what she had heard. Daniel and his father were both loyal patriots, and he felt the information was of the utmost importance. He immediately rode on horseback to the headquarters of General "Mad" Anthony Wayne at Hackensack, and Wayne sent Van Rypen with an escort to Washington's headquarters.
General Washington had heard vague rumors of Arnold's discontent, but Jane Tuers story confirmed the plot. He now knew of the Arnold conspiracy three days before the capture of Major John Andre, Arnold's go-between with the English.
Washington thanked Van Rypen and offered him a cash reward. Van Rypen declined the offer, saying, "I do not serve my country for money, but in case I am taken prisoner by the English, I would like to be released with your help, sir."
General Arnold, learning that his scheme had failed, escaped to New York and protection of the English. Nonetheless, the plot was foiled.
HAPPY CANADA DAY!