American soldier and crossdresser Deborah Sampson was BOTD in 1760. Born in Plympton, Massachusetts to a prominent family, her father abandoned the family home when she was a child, and she was sent to live with relatives. After eight years working as an indentured servant, she made her living as a teacher, weaver and woodworker. Sampson disguised herself as a man and joined the Army, fighting in the American Revolutionary War. She served on battle lines for 17 months before being shot twice in the leg. Insisting that she not go to a doctor, she removed one bullet herself with a penknife and sewing needle, but fell seriously ill. She was eventually treated by Army doctor Barnabas Binney, who discovered her gender and agreed to keep her secret. Sampson recovered from her injuries and was honourably discharged, though the Army refused to pay her salary because of her gender. After the war, she married farmer Benjamin Gannett, with whom she had four children. In 1792, she successfully petitioned the Massachusetts State legislature for payment plus back interest. She began giving public lectures, extolling traditional gender roles while dressed as a woman, then returning to the stage in uniform and performing an elaborate military drill. Despite her popularity, she and her husband struggled to cover their expenses, and she relied on financial support from family and friends, including the writer Paul Revere. In 1805, Revere petitioned Congress on Sampson’s behalf, arguing that she should be paid an Army pension, which was granted the following year. Four years later, she sent another petition to Congress, asking that the pension be back-paid to the date of her discharge, which was awarded with back interest. Sampson died in 1827, aged 66. Four years after her death, Gannett successfully petitioned Congress for a pension as the spouse of a war veteran; this was granted, but Gannett died before he could receive it. Sampson’s life and war adventures have been portrayed many times in theatre, film and television, and her gender identity and sexuality continues to fascinate biographers.