The Tragic Patriotism of Ann Fisher Miller
Despite great personal loss, Ann Fisher Miller played host to the Continental Army on multiple occasions.
Published 7/16/19 - Updated 10/10/21
August 1776
Ann Fisher Miller’s husband and two sons were away.
They had gone off to join the Continental Army and fight for their country.
Independence had been declared and the soldiers were fighting in New York City, not far south of her Westchester home.
That’s when the news arrived. Ann’s husband, Elijah, had died.
This event surely broke Mrs. Miller’s heart. Ann, however, was a Patriot and did not give up the cause.
October 23, 1776
On October 23, 1776, Ann was surprised to receive a visitor at her house.
Several visitors in fact.
Mrs. Miller was being approached by the Continental Army.
Who came to greet her?
None other than George Washington. The Commander-in-Chief had decided to make the Miller House his Headquarters.
Hostess
Now, chances are Mr. Washington did not ask for permission to use Ann’s house. Armies generally take what they need and the Continental Army was no exception.
That being said, by all accounts Mrs. Miller was a gracious hostess (and Washington was famously a consistent gentleman).
The Miller House was used by Washington as his Headquarters through the Battle of White Plains. The Continentals were able to inflict heavy casualties during this engagement but were forced to retreat due to the British’s superior numbers.
And with that, General Washington was gone.
December 1776
Two months later more news arrived.
Ann Fisher Miller’s two boys had fallen ill and passed away at camp.
This tragedy might be strong enough to turn someone sour on the Patriot Cause.
Not Ann Miller.
Instead, she passed her time by caring for sick and wounded veterans in addition to tending to her farm.
Revolutionary Ann
Over the next several years, General Washington twice returned to Mrs. Miller. The Commander must have liked Ann, or the House, or some combination of both.
Additionally, Generals Charles Lee, Horatio Gates and Alexander McDougall all used the Miller House as a Headquarters at one time or another.
Ann lived for another forty years after her tragic losses.
She passed away in 1818 at age 84, living long enough to witness the presidency of James Monroe. She saw her new nation struggle through its youth and mature comfortably into the Era of Good Feelings.
More Lady Founders you say?
Check out these articles:
Elizabeth Lewis Stands Confidently Against The British
Ester Reed and the Ladies Association
Deborah Sampson Drags Herself to War
Ann Fisher Miller does not have a biography, but if you’d like to read about Lady Founders there is only one place to turn.
‘‘Founding Mothers’ is the authority on Revolutionary American women. If you haven’t read it you need to.
Pick up a copy through the Amazon affiliate link below (you’ll support this site, but don’t worry, Amazon pays me while your price stays the same) but be warned, it is very rare and therefore expensive.
