The Wild Rides of 'Mad' Anne Bailey
Anne Bailey served as a courier and scout on the American Frontier during the Revolutionary and Northwest Indian Wars.
Anne Bailey
Born Anne Hennis, today’s Founder relocated to North America in her late teens.
She moved to the Virginia frontier where she married her first husband Richard Trotter.
Richard, a soldier in the British Army, was killed in Lord Dunmore’s War in 1774.
Hitting The Road
Anne responded to the loss of husband by leaving her son in the care of neighbors and joining the Patriot cause.
She began working as a rider for the soldiers on the frontier, delivering correspondence while scouting intelligence for the rebels.
During this time, the Native Americans drew great respect for her efforts (despite being on the opposite side) and gave her the nickname of Mad Anne.
The Making of ‘Mad Anne’
One reason for this nickname comes from a story (which is hard to verify) when she was being chased by a group of Shawnee Indians.
Anne was about to be caught but jumped from her horse and hid in a log.
Her pursuers searched everywhere, even sitting on the log for a time, but gave up and left with her horse.
That night, she snuck into their camp, took back her steed and fled…screaming and hollering through the woods.
The Shawnee were so intimidated by this act that they believed she could not be killed. This had the effect of giving her a bit more comfort while riding alone as those who would be a threat to her safety were now intimidated by her actions.
Saving For Lee
After the Revolutionary War, Anne married John Bailey and took on the name she is most famous for.
She continued to serve during the Northwest Indian War with her most famous ride coming in 1791 when she rode 100 miles through the wilderness to alert the garrison at Fort Savannah that Fort Lee was under attack and desperate for ammunition.
Bailey’s efforts led to reinforcements supporting Fort Lee and saving the Americans there.
Frontier
Eventually Anne moved with her son further into the frontier of Ohio.
Throughout her long career she rode over 1000 miles, carrying letters and recruiting for the Army.
She was known to be quite a site, where men’s style outfits and wielding an ax, as she put it, “as well as any man.”
Want to read about more FOUNDING MOTHERS?
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