Bailey, Anna Warner (1758–1851)

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Bailey, Anna Warner (1758–1851)

American patriot. Name variations: Mother Bailey. Born Anna Warner, Oct 11, 1758, in Groton, Connecticut; died Jan 10, 1850, in Groton; an orphan, was raised by her uncle Edward Mills; m. Captain Elijah Bailey (postmaster of Groton).

When British soldiers under command of Benedict Arnold stormed Fort Griswold near Groton (Sept 6, 1781), walked to the battle site where she found her uncle mortally wounded; at his bidding, hurried home, saddled a horse for her aunt, and carried her infant cousin back in her arms for a final reunion of the family; also assisted soldiers in defense of New London against a blockading British fleet by providing her flannel petticoat for use as cartridge wadding (1813).

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