Can one individual make a difference? Can one person’s actions change history? You likely know a lot about famous people such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson, but what about the lesser-known heroes of the Revolutionary War? By learning about the Revolutionary War, you can discover how many ordinary people changed the course of history through their efforts, sacrifices, and determination.

Question

For this portfolio project, you will differentiate between valid primary and secondary sources to locate and research a little-known hero from the Revolutionary War era and provide a summary about his or her life and contribution to the war. Your portfolio assessment can be an essay, a slide show presentation, a video, or some other method (be sure to get permission from your teacher before you start).
A primary source is first-hand, original materials like diaries, documents, or photographs from the time of the event. An autobiography is an example of primary source. A secondary source is the secondhand retelling about an event such as books, magazines, or newspapers. A biography is an example of a secondary source.
Your final product will include the following information about the person you choose to research:
brief summary of the person’s life
contributions to the Revolutionary War, including events leading to the outbreak of the war or contributions made during the war
why you think this person is a hero
Your subject should not be someone obvious or famous such as George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Marquis de Lafayette, or Benedict Arnold, for example. Try to find someone who was just an average citizen or low-ranking soldier who stepped up in a time of need.
Your portfolio assignment has three steps:
Research your chosen person.
Organize your research.
Develop your essay.�
Step 1
Conduct the following research to complete your assignment.
Research Source of Information
Locate a valid primary source(s) for your research
Locate a valid secondary source(s) for your research
List basic facts from primary and secondary sources about the person you choose to research.
Summarize his or her life.
Describe their contributions to the Revolutionary War.
Describe how, if at all, the person’s contributions affected the outcome of the war.
Describe why you think this person is a hero.

You can use note cards, type your notes on a computer, or use another note-taking method.
You may use the following resources to identify reference materials for this activity. Follow the directions to access these resources.
American History
Access Topic 3: The Revolutionary Era, Lesson 5: Winning Independence in American History. There is some discussion of regular people who contributed to the war effort. You may also decide to use this resource in your research.
EBSCO
Select the EBSCO link from your course page
Select Explora Secondary Schools
Narrow your search by selecting the relevant subject matter
Narrow your search further or use the Find field, and then select the Search button.
�
Internet Search
Alternatively, conduct a safe search on the Internet or at your local library for information about the person you are researching.
Step 2
Before you create your essay, you must first organize your research findings.
Create an outline or storyboard to organize your research and answer the following questions:
What are some basic facts about the person you chose to research, such as when and where he or she was born?
What do you know about the person’s life prior to the war?
What were the person’s contributions to the Revolutionary War?
How did the person’s contributions affect the outcome of the war?
Why do you consider this person to be a hero?
Be sure to keep track of where you found your information. You will be expected to cite all of the sources you used in your research.
Step 3
Now that you have organized your research findings, start developing your essay. Think about the best way to demonstrate your learning.
You will be expected to provide citations for where you found your information.

Answer 1

Portfolio Project Outline: The Life and Contributions of Lydia Darragh

Step 1: Research Summary

• Primary Sources:

  • Lydia Darragh's diary entries or letters, which may be housed in historical society collections or archives.
  • Historical documents mentioning Lydia’s espionage activities, possibly located at the Library of Congress or similar archives.

• Secondary Sources:

  • "Lydia Darragh: A Woman of the Revolution" by Maeve H. McMahon, which chronicles her life and contributions.
  • Articles from historical journals that explore the role of women spies in the American Revolution.

Basic Facts about Lydia Darragh:

• Born: 1729 in Dublin, Ireland
• Died: 1820 in Pennsylvania, USA
• Not married: She maintained the household responsibilities for her family.
• Active civilian supporter of the Revolutionary War effort.

Summary of Lydia Darragh's Life:

• Lydia Darragh emigrated from Ireland to America and settled in Pennsylvania.
• As a Quaker, she was initially opposed to war but soon recognized the British occupation's threat to her livelihood and Beliefs.
• Lydia had a family, which included five children, and was a skilled seamstress who worked hard to support her household.

Contributions to the Revolutionary War:

• Lydia Darragh's significant contribution was her role as a spy for the Continental Army.
• She gathered crucial intelligence on British troop movements while hosting British officers in her home for tea.
• In 1777, Lydia secretly overheard plans for a British attack on the Continental Army and risked her life to inform General Washington of their intentions, which allowed the Americans to prepare for the upcoming encounter.

Impact on the Outcome of the War:

• Lydia's intelligence directly contributed to American strategic planning and preparedness.
• Her actions exemplified the critical role of civilian spies in the larger war effort, highlighting how non-combatants can influence military outcomes.

Why Lydia Darragh is a Hero:

• Lydia Darragh is considered a hero because she defied societal norms and the perils of her time to contribute to the American cause.
• Her bravery and ingenuity in gathering and transmitting crucial information are exemplary of the kind of sacrifice that many ordinary citizens made during the Revolutionary War.
• Lydia represents the strength and impact of women in history, often overlooked yet vital to the narrative.

Step 2: Organized Research Findings

1. Basic Facts: Lydia Darragh, born in 1729 in Dublin, Ireland.
2. Life Before War: Quaker roots, immigrant, became a skilled seamstress in Pennsylvania.
3. Contributions: Intelligence-gathering for George Washington, informing him of British troop movements.
4. Impact on War: Enabled better preparation for battles, showcasing the role of civilians in intelligence.
5. Heroism: Example of bravery and intelligence, breaking norms, and providing critical support to the cause.

Step 3: Developing the Essay Title: Lydia Darragh: A Quiet But Powerful Force in the Revolutionary War

Introduction: Introduce Lydia Darragh and the significance of her contributions during the Revolutionary War, setting the stage for a discussion on how one ordinary person can create ripples in history.

Body Paragraphs:

1. Background and Early Life: Discuss her origins and family life, emphasizing the Quaker beliefs that shaped her worldview.
2. Role in the War: Elaborate on her espionage activities, detailing how she gathered intelligence and her interactions with British officers.
3. Outcomes of Her Actions: Analyze how her intelligence influenced military strategies and decisions made by American leaders during critical moments in the war.
4. Her Legacy as a Hero: Reflect on why Lydia should be recognized beyond her time, celebrating the often-overlooked roles women played in history and inspiring future generations.

Conclusion: Summarize the profound impact of Lydia Darragh's actions during the Revolutionary War and reaffirm that indeed, one individual's actions can change the course of history.

References:

• Primary sources (specific documents to be cited).
• Secondary sources (specific books/articles to be cited).

This outline provides a structured approach to researching and writing about a lesser-known hero of the American Revolutionary War, Lydia Darragh, highlighting the significance of her contributions within the context of history.