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Primary sourcePainting1797

Portrait of Deborah Sampson

Joseph Stone · 1797

An engraved portrait of Deborah Sampson, the principal likeness made of her from life, used as the frontispiece to her 1797 biography.

The principal portrait of Sampson made from life, showing her as she was presented publicly after her service became known.

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Oval engraved portrait of a young woman with long wavy hair, wearing a high-collared ruffled white neckerchief and a striped dress with a sash, set within a decorative oval border with foliage.
Joseph Stone (attributed), Portrait of Deborah Sampson, 1797. Massachusetts Historical Society.

About this source

What it is

This engraved oval portrait shows a young woman with long wavy hair, a ruffled neckerchief, and a striped dress with a sash. It was based on Joseph Stone's 1797 painted portrait of Deborah Sampson and was used as the frontispiece to Herman Mann's biography, The Female Review.

Why it matters

This is considered the principal likeness of Sampson made during her lifetime. It is held today by the Massachusetts Historical Society and shows how Sampson, a woman who had disguised herself as a man to serve in the Continental Army, was depicted in conventional feminine dress once her story became public.

Look closer

  • Why might Sampson have been portrayed in women's clothing rather than her soldier's uniform?
  • What does the decorative border of foliage suggest about the purpose of this portrait?
  • What is left out of this image about her military service?

This painting is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Deborah Sampson on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Scan of an open book showing a left page with an engraved oval portrait of a young woman with long wavy hair and a ruffled collar, framed by military trophies and an eagle, labeled Deborah Sampson, Published by H. Mann, 1797. Right page is the title page: The Female Review: Or, Memoirs of an American Young Lady, By a Citizen of Massachusetts, Dedham, Printed by Nathaniel and Benjamin Heaton, M,DCC,XCVII.Book

Primary source

The Female Review: Life of Deborah Sampson

Herman Mann · 1797

Black-and-white engraving titled Deborah Sampson, published by H. Mann, 1797. An oval portrait of a young woman with long curled hair and a high-collared dress sits within a decorative frame topped with flags, a wreath, and an eagle at the base.Painting

Primary source

Deborah Sampson Engraving

1797

Cover of a dark marbled-paper bound booklet with a maroon spine and a small label reading E 275 G18. A cream octagonal label in handwriting reads: An Address delivered at Federal St. Theatre, Boston, By Mrs. Deborah Gannet, The American heroine. Publications of the Sharon historical Society.Speech

Primary source

An Address, Delivered with Applause, at the Federal-Street Theatre, Boston

Deborah Sampson Gannett · 1802

Plain dark red cloth book cover with a white Library of Congress barcode label near the lower right, reading LIBRARY OF CONGRESS and the number 00017379653 with a red dot.Book

Secondary source

The Female Review (Vinton edition)

Herman Mann; edited by John Adams Vinton · 1866

Black-and-white photograph of a granite monument with a bronze plaque showing a relief portrait bust of a woman with long wavy hair. The plaque reads Deborah Sampson Gannett, Woman Soldier in the War of the Revolution, and describes her service and pension, and that it was placed by her grandson George Washington Gay. Cemetery grass and trees are in the background.Photograph

Secondary source

Monument to Deborah Sampson Gannett, Rock Ridge Cemetery

Leon H. Abdalian

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