He was the son of a prominent judge who supported colonial independence. The show also portrays Richard Woodhull as a devoted Tory, who grows ever suspicious of his sons behavior, but in reality, he was more supportive of the Patriots, and circumstantial evidence supports this. Introducing the Topic Index page (Just in time for the Season 3Premiere! Margaret Smith He is most notable for leading the British side in the Battle of Setauket. 72years (17401812)Anna Strong / Age at death. His wife Mary died in 1806, and in 1824, he remarried. Are there transcriptions at any other accessible digital websites? Abraham was severely troubled by this, and there is no reason to assume his father did not feel likewise. The evacuating British were forced to make the trip to New York by land due to the threat of French naval attack, giving General Washington an opportunity to strike a crippling blow. Woodhull, the son of the loyalist magistrate Richard Woodhull, decided to volunteer his services to the Continental Army as the leader of a spy ring in New York City after 1777, assisting George Washington in collecting information on the British Army's activities. . He died two years later, on 23 January 1826. He had an older brother, Thomas.In his youth, Abe made friends with Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge. Still dedicated to his mission, in June Woodhull expanded the operation by recruiting 25 year-old Robert Townsend, a former lodger at the Underhill boarding house, as an additional agent. Rogers followed Woodhull to his secret hideout in the basement of his burnt-down farm, and Woodhull was told that he had to work with Rogers to get revenge on Andre before Rogers would kill him. Where you can stand on your own two feet. A Letter From Abraham Woodhull to His Son Thomas View source A Letter From Abraham Woodhull to His Son Thomas is an entry from the Turn: Washington's Spies official site. I understand why they didnt opt for historical accuracy on this one, but boys wearing gowns as children is one of my favorite Colonial oddities and I wished they had included it. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. In late July the agents reported that the British knew about the expected fleet and were moving naval forces to counter a planned French attack on Rhode Island. What struck me is the summary of the June 1777, I agree, and checked my source before submitting. At one point he neared an encampment of Loyalist soldiers commanded by General William Tryon. To protect their identities Tallmadge assigned aliases for their correspondence; Tallmadge went by John Bolton and Woodhull used the name Samuel Culper. It was the beginning of what became known as the Culper Ring., Woodhull was good at the espionage business. Great article. Woodhull encountered his childhood friend Caleb Brewster when he arrived in Connecticut, selling him his cabbage in exchange for some money and some silk. Fixed the link. Woodhull continued to report on the location of British ships and troops, but Townsend eventually took note of the fact that Woodhull was writing secret messages on the brown eggs and not white ones. . 2022-07-02. Robert Rogers, (born Nov. 7, 1731, Methuen, Mass. Creator: Thomas R. Bayles Identifier: aql:14389 trb-000045 trb-000045.tif. Abraham went as a guest of Cook, and Anna later infiltrated the party while disguised as a prostitute. Later in 1776, Richard Woodhull asked his son to come with him to test his bartering skills for a deal with Colonel Jonathan Cook, the head of the commissary in New York City. Father of Richard Lawrence Woodhull and Fred Woodhull. Abraham pulled his gun and asked Baker not to arrest him, but Baker said that he would not be a traitor like Abraham. He was killed by a Queen's Ranger during an exchange trading himself and Abe for Caleb Brewster. It is a choice that comes at a heavy price. [11], He died in Setauket on January 23, 1826, and is buried in the Setauket Presbyterian Church and Burial Ground. Woodhull told Brewster about the plans, and Brewster passed the information on to Tallmadge, leading to Tallmadge, Brewster, and other Continental troops ambushing and killing 19 of the 20 British troops, capturing a wounded Simcoe. Colonel John Graves Simcoe, commander of the Loyalist Queens American Rangers, promptly launched a raid to grab the spy. A Long Island farmer bands together a group of childhood friends to form an unlikely group of spies who turn the tide in America's fight for independence. Biography Richard Woodhull was born in 1712 in Setauket, New York. network. Is this just presumed to be legend or myth now? Woodhull wrote, I received their threats for coming there that made me almost tremble knowing my situation and business.[1] His statement only hinted at what he inwardly knew; that if the soldiers discovered his espionage mission, they would have hanged him without compunction. In this case, I could understand the rationale behind breeching little Thomas several years early in TURN. Im no expert on deciphering such documents, but have found that understanding the language of the time and subject matter is helpful. type. Abraham mentions that his son is "almost a year old" as he eggs him on to start walking on his own. What better way to get back at the enemy, Tallmadge might have said, than by spying on the British under their own noses and helping the American cause? Abraham negotiated that his father could sell his hogs for 7 pounds each, saying that Cook could make an extra profit by giving the quartermaster the required 20 hogs and some more hogs to other merchants, which would benefit Cook. The Culper Ring was probably Washingtons most successful spy operation. [11] Culper to Tallmadge, April 101779, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. Neither man recorded the details of their meeting but we can make some inferences by the result. Letter Dear Thomas , As I write this letter you are upstairs in your mother 's arms, sleeping peacefully. Possibly after testing his old friends allegiance, Tallmadge probably dropped his bomb; it was he who secured his early release from Governor Trumbull, and would Woodhull be willing to spy for the American cause? Before he left Connecticut, Woodhull was probably stunned when he received a visit from Benjamin Tallmadge, who he knew as a fellow Setauket native. Abraham told Anna that he was fighting for freedom and confronted her about their true beliefs, and she told him that she wanted her husband. Early on, Woodhull had urged General Scott to destroy every letter after reading for fear of some unforeseen accident that may befall you and the letter get into the enemies hands and probably find me out and take me before I have any warning.[9] A month later Tallmadge told Washington that Woodhull used extreme caution and even timidity.[10] Woodhull particularly hated traveling the 50 miles to New York City because every trip put him at risk of questioning and discovery at military checkpoints. That may be true, but deep down inside it is you, Thomas, who fuels my passion. On 28 June, his Continental Army engaged Clintons army at Monmouth, but thanks to incompetence on the part of his second-in-command, General Charles Lee, Clinton was able to make it to New York with little more than a bloody nose. He hardly ever spoke of his work as a spy. In mid-1778 he began sailing across Long Island Sound to British-held New York to sell his farms produce for hard currency. After the war ended in December 1783, Woodhull stayed in Setauket. In the ensuing encounter, Woodhull was rescued by the redcoats, who killed Cyrus. Once they were several years old, boys and girls would then make the transition to outfits that were miniature versions of mens and womens adult clothing. Abraham Woodhull - the 'Culper' of the Culper Ring. Building a Cloud Computing Career with Amazon AWS Certified Developer Azure Cognitive Services and Containers: 5 Amazing Benefits for Businesses, Running Your Own Electronics Accessories Ecommerce Store. In return, Tallmadge proposed to Woodhull that he start spying for the Continental Army; Woodhull agreed, and Tallmadge received approval from Washington. If you are interested in working with us or have a great story, please get in touch. Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Death 2 Behind the Scenes 2.1 Appearances Biography Death Thomas Woodhull died in the Battle of Bladensburg during the War of 1812 on August 24, 1814, felled by an British musket. As I write this letter you are upstairs in your mothers arms, sleeping peacefully. Woodhull refused his father's offer of releasing him from prison if he would stop spying, and he also refused to escape with Caleb Brewster, who had infiltrated New York in David Bushnell's Turtle and disguised himself as a British officer. Townsend may have dabbled in journalism himself, which gave him a perfect excuse to spend long hours picking up information. They have taken over everything, using brute force and the heels of their boots to make their presence known. The tactic was sometimes effective but the information often lacked the detail, accuracy and timeliness that Washington needed. Woodhull and Cyrus fought, but Cyrus later heard British troops approaching him after they found out that Woodhull had been ambushed. We work with various museums, historical societies and media outlets around the world. Woodhull told Hewlett that Tallmadge would withdraw if the 8 prisoners were exchanged for the captured redcoats, and he eventually negotiated the release of all of the prisoners unconditionally after a rebellious Simcoe killed one of the hostages in an attempt to provoke an attack on the church. The TV show TURN took plenty of historical liberties; for instance, there is no evidence of a love affair between Abraham Woodhull and Anna Strong. Yet he still completed his mission and submitted a valuable intelligence report to Washington. TURN Season 3: All Quiet on the HistoryFront? I fight this fight for you. Woodhull privately conferred with Major Hewlett and told him that he wanted to enter King's College and spy on the Sons of Liberty for him, as his prior connection to them might allow him to bust suspected patriot sympathizers in the college. Abraham Woodhull was born in 1750 in Setauket, a town on Long Island, New York. Woodhull was a descendant of Richard Lawrence Woodhull, a wealthy settler of Setauket,[1] and was also related to New York militia Brigadier General Nathaniel Woodhull. The house was burned to the ground, and the family moved into Whitehall. For five days Tallmadge hid in the woods while Woodhull sneaked him food. Fueled by a strong desire to avenge his cousins allegedly brutal murder, Woodhull threw himself into his new job with a passion. The two often went to New York together masquerading as husband and wife, and the trick was effective, despite Strong being ten years older than Woodhull. The task fell to his intelligence aide, Major Benjamin Tallmadge, to begin recruiting spies. When I came home after seeing Ben, I sat down and watched you playing on the floor near the fireplace. Another of Tallmadges operatives was Caleb Brewster, a Continental artillery lieutenant and skilled mariner stationed on the Connecticut coast who previously supplied Washington with naval intelligence. Woodhull refused to give any names to the Congress, and he found out that his interrogator was Benjamin Tallmadge, another childhood friend who had joined a regiment of Connecticut dragoons in the Continental Army. [13] Culper to John Bolton, June 5, 1779, GW Papers, accessed March 29, 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov; Rose, Washingtons Spies, 129. 2022-07-02. [14] Like Woodhull, Townsend played the part of a devoted Loyalist but he was a secret Patriot who had served briefly as a commissary to General Nathaniel Woodhull, Abrahams cousin. (LogOut/ A little boy wearing a feminine gown would be confusing and strange to the average 21st-century viewer, and distracting enough to detract from the main storyline. This entry was posted in clothing, material culture and tagged 18th century clothing, 18th century gowns, Abraham Woodhull, amc turn, historical costuming, Linda Baumgarten, material culture, sprout, Thomas Woodhull, TURN, turn amc, TURN premiere. His first intelligence in October addressed British troop strengths and their shortages in provisions. 2022-07-02. I find that magnifying the zoom to 200% makes the cursive far more intelligible. Son: Thomas 'Sprout' Woodhull: General Information. I was quietly longing for the days when there was no fighting when something unexpected happened. There is nothing I love more than watching you in your crib, but tonight I am wide awake, alone with my thoughts, unable to rest as dark intentions keep my mind preoccupied. He used the alias "Samuel Culper" (later "Samuel Culper Sr."), which was a play on Culpeper County, Virginia, and was suggested by George Washington. Unfortunately, Ensign Baker entered the room with his musket, and he heard the whole conversation. Place of Burial: Setauket, Suffolk, New York. General Washington had often been frustrated by the exaggerated figures that he had received from spies in the past, and expected more of the same from Woodhull. [4] In November he reported how Loyalist units were scouring local farms for wood and livestock. The Life Summary of Abraham When Abraham Woodhull was born on 7 October 1750, in Setauket, Suffolk, New York Colony, British Colonial America, his father, Hon Richard Woodhull IV, was 38 and his mother, Margaret Smith, was 36. Thomas "Sprout" Woodhull (died August 24, 1814) was the son of Culper Ring spy and farmer Abraham Woodhull . Abraham copied down the writing in his book before Cook had him leave, but not before the officers gave him a drinking challenge: they asked him who he would kill if he would not be retaliated against. Basing his operation in his British-occupied hometown of Setauket, New York, Woodhull enlists the aid of local tavern keeper Anna Strong to ferry crucial intelligence to their friends in the Continental Army, Caleb Brewster and Benjamin Tallmadge, who in turn bring the intelligence to General George Washington himself. While Hewlett acknowledged Woodhull's excuse that he was in prison, he told Woodhull that he would send the report to Major John Andre in Philadelphia. After her death in 1806, Woodhull remarried in 1824. By that time Washington and Tallmadge had developed other agents in New York City and the Culper Rings role diminished. Woodhull had a problem to face, however, as he had to give Major Hewlett a final report on New York. Even after resigning he sent seven more letters about British activities. S1 E6. However, he was arrested by British troops and thrown in prison by Inspector-General Joseph Innes, who believed that he was spying for the rebels. She found out when their son Thomas had moved a floorboard, revealing a book of words and code-numbers used to represent them, a book which Caleb had given to Abraham in order to communicate without the British knowing; Caleb also told Woodhull that his alias would be "Samuel Culpeper", with Woodhull shortening it to "Culper". General Sir Henry Clinton, the commander of the British armies in Philadelphia, was ordered to leave the city and take his soldiers to New York to bolster defenses against a possible American and French attack. Later that day, 22 August 1777, Benjamin Tallmadge raided Setauket to free his father and the other accused townspeople, taking over the town. He used the alias Samuel Culper when sending messages and working as a spy. Rose, Alexander. . Abraham Woodhull was born to Richard Woodhull and Rebecca Woodhull (1728-1757). How do you stay on task while doing homework? Austin Roe became the main courier for the ring later after Woodhull stopped going to New York City to gather intelligence personally. While in the city, he was able to observe naval strength, troop numbers, and glean potentially important information by eavesdropping on the conversations of British soldiers. He was herded into the tavern with the other people, and Tallamdge and Brewster took him aside from the crowd to tell him that he was going to negotiate the release of the prisoners. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Poster: Abraham Lincoln, With His Son Tad (Thomas) Leaning On A Table, 1865 at the best online prices at eBay! He also noted that Howe left New York with most of his army, but he left 200 Hessians in the city, while the city was defended by a dozen 24-pounders and 6 16-pounders at Canal Street. He attempted to stay out of the war, and he smuggled cabbage for his family after their harvest in the autumn of 1776 proved to be insufficient due to maggots eating up his crops. List of American Revolutionary War battles, Turn: Washington's Spies official site entries. Journal of the American Revolution is the leading source of knowledge about the American Revolution and Founding Era. Woodhull also recruited other spies into the ring; one such spy was Robert Townsend, who worked in a New York boardinghouse which was frequented by British soldiers. Abraham Woodhull is the American's lone productive spy in 1777 New York, but did we see a glimpse of his bloody fate? A Letter From Abraham Woodhull to His Son Thomas is an entry from the Turn: Washington's Spies official site. Now, he knew that 1,500 Hessian troops were going to be sent to Trenton, and he decided to pass this on to Caleb. Abraham Woodhull: The Spy Named Samuel Culper. Journal of the American Revolution, 19 May 2014. Description: The old Abraham Woodhull House at Setauket. Not two months had passed, however, when Washington needed their services again. Woodhull was beaten, and Cyrus offered to let Woodhull leave if he fought him. When you are that man, I want nothing more than a future for you where you are able to live, love and be free. Continental Army Major Benjamin Tallmadge was Woodhull's neighbor in Setauket and approached Woodhull in August 1778 about gathering intelligence for the Patriot cause during the American Revolutionary War. (LogOut/ [20] Tallmadge to Washington, October 11, 1780, GW Papers, accessed April 24, 2014 via. Anna left with him, ostensibly to petition for Selah Strong's release from the HMS Jersey; Abraham would supposedly sell some cauliflower to the British. In the episode . [10] Tallmadge to Washington, November 19, 1778, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. We live in daily fear of death and destruction, this added to my usual anxiety hath almost unmanned me, Woodhull wrote to Tallmadge in June. Caleb Brewster joined what is today the Coast Guard in 1793, retired in 1816, and died in 1827. He was the son of a prominent judge who supported colonial independence. In the court case, Simcoe had trouble loading the musketball that hit Richard Woodhull into Tallmadge's gun, as it was a Pennsylvania rifle; only a Brown Bess British musket could use that type of ball. Abraham Woodhull was born on 7 October 1750 in Setauket, New York, the son of Judge Richard Woodhull and Mary Smith. He was later buried is Setauket, next to his wife, Rebecca and his son, Thomas . But how do you read the non-transcribed Samuel Culper John Bolton GW Papers via http://memory.loc.gov? Astrological Sign: Libra, Death Year: 1826, Death date: January 23, 1826, Death State: New York, Death City: Setauket, Death Country: United States, Article Title: Abraham Woodhull Biography, Author: Biography.com Editors, Website Name: The Biography.com website, Url: https://www.biography.com/political-figure/abraham-woodhull, Publisher: A&E Television Networks, Last Updated: July 7, 2020, Original Published Date: May 18, 2015. Watching you fall and get up over and over again swelled my heart with pride and joy. Shortly after, Richard Woodhull was shot in the chest as he boarded his wagon with Simcoe and Woodhull, with the man using a verse from the Book of Judges as wadding for his musketball. Despite his success, the espionage business wore Woodhull out physically as well as mentally. It was in October 1778, when Woodhull toured British-held New York City and its environs, observing Crown military activities. Woodhull was forced to work by himself, and he attempted to plant evidence for Major Hewlett so that it would appear as if he had made a discovery of some of the Sons of Liberty's activities. .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}Tuskegee Airman Clarence D. Lester Broke Barriers, Biography: You Need to Know: Rick Thornton. These agents reported on British activity from their homes in New York City, on Long Island, New York, and in Connecticut. Washington planned a naval attack on New York City and pressed Tallmadge for Woodhull to at all times keep his attention on changes of situation, or the new positions which may be taken by the enemy. It was Brewsters job to sail across the Sound, retrieve Woodhulls communications from their hiding spot, and return the missives to Tallmadge in Rebel-held Connecticut. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features Press Copyright Contact us Creators . Abraham Woodhull/Parents As depicted in the show, Abraham Woodhull was a cabbage farmer. Contents 1 Biography 1.1 Early life 1.2 Death 2 Characters met Tallmadge told Woodhull that George Washington wanted him to work with the patriots as a spy during the American Revolutionary War, and he refused. Does beard oil expire? Lydia Darragh - Lydia spied on British officers who met in her home to discuss battle plans. As depicted in the show, Abraham Woodhull was a cabbage farmer. The patriots withdrew from Setauket, but Anna decided to leave Selah's side and stay in Setauket to help Abraham. He was the son of Richard Woodhull, a wealthy judge, and Margaret Smith Woodhull, who did not die when Abraham was young as portrayed in the show, but in fact died in 1803, fifteen years after Richard. . (His very appearance is a bit of a chronological anomaly, but well discuss that later.) I had to help win this fight. [19] Culper to John Bolton, July 20, 1780, GW Papers, accessed April 20 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov; Rose, Washingtons Spies, 189-192. Abraham decided to help Caleb in escaping New York after their meeting, and Caleb was able to escape on a rowboat as Abraham and Anna distracted British guards by offering them some beer from the Strong tavern. Required fields are marked *. Washington sent another vial of ink.[12]. There is much more to the story of the Culper Ring and intelligence activities in and around New York City. The Rebels considered the practice trading with the enemy and those caught in the act faced a jail sentence. [7] Culper to Tallmadge, March 17, 1779, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. She then passed on the information to American soldiers. However, Judge Woodhull decided to inform Major Hewlett that Woodhull had been spying for the patriots, as Woodhull's suspicions had increasingly grown over time. Change), You are commenting using your Facebook account. [1] Samuel Culper to Brig. He traveled regularly from Setauket to Manhattan, ostensibly to visit his sister. Ironically, Woodhulls exploits could not be recognized after the war so its information like that presented in Mikes article that puts the things to right. Schellhammer, Michael. Excellent sketch of the Culper Rings two Principal Agents Mike. [24] Culper to Tallmadge, July 5, 1783, GW Papers, accessed April 27 2014 via http://memory.loc.gov. And dont forget to join the fun over at TURN to a Historians Facebook Page and tumblr account. For more information, I highly recommend reading Linda Baumgartens primer on colonial childrens clothing (the source of the above quote). Anna remained alone on the family farm during the American Revolution, where she assisted with General Washington's Culper Spy Ring. Woodhull turned out to be a very effective spy, and his reports were uncannily accurate. Local orchard owner Lucas Brewster was blamed for the poisoning, and he was arrested. Woodhull returned to New York, defeated. [11][13], Warren Walker suggested in 1956 that James Fenimore Cooper's character Harvey Birch had been based upon the work of "Samuel Culper" as a spy. Woodhull was in New York City when the Loyalist troops came to his house, but he later reported how his 66 year-old father was home, and that Simcoe plundered him in a most shocking manner. Woodhull escaped Simcoes wrath by arranging for a prominent local Loyalist to vouch for his character. The war finally ended in 1783, with the Continental Army victorious thanks to assistance from the French. http://www.britishbattles.com/battle-monmouth.htm, https://spycurious.wordpress.com/2015/04/27/lieutenant-colonel-richard-hewlett-the-loyal-est-loyalist/, http://www.longislandsurnames.com/getperson.php?personID=I0519&tree=Woodhull, https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/05/abraham-woodhull-the-spy-named-samuel-culper/. He began providing information to the British in 1779, and started a correspondence with Major John Andre, the head of British intelligence. War History Online welcomes many guest authors who share their knowledge of the history on our pages. Woodhull and Strong must accomplish this right underneath the noses of the British soldiers occupying their hometown, as well as Woodhulls Loyalist father. Breeches and a linen shirt, like the little colonial man he is! Under the system that Tallmadge designed, Woodhull travelled to New York every few weeks on business, mixed with Crown soldiers, listened for news, and observed activities. Woodhull never spoke of his spying activities to anyone. the lines of a cruel and mistrustful enemy.[11] Tallmadge had Brewster sail him to Setauket an exceptionally dangerous move itself so he could meet with Woodhull and allay his spys concerns. That is why I am doing this, Sprout. Abraham Woodhull is an NSSAR Patriot Ancestor. In June, the British had been forced to evacuate Philadelphia after the city became untenable due to vulnerability and stretched supply lines. Woodhull told him to ask Major Hewlett, who would vouch for him, but he was unaware that Hewlett had been kidnapped by the patriots from his home after Simcoe framed him for the murder ot their captain. Ive noticed that every time the kid is supposed to make a sound it is superimposed when his face is off screen. [2] His parents were Judge Richard Woodhull and Mary Woodhull (ne Smith).[3]. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. At one point he neared an encampment of Loyalist soldiers commanded by General William Tryon. Woodhull decided to do so, as his father was in the church as well. Richard Woodhull (1712-1788) was the local magistrate of Setauket, New York under Great Britain during the American Revolution. In the spring of 1777, Woodhull trysted with Anna at her barn, and he told her that he could not stay there long. For boys, this was often a celebrated childhood milestone. [9] Culper to Scott, October 31, 1778, GW Papers, accessed January 26, 2014, via http://memory.loc.gov. Woodhull gave reports to the Continentals from inside the city, noting that Howe's flagship HMSEagle and other Royal Navy ships remained in the harbor as British troop numbers decreased, and when he entered Robert Townsend's boarding inn for some breakfast, Woodhull took note of the people feeling on edge, saying that an assault by 5,000 men could probably take the city. They did, however, take plenty of liberties with the historical facts, but on the whole, the show presents the major activities and accomplishments of the Culper Ring in a reasonably accurate manner. Accessed 18 May 2016. https://allthingsliberty.com/2014/05/abraham-woodhull-the-spy-named-samuel-culper/. Little Thomas Woodhull, whom Abraham fondly calls Sprout, steals the spotlight at the beginning and end of the TURN pilot episode. Eventually, Major Hewlett escaped captivity and secured Woodhull's release, and Townsend agreed to work with Woodhull as "Samuel Culper, Jr."; he gave him information on a plot by Thomas Hickey and William Bradford to assassinate George Washington at his camp in Valley Forge. Manage all your favorite fandoms in one place! Rogers wanted to lure Benjamin to a prisoner exchange that he would ambush, but the ambush went awry when Caleb Brewster (whom Benjamin sent to retrieve Samuel as he worked at Washington's Morristown office) had Selah (stated to be "Samuel Tallmadge") duck as Rogers shot at him. Any thoughts about this kids blank, emotionless stare and the fact that he never makes a sound? During the American Revolution, Abraham Woodhull became a member of the Culper Spy Ring, which provided intelligence to .css-47aoac{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:inherit;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:#A00000;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;}.css-47aoac:hover{color:#595959;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;}George Washington to assist the Patriots war effort. and Mary Anna (Smith) Woodhull. . The Culper intelligence allowed Washington to arrange countermoves, and the episode was one of the Rings greatest successes.