Instructions: 

1. Watch and listen to the 60-Second Civics video below. If you'd like, you can also read along using the script that appears below the quiz. Or you can turn on the video's subtitles and read while watching the video.
2. Take the Daily Civics Quiz. If you get the question wrong, watch the video again or read the script and try again.

Episode Description:
Margaret Todd Whetten and her daughters provided food, clothing, and support to American prisoners in New York City, despite being called by one British jailer the "damnedest rebels in New York." They provided a safe refuge for American spies in their home, saving them from capture and certain hanging. As as result, her house became known as the "rebel headquarters."

[INTRO MUSIC]

 

Margaret Todd Whetten was a patriot from New York City who supplied badly needed food and aid to American soldiers captured by the British during the Revolutionary War.

 

At the start of the war, the British shelled New York City, forcing many people, including Margaret and her husband William Whetten, to flee to New Rochelle.

 

Nearby White Plains would become the scene of fighting between the patriots and the British, and the Whettens' house was ransacked by British and Hessian forces on several occasions.

 

With food running low, the family fled back to New York City, where William Whetten died.

 

Despite the war and the death of her husband, Margaret was determined to fight for her country.

 

She regained possession of her house on Cliff Street, but had to put up with its occupation by British soldiers.

 

But Margaret and her daughters were happy to provide food, clothing, and support to American prisoners in the city, despite being called by one British jailer the "damnedest rebels in New York."

 

Margaret Todd Whetten and her daughters also provided a safe refuge for American spies in their home, saving them from capture and certain hanging.

 

As a result, her house became known as the "rebel headquarters."

 

At the end of the war, the British evacuated New York.

 

George Washington expressed his gratitude to her in a letter and later visited her, rising twice from his meal to recognize Margaret Todd Whetten for her service to her country.

 

This has been 60-Second Civics, a podcast of the Center for Civic Education.

 

I’m Mark Gage.

 

[OUTTRO MUSIC]

Copyright Center for Civic Education.