Connolly produces Deborah Samson documentary

Sharon - In 1782, as the Revolutionary War blasted on throughout the United States, one 22-year old Sharon resident enlisted in the continental army under the name Robert Shurtliff. This soldier, strong and independent, differed from the rest though in one significant way. She was a woman.

This famous figure, whose real name is Deborah Samson, has had her story told by various historians and writers. Her name can be seen on statues, buildings, fields, novels and even street signs. And now, Sharon resident Steve Connolly is in the process of making a six part video documentary to commemorate her life.

The documentary, which has already had the first two sections released on the Sharon Community Television channel, was directed by Connolly and has used various local residents as the actors. Connolly, an engineer, said he was inspired to make the series because the woman lived such an incredible life. 

“Samson was willing to do anything to protect her country in a time when a woman couldn’t fight,” he said.

Connolly said that throughout the process, various members of the community have jumped on board with the project. Included in the group has been the historical societies of various Massachusetts towns such as Plympton, Samson’s place of birth, Sharon, Worcester, Middleborough, Duxbury, Canton, Bellingham, Dedham and various others.

The project has also received support from the historical societies of New York, Rhode Island and Cincinnati and from groups such as the West Point Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.

“The more I took on, the more people got interested in contributing,” he said. “She is just that important of a figure.”

The first two movies were based on the years 1620 through 1778. The first followed the 140 years before she was born, and the second was based on her childhood up until she turned 18.

The third part of the series was released during the first week of January and covers her life after she turned 18. At this time, she spent nearly four years working as a teacher in Middleborough.

The fourth series will focus on Samson’s time in the army where she fought in combats for approximately 17 months. The fifth will be about her return to Massachusetts. During this time, she married Benjamin Gannet in 1785, and settled down on his farm in Sharon. She remained in Sharon until her death in 1827. Finally, the sixth part of the series will focus on her impact today.

Connolly said the project has been really exciting, because he is finding answers to complicated historical questions that many still don’t know.

“This has been a really rewarding process,” he said. “It’s like solving a 250-year-old jigsaw puzzle.”

Evan Koslof

1/09/12


Originally Posted:  http://www.wickedlocal.com/sharon/news/x638335272/Connolly-produces-Deborah-Sampson-documentary#axzz1j6PZjdFl