Henry 's daughter , Sybil Ludington ( 1761 -- 1839 ) , was famous for risking her life when she was 16 years old to warn the American militia that British troops were burning Danbury , Connecticut .
Henry Ludington later became an aide to General George Washington .
Henry Ludington 's daughter , Sybil Ludington ( 1761 -- 1839 ) , was famous for risking her life when she was 16 years old to warn the American militia that British troops were burning Danbury , Connecticut .
Henry Ludington later became an aide to General George Washington .