---
title: Death of Jane McCrea
author: John Vanderlyn
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18523/death-of-jane-mccrea/
format: machine-readable-alternate
updated: 2024-02-22
---

# Death of Jane McCrea

_Authored by John Vanderlyn_

## Image File

[![Death of Jane McCrea](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18523.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/18523.jpg)

## Image Caption

The murder of Jane McCrea on 27 July 1777 by a [Native American](https://www.worldhistory.org/Native_Peoples_of_North_America/) warrior allied to the British was heavily propagandized by the Patriots, who preyed upon the Americans' fear of Native American attacks. The Patriots claimed that the murder was evidence that British General John Burgoyne meant to unleash his indigenous allies on a killing spree of Americans. This led to an upsurge in American enlistments into the Continental Army, contributing to the American victory in the upcoming [Battles of Saratoga](https://www.worldhistory.org/article/2386/battles-of-saratoga/).

Oil on canvas by John Vanderlyn, 1804.

Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, Hartford.

## Cite This Work

### APA
Vanderlyn, J. (2024, February 22). Death of Jane McCrea. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18523/death-of-jane-mccrea/>
### Chicago
Vanderlyn, John. "Death of Jane McCrea." *World History Encyclopedia*, February 22, 2024. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18523/death-of-jane-mccrea/>.
### MLA
Vanderlyn, John. "Death of Jane McCrea." *World History Encyclopedia*, 22 Feb 2024, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/18523/death-of-jane-mccrea/>.

## License & Copyright

[Original image](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Death_of_Jane_McCrea_John_Vanderlyn_1804_crop.jpg) by [**John Vanderlyn**](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:The_Death_of_Jane_McCrea_John_Vanderlyn_1804_crop.jpg). Submitted by [Harrison W. Mark](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/harrisonwmark/ "User Page: Harrison W. Mark"), published on 22 February 2024. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Public Domain](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_domain). This item is in the public domain, and can be used, copied, and modified without any restrictions. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.