James was born on a Virginia plantation which made him the slave of John Armstead, later Col. John Armstead of the Continental Army. He was inherited by his master’s son William in 1779. William allowed him to enlist in the Continental Army. James was a patriot because he had refused Read more
Three colonial militiamen changed history. David Williams (25 years old), Isaac Van Wert (20), and their leader John Paulding (22). They were on duty near the Hudson River in New York looking for cattle rustlers. Nothing was happening so they were playing cards. Along came a man dressed as Read more
Lydia was an Irish immigrant who settled in Philadelphia. She and her husband were Quakers and thus pacifists. They gave birth to nine kids, but only five survived. Their oldest, Charles, enlisted in the Continental Army. When the British captured and occupied Philadelphia, Gen. William Howe took over the Read more
After George Washington forced the British to evacuate Boston, he marched his army to New York City to defend that city from an expected British attack. Washington had 20,000 men whose main characteristic was indiscipline. It should have been obvious that these soldiers could not stand up to the Read more
On Sept. 26, 1777, the British occupied Philadelphia after defeating Washington’s army at Branywine and Paoli. Washington was itching for some payback and decided to roll the dice with the Battle of Trenton as his template. When he learned that Gen. William Howe had divided his army between Philadelphia Read more
On July 2, 1776, the Second Continental Congress approved a resolution by Richard Henry Lee. It stated that the States were declaring independence. The Committee of Five was appointed to draft the declaration. It consisted of John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roger Sherman, and Robert Livingston. Adams was Read more
In 1860, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was concerned about the possibility of a civil war. Being an abolitionist, Longfellow wanted the North to stand up to the South. He wanted to write an inspiration poem in favor of fighting for the Union. The result was “Paul Revere’s Ride”. He did Read more
By 1777, there was no love lost between the Patriots and the Redcoats. The British had recently routed Washington’s army at Brandywine and had taken the city of Philadelphia. The commander of the Continental Army felt he needed to do something to stop his losing streak so he developed Read more
Today is the birth day of my favorite Founding Father. Joseph Warren was the only one who died for independence. Everyone has heard of Sam Adams, John Adams, John Hancock, and Paul Revere. They were all Boston patriots that gave the British hell, but none died for what they believed Read more