People of the American Revolution

Abigail Adams Who?: John Adam’s wife Why?: Early advocate for women’s rights. Her letters were a main source of life during the Revolution

Wentworth Cheswell Who?: African American teacher from New Hampshire Why?: First Elected African American. Fought in the Battle of Saratoga

John Adams Who?: Boston lawyer Why?: Led debate on Independence Second president of the USA

Mercy otis warren Who?: A political writer and propagandist of the American Revolution Why?: Used her writings to stir colonists against British policies She is considered “First Lady of the American Revolution.”

James Armistead Who?: African slave from Virginia Why?: An African American who became the first double spy in the American Revolution

Bernardo de galvez Who?: Spanish governor of Louisiana and Cuba Why?: Led Spanish armies against the British in the American Revolution Kept the British from taking the Mississippi River.

Crispus Attucks Who?: African American sailor from Massachusetts Why?: One of the victims of the Boston Massacre in March 1770

King George III Who?: King of England from 1760- 1820 Why?: Began sending troops to the American colonies in 1765 Approved many laws that taxed and tried to control the colonies

Haym solomon Who?: Jewish financier (banker) from Rhodes Island Why?: Gave money to support the Continental Army during the American Revolution

Patrick Henry Who?: Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses who supported the break from England Why?: declared in 1765, “I know not what course others may take. But as for me, give me liberty or give me death.”

Thomas Jefferson Who?: Politician and Farmer from Virginia Why?: part of the committee to draft a declaration of independence in the summer of 1776. Did the actual writing of the Declaration of Independence

Marquis de lafayette Who?: Foreign volunteer from France who helped train soldiers in the Continental Army. Why? He gathered a group of French officers to help in the Americans’ struggle against the British.

Thomas Paine Who?: Corset maker and political activist Why?: His pamphlet Common Sense, published in early 1776, argued that the time had come for America to break with England

Benjamin Franklin Who?: A man of many talents: author, inventor, political activist Why?: Delegate to the Continental Congress from Pennsylvania who was part of the committee assigned to draft a declaration of independence in 1776

And a few more….

Sam Adams Boston Sons of Liberty leader who founded the committees of correspondence; was hiding in Lexington when the British marched in that direction in April, 1775

John Hancock Head of the Massachusetts committee of safety, was hiding in Lexington in April 1775, president of the 2nd Continental Congress and the 1st to sign the Declaration of Independence

Paul Revere Boston silversmith who is remember for riding to warn the countryside that the British were coming in April 1775

George Washington Delegate from Virginia who was chosen by the Continental Congress in May 1775 to lead the new American army