People of the American Revolution

1. People of the American Revolution

2. Abigail Adams • The wife of John Adams • When her husband was working on the Declaration of Independence she reminded him to “remember the ladies”

3. John Adams • Lawyer • Politician • Defended British soldiers after the Boston Massacre • Member of the Continental Congress (represented Massachusetts) • Supporter of independence

4. Wentworth Cheswell • African American Patriot • Did an all-night ride (like Paul Revere) from Boston to warn people of the British invasion • In the Army • Fought at the Battle of Saratoga

5. Samuel Adams • Played a role in many events of the American Revolution, including: • Organized opposition to the Stamp Act • Protests waged by the Sons of Liberty • Boston Massacre

6. Mercy Otis Warren • Wife of a Massachusetts Patriot • Wrote anonymous propaganda supporting the Patriots

7. James Armistead • Virginia slave • Recruited by the Marquis de Lafayette to spy on the Continental Army • Posed as a double agent, forger, and servant at British headquarters • Gathered vital information on British troops that contributed to the American victory at Yorktown

8. Benjamin Franklin • Member of the committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence • American envoy in France (1776-1785) • Negotiated alliance with France and the Treaty of Paris that ended the war

9. Bernardo de Gálvez • Spanish nobleman • Governor of Spanish province of Louisiana • Protected American ships in the port of New Orleans • Transported war supplies • Took up arms and fought to protect Louisiana

10. Crispus Attucks • Black man • First casualty of the American Revolution when he was shot and killed at the Boston Massacre

11. King George III • Thought the loss of one group of colonies would lead to the loss of others • Maintained an aggressive policy against colonial resistance • Struggled to enforce royal authority during his reign

12. Haym Salomon • Polish-born Jewish immigrant to America • Helped finance the American Revolution • British arrested him as a spy • Used by the British as an interpreter with German troops • Helped British prisoners escape • Encouraged German soldiers to desert the British army • Broker to the French consul • Paymaster to French troops in America

13. Patrick Henry • Member of the Virginia House of Burgesses • Spoke against the Stamp Act • Famous quote, “Give me liberty or give me death” • Served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution X

14. Thomas Jefferson • A leader in the American Revolution • Delegate to the Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1776 • Member of the committee that wrote the Declaration of Independence • Chief writer of the Declaration of Independence

15. The Marquis de Lafayette • French aristocrat who played a leading role in revolutions in France and in the American Revolution • Respected the concepts of liberty, freedom, and constitutional government • Fought in the American Revolution between 1776 & 1779 • Major General in the Colonial army

16. Thomas Paine • Propagandist and journalist • Wrote pamphlet “Common Sense” to persuade Americans to join the Patriot cause

17. George Washington • Resident of Virginia • Surveyor and planter • Soldier in the French and Indian War • Delegate to the 1st and 2nd Continental Congresses • Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolution • Chairman of the Constitutional Convention in 1787