Who's Who in the American Revolution

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Wrote poem "Concord Hymn" to commemorate the event at the monument dedication in Concord in 1837 (Battles of Lexington & Concord)

Benjamin Franklin

• "There was never a good war or a bad peace."

Benjamin Franklin

PA delegate to the Continental Congresses who contributed to the writing of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

VA delegate to Continental Congresses who was the primary writer of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Jefferson

Held the following elected political positions:
• Governor of VA
• 1st Secretary of State
• Elected 2nd Vice President
• 3rd President

Thomas Jefferson

President when the Louisiana Territory was purchased, doubling the size of the US

Thomas Jefferson

Died on July 4th, 1826, 50 years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Paine

Wrote pamphlets titled "Common Sense" (supporting colonial independence) and "The Crisis (to inspire soldiers), as well as "The Rights of Man" in support of the French Revolution

Thomas Paine

"These are the times that try men's souls." (in The Crisis)

General Thomas Gage

Appointed Royal Governor of MA, he helped draft & enforce the Coercive Acts

General Thomas Gage

Sent troops to Lexington (to apprehend Samuel Adams & John Hancock) and Concord (to seize colonial stores of weapons & ammunition) - was unsuccessful in both

Paul Revere

A silversmith/engraver who engraved the Boston Massacre (a great example of propaganda)

Paul Revere

A courier for the Committees of Correspondence, he road his trusted horse, Brown Betty (Brown Beauty?)

King George III

Survived several assassination attempts by his own subjects

King George III

Did not accept the Olive Branch Petition.

John Adams

Lawyer who defended British in the Boston Massacre trial

John Adams

MA delegate to Continental Congresses, he would be sent as a diplomat to France during the Revolutionary War

John Adams

1st Vice President of the US and 2nd President of the US

Patrick Henry

A radical who ardently advocated independence from England: "Give me liberty or give me death!"

Patrick Henry

Opposed the Constitution because it gave too much power to the federal government

Patrick Henry

He was appointed Secretary of State by Washington but refused the post!

George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry

All 3 were VA delegates to the Continental Congress

George Washington

A brilliant leader/motivator/community builder, he became Commander in Chief of the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War

George Washington

1st President of the US, he served 2 terms and then refused the title of "king"

George Washington

Led the committee which drafted The US Constitution

Samuel Adams

First to suggest a Continental Congress

Samuel Adams

A failed brewer & businessman, but a brilliant organizer of rebels (original leader of the Sons of Liberty)

Samuel Adams, John Adams, and John Hancock

All 3 were MA delegates to the Continental Congress

Samuel Adams and John Hancock

Both were sought in Lexington by the British regulars

Samuel Adams and John Hancock

Both were, in turns, elected governor in MA

John Hancock

Merchant and owner of the ship "Liberty," on which Spanish wine was smuggled into Boston

John Hancock

President of 2nd Continental Congress, thus the first to sign both the Olive Branch Petition and Declaration of Independence

Benjamin Franklin

The "First American" (advocate of colonial unity)

Patrick Henry

First governor of VA

Crispus Attucks

First man killed in the Boston MAssacre

George Washington

Denied commission in the British Army after the french and Indian War

Paul Revere

Courier for Boston Committee on Public Safety