Famous People of the American Revolution

(Otherwise known as-- the people who helped us WIN!!)

Patriots of the American Revolution

The following are people that had various positions to fight in the American Revolution.

George Washington

• • He was the chief general in the Revolutionary War and later became the first president of the U.S.

He was born on Feb. 22, 1732 and died on Dec. 14, 1799.

Abby Sallee

Nathan Hale

Connecticut Officer Gave GW information about the movements of General Howe Captured and put to death

FAMOUS QUOTE: “I regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

Marquis de Lafayette French nobleman

First foreign leader to bring TRAINED soldiers to help GW

Became close friends with GW Was made a major general in Continental Army

Samuel Adams

Born: Boston Mass. Sept. 17, 1722 Died: Boston Mass. Oct. 2, 1803 Samuel Adams is important to the American Revolution because he founded the Sons of Liberty, the Top Secret Resistance that was the turning point for the Americans.

John Hancock

• • First person to sign the Declaration of Independence and signed in BIG letters President of the Continental Congress from 1775 to 1777

Chase Hogg

Thomas Jefferson

• • • • • Third president Born in 1743 Died in 1826 Was a vice president Wrote the Declaration of Independence

Thomas Paine

• • • • • Born in 1737 Published “Common Sense” on Jan. 10, 1776 Served in Continental Army Convicted of treason in France, but released by James Monroe saying he was American Died in 1809

Crispus Attucks

First patriot killed in the Revolution. Former slave Died during the Boston Massacre

General Rochambeau

French military leader Speaks in a French accent Forced General Cornwallis to surrender

John Adams

Vice President to George Washington 2 nd President of US Played a large role in adopting the Declaration of Independence

Ben Franklin

Born: Boston, Mass. January 17, 1706 Died: Philadelphia, Penn. April 17, 1790 He wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac in 1742 Was important to the American Revolution because he was a one of the people who help set peace between Britain and America .

Patrick Henry

“Give me Liberty or give me Death!” Powerful and inspirational speaker during the Revolutionary War

Robert Livingston

One of 5 men who drafted the Declaration of Independence Chancellor of New York

Roger Sherman

American lawyer and politician Helped draft the Declaration of Independence

John Paul Jones

American Sea Captain Commander of the ship

Bonhomme Richard

Attacked British Ships near England Jumped right onto ships and fought in hand to hand combat

FAMOUS QUOTE: “I have not yet begun to fight”

Paul Revere

• • • • Born on January 1, 1735.

Died May 10, 1818.

Before the war he was a sliversmith.

He warned the minutemen that were close to the area and told them the British were coming.

Women of the American Revolution

The women are sometimes left out in our history books. Here are a few that we remember from the American Revolution.

Martha Washington

Tended the sick and wounded at Valley Forge.

Helped whenever she could

Married to GW First- First Lady of our country

Betsy Ross

Seamstress from Philadelphia Is said to have been the

person to sew First American Flag

Mary Draper

Helped make bullets and weapons for patriot soldiers by melting down her family heirlooms

Nancy Morgan Hart

She stole muskets from British soldiers and took them captive.

Molly Pitcher

Real Name: Mary Ludwig Hayes Carried water to soldiers at the Battle of Monmouth (New Jersey) in 1778

When husband wounded, she took his place firing the cannon!

Deborah Sampson “The Secret Soldier”

Disguised herself as a man so she could fight in the war.

Was wounded in the leg and they found out she was a woman!

Phillis Wheatley

• • • • • The first recognized black American poet.

1753-1784 Published her first poem at age 13 Brought to America as a slave Her poetry reflects both the influence of Alexander Pope and her study of Latin.

Picture of Phillis Wheatley

Abigail Adams

• • • • • • Wife of John Adams, the 2nd president Born November 11, 1744 Died October 18, 1818 She was a prodigious letter writer Mother of John Quincy Adams, the 6th president The 1st lady to live in the White House Allie Reisman

Lydia Darragh

• • • • • Lydia Darragh was a Patriot Spy.

1729-1789 She warned Washington about an assault from the British.

Lydia spied on the British when they held meetings at her house.

When the war was over, she went back to her normal life.

Picture of Lydia Darragh

Mercy Otis Warren

Warren was the sister of a patriot named James Otis. Mercy was born on September 25, 1728. She died on October 19, 1814. Warren was also known for being an early American poet and historian and for writing plays.

British of the American Revolution

There were many important people from Britain in the American Revolution. The following are some of the ones you should know about.

King George III

• • • Born on June 4, 1738.

King of England during the American Revolution.

Died on January 29, 1820.

General Charles Cornwallis

• • • • • British General Born Dec. 31,1738 Oct. 5,1805 He served 7 years of war Captured Philadelphia in 1777 Served with distinction during the American Revolution British General Charles Cornwallis

Benedict Arnold

(1741-1807) • • • • Benedict Arnold was born on January 14th, 1741.

Benedict became a captain of the Connecticut militia.

Helped win the battle of Fort Ticonderoga for America.

Later Benedict became a traitor to America and sided with Britain.