On this day 250 years ago in the Revolution — November 3, 1775

On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia the Second Continental Congress resolved that the New Hampshire provincial congress establish a government

Resolved, That it be recommended to the provincial Convention of New Hampshire, to call a full and free representation of the people, and that the representatives, if they think it necessary, establish such a form of government, as, in their judgment, will best produce the happiness of the people, and most effectually secure peace and good order in the province, during the continuance of the present dispute between Great Britain and the colonies.

Sources: https://americanfounding.org/entries/second-continental-congress-november-3-1775/

https://csac.history.wisc.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/281/2023/12/DC9-09-00-02_N.H.-Chronology.pdf

Also on this day 250 years ago, the British garrison of Fort St. Jean (or Fort St. John) in Canada surrendered to the American army commanded by Brig. Gen. Richard Montgomery (who was an immigrant to America from Great Britain) after a siege that lasted 47 days. Montgomery’s command included Continental Army regiments, Green Mountain Boys and other American militia volunteers and a Canadian contingent led by James Livingston and Jeremiah (or Jeremy) Duggan (who was an immigrant from Ireland). General Montgomery captured 536 British officers and soldiers, 79 Canadien and eight English volunteers plus the warship Royal Savage. The British also lost 20 men killed in the siege. American combat deaths were about the same as the British, however the American camp was overrun with illness and including deaths from disease, as many as 100 Americanas may have lost their lives in the siege.

Although history has recorded the siege of Fort St. Jean as the initial step in the American invasion of Canada in 1775, it should be remembered that probably more Canadians fought with the Americans than against them in the siege of Fort St. Jean and throughout 1775. The Americans believed for good reason that the Canadians would join their Revolution against British oppression until the defeat of the invasion at Quebec on December 31, 1775.

sources: https://revolutionary-war.org/campaigns/canadian-campaign/siege-of-fort-saint-jean; https://americanfounding.org/entries/second-continental-congress-november-2-1775/; https://revolutionarywarjournal.com/siege-of-fort-st-jean-september-17-november-3-1775/; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siege_of_Fort_St._Jean.


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