-
On this day 250 years ago in Georgia, Patriot militia crossed the Savannah River in small boats to raid a British outpost on Cockspur Island. The militia were discovered before they could surprise the post and defeated by crewmen from the British sloops HMS Raven and HMS Cherokee. One American was killed and three were captured in…
-
On this day 250 years ago in Philadelphia, the Continental Congress resolved That the 20th day of July be fixed on for holding a treaty, at Pittsburg, with the Indians, in the middle department; and that the standing committee be directed to inform the Agent, and desire him to notify the Indians, and invite them…
-
On this day 250 years ago in Augusta County, Virginia, the people of Augusta Country approved a Declaration drafted by Thomas Lewis on behalf of the Augusta County, Virginia Committee of Safety. No copy of this Declaration survives but the journal of the Fifth Virginia Convention includes this summary of the Declaration: A representation from the committee…
-
On this day 250 years ago in the Delaware River, the 13 row galleys of the Pennsylvania Navy each carrying a single cannon continued their engagement with the British warships HMS Roebuck with 48 guns and Liverpool with 28 guns, plus their tenders and prizes. Although the Patriots were significantly outgunned by the British ships,…
-
On this day 250 years ago in the Delaware River the British warships HMS Roebuck with 48 guns and Liverpool with 28 guns accompanied by tenders and captured prizes, were anchored off the mouth of Wilmington Creek (now called the Christina River), Delaware. The British ships had chased the Continental schooner Wasp and a brig…
-
On this day 250 years ago in Braintree, Massachusetts, Abigail Adams wrote to her husband John: I can not say that I think you very generous to the Ladies, for whilst you are proclaiming peace and good will to Men, Emancipating all Nations, you insist upon retaining an absolute power over Wives. But you must…
-
On this day 250 years ago in Williamsburg, the Fifth Virginia Convention began and the Virginia House of Burgesses ended. The final entry in the Journals of the House of Burgesses says “6th of May. 16 Geo. III. 1776 … FINIS.” Edmund Pendleton wrote in a letter to Richard Henry Lee the next day, “We met in an…
-
On this day 250 years ago outside Quebec, Major General John Thomas conducted a council of war to determine if the Continental Army should continue the Siege of Quebec or begin their retreat to Montreal and then New York. The Americans had received word that a British fleet was approaching with reinforcements to relieve Quebec,…
-
On this day 250 years ago in Providence, the Rhode Island Assembly adopted the Rhode Island Act of Renunciation that officially broke ties with Britain. Many historians assert that with this Act Rhode Island became the first independent state in North America. The Act was introduced by Jonathan Arnold, and passed the Upper House of…
-
On this day 250 years ago in Canada, Maj. Gen. John Thomas took over command of the siege of Quebec [note some sources say this occurred on May 1]. Among the reinforcements who had also recently joined Continental Army encamped outside Quebec were four companies of the regiment of Col. Elisha Porter. On this day…
-
Subscribe
Subscribed
Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
On This Day In The Revolution 