Sons of the American Revolution

On This Day in History > January 25, 1780: Presbyterian Church burned at Elizabethtown, New Jersey "The Courthouse and Presbyterian Church are burned in Elizabe...thtown, New Jersey by the British. Due to its proximity to New York City and Staten Island, the city was the site of numerous skirmishes and events of significance during the war. Elizabethtown sat just across Newark Bay from Staten Island and is just south of Newark, New Jersey. At the time of the Revolution, Elizabethtown was the largest city in New Jersey and its county, Union County, the largest county. Elizabethtown (now Elizabeth) was a hotbed of patriot activity during the American Revolution. Abraham Clark, a signer of the Declaration of Independence was from Elizabethtown. Elias Boudinot, who was a President of the Continental Congress was also from Elizabethtown. William Livingston was a New Jersey delegate to the Continental Congress, a brigadier general in the New Jersey militia, New Jersey's first governor and a signer of the US Constitution. William Burnet, John De Hart and Elias Dayton, all members of the Continental Congress, were also from Elizabethtown. Staten Island was a primary base of operation for the British army for the entire American Revolution. Many British missions originated from here and it was a primary target for rebel activity. On January 14 and 15, 1780, New Jersey militia had conducted a raid in Staten Island that went bad because the soldiers, who had been instructed to confiscate livestock and military supplies, went on a wild scavenging mission and stole anything of value they could get their hands on. Sixty soldiers from Elizabethtown were captured during the raid. In response, the British sent a raiding mission into Elizabethtown on January 25th. During the raid, the Presbyterian Church and the Courthouse were destroyed, as well as several private homes. You may wonder why a church was a target for the British. This particular church was pastored by the Rev. James Caldwell, known for his incendiary sermons against the British. 36 officers and numerous non-commissioned officers and privates in the Continental Army came from this church. Caldwell is the pastor known for yelling out, "Give 'em Watts, boys! Give 'em Watts!," during the Battle of Springfield, in which the soldiers ran out of wadding for their guns. In response, he gave them a load of hymnals by the famous songwriter Isaac Watts and tore out the pages for wadding. He also served as a chaplain in the Continental Army. Caldwell was so hated by the British that his parsonage was burned down in a raid the year before. His wife, Hannah was killed, some say assassinated, only two weeks before at the Battle of Connecticut Farms while she sat in her house. Caldwell himself was assassinated by the end of 1781. Caldwell is the pastor known for yelling out, "Give 'em Watts, boys! Give 'em Watts!," during the Battle of Springfield, in which the soldiers ran out of wadding for their guns. In response, he gave them a load of hymnals by the famous songwriter Isaac Watts and tore out the pages for wadding. He also served as a chaplain in the Continental Army. Caldwell was so hated by the British that his parsonage was burned down in a raid the year before. His wife, Hannah was killed, some say assassinated, only two weeks before at the Battle of Connecticut Farms while she sat in her house. Caldwell himself was assassinated by the end of 1781." _______________________________________________________________________ Rev. James Caldwell at the Battle of Springfield John Ward Dunsmore, 1908

The Battle of Cowpens, January 17, 1781, set the final stage for the Southern Army, and the war with a great American victory.

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January 12, 1736, O.S. (see my Jan. 1st post) marks the birth of John Hancock (1736-93), most remembered for his signature to the Declaration of Independence. A...s President of the Second Continental Congress, Hancock was the first to sign the document. Hancock commissioned George Washington commander-in-chief of the Army of the United Colonies as President of the Continental Congress June 19, 1775. A year later, Hancock sent Washington a copy of the July 4, 1776 congressional resolution calling for independence, a copy of the Declaration of Independence. He requested Washington read the Declaration to the Continental Army. Hancock was also active in creating a navy for the new nation. Before the American Revolution, Hancock, an American merchant, was one of the wealthiest men in America, having inherited a profitable mercantile business from his uncle. Hancock’s skills as orator and moderator were much admired, but was often sought out for his ability to raise funds and supplies for American troops. After the war, Hancock resumed the governorship of Massachusetts and led his state toward ratification of the federal Constitution, being elected the first governor of Massachusetts in 1780. He died in 1793 while serving his ninth term as Massachusetts’ governor. His letter to General Washington: Philadelphia July 6th 1776. Sir, The Congress, for some Time past, have had their Attention occupied by one of the most interesting and important Subjects, that could possibly come before them, or any other Assembly of Men. Altho it is not possible to foresee the Consequences of Human Actions, yet it is nevertheless a Duty we owe ourselves and Posterity, in all our public Counsels, to decide in the best Manner we are able, and to leave the Event to that Being who controuls both Causes and Events to bring about his own Determinations. Impressed with this Sentiment, and at the same Time fully convinced, that our Affairs may take a more favourable Turn, the Congress have judged it necessary to dissolve the Connection between Great Britain and the American Colonies, and to declare them free & independent States; as you will perceive by the enclosed Declaration, which I am directed to transmit to you, and to request you will have it proclaimed at the Head of the Army in the Way, you shall think most proper. Agreeable to the Request of Congress, the Committee of Safety of this Colony have forwarded to you ten Thousand Flints; and the Flints at Rhode Island are ordered to be sent to you immediately. It is with great Pleasure I inform you, that the Militia of this Colony, of Delaware Government, and Maryland, are, and will be every Day in Motion to form the flying Camp; and that all the Militia of this Colony will soon be in the Jersey, ready to receive such Orders as you shall please to give them. I have wrote to Governor Cooke to engage immediately, and send forward as fast as possible, fifty ship Carpenters to General Schuyler for the Purpose of building Vessels on the Lakes. Fifty are already gone from hence on that Business. The Congress having directed the Arms taken on Board the Scotch Transports to be sent to you, I have wrote to the Agents in Rhode Island and Massachussetts Bay to forward them immediately. The enclosed Copy of a Letter from Mr Green I am directed to forward by Congress, with a Request that you will order such Parts of the Stores therein mentioned to New York as you shall judge proper. I have the Honour to be Sir, with perfect Esteem your most obedt & very hble Servt John Hancock Prest https://founders.archives.gov/docu/Washington/03-05-02-0153 Photo: Portrait of Hancock by John Singleton Copley, c. 1765 with Hancock's signature as it appears on the engrossed copy of the Declaration of Independence. 2020 Clifford Olsen/250YearsofLiberty #OTD #AmericanHistory #liberty #thomasjeffersonamericapleaselisten

Patriot Paul Revere was born #OnThisDay January 1st, 1735. Revere, one of the most highly regarded silversmiths of his day, was also one of Boston’s strongest supporters of independence leading up to the revolution. Read More: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/paul-revere