Author: Administrador

(March 28, 1741–September 20, 1827), was a jurist, soldier and politician. He served as Brigadier General of the Militia, 1781–93, a member of the Massachusetts state legislature, and served Massachusetts as a representative to Congress, 1795–99. He served as a judge of Probate for 47 years and as a judge of Common Pleas for 30 … Continue reading “FREEMAN,
NATHANIEL”

(November 15, 1738–August 25, 1822), was an English astronomer. He discovered the planet “Uranus” and noted the recognition of double stars. He constructed the greatest reflecting telescopes of his time, with which he cataloged and studied the nebulae and galaxies as had never been done before. It was Sir William Herschel who insisted: The undevout … Continue reading “HERSCHEL,
SIR WILLIAM”

(December 14, 1739–August 7, 1817), was a French-born American economist and politician. Along with his son, Eleuthere Irenee, he founded the E.I. DuPont de Nemours and Company, 1802, near Wilmington, Delaware. They began to produce a higher quality gun-powder which caused their company, especially after the War of 1812, to grow rapidly, eventually becoming the … Continue reading “DU
PONT DE NEMOURS, PIERRE SAMUEL”

(January 21, 1738–February 12, 1789), was an American Revolutionary War leader and Commander of the Green Mountain Boys. On the morning of May 10, 1775, in a surprise attack, Allen’s troops surrounded Fort Ticonderoga on Lake Champlain. Ethan Allen demanded that Captain de la Place surrender the fort instantly. The bewildered captain asked in whose … Continue reading “ALLEN,
ETHAN”

(January 31, 1738–January 3, 1798), was the Anglican clergyman. At the request of the Continental Congress, opened the first session of Congress with prayer. As recorded in the Journals of the Continental Congress, the first official act of Congress, immediately upon receiving the news that British troops had attacked Boston, was to open in prayer: … Continue reading “DUCHé,
JACOB”

(January 29, 1737–June 8, 1809), was the American Revolutionary author who wrote a sixteen-pamphlet series entitled, The American Crisis, which he signed “Common Sense.” Greatly fanning the flames of colonial independence, his first essay, issued December 23, 1776, was read out loud to the Colonial Army at Valley Forge by order of General Washington. In … Continue reading “PAINE,
THOMAS”

(September 19, 1737–November 14, 1832), was a member of the Continental Congress and one of the first signers of the Declaration of Independence. Born at Annapolis, Maryland, he became one of the richest men in the Colonies. Charles, who outlived all the other signers, made many daring speeches and greatly supported the patriot cause with … Continue reading “CARROLL,
CHARLES”

(December 5, 1735–May 22, 1819), was a signer of the U.S. Constitution. He was a member of the Continental Congress; a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, 1789–93; a land speculator; and a scientist, having joined with Dr. Franklin in many of his electrical experiments. As a young man, Hugh Williamson studied for the … Continue reading “WILLIAMSON,
HUGH”

(May 29, 1736–June 6, 1799), was an American Revolutionary leader and orator, who spoke the phrase, “Give me Liberty or give me death!” He was Commander in Chief of the Virginia Militia, a member of the Virginia General Assembly and House of Burgesses, 1765; and a member of the Continental Congress, 1774–75. He was the … Continue reading “HENRY,
PATRICK”

(January 12, 1737–October 8, 1793), was an American merchant and Revolutionary leader. He was a graduate of Harvard, 1754, a member of the Massachusetts Provincial Congress, 1766–72; and a member of the Continental Congress, 1774–78. He became well-known for being the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was the Governor of Massachusetts, 1780–85, … Continue reading “HANCOCK,
JOHN”