Tom Paine's War: the man and the pamphlet that gave a voice to the American Revolution

Tom Paine’s War: The Words that Rallied a Nation and the Founder of Our Time by Jack Kelly. The Declaration of Independence is often seen as the American Revolution’s defining document. However, one man’s words in two essays which would appeal to Americans and fuel their fighting spirit. Thomas Paine was a recent immigrant and self-taught writer who saw beyond the simple fight against taxes and representation. His pamphlet “Common Sense” convinced Americans that the king had no divine right to rule over them and they could rule themselves which led to the Declaration of Independence. Paine would also enlist in the militia and witness the army defeats. It would be as he walked with the retreating troops that he wrote “The American Crisis,” which became the rallying cry to fight another day. 

As the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution is approaching, Tom Paine’s War is an eye opening exploration into one man’s contribution to the founding of the nation. While I was aware of “Common Sense,” as I read and studied it in school and in college; however,  I knew very little about the man who wrote it, especially his life after the war. Tom Paine’s War is more than a biography of Thomas Paine. It is a intertwining of one man’s arrival to a country already fighting and his observations helped put into words what Americans were feeling and willing to fight for with the details of the battles won and lost. Overall, I found Tom Paine’s War to be insightful and intriguing. If you enjoy American history, I highly recommend Tom Paine’s War. 

Tom Paine’s War: The Words that Rallied a Nation and the Founder of Our Time 

is available in hardcover, eBook and audiobook

Some forgotten yet important faces of the American Revolution

Fourth of July is here once again. A very important date in America’s history, a day in which the thirteen colonies of the British Empire declared they were a free and independent nation. Everyone remembers Thomas Jefferson, a talented writer and the drafter of the Declaration of Independence. Everyone remembers John Adams, John Hancock, and Benjamin Franklin as members of the Continental Congress. But there were 56 signers to the declaration and I would like to highlight some of the important but forgotten signers of the Declaration of Independence.

Charles Carroll was born September 19, 1737 in Annapolis, Maryland. He came from a wealthy Roman Catholic family and enjoyed an education aboard. When he returned home, he immediately joined the fight for independence. In 1772, he would anonymously engage the secretary of the Colony of Maryland in a series of newspaper articles. He protested against the British government’s right to tax without representation. He was an early advocate for armed resistance with the ultimate goal of independence. He was elected to represent Maryland at the Continental Congress. He arrived too late to vote on the Declaration but he signed it. He would return and help draft the Constitution as well as the state government for Maryland. He would serve in the state senate in 1781, the first Federal Congress in 1788 and then again the state senate in 1790 until his retirement in 1800. Charles Carroll was the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence when he died November 14, 1832 at the age of 95.

James Wilson was born September 14, 1742 in Carskerdo, Scotland. He would attend many universities but never obtained any degrees. He came to the colonies as a tutor and then teaching at Philadelphia College. Some of his famous student includes James Madison, Aaron Burr and many future senators and house representatives. After two of studying, he was able to attain the bar in Philadelphia and opened his own successful law practice. He would represent Pennsylvania at the Continental Congress. Although he personally as for independence, his state was still divided. Rather than act on his own convictions, he voted with his constituents and voted against separation from Britain. He was able to consult with his constituents and return with a vote in favor of independence. Following the ratification of the Constitution, he appealed to Washington for an appointment in the federal government. He would be appointed as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court in 1789. Unfortunately he would end his life in ruin. While serving on the Supreme Court, he would spend time in a debtor’s prison. By 1798, he complained and great mental fatigue and retired. He would die August 28, 1798 at the age of 55.

John Witherspoon was born February 5, 1723 in Gifford, Scotland. When he arrived in the colonies in 1768, he brought with his impressive credentials and public acclaim as he took the position of president of the College of New Jersey (now Princeton). While he usually avoided political concerns, he supported the fight for independence. He would be elected as a delegate to the Continental Congress where he voted for the Declaration of Independence. In response to another delegate’s argument that the colonies were not ready for independence, he said it “was not only ripe for the measure but in danger of rotting for the want of it.” He was very active in the Continental Congress as well as the state legislature of New Jersey. He would die on his farm on November 15, 1794 at the age of 71. He is still held in high esteem at the college that he helped create. 

Along with the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence, 45 percent of the colonists supported the fight against Britain. 80,000 militia and Continental Army soldiers would serve at the height of the war. After more than eight years of war, 25,000 soldiers would give their lives for the dream of what is now United States of America. As we look forward to a day of family, food, fun and fireworks, let’s remember the men whose daring and bravery to set forth and fight for this great nation. They each deserve to be remembered and recognized. 

Declaration of Independence: the document that started it all

As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, people are preparing for a long weekend of BBQs, fireworks and fun in the sun. I’ve been thinking how to celebrate the Fourth and its significance in our lives. I decided to write about a document that started it all. The reason we celebrate our country’s independence on July 4: The Declaration of Independence. The British colonies in America declaring independence from Great Britain was the first of its kind and the Declaration of Independence would heavily influence future declarations.

During my research, I found some fascinating facts about the Declaration of Independence:

• Independence was officially declared on July 2, 1776
• The Declaration of Independence was commissioned by the Continental Congress. A five man committee was appointed to write this very important document. Those men were Thomas Jefferson, who would become known as the “author,” Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. Robert Livingston would later refuse to sign the declaration as he felt it was too soon to declare independence.
• 8 of the 56 signers were born in Great Britain
• The oldest signer was Benjamin Franklin at 70 and the youngest was Edward Rutledge at 26
• One signer, Richard Stockton, would later recant his signing of the Declaration and would pledge his allegiance to King George III
• The Declaration would list 27 grievances against King George III of Great Britain who had ignored the needs and desires of his subjects: the colonies.
• On July 4, 1776, the final draft of the Declaration was approved and it wasn’t officially signed until August 2, 1776
• The first public reading of the Declaration was July 8, 1776 in Philadelphia.
• When news of the Declaration of Independence reached New York City, a riot broke out
• Both Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, men who helped draft and sign the Declaration of Independence, would die on July 4, 1876, the 50^th Anniversary.
• During WWII, the Declaration as well as the Constitution were moved from public display and held at Fort Knox, Kentucky
• Of the 200 original printings, only 26 are known to still exist. One sold at auction for $8 million in 2000.
• There is something written on the back of the Declaration of Independence. It simply says “Original Declaration of Independence dated 4^th July 1776.” It is thought to be a label as it was probably rolled up for storage.

HAPPY 4^TH OF JULY, EVERYONE!!!!!