Continental Army officers crisscrossed Pennsylvania in early 1776, working to recruit thousands of soldiers for the colony’s six new regiments. The quicker these soldiers could be found, the better, as they were needed urgently to reinforce the American army in New York City and in Canada. The recruiters filled their companies to fighting strength, but […]

On April 7, 1776—250 years ago today—Abigail Robbins Holcomb was trying to settle her late husband’s estate. In 1766, a month before her 18th birthday, she had married Timothy Holcomb. The couple settled in the northwestern corner of Connecticut and had at least four children together, although several died young. The Revolutionary War brought their life together to an abrupt halt and changed both of […]

In the early months of the Revolution, the majority of Americans were not fighting for independence. Many still saw themselves as British subjects loyal to King George III and believed that their quarrel was only with Parliament. They hoped to defend their rights with arms, then negotiate with Britain for a more equal union. As the war […]

On March 29, 1776—250 years ago today—the Connecticut Committee of the Pay Table was at work. The committee was responsible for Connecticut’s military finances, authorizing payments for war expenses and settling accounts for supplies purchased by the government. Three members—Thomas Seymour, Ezekiel Williams, and Oliver Ellsworth— signed this order, which directs that Yale Bishop be paid for feeding sick riflemen who had been […]

Pennsylvania was a hive of activity in the spring of 1776. As the Continental Congress met in Philadelphia and planned for the future of the colonies, the Pennsylvania government worked to raise and outfit new battalions of the Continental Army. One of the most pressing needs of these new units was for firearms.   In the early days […]