Patriots of the Past

It’s February 17, 1775. I’m in the Boston Commons with Will Ashton. Young Will and his friends have been sledding down the hill behind the general store, and the British …

It’s Christmas Day, 1776. I’m crossing the Delaware River with Jacob and Joseph Martin in 40-foot longboats. The howling winds and blizzard conditions are cutting right through to our bones. …

It’s January 3, 1701. I’m in the Capitol Building of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with its state founder and Governor, William Penn. JG: “Governor Penn, what is the key to governing your …

It’s March 23, 1775. I’m outside St. John’s Church in Richmond, and the Second Virginia Convention is in progress. The church is packed, and even my press pass won’t get …

It’s November 11, 1620. I’m with William Bradford on the Mayflower. The ship has just landed at Cape Cod. JG: “Mr. Bradford, what are you signing?” WB: “Mr. Gillespie, it …

It’s July 9, 1768. I’m in the home of Benjamin Franklin’s son, William Franklin, the governor of New Jersey. We are visiting with Susan Boudinot, a freedom-lover. JG: “Susan, are …

It’s August 16, 1777. I’m in Vermont with Colonel Seth Warner at the Battle of Bennington. JG: “Colonel Warner, the German mercenary Commander, Colonel Baum, is using Germans, Indians and …

It’s November 20, 1772. I’m visiting with Samuel Adams, the founder of the Sons of Liberty and is referred to as the Father of the American Revolution. I’m in Sam’s …

It’s November 2, 1815. I’m with Samuel Wilson, nicknamed Uncle Sam. JG: “Uncle Sam, how did the United States get your nickname? SW: “John, I own a meatpacking plant in …

It’s December 23, 1828. I’m with Noah Webster, considered by many as the Father of American Education, and publisher of America’s first dictionary. JG: “Mr. Webster, what do you believe …

It’s June 2, 1788. I’m at the Virginia Convention with Anti-Federalist Patrick Henry. JG: “Governor Henry, why have you so passionately spoken out against a strong federal government?” PH: “Mr. …

It’s June 20, 1787. I’m at the Constitutional Convention in the middle of a debate between Roger Sherman of Connecticut and John Lansing of New York. JG: “Gentlemen, what is …

It’s June 11, 1787. I’m with the Governor of Virginia, Patrick Henry. JG: “Governor Henry, sir, what are your thoughts about the Constitutional Convention?” PH: “Mr. Gillespie, I smell a …

It’s February 21, 1787. I’m in the Continental Congress with one of the framers of the federal Constitution, Rufus King of Massachusetts. JG: “Mr. King, what are you about to …

It’s May 7, 1781. I’m near Charleston, South Carolina, with Rebecca Motte. We’re watching as her beautiful mansion is on fire. JG: “Mrs. Motte, how did this happen?” RM: “Mr. …

It’s December 5, 1780. I’m in London with Patience Wright. JG: “Patience, you’ve been giving the Continental Army secret information for years. May I ask what you might be up …

It’s April 29, 1780. I’m in Nancy Hart’s Georgia home. JG: “Mrs. Hart, I understand you just had some commotion in your house.” NH: “Well, them five Redcoats broke into …

It’s October 7, 1778. I’m with Phyllis Wheatley, a former slave who has just received her freedom. She’s visiting with General Washington reading her famous poem about Washington’s courage. JG: …

It’s September 11, 1777. I’m with the Chaplain of Congress, Patrick Allison. JG: “Reverend Allison, why did Congress just approve the importing of 20,000 Bibles from Holland and Scotland?” PA: …

It’s September 15, 1776. I’m in New York City with Mary Lindley “Rebecca” Murray, the wife of wealthy Tory merchant Robert Murray. JG: “Mrs. Murray, last week General Washington was …