A Month of Revolutionary Celebration - July 2026 Semiquincentennial

Fellow Compatriots and Readers,

As we gather in this extraordinary month of July 2026, we stand at a threshold unlike any our generation has witnessed. Two hundred and fifty years ago, our Founding Fathers took the most audacious step in human history, they declared to the world that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, and that among these are Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness.

This July marks the Semiquincentennial, the 250th Anniversary of the birth of our beloved United States of America. It is a moment that transcends mere celebration; it is a sacred trust handed down through ten generations, from those who pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor at Independence Hall to we who now safeguard their legacy.

Last month, we reflected upon Flag Day, the majestic American Eagle, the birth of our Army, and the enduring Pledge of Allegiance. But July; glorious July!, stands as the very crucible of American independence, a month when the flames of revolution burned brightest and the determination of patriots proved unbreakable.

July 4, 1776 remains the cornerstone of our freedom, when Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence and set it to print, transforming thirteen colonies into a unified nation devoted to liberty. Yet the days surrounding this immortal date reveal the full drama of that momentous summer. From July 1st through the 4th, our Founders debated and revised Jefferson's eloquent words, understanding that every phrase would echo through eternity.

On July 8, 1776, the Declaration was read publicly for the first time, and common citizens heard the words that would inspire generations to come. Meanwhile, here in our Tennessee region and across the southern frontier, Patriots faced their own trials as Cherokee forces, stirred by British agents, attacked on July 1, 1776. At Lyndley's Fort, South Carolina, on July 15, 1776, brave defenders repelled Indians and Tories disguised as Indians, a testament to frontier courage.

The war that followed tested every fiber of American resolve. In July 1775, George Washington assumed command of the Continental Army, beginning a journey that would see him become the Father of our Nation. The years ahead brought victories and defeats: the loss of Fort Ticonderoga in July 1777, the daring capture of Stony Point by "Mad" Anthony Wayne in July 1779, and George Rogers Clark's western triumph at Kaskaskia in July 1778.

Even in darker moments, when British forces burned Fairfield and Norwalk, Connecticut, in July 1779, the American spirit endured. And when French troops arrived at Newport in July 1780 and Lafayette landed in Philadelphia in July 1777, the world witnessed the power of alliance in service to freedom.

As we celebrate this 250th anniversary, let us remember that we are not mere spectators to history, we are its inheritors and guardians. The Joseph Greer Chapter stands proud in this mission, preserving the memory of those who sacrificed everything for the nation we cherish today.

This July, as fireworks illuminate our Tennessee skies and flags wave proudly from every home, let us renew our dedication to the principles of 1776. Let us teach our children the stories of courage, honor, and sacrifice that built this nation. And let us pledge, as our ancestors did, to preserve and protect this precious Republic for generations yet unborn.

Happy 250th Birthday, United States of America!

In Patriotic Service,
Joseph Greer Chapter, TNSSAR

"We hold these truths to be self-evident..."

The Pike and the Liberty Pole: How Ordinary Symbols Sparked a Revolution

Before the first musket ball struck British redcoats at Lexington. Before Continental drums beat the rhythm of war at Bunker Hill. Before Washington's famous crossing of the Delaware...

There were pikes — long wooden poles tipped with sharpened metal — and Liberty Poles, towering symbols of defiance raised in town squares across the colonies.

Crude, improvised, often makeshift — these were the weapons and symbols of ordinary people who refused to bow to tyranny. And in a remarkable twist of history, sometimes the most powerful weapon in a revolution isn't a cannon or a musket. Sometimes it's a symbol that unites people in common cause, or a farmer's sharpened pole that gives him courage to stand against an empire.

The Pike: When Farmers Became Warriors

Picture a New England farmer in 1775. He owns no musket, no powder, no military training whatsoever. But he has timber in his field, tools in his workshop, and a blacksmith in his village. Most importantly, he has something worth fighting for.

When word spread of British troops marching through the colonies, local militias scrambled to arm themselves. Muskets were scarce and expensive. Gunpowder was even scarcer. So the Patriots did what Americans have always done in moments of crisis — they improvised.

They began forging pikes — long wooden poles, often ten to thirteen feet in length, tipped with sharpened iron or steel. Some were converted from old farm implements. Others were newly crafted by local blacksmiths following patterns that dated back centuries to medieval Europe. Crude? Certainly. Effective? Absolutely.

Soldier on the left is holding a Pike.

Washington's Desperate Solution

What most history books don't tell you is that George Washington himself ordered pikes to be manufactured and maintained. On July 14, 1775, while commanding the Continental Army at Cambridge during the siege of Boston, Washington issued General Orders addressing pike maintenance. He understood a harsh reality: freedom doesn't wait for perfect equipment. You fight with what you have.

In his General Orders, Washington directed "The Commanding Officers in those parts of the Lines and Redoubts, where the Pikes are placed, will order the Quarter Masters of Corps, to see the pikes greas'd twice a week" — clear evidence that pikes were already in regular use as defensive weapons in American fortifications.

Washington continued to reference pikes in his General Orders throughout 1775 and 1776, ensuring they were properly distributed and maintained throughout the lines and redoubts where they were stationed. He recognized that while muskets were the preferred weapon, pikes served as vital backup arms when firearms were unavailable or impractical.

Why Pikes Mattered

In the chaotic reality of Revolutionary War battles, combat often devolved into close-quarters scrambles rather than the orderly exchanges of musket volleys depicted in paintings. At battles like Bunker Hill, King's Mountain, and Camden, Patriots fought with whatever they could find: axes, knives, pitchforks — and pikes.

A pike could reach over ten feet, giving a determined farmer a fighting chance against a British bayonet charge. Unlike muskets, pikes required no gunpowder, no ball, no complex loading procedure — just courage and a firm grip. In close-quarter combat, a line of men with long spears could block British bayonets and buy precious time for riflemen to reload their weapons.

Benjamin Franklin, the revolutionary polymath, also championed pikes as practical weapons. On July 4, 1775, the Pennsylvania Committee of Safety requested he procure a model of a pike. Two days later, on July 6, Franklin appeared with his design, and the Committee ordered one manufactured to his pattern. By August 26, 1775, Franklin's memorandum on the use of pikes was formally approved.

Franklin even advocated for bows and arrows as weapons. In a letter to General Charles Lee dated February 11, 1776, Franklin reasoned that if ancient warriors achieved great success with arrows against armored opponents, modern soldiers could do even better against unarmored troops. While his bow-and-arrow proposal never gained traction, his pike advocacy proved more practical.

Hessian Soldiers, one with a pike.

The Pike in Practice

The historical significance of pikes lies not in dramatic battlefield heroics but in what they represented: the Continental Army's desperate need to arm troops through any means necessary, and the colonists' willingness to fight with whatever weapons they could produce locally.

Historical records called these weapons "trench spears," and they were made by local blacksmiths throughout the colonies. They saw regular use as defensive weapons until enough bayonets could be procured for general distribution among both Continental Army and militia units. Some Patriot militias had more pikes than muskets well into 1777, particularly in New England and the Southern colonies.

Officers also carried shorter polearms called spontoons, which measured approximately six and a half feet in length. These served both as weapons and symbols of rank, distinguishing officers and sergeants from enlisted men during the chaos of battle.

The Liberty Pole: A Declaration Made of Wood

If the pike was the weapon of physical defense, the Liberty Pole was the weapon of psychological warfare — a tool of defiance that terrified the British Empire precisely because they couldn't destroy the idea it represented.

Long before shots were fired, colonists were raising tall wooden poles in town squares across America. These weren't just flagstaffs. They were declarations, challenges, and rallying points. They announced to the world: "We will not submit."

The Battle of the Poles

It started in New York City in 1766, after Parliament reluctantly repealed the hated Stamp Act. Citizens poured onto the Commons and raised a towering mast celebrating King George III, William Pitt, and Liberty. The pole became an instant symbol of colonial unity and resistance to taxation without representation.

But the British saw it differently. To them, the Liberty Pole was sedition made visible — a rallying point for rebellion that had to be destroyed.

So they chopped it down.

Within days, the colonists raised another pole. The British cut that one down too. This cycle repeated for years in what became known as the "War of the Poles" — a symbolic conflict that reflected the deeper struggle for America's soul.

The Sons of Liberty built five different Liberty Poles in New York between 1766 and 1770. Each successive pole became stronger and more defiant. By the fifth iteration erected on February 6, 1770, Patriots had constructed a formidable symbol: 46 feet long, embedded 12 feet deep in the ground, and reinforced with iron bands and hoops to prevent British soldiers from sawing through it.

The Battle of Golden Hill

On January 19, 1770 — six weeks before the more famous Boston Massacre — the conflict over Liberty Poles turned violent in what became known as the Battle of Golden Hill.

The confrontation began days earlier when British soldiers destroyed the fourth Liberty Pole on January 16, using gunpowder to blow it up. When the Sons of Liberty, led by Isaac Sears, Alexander McDougall, and John Lamb, confronted British soldiers posting handbills mocking the pole and calling Patriots "the real enemies of society," a street brawl erupted involving clubs, bayonets, and swords. Several people were wounded, though fortunately no one was killed. The confrontation demonstrated that a piece of wood could become a flashpoint for revolution.

The British had mocked the idea that the colonists' freedom depended on "a piece of wood." The Patriots responded by defending their symbol with force, proving the pole represented something far more substantial than timber.

A National Movement

Liberty Pole - 1783 Evacuation Day, New York

By 1775, Liberty Poles had spread across all thirteen colonies. Every small town seemed to have one. Every protest rally gathered beneath one. They became beacons of resistance — early versions of flagpoles flying the American spirit before the American flag itself existed.

In New Hampshire, Liberty Poles stood outside taverns where Patriots met in secret to plan resistance. In Virginia, they were raised in defiance of the royal governor. Throughout the South, they became signals: a Liberty Pole erected on a hill meant the local militia was assembling.

Each pole represented a dare to the Crown: "Come and take it down."

When British troops invaded communities during the war, one of their first orders was often to cut down every Liberty Pole they encountered — clear evidence of how seriously the British took these symbols.

The Liberty Tree of Boston

Some communities didn't need to erect poles — they had Liberty Trees instead. The most famous stood in Boston: a stately elm planted in 1646 that became the central gathering place for the Sons of Liberty.

On August 14, 1765, the first major organized act of defiance against British rule occurred when Patriots hung effigies of stamp tax official Andrew Oliver and related symbols from the Liberty Tree's branches. Thousands gathered as the crowd paraded the effigies through Boston streets before destroying them and ransacking Oliver's property. This was the beginning of sustained resistance that would lead to revolution.

When the Stamp Act was repealed in 1766, Bostonians celebrated by decorating the tree with flags and streamers and hanging dozens of lanterns from its branches when darkness fell. They fastened a copper sign to the trunk reading: "This tree was planted in the year 1646, and pruned by order of the Sons of Liberty, Feb. 14th, 1766."

The Liberty Tree became consecrated ground for the revolutionary movement. Patriots gathered there to protest, to hold mock trials of British officials, and even to conduct acts of violent resistance including tarring and feathering. The tree witnessed the funeral procession for Boston Massacre victims in 1770. It stood as a silent witness to countless acts of defiance.

In August 1775, during the Siege of Boston, British Loyalists and soldiers cut down the 129-year-old elm and burned it for firewood — roughly 14 cords worth. The destruction was intended to break Patriot morale by destroying a powerful symbol. Instead, it only strengthened colonial resolve. After Patriots regained control of Boston in 1776, they erected a liberty pole over the Liberty Stump on August 14, the anniversary of the first protest.

Soon other towns designated their own Liberty Trees, from Newport, Rhode Island to Charleston, South Carolina. The symbol spread like wildfire across the colonies.

The Power of Symbolic Resistance

Why did these simple poles matter so profoundly? Because revolutions are fought not just with weapons, but with meaning. Every Liberty Pole was a community's public statement: "We stand together. We reject tyranny."

Erecting a Liberty Pole was itself a ritual of defiance. Towns would gather with drums beating and speeches ringing out as the pole rose to cheers. For a people without an organized army, without formal government support, without certainty of success — this was power. This was unity made visible.

The psychological warfare aspect cannot be overstated. British soldiers writing home expressed bitter frustration about "rebels raising poles in every village as if to challenge our presence." One officer wrote with disbelief about the colonists' treatment of these wooden symbols as if they represented military power itself.

The poles conveyed messages beyond mere defiance. Flying a red ensign on a Liberty Pole called the Sons of Liberty or townspeople to meet and express their views regarding British rule. The poles served both as protest symbols and as communication devices that helped coordinate resistance across vast distances.

Under British colonial law, owning or erecting a Liberty Pole could result in arrest. Some Patriots hid spare poles underground, secretly re-erecting them at night after British soldiers chopped them down. The earliest American flags were often tied to Liberty Poles rather than ships or military fortifications.

Lessons from Wood and Will

The story of pikes and Liberty Poles reveals an essential truth about the American Revolution: it wasn't won solely through military superiority. It was won through imagination, symbolism, and the determination of ordinary people to create something new.

Patriots turned weakness into strength. Too few muskets? Make pikes from farm tools. Facing overwhelming military power? Raise symbols that unite communities in common cause. The colonists understood that psychology is half the battle. If you can convince your enemy that resistance is everywhere and unstoppable, you've already gained a tremendous advantage.

These symbols and improvised weapons prove that revolutions aren't born in palaces or military academies. They start in fields, workshops, and small-town squares — wherever people decide they've had enough and are willing to stand together.

The Lasting Legacy

After the war, Liberty Poles didn't disappear — they evolved. In the early Republic, they became rallying symbols for freedom of speech and political gatherings. Towns raised them to celebrate Independence Day, mark elections, and later for abolitionist meetings. The pole became the ancestor of the modern American flagpole — a vertical reminder that freedom stands tall only when people choose to make it so.

During the War of 1812, some towns revived the tradition, raising Liberty Poles when British ships threatened their coasts, just as their grandparents had done forty years earlier. Even during the Whiskey Rebellion of the 1790s, western Pennsylvania locals erected poles along roads and in town centers to protest federal whiskey taxes, evoking the revolutionary spirit of decades past.

The Boston Liberty Tree site is now marked by a small plaza with a commemorative plaque at the intersection of Washington Street and Essex Street, though the tree itself has been gone for nearly 250 years.

In 1787, Thomas Jefferson wrote that "the tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants" — acknowledging that freedom requires constant vigilance and occasional sacrifice.

Why These Stories Matter Today

The pike and the Liberty Pole remind us that courage doesn't always require sophisticated weapons or superior resources. Sometimes it comes from standing tall with whatever you have, whether that's a sharpened pole or a piece of wood planted in the town square.

These stories resonate because they're about ordinary people finding extraordinary ways to resist overwhelming power. A farmer with a pike proved that determination could offset a lack of military training. A wooden pole proved that symbols can be as powerful as armies when they unite people in common purpose.

The American Revolution wasn't just about muskets and cannons, brilliant generals and famous battles. It was about blacksmiths forging pikes in small-town workshops. It was about communities gathering to raise poles that declared their willingness to fight for self-governance. It was about people who understood that sometimes the loudest declaration of independence comes not from a document signed in Philadelphia, but from a pole raised in a village square.

When Americans raised those Liberty Poles across the colonies, they weren't just challenging a king. They were declaring themselves capable of self-rule — and daring the world to believe it. And when farmers picked up crude pikes to defend their homes and families, they proved that a free people fighting for their liberty will always find a way to arm themselves, even if they have to craft their weapons from farm tools and determination.

Because sometimes the most important weapons in a revolution aren't the ones that fire bullets. They're the ones that fire imaginations and unite hearts in common cause. And sometimes the greatest act of defiance is simply to stand tall — whether holding a pike or gathered around a pole — and refuse to bow.

Sources

Liberty Poles and Liberty Trees:

• Wikipedia - Sons of Liberty: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sons_of_Liberty

• New York Almanack - Liberty Poles and Liberty Hats: https://www.newyorkalmanack.com/2025/05/liberty-poles-liberty-hats/

• Wikipedia - Liberty Pole: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_pole

• Wikipedia - Battle of Golden Hill: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Golden_Hill

• First Amendment Encyclopedia - Liberty Poles: https://firstamendment.mtsu.edu/article/liberty-poles/

• Age of Revolutions - Liberty Poles and the Two American Revolutions: https://ageofrevolutions.com/2017/07/03/liberty-poles-and-the-two-american-revolutions/

• Boston Tea Party Ship - Sons of Liberty American History: https://www.bostonteapartyship.com/sons-of-liberty

• American History Central - Sons of Liberty: https://www.americanhistorycentral.com/entries/sons-of-liberty/

• Providence Forum - The History of the Liberty Pole: https://providenceforum.org/story/liberty-pole/

• Ducksters - American Revolution: Sons of Liberty: https://www.ducksters.com/history/american_revolution/sons_of_liberty.php

• Wikipedia - Liberty Tree: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liberty_Tree

• American Battlefield Trust - The Boston Liberty Tree: https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/boston-liberty-tree

• America250PA - The Liberty Tree Project: https://www.america250pa.org/PPE:_Liberty_Trees

• Revolutionary Spaces - Legacy of the Liberty Tree: https://revolutionaryspaces.org/legacy-liberty-tree/

• Constitution Center - On this day, the Sons of Liberty take over Boston: https://constitutioncenter.org/blog/the-sons-of-liberty-take-over-boston

• American Battlefield Trust - The Liberty Tree: https://www.battlefields.org/visit/heritage-sites/liberty-tree

• Smithsonian Magazine - The Story Behind a Forgotten Symbol: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/story-behind-forgotten-symbol-american-revolution-liberty-tree-180959162/

• Journal of the American Revolution - Visiting Boston's Liberty Tree Site: https://allthingsliberty.com/2015/04/visiting-bostons-liberty-tree-site/

• Paul Revere House - Redeveloping Place and Narrative at the Site of the Liberty Tree: https://www.paulreverehouse.org/redeveloping-place-and-narrative-at-the-site-of-the-liberty-tree/

• Celebrate Boston - Liberty Tree Site: https://www.celebrateboston.com/sites/liberty-tree.htm

Pikes and Polearms:

• Finding the Maryland 400 - Polearms in the Continental Army: https://msamaryland400.com/2018/07/27/polearms-in-the-continental-army/

• Journal of the American Revolution - Bows and Arrows, Pikes and Spears: https://allthingsliberty.com/2013/09/bows-and-arrows-pikes-and-spears/

• Wikipedia - Pike (weapon): https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_(weapon)

• Wikipedia - Spontoon: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spontoon

• Warfare History Network - Halberds and Spontoons: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/halberds-and-spontoons/

• The American Revolution Institute - A Revolution in Arms: https://www.americanrevolutioninstitute.org/exhibition/a-revolution-in-arms/

• Age of Revolution - Sergeant's Spontoon: https://ageofrevolution.org/200-object/sergeants-spontoon/

• Quora - Were pikes not used in the American Revolution?: https://www.quora.com/Were-pikes-not-used-in-the-American-Revolution

• Warfare History Network - Revolutionary War Weapons: The American Long Rifle: https://warfarehistorynetwork.com/article/revolutionary-war-weapons-the-american-long-rifle/

• Wikipedia - Pike and Shot: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pike_and_shot

Wooden Water Buckets in Colonial America: The Essential Craft of Early Settlers

In Colonial America, the wooden water bucket was an indispensable tool, used for daily chores, cooking, and a myriad of other tasks. These buckets, often crafted by skilled artisans, were not just functional items but also reflective of the resourcefulness and craftsmanship of early American colonists. The practice of making wooden water buckets can be traced back to European traditions, but over time, it adapted to meet the needs of the new world.

The Craft of Wooden Buckets

Wooden water buckets were typically made using a technique known as coopering. The cooper, or craftsman, would shape staves of wood into a circular form and bind them together with metal hoops. This process ensured that the buckets were both sturdy and watertight, as they had to hold liquids securely while withstanding frequent use. The wood used for these buckets was usually oak, which was prized for its strength and durability. Oak also helped prevent the absorption of moisture, which would be crucial in maintaining the integrity of the container over time.

In addition to their primary function of holding water, these buckets often served other purposes. They could be used to carry other liquids, such as milk, or even dry goods, depending on the needs of the household. The versatility of wooden buckets made them a staple in colonial homes, farms, and even businesses.

Water as a Necessity

Access to fresh water was a fundamental concern in the colonies, especially in the early days when infrastructure was sparse, and natural water sources were not always reliable. Wooden water buckets played a key role in collecting and storing water from wells, rivers, or rainwater cisterns. Since many settlements were built near bodies of water, buckets were essential for gathering enough water for drinking, cooking, cleaning, and farming. Without them, daily life would have been a lot more difficult, and a steady supply of water could mean the difference between survival and hardship.

Buckets and Pails: A Subtle Difference

While the terms "bucket" and "pail" are often used interchangeably today, there were subtle distinctions in colonial times that are worth noting. A bucket was typically an open-top container, which made it ideal for carrying water or other liquids. A pail, on the other hand, could often have a top or lid and was sometimes used as a shipping container for transporting goods. This distinction is still reflected in some modern-day usage, where "bucket" is primarily associated with open containers and "pail" refers to something that may have a cover or be used for specific purposes like storage or shipping.

The Symbolism of Buckets in Language

Throughout history, the humble bucket has woven itself into the fabric of the English language, appearing in numerous idioms and phrases that still resonate today. The phrase "kick the bucket," which is commonly used to refer to someone's death, is thought to have originated from the practice of using a bucket in certain hanging rituals, where the "kicking" of the bucket was a key part of the process. Similarly, the idiom "a drop in the bucket" stems from the biblical Book of Isaiah, which speaks of the insignificance of small things in relation to the larger picture. This saying, still in common use, reminds us of how a single small act or amount can often seem negligible when compared to the whole.

In addition, there is the notion of a "bucket list," a list of activities an individual wants to accomplish before they die. This term has become particularly popular in recent years, further cementing the enduring cultural connection between the bucket and the passage of time.

Buckets as Measurement Units

Interestingly, the bucket was also once used as a unit of measurement. Though now obsolete, historical records suggest that a bucket was equivalent to approximately 4 imperial gallons, or 18 liters. This unit of measurement was often used in the context of liquid capacities, particularly when describing large quantities of liquids like water, beer, or oil. The bucket's historical role in trade and daily life made it a versatile measure, which helped settlers in Colonial America manage the practical aspects of their daily existence.

In Colonial America, wooden water buckets were far more than just tools; they were symbols of resilience, self-sufficiency, and craftsmanship. Their creation and use were central to the daily survival and prosperity of the colonies. Over time, the significance of the bucket grew, both in the practical sense and in its cultural resonance, making it a lasting emblem in the English language. Whether used for carrying water, storing goods, or symbolizing life's larger themes, the wooden bucket remains a fascinating and vital part of American history.

Bucket as a Unit of measurement

As an obsolete unit of measurement, at least one source documents a 'bucket' as being equivalent to 4 imperial gallons (18 L; 4.8 US gal). - Klein, Herbert Arthur (3 December 2012). The Science of Measurement: A Historical Survey. ISBN 9780486144979. Retrieved May 23, 2018.

Facts about the Declaration of Independence

 

1. It was written by a five-man committee: Jefferson, Adams, Franklin, Robert Livingston, and Roger Sherman. John Adams was supposed to write the draft, but he deferred to the more talented writer, Jefferson. The committee made 86 edits but left the Preamble the way Jefferson wrote it.

2. The Declaration was the result of the passage of the Lee Proposal on July 2. Richard Henry Lee had proposed independence on June 7 and after debating, the vote occurred on July 2. Adams insisted that July 2 should be celebrated as Independence Day, but July 4 was settled on because that is the day the delegates voted to accept the document.

3. The only delegate to sign on July 4 was the president of the Second Continental Congress, John Hancock. Most of the 56 signers signed on August 2. The last to sign was Thomas McKean. George Washington did not sign because he had left to command the Continental Army. Two delegates, Robert Livingston and John Dickinson, refused to sign because they opposed independence at that point. One signer, Richard Stockton, later renounced his signature after captured and mistreated by the British. Nine signers did not leave to see independence achieved. One, Button Gwinnett, was killed in a duel.

4. Eight of the signers were born in England. Six signed both the Declaration and the Constitution - Ben Franklin, George Reed, Roger Sherman, Robert Morris, George Clymer, and James Wilson. The oldest signer was Franklin, the youngest was Edward Rutledge (26).

5. Around 200 copies were printed by John Dunlop to be distributed to the colonies. These became known as the "Dunlop broadsides". Only 26 survive. One was found at a flea market in 1989. It was behind an old picture that was bought for $4 (for the frame). It was sold for $8 million to famous TV writer Norman Lear.

6. It took 442 days from the start of the Revolutionary War for independence to be declared.

7. After the Declaration was read to Washington's army in NYC, the crowd went wild and tore down a statue of King George III. The statue was melted down and made into 42,000 musket balls.

8. The official Declaration traveled quite a bit before settling down in Washington, D.C. It was moved when the British raided the capital in the War of 1812 for safekeeping. In 1876, it made a trip to Philadelphia for the Centennial Celebration. In WWII, after Pearl Harbor, it was stored at Fort Knox.

10 Best Revolutionary War Movies

The article ranks ten of the most compelling film and television portrayals of the American Revolution, highlighting how each production interprets the era’s conflict, characters, and emotional stakes. Across the list, the author emphasizes that the best Revolutionary War stories go beyond battlefield heroics—they explore the human cost, moral dilemmas, and personal transformations that shaped the birth of the United States.

https://www.msn.com/.../10-greatest-revolutionary-war.../

Key Themes Across the Ranked Titles

Human-centered storytelling: Many selections focus on ordinary people—farmers, families, spies—caught in extraordinary circumstances.

Myth vs. reality: Several films take creative liberties, while others strive for historical accuracy; the article notes both approaches without dismissing either.

Emotional and moral complexity: The Revolution is depicted as messy, frightening, and deeply personal, not just patriotic spectacle.

Varied formats: The list includes feature films, miniseries, documentaries, and musicals, showing the wide range of ways, the Revolution has been dramatized.

Highlights of Individual Entries

1. April Morning (1988): A coming‑of‑age story set during Lexington and Concord, praised for its intimacy and emotional depth.
2. Drums Along the Mohawk (1939): A frontier survival tale blending domestic drama with wartime hardship.
3. The Crossing (2000): A focused retelling of Washington’s Delaware crossing, emphasizing desperation and grit.
4. The Patriot (2000): A highly dramatized, mythic interpretation that prioritizes emotional impact over accuracy.
5. Sons of Liberty (2015): A fast-paced, stylized miniseries portraying the early rebellion as a political thriller.
6. Hamilton (2020): A filmed version of the groundbreaking musical, reframing the Revolution through modern storytelling.
7. 1776 (1972): A musical about the Continental Congress, highlighting debate and compromise.
8. TURN: Washington’s Spies (2014–2017): A character-driven espionage drama centered on the Culper Ring.
9. Liberty! The American Revolution (1997): A documentary series praised for its depth, expert commentary, and dramatic readings.
10. John Adams (2008): The top-ranked entry, celebrated for its nuanced portrayal of political struggle, personal sacrifice, and nation-building.

Making Black Powder

Gunpowder that was of vital to the success of the American soldiers in the American Revolution.  Bunker Hill was lost not because of overwhelming British superiority but rather because the militia entrenched on Breeds Hill ran out of ammunition. 

In all of England, including the colonies, making black powder was legally a Crown monopoly. While there were a few manufacturers in America, it must be understood that these were, strictly speaking, illegal. Despite this, the Non-Importation Agreements coupled with the vast distances between England and the colonies led to the creation of a robust though illicit cottage industry making gunpowder.

There are three distinct processes involved in the manufacture of black powder. First is the production of saltpeter or potassium nitrate (KNO3).  Legal powder mills had the option of importing saltpeter and much of it came from India.  Local mills producing powder without express permission from the Crown would not have this option.  Second is the production of the charcoal which was easily produced in plentiful quantities in Colonies and actually exported to powder mills in England.  Finally, there is the mining of sulfur which is governed by geology.  There are some sulfur producing mines and springs in America but most sulfur was imported from Italy.

Saltpeter comprises about three-quarters of black powder and making it is a particularly disagreeable process. The best sources of nitrate are manure and the cave soils with decomposing animal droppings (mostly bat guano).  Because the Crown had a monopoly on gunpowder manufacturing and because feces was critical to the production of that gunpowder, by law, all barnyard soil and the contents of outhouses belonged to the government[1]. Of course, even though there were Colonial acts making the same reservations for the Crown, because shipping a ship full of feces to England would be cost prohibitive as well as revolting[2] with few exceptions the Crown did not exercise its option on all American barnyard and outhouse contents. Cave soil, on the other hand was routinely mined in the Caribbean.

Refining saltpeter is a slow process and this usually limits the production of black powder. Nitrate-bearing soil is collected and mixed ash which contains potassium. Hot water is then passed through the mixture and collected. This resulting liquor has potassium nitrate, water soluble salts, and other impurities. This is then boiled down leaving a crystalline mass consisting saltpeter along with some other salts and dirt.  Refining this salt exploits the higher solubility of saltpeter than the salts and dirt. By sequentially boiling the solution with water in large kettles, concentrating the solution by evaporation, the dirt and some other impurities rise to the top and can be skimmed off.  By then carefully decanting the hot solution, other unwanted salts, which settle to the bottom, are left behind or filtered out.  As the remaining liquid is finally cooled, pure saltpeter crystals form.  Since the power of the final gunpowder is a result of the purity of the saltpeter, the refining cycle was often performed multiple times.

 

Refractory for purifying saltpeter

Charcoal was a common export in colonial America.  Charcoal was used in many industries, most notably blacksmithing, and is made from carefully controlled burning of wood.  It was a dangerous and unpleasant craft. 

A large pile of cut timber is carefully stacked into a mound.  This is then covered with earth, leaving only a vent hole in the top.  Live coals into the vent hole initiating a fire which must be carefully monitored for several days.  By burning the wood in a limited supply of air, charcoal or which is nearly pure carbon is formed, and this carbon is an almost perfect fuel for creating fast burning hot fires like you want in a blacksmith’s forge or in the barrel of your gun.

There are significant and productive sulfur springs in Virginia, or sulfur can be extracted from the ash of high sulfur fuels like lignite or from burning pyrites in a kiln.  The major eighteenth-century source was the Island of Sicily which was controlled by France so American powder makers ironically only had access to it only after Independence was declared.

Charcoal Ovens

Once you have the ingredients, the actual making of black powder formulas is very straightforward.  Although recipes vary slightly, black powder is 75% (w/w) saltpeter, 12.5% (w/w) charcoal, and 12.5% (w/w). All that is really needed is to grind the components into a fine powder and mix.  In order to reduce the explosion risk, however, water was added. The amount of water varies according to the weather conditions, but water was about 6% of the total weight of the final mixed ingredients.  Water also helps ensure that the ingredients don’t separate in storage.

Once mixed, it is critical that the final powder be of reasonable and uniform grain size.  The smaller the grain, the more rapidly, and hotter, the powder burns.  Put powder that is too fine in your gun, and it will burst the breech:  put in powder that is too course and your shot will lack enough force to reach its target. So, while the gunpowder is reasonably moist, it is ground in a mortar into grains with a pestle, often driven by a waterwheel.

Cutting powder grains

Finally, the graining process will produce not a single size if powder grains but rather a mix.  Some grains will be large, suitable for cannon and large bore muskets, some will be small, suitable for smaller bore rifles or as priming powder.  The next step is to separate the grains by size with a set of graining screens. The graining screen was a set of perforated parchments stretched across wooden frames.  The largest mesh is on top and the finest is at the bottom.  The powder is then forced through the screens with a stone roller or by rocking the powder back and forth, allowing the powder to pass through the screen.

The final step in powder making was to remove the excess water which was added to prevent explosion during manufacture. The powder is spread over tables and laid out in the sun. It must be turned over periodically until it was uniformly dry.  Once dry the powder is ready to package.

Drying and sieve for powder

There were Colonial regulations regarding how powder was to be received into the public magazines. This included barrel construction, capacity, and markings. Gunpowder was packaged powder in several variations of container. The 50-pound wooden keg was the most common container.  These kept the powder dry and were easy to move and store.  Powder kegs very well made and sturdy as leaks were extremely dangerous. Powder was also sold in 25- and 100-pound barrels. The term “keg” originally designated the 100-pound size. while the 50-pound size was designated a half keg and the 25-pound keg a quarter keg. Black powder was also sold in papers. A sheet of plain paper was laid out and an amount of powder, usually between one fourth pound and one pound, was weighed out on it. The paper was then folded and sealed.

From <https://colonialbrewer.com/resources/18th-century-skills/making-gunpowder/>

Making Fire With Flint And Steel

Image of a brass tinderbox with car cloth,
striking flints and a selection of fire steels.

Making Fire with Flint and Steel

Since I included gunpowder in a past newsletter article, I found this article on a frontier website and thought to add. For your enjoyment.

by Ron "Sign Talker" Garritson

The art of making fire has been with us a very long time. It has been our companion and friend, but it also has the potential to turn on us and become a most dangerous enemy if we let it get out of our control as we all know. One of the most common means of making fire since long before the fur trade and on into the today's world of buckskinning is with flint and steel. The four items one needs to make fire with flint and steel are, of course, a piece of sharp flint, a high carbon steel striker, char and tinder. Besides flint, there are other types of rocks/minerals one can use such as pyrite, chert, agate, etc., I use one of these when I don't have a nice chard of English flint. The steel striker can be obtained from any trader or blacksmith attending any one of the many rendezvous across the country or at trading posts like Fort Union or Bent's Fort as well as through any of the many reputable buckskinning suppliers.

Char you have to make yourself. Some of the best char is made from loose knit 100% cotton material such as Monk's Cloth, and flannel, as well as punky (not crumbly) cottonwood. To make char you need a small tin can with a tight-fitting lid. Such as an Altoids or pipe tobacco box. Punch a small hole in the lid, make sure the tin interior is clean and loosely fill with your choice of char material. Your char pieces should be cut in about 2-inch squares. Replace the lid and be sure it has a fairly tight fit. Place it on the fire and let it cook until the smoky gases cease to exit the tin via the small hole.

Remove from the fire and set aside until the tin is cool to the touch. If you open the tin too soon, the contents will ignite and be rendered useless. Your char should be nice and black but still intact.

Tinder can be gathered from a number of sources in nature. Dry cheat grass, cattail down, inner bark of dead cottonwood (the papery stuff), tow and ready to use old discarded small bird nests (not eagle or magpie). Now this is the way I have come to making fire with flint and steel after many years of experimenting with various techniques and methods and this way beyond a doubt has proven to be the fastest and easiest way for me. Make yourself a nice little bird nest of the tinder, the coarser material on the outside and the finer softer material on the inside. Set aside until needed.

Now it's time to make a spark. Too often I have seen folks put their char in the tinder nest and hold the striker over the char and strike the steel with the flint. The results can be bloody knuckles, wet knees and tinder and wasted time. This does work, but there is an easier and faster way to land a spark on your char. Wrap the char around the sharp edge of your flint, hold it in your left hand, or right if you are a lefty, and strike the flint through the char with the steel and your chances of catching a spark on the char the first time are mighty good. You will also want to hold the tinder nest in your left hand under the flint so that the transfer of the char to the nest will be quick.

This method is also quite handy if you are in wet conditions and you don't want to get your tinder wet nor be on your knees on the cold wet ground. As soon as the char has caught a spark, transfer the char to the tinder nest and hold the nest cupped above you facing down wind and blow into the nest, each time with gentle increasing force until the nest bursts into flames. You then transfer the flaming nest into your little tipi of dry twigs and sticks that you have pre-prepared, to which you add more kindling until you have obtained the campfire of your desires. Like I said, this works for me. Feel free to experiment on your own to find out what works best for you. I hope this information may be helpful.

Burlap - Denim – Char will catch a spark and readily ignites with burning glass. Will not hold a coal as long as Monk’s cloth. Depending on thickness of the material Char is somewhat fragile. A fair char. Monk’s Cloth – One of the best chars for lighting with flint & steel or burning glass. Heavy loose weave of the cotton makes it easy to catch a spark and holds a coal well. An excellent char. Yucca Stem – Very similar to Mullen stem. Charred stem pieces difficult to light or catch a spark from flint & steel. Charred stem difficult to hold next to fling for lighting, as they disintegrate easily. Showering sparks into pile of stems difficult as sparks seem to cool too much before contacting stems. Charred yucca very easily lit with burning glass. Charred stems burn hot and long. Useful for starting a fire with burning glass and for extending a coal when lit with flint & steel using another source of char. Stems very good spindles in fire making, but not as strong as other woods.

Mullen Stem – Very similar to Yucca stem. Charred stem pieces difficult to light or catch a spark from flint & steel. Charred stem difficult to hold next to flint for lighting, as they disintegrate easily. Showering sparks into pile of stems difficult as sparks seem to cool too much before contacting stems.

Charred mullen very easily lit with burning (Magnifying glass) glass. Charred stems burn hot and long. Useful for starting a fire with burning glass and for extending a coal when lit with flint & steel using another source of char. Stems make fair spindles in fire making, much more brittle than other spindles. “Punkie” Cottonwood – Similar to Yucca and Mullen stem but will light with flint & steel with some effort. Sparks ignited charred wood when sparks showered into a pile of char. Readily ignite with burning glass and holds a coal well.

TINDER

1.       Inner fibers of cottonwood bark. This is the papery stuff found on the underside of dead bark. Works better as the outer layer of tinder nest with finer materials lined inside.

2.       Dry cheat grass. Ignites quickly. The stuff prairie fires are made of.

3.       Dry cattail cobs. the down from the cobs ignites quite well. I use this to line the inside of the tinder nest.

4.       Old abandoned bird nests. Ready-made tinder nest, just add smoldering char.

5.       Tow. Ignites well, but better as the middle layer of the tinder nest.

6.       Cottonwood down. Similar to that of the Cattail down. I use a combination of all of the above in my pre-prepared tinder nests in the following order.

If I find an old bird's nest, the tinder nest is already made. Cattail and or cottonwood down for the inner layer, the next layer is the dry cheat grass, then the tow, then an outer lay