George Washington Commissioned by the 2 nd Continental Congress to be the commanding general of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He.

George WashingtonCommissioned by the 2nd Continental Congress to be the commanding general of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. He will be the first President of the United States of America.

Thomas JeffersonA patriot during the Revolution. He was at both of the Continental Congresses and was the main author of the Declaration of Independence. He will be the third President of the United States and doubles the size of the U.S. with the Louisiana Purchase.

John AdamsHe defended the British soldiers on trial for the Boston Massacre. He was a patriot who attended both Continental Congresses, and it was he who suggested that George Washington be placed in command of the Continental Army. He will be the second President of the United States and will pass the controversial (and unconstitutional) Alien and Sedition Acts.

Abigail AdamsThe supportive wife of John Adams. She was one of the first women’s right advocates. She asked her husband to please “remember the Ladies” as they worked for Independence for all men from England.

Samuel AdamsJohn Adam’s cousin. He was a patriot who began the Sons of Liberty and played a key role in the Boston Tea Party.

Benjamin Franklin

Patriot, inventor, and statesman. Wrote Poor Richard’s Almanac. He was the Minister to France during the American Revolution.

John HancockA patriot member of the Sons of Liberty who was at both Continental Congresses. He is famous for being the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. His signature is larger than the others, and he was quoted as saying, “Maybe King George can see that!”

King George IIIKing of England during the American Revolution. He prolonged the war to discourage similar rebellions in other British colonies. He later went insane (in 1810) and his son took the throne.

Crispus AttucksHe was a half African and half Indian escaped slave that was working as a dockworker in Boston and was killed in the Boston Massacre.

Paul RevereA patriot silversmith from Massachusetts. He created the famous propaganda silver engraving of the Boston Massacre. He went through the towns between Boston and Concord alerting the colonists that the British Regulars or Redcoats were coming.

Colonel William Prescott

Patriot commander at Bunker Hill. He told his men, “Don’t shoot until you see the whites of their eyes.”

Patrick HenryA lawyer and outspoken patriot speaker during the American Revolution. He said, “Give me liberty or give me death” in one of his speeches.

Thomas PaineAn Englishman who wrote “Common Sense,” a pamphlet encouraging the colonists to become patriots after the Intolerable Acts were passed. It supported the American independence movement.

Nathan HaleA patriot school teacher that was caught spying on the British. His last words were, “I regret that I have but one life to give for my country.”

Benedict ArnoldHe was initially a patriot but when he was passed over for promotion to a higher rank he chose to spy for the British. He was one of the patriot leaders at the Battle of Fort Ticonderoga.

Molly PitcherHer name was Molly Ludwig Hayes. She joined her husband on the battlefield and would bring water to the soldiers. When her husband died, she took his place at the cannon.

Marquis De LafayetteA young French nobleman who helped the patriots financially and militarily during the American Revolution. He was a close friend and military aide to George Washington.

General Charles Cornwallis

The British general in charge of the Redcoats or Regulars during the Revolutionary War. He surrenders to George Washington at the Battle of Yorktown, ending the war.

Mercy Otis WarrenAn American patriot. She was a writer who authored plays, poems, and essays supporting the idea of independence. Her writings convinced many in Massachusetts to become Patriots. After the American Revolution, she expressed her disappointment regarding the newly written U.S. Constitution. She became an Anti-Federalist and opposed the ratification of the U.S. Constitution.

Wentworth CheswellAfrican-American Patriot; like Paul Revere he made an all-night ride back from Boston to warn his community of the impending British invasion. He served in the army and fought at the Battle of Saratoga. Cheswell was an influential town leader, judge, historian, schoolmaster, archeologist, and soldier in the American Revolution.

James Armistead A slave in Virginia; Marquis de Lafayette recruited him as a spy for the Continental Army. Posing as a double agent, forager, and servant at British headquarters, he moved freely between the lines with vital information on British troop movements for Lafayette. His work contributed to the American victory at Yorktown.

Haym Solomon A Polish-born Jewish immigrant to America who played an important role in financing the Revolution; arrested by the British as a spy; used by the British as an interpreter with their German troops; helped British prisoners escape and encouraged German soldiers to desert the British army.

Bernardo de GalvezSpanish nobleman who became governor of the province of Louisiana (January 1777), protected American ships in the port of New Orleans, helped transport war supplies, and took up arms and fought to protect Louisiana. He was instrumental in buying Spanish weapons, gunpowder, clothing and many other supplies that were essential to the colonial army. Galveston, Texas, is named in his honor.

John Paul JonesFounder of the American Navy. When the British commander of the Serapis (a British war ship) asked him to surrender as Jones’ ship was beginning to sink, Jones replied, “I have not yet begun to fight!”