Founding Fathers Of the United States Constitution And

Founding Fathers Of the United States Constitution And Our Country’s Early History

Paul Revere Portrait painted by John Singleton Copley ® Revere was a master silversmith, which is why he is holding a silver teapot in the portrait. It was also a symbol of the Boston Tea Party and the fact that he was a member of the Sons of Liberty. ® ® http: //www. americanrevolution. org/revere. html

Nathan Hale ® Hale was the first CIA agent in the United States. ® He was quoted as saying, “ I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country. ” ® This picture is a sketch of his execution.

Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. He was a gifted writer. ® He sent Lewis and Clark out to explore the Louisiana Purchase. ® He was the 3 rd president of the United States. ®

Abigail Adams Abigail had little formal schooling but a quick wit and was a colorful writer. ® Her son became the 6 th U. S. president ® Her letters give us an insight into her thoughts and contemporary attitude of the time. ®

John Adams was often misunderstood—people thought he was cold and rude ® He and his cousin, Sam were leaders of the Sons of Liberty ® He was the first to have his son serve as president also ® His political ideas and policies lasted the test of time ®

Ethan Allen was a patriot and soldier in the Revolutionary War. ® He led the Green Mountain Boys in the capture of Fort Ticonderoga—one of the most important battles of the war. ® This statue is in the United States Capitol. ® ® http: //www. virtualvermont. com/history/eallen. html

Benedict Arnold was one of the most trusted American generals of the Revolutionary War. ® He turned traitor because he was passed over for military honors and accused of abusing his power and standing. ®

Phillis Wheatley was a slave to a prominent Boston family. She was treated like family, educated, and wrote poetry that was published. ® She never had true freedom and died impoverished. ® ® http: //www. uoregon. edu/~rbear/wheatley. html

Samuel Adams ® Samuel was cousin to John Adams and preferred to work “behind the scenes” of the Revolution. ® He signed the Declaration of Independence and was part of the Boston Tea Party.

John Paul Jones ® Jones was known as the Father of the American Navy ® He was quoted as having said, “I have not yet begun to fight. ”

John Hancock was known for his legible signature (shown below) ® He signed the Declaration of Independence first and said something to the effect of, “Let’s see if [King ] George can read that!” ®

Molly Pitcher—Mary Hays Mc. Cauly Molly Pitcher went to war with her husband brought water to the soldiers. ® When her husband was wounded, she took his spot at the cannon and kept on fighting. ® President Washington gave her an award for her courage. ® ® http: //209. 157. 64. 200/~mollypitcher/

Alexander Hamilton ® Hamilton was the nation’s first secretary of the treasury ® He was a bold and creative thinker ® His ideas greatly influence our government today

George Washington ® Known as the “Father of Our Country”, he was really the 12 th president ® He was deeply concerned with helping the fledgling republic flourish

Dolley Madison ® Dolley is most noted for saving the painting of George Washington that hung in the White House when the British burned it during the War of 1812

James Madison ® James is the “Father of the Constitution” ® He received many ideas from those he associated with, but the final written copy was in his words ® He designed our system of checks and balances

Benjamin Franklin ® Franklin was “a jackof-all-trades and a master of many” ® He was the only person who signed four of the most important documents in U. S. history

Thomas Paine ® Paine met Benjamin Franklin who advised him to move to the colonies ® He wrote political tracts, his most famous being Common Sense, advocating independence.

Deborah Sampson ® Sampson fought in the Revolutionary War for over a year disguised as Robert Shurtliff, until she received a serious wound. ® She was discharged with honors. ® http: //www. awm. lee. army. mil/Army_Women_Notable/gann ett_deborah. htm

Benjamin Banneker Benjamin was an astronomer, mathematician, farmer, and surveyor—and probably the best known black person during his time ® A clock he invented kept almost perfect time for 50 years ® ® http: //inventors. about. com/library/inventors/blbanneker. htm

Betsy Ross Legend has it that she designed the first U. S. flag ® The story first came about 94 years after it was to have first happened ® Betsy Ross did sew flags and had an upholstery business. ® ® http: //www. usflag. org/about. betsy. ross. html

Joseph Brant Joseph was a Mohawk Indian leader who fought in the British Army. ® He was also a Christian missionary among his people. ® He was a leading member of the League of the Iroquois ® ® http: //earlyamerica. com/review/1998/brant. html