American Revolution Posters, Prints & Charts, pg 4/7
for social studies classrooms, history buffs and reenactors.

William Richardson Davie
John Dickinson
Benjamin Franklin

Horatio Gates
Nathanael Greene
Nathan Hale

William Richardson Davie
b. 6-22-1756; Egremont, Cumberland, England
d. 11-5-1820; North Carolina

William R. Davie, who was studying to be a lawyer, formed several calvary units, and was appointed commisary general by Nathanael Greene. At one point his was “the only unbroken corps between the British army and what was left of the Continental forces.”

Davie later served as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787, as governor of North Carolina from 1798-1799, and in the peace commission to France in 1800.

John Dickinson
b. 11-2-1732; Talbot County, Maryland
d. 2-14-1808; Wilmington, Delaware

John Dickinson, one the wealthiest men in the British American colonies, is known as the “Penman of the Revolution” for his Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania, where he eloquently argued the cause of American liberty.

Dickinson served as a militia officer during the American Revolution, a Continental Congressman from Pennsylvania and Delaware, a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention of 1787, President of Delaware, and President of Pennsylvania. Dickinson is also remembered for not signing the Declaration of Independence believing that the Article of Confederation should be completed first.

Benjamin Franklin
b. 1-17-1706, Boston, MA
d. 4-17-1790; Philadelphia, PA

Benjamin Franklin, one of the leaders of the American Revolution and a Founding Father, was an author, publisher, journalist, public servant, librarian, statesman/diplomat, scientist/inventor, philanthropist, abolitionist, and early environmentalist.

• more Benjamin Franklin posters

Horatio Gates
b. c. 1727; England
d. 4-10-1806; NYC

Horatio Gates was a British soldier who served under Edward Braddock during the French and Indian War. George Washington appointed Gates Adjutant General of the Continental Army in June 1775, and he was given a field position in 1776.

Gates took credit for the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga though it was Benedict Arnold and Daniel Morgan who were more responsible; Gates was blamed for the defeat at the Battle of Camden.

Nathanael Greene
b. 8-7-1742; Warwick, RI
d. 6-19-1786; South Carolina, sunstroke

Nathanael Greene, born a Quaker, rose through the ranks from militia private to a major general, and was so trusted by George Washington he was appointed to command the ‘southern army’. His Southern Campaign showed remarkable strategic features with his ability to divide his forces to succeed in eluding and tiring his opponent with long marches, and in actual battle forcing the British to pay heavily for a temporary advantage.

Greene's wife, Catherine Littlefield Greene, is arguably the inventor of the cotton gin.

Nathanael Greene quotes ~
• “We are soldiers who devote ourselves to arms not for the invasion of other countries, but for the defense of our own, not for the gratification of our private interests but for public security.”
• “We fight, get beat, rise, and fight again.”

• Forgotten Patriot: The Life & Times of Major-General Nathanael Greene

Nathan Hale
b. 6-6-1755; CT
d. 9-22-1776; hung by the Bristish as a spy, possibly the corner of 3rd Ave & 66th St, Manhattan.

Yale graduate and former teacher Nathan Hale volunteered to find out what the British were doing in New York City shortly after the Battle of Long Island. He was discovered and hung by the Bristish, possibly at the corner of 3rd Ave & 66th St, Manhattan. It was reported that he said, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”

FYI- Nathan Hale was the uncle to Edward Everett, the other speaker at Gettysburg, and grand-uncle to Edward Everett Hale.

Alexander Hamilton
b. 1-11-1755; Nevis Isl, Caribbean
d. 7-12-1804; died as result of wound suffered in duel with Aaron Burr

Alexander Hamilton was a Founding Father, Hero of the American Revolution, aide-de-camp to General Washington, primary author of The Federalist Papers supporting a strong central government, founder of the Coast Guard, and the first Secretary of the Treasury.

John Hancock
b. 1-23-1737; Quincy, MA
d. 10-8-1793

Statesman John Hancock, whose name has become synonymous for signature, as the President of the Continental Congress was the first to sign the Declaration of Independence. He was a merchant, prominent in events leading to the American Revolution and was the first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

Patrick Henry
b. 5-29-1736; Hanover County, Virginia
d. 6-6-1799; Virginia

Patrick Henry is best known and remembered for his “Give me Liberty, or give me Death!” speech, and as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

FYI - Patrick Henry's first wife Sarah became mentally ill, he prepared a comfortable, safe place for her in their home rather than leave her in a cell at a public hospital, as his physician advised.