Student Handout
5
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Joseph Brant: Loyalist 1
You are Joseph Brant, born in Ohio in 1742. A Mohawk Indian and a leader
of the Iroquois nations, you went to school in Connecticut, where you learned
English. You are loyal to England partly because you joined the Church of England
in 1763. You fought with the British in the French and Indian War. Your brother-inlaw is Sir William Johnson, a Loyalist and a wealthy landowner.
In 1775, you went to England, where you were treated like a celebrity. You met
the king and told him that the Mohawks are a free people and must remain so. The
king agreed. He assured you that the Mohawks would be given land in Canada
when the conflict with the colonists was over, as long as they fought against the
colonists.
Swearing loyalty to Great Britain, you pledged to support England with 1,500
warriors. During the war, you will lead four of the six Iroquois nations against the
colonists.
Logan: Loyalist 2
You are Logan, an Iroquois Indian born in Pennsylvania in 1725. You became “a
friend of the Whites [colonists]” and a leader of the Mingo (Iroquois who left New
York). You had a good relationship with colonists until 1774, when some of them
attacked your village. The colonists killed many of your people, including your
wife and other family members. After that, you sided with the British. You and the
Shawnee became allies of Britain in an effort to drive the colonists from your lands.
You intend to help the British fight the colonists. To convince people of your
just cause, you tell them:
“I appeal to any white man to say if he ever entered Logan’s cabin hungry and
he gave him not meat; if he ever came cold and naked, he clothed him not.” During
the course of the last long and bloody war, you remained idle in your cabin, an
advocate for peace.
“Such was my love for the whites. … I had even thought to have lived with you
but for the injustices of one man…[who]…in cold blood and unprovoked,
murdered all the relatives of Logan, not even sparing his [wife] and children.
“This calls on me for revenge, I have sought it; I have killed many. …”
76
Toward Independence
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Student Handout
5
King George III: Loyalist 3
You are King George III, ruler of the British Empire. You are proud to be the
ruler of such a great empire, and you take an active role in governing it. You
believe strongly that the colonies must obey the laws passed by Parliament. After
all, the British Empire has provided the colonies with protection and profitable
trade for over 100 years.
Your empire was faced with a large debt in 1763. Several million dollars had to
be collected to pay for the French and Indian War and other debts. Faced with this
problem, you needed new ways to get money. Among other things, you decided to
tax the American colonies.
You are angered by the colonists’ reaction to the taxes and other laws passed
by Parliament. You view their rebellion as disloyal and criminal. You expect the
colonists to be loyal, and you are prepared to take whatever actions are necessary
to make them obey.
Thomas Hutchinson: Loyalist 4
You are Governor Thomas Hutchinson of Massachusetts, a Loyalist. Although
you do not totally agree with Parliament’s decisions to tax the colonies, you believe
Parliament has the right to rule the colonies and to pass laws affecting them. You
believe that without British rule there would be a total breakdown of government
in America. Therefore, you loyally enforce Parliament’s laws in Massachusetts.
You were born to wealthy landowners in Boston. You are a lawyer, historian,
and author. At the time of the Stamp Act, you were the chief justice (judge) of
Massachusetts. Although you opposed the Stamp Act, you ruled against the
colonists in several court cases because you believe in British law and British rule.
You are a leading Loyalist in America. You try to limit the influence of the
Patriots. You want to restrict town meetings. When Samuel Adams published articles in the Boston Gazette attacking the Stamp Act, you tried to bring charges of
sedition against him. (Sedition means acts that encourage disobedience of lawful
authority.) You also tried to enforce the Tea Act, which led to the Boston Tea Party.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Lesson 5
77
Student Handout
5
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Reverend Samuel Seabury: Loyalist 5
You are the Reverend Samuel Seabury of the Church of England. You believe
the Patriots have done nothing to help the British solve the current crisis.
You believe the colonists should be more accepting of what Britain wants, since
it is the parent country. You believe the colonists are too quick to call for fighting.
You also believe the colonists should agree to be governed by Parliament and to
pay British taxes.
You believe that by refusing to obey British laws, the colonists have given up
their right to protest. In addition, you believe Great Britain is stronger than the
colonies and that its army and navy will overrun them.
Peter Van Schaack: Loyalist 6
You are Peter Van Schaack, a wealthy landowner from New York. You believe
the colonies are part of the British Empire and that all laws passed by Parliament
apply to the colonies.
At first you supported the colonists’ complaints. However, you later changed
your mind. You think that the colonies need Britain in order to survive. You argue
that the protection of Great Britain’s military and economic strength serves the
general good of the colonies.
You believe the colonies cannot function without British rule. You also believe
that Parliament has the right to tax all British subjects, including the colonists. If
the colonies gain independence, you argue, they will only fight among themselves
to determine their new form of government and who will rule.
Peter Oliver: Loyalist 7
You are Peter Oliver, a wealthy landowner from Boston. You are a graduate of
Harvard College, a former chief justice (judge) of Massachusetts, and a close friend
of Loyalist governor Thomas Hutchinson. You believe that rebellion is a “horrid
crime.” You feel that the Patriots are robbing the British government by refusing to
obey Parliament’s rightful laws and pay British taxes. You believe the colonists
should pay taxes for their own defense.
You also believe that God will support the British government and will punish
the Patriots for their revolt. You argue that the people of Britain are united against
the Americans and will not allow the colonies to break away from the British
Empire.
78
Toward Independence
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Student Handout
5
John Connolly: Loyalist 8
You are John Connolly of Virginia. You are the British governor of Pittsburgh.
You believe that the Patriots are a discontented minority with no real reason to drag
the colonies into a war. You believe most colonists do not support the Patriot cause.
You actively seek support for Britain from Native Americans. You also want to
involve the entire population of the Virginia countryside in helping Britain fight the
rebellion. You have gained much respect within the Loyalist community. You met
with General Gage, commander of the British forces in Boston, and proposed
organizing a Loyalist army. General Gage has approved your plan.
You will raise your army to move against the Patriots. Later, you will be captured by the Americans and held prisoner until the end of the war.
Lord Frederick North: Loyalist 9
You are Lord Frederick North, a member of the British Parliament. You are King
George’s voice in Parliament, and you feel exactly as he does about Britain’s right
to govern the colonies. You feel that the rebellion is centered in Boston. As a result,
you tried to make an example of the Bostonians by writing and passing the
Intolerable Acts. These acts declare that the port of Boston will be closed because it
is unsafe to conduct business and trade there.
You believe that Boston needs a change of government because Patriots have
tarred and feathered tax collectors, and yet have not been punished. In addition,
British ships have been burnt, and British goods have been stolen or dumped into
the harbor. Many Bostonians have simply refused to obey laws or respect authority. Therefore, you support actions to station British troops in Boston to maintain
law and order. You also support requiring Bostonians to quarter the troops in their
homes.
Rebecca Franks: Loyalist 10
You are Rebecca Franks of New York. You believe that Americans should
remain under British rule. You don’t share all the Patriots’ political beliefs, and you
think some of their concerns are exaggerated. However, you do believe that the
colonies should be given some say in how they are governed.
Your father, David, is a businessman. He provides supplies to the British army
in the years before the war. You have moved with him to Philadelphia.
You are highly impressed with British nobility. You are often seen at British
social affairs in Philadelphia. Later, after Patriot forces occupy the town, you will
constantly insult them and their cause. You seem more concerned with your place
in society than with aiding any cause. You say you want to marry a Loyalist.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Lesson 5
79
Student Handout
5
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Margaret Shippen Arnold: Loyalist 11
You are Margaret Shippen Arnold, the wife of Benedict Arnold, an American
army commander. Your father, Edward Shippen, is a Loyalist. You believe that
supporting the rebellion will not bring you or your family financial rewards.
You are a spy. You will carry messages between the British and your husband.
You will help convince your husband to betray the Patriots. He will agree to take
money from the British in return for surrendering West Point, an important military
post, and joining the British in their efforts against the Patriots.
Molly Brant: Loyalist 12
You are Molly Brant, a Mohawk Indian. You are married to Sir William Johnson,
a large landowner and the British Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the northern
colonies. Your brother, Joseph Brant, is a Mohawk who sides with the British
government.
You support the British because you believe the colonists will take Native
American land. You are also influenced by your husband. As a result, you will
convince many groups, including the Cayugas and the Senecas, to support
the British.
You will also inform the British of Patriot movements and help Loyalists find
safety with friendly Indians.
Joseph Galloway: Loyalist 13
You are Joseph Galloway, the Speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly. You
believe that Great Britain has the right to tax the colonies. You also believe that the
colonies need a good relationship with Great Britain if they are to continue to
flourish. However, you also believe in citizens’ rights and feel that the colonies
should be represented in Parliament.
You are a Loyalist because you believe that British rule will prevent the colonies
from falling into disorder. You are actively engaged in trying to get the Patriots and
Great Britain to peacefully settle their differences.
80
Toward Independence
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Student Handout
5
Ambrose Serle: Loyalist 14
You are Ambrose Serle, the private secretary to British general William Howe.
You are the author of Americans Against Liberty, a pamphlet that defends the
British Empire as a rightful and just government. It criticizes the colonists as
enemies of the British public and opponents of the freedoms provided by
Great Britain.
You believe the colonists’ complaints against the king are unimportant and are
not strong enough reasons to revolt against the government. You think that the
colonies harm England financially, but that Britain has little choice but to govern
and protect them. You also believe that the rebellion is the work of a small group
of radicals (people with extreme beliefs) who can easily be defeated.
Thomas Paine: Patriot 1
You are Thomas Paine, best known for writing Common Sense, a pamphlet that
forcefully argues for colonial independence. This document has swayed many
moderate Americans to support the revolution.
You were born in England. After finishing grammar school, you went to sea on
merchant ships. Later, you became a tax collector and then opened a number of
businesses. When your business failed, you again became a tax collector. However,
you found it difficult to collect money from people who were too poor to pay taxes.
In 1774, you left England and went to Philadelphia, where you became editor of
the Pennsylvania Magazine. In Philadelphia, you became enraged at England’s
attempts to tax colonists and to use military power to threaten the colonies.
You were fired from your job because you wrote many articles that favored
a revolution to gain American independence. You wrote Common Sense to
encourage all colonists to support independence for the colonies.
Common Sense was published on January 10, 1776. Within three months,
120,000 copies had been sold. Your arguments for revolution are so convincing
that the idea has become widely popular instead of being the cause of a radical
minority.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Lesson 5
81
Student Handout
5
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Samuel Adams: Patriot 2
You are Samuel Adams of Boston. You are best known for establishing the Sons
of Liberty, a Patriot group opposed to British rule. After graduating from Harvard
College in 1740, you entered into a number of business ventures, but all of them
failed. Eventually, you became a tax collector, but your kindhearted ways made it
difficult for you to collect from those too poor to pay.
In 1765, you were among a relatively small number of American colonists who
felt strongly that Great Britain was unfairly taxing the colonies. You began to go
from tavern to tavern, trying to convince Americans that Britain was ruling the
colonies in an unjust manner. Your opinions won you many friends and enemies.
Thomas Jefferson has called you “The Man of the Revolution,” while the British
have advertised a reward for information leading to your arrest.
In 1765, you were elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives.
There, you spoke against the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. Both of these
laws authorized taxes on a variety of products that are bought and sold in the
colonies.
In 1768, you urged colonists to arm themselves and made the first speech proposing a revolution. In 1770, you encouraged a group of your followers to attack
British troops in Boston, an action that led to the Boston Massacre. You then placed
the troops responsible for the “massacre” on trial for murder.
After convincing Bostonians not to pay for the tea dumped into Boston Harbor
during the Boston Tea Party, you organized the Sons of Liberty into gangs that beat
up British tax collectors. Eventually, the British sent troops to occupy Boston. You
declared, “We will destroy every soldier that dares put foot on shore. His Majesty
has no right to send troops here to invade the Country, and I look upon them as foreign enemies.”
During the first Continental Congress, you urged the delegates to declare independence from Britain. Afterward, you returned to Boston to organize 18,000
Minutemen to defend Boston and the colonies against the British.
82
Toward Independence
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Student Handout
5
John Adams: Patriot 3
You are John Adams of Massachusetts. You are best known as a leader of the
Patriots. You have won great respect among other Patriots since joining the rebellion. Many colonists, however, are put off by your boastful attitude. “I am always
right!” you declare.
You didn’t always believe in rebellion. After graduating from Harvard College,
your cousin Samuel Adams convinced you to join the resistance against England as
a legal advisor. You opposed Parliament’s taxing the colonies without colonial representation. However, you also believed in English law and were not interested in
independence.
After the Boston Massacre in 1770, you changed your mind. You became convinced that the colonies must fight for independence. Still, you defended the British
soldiers charged with murder after the Boston Massacre because you believe in justice under the law.
After being elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives, you became
more and more critical of Britain’s efforts to tax the colonists. When Bostonians
were forced to house British troops after the Boston Tea Party, you called a meeting
of the Patriots to tell them not to pay for the tea that had been dumped into Boston
Harbor.
During the First and Second Continental Congresses, you will call on the delegates 23 times to declare independence. You will also recommend establishing a
continental government to represent all the colonies.
Patrick Henry: Patriot 4
You are Patrick Henry of Virginia, a lawyer and one of the first colonists to call
for independence from Great Britain. You were an elected member of Virginia’s
lawmaking body, the House of Burgesses. But you resigned so that you could
devote your time to fighting Britain’s attempts to tax the colonies. You feel these
taxes are unfair because the colonists have no representatives in Parliament.
You are constantly telling Americans that they will never be free unless the
colonies become independent. As long as the colonies are part of the British
Empire, you argue, colonists will be second-class citizens with no political rights.
You also are responsible for forming the Virginia militia.
You are most famous for a speech in which you addressed fellow Virginians
who were opposed to rebellion. “I know not what course others may take,” you
declared. “But as for me, give me liberty, or give me death!”
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Lesson 5
83
Student Handout
5
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Benjamin Franklin: Patriot 5
You are Benjamin Franklin of Philadelphia, one of America’s best-known and
loved statesmen. Your parents were too poor to send you to school, but you worked
hard and bought books to teach yourself science, history, literature, and mathematics.
At an early age, you went to work making candles. Later, you began to write articles
criticizing politicians.
You are an inventor, a scholar, and a civic leader. In 1748, at the age of 42, you
retired to devote yourself to civic projects. You were responsible for organizing
Philadelphia’s first police force, the University of Pennsylvania, and the city’s first
hospital. You invented the Franklin stove as well as bifocal eyeglasses, the first electric battery, and the lightning rod.
In 1757, you were sent to Britain to represent Pennsylvania’s interests in
England. Eventually, you became the representative for New Jersey, Georgia,
and Massachusetts. In 1765, you wrote to the colonists and told them to be patient
in their anger toward the Stamp Act. Then you tried to persuade Parliament to repeal
(cancel) the act. You told Parliament that its ability to conduct business with the
colonies depended on the colonists’ respect for the British government. You warned
Parliament that if the Stamp Act was not withdrawn, the colonists would lose all
respect for England.
You were shocked when the Stamp Act was replaced by the Townshend Acts. You
urged the colonists to boycott (refuse to buy) British goods until these taxes were
withdrawn. When the British tried to bribe you to persuade the colonists to end their
opposition, you told them, “My patriotism has no price tag.” In 1775, you returned to
Philadelphia and were elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly. You now openly work
for the cause of rebellion.
Thomas Jefferson: Patriot 6
You are Thomas Jefferson of Virginia. You are a lawyer and a brilliant thinker and
writer. After hearing Patrick Henry declare, “Give me liberty, or give me death!” you
became committed to rebellion against Great Britain. You firmly believe in democracy and do not want to be governed by Parliament without someone representing your
interests. You convinced the Virginia lawmaking body, the House of Burgesses, to
pass a resolution that criticized taxation without representation.
You are generally respected and well-liked by all colonists—Patriots and Loyalists
alike—because you are charming, intelligent, and a humanitarian. You support religious freedom and public education.
You strongly support the radicals in New England and oppose the British occupation of Boston. You tell your fellow Virginians that the occupation is not just an attack
on Boston. “An attack on any one colony should be considered an attack on the
whole,” you say. When the British closed the port of Boston, you called on all
Virginians to support their fellow colonists by praying and fasting (going without
food) until the port was reopened.
84
Toward Independence
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Student Handout
5
Seymour Burr: Patriot 7
You are Seymour Burr, a slave in Connecticut who dreams of freedom. At first
you tried to escape and join the British, because you believed that they would set
you free. However, you were caught and asked why you tried to run. “I want my
liberty,” you replied. Your owner then gave you the money to buy your freedom, on
the condition that you fight for the American cause.
You agreed, seeing that the cause of the Patriots was tied to your own. Willing
to make any sacrifice for your freedom, you joined the Connecticut 7th Regiment.
As a member of the regiment, you will fight many battles against the British.
Crispus Attucks: Patriot 8
You are Crispus Attucks, a runaway slave and merchant seaman. Born into slavery in 1723, you escaped to Boston in 1750. Eventually, you signed on to a merchant sailing ship and spent the next several years as a seaman. You became angry
when the British began taxing colonists after the French and Indian War. You firmly believe that Parliament has no right to tax the colonies. You are a member of the
Sons of Liberty.
On the night of March 5, 1770, you are with other Sons of Liberty in Boston.
You decide to lead them against the British troops to protest newly enacted taxes.
“Let us drive [them] out, they have no business here,” you tell your fellow Patriots.
Twelve men follow you up the steps of the Boston Customs House, where you grab
a British soldier’s bayonet. The gun goes off once, and then again. Finally, you and
four other Patriots lie dead on the steps. You are the first colonist to die in the
rebellion.
Jonathan Shipley: Patriot 9
You are Jonathan Shipley, Bishop of St. Asaph, in England, and a friend of
Benjamin Franklin. You are one of the most powerful religious leaders to support
the Patriot cause. Your support convinces people to take the rebellion seriously.
You say that most colonies become little more than trading companies that end
up sending most of their money to the “mother country.” You write a letter asking
Parliament to grant the colonies independence. You point out that England has
given the colonies stability without bloodshed. Now, however, Britain is threatening to “enslave” the colonies through the use of armed force. You tell Parliament,
“By enslaving your colonies, you not only ruin the peace, the commerce and the
fortunes of both countries, but you extinguish the fairest hopes [of a peaceful solution].” A “good man,” you write, “will take part in efforts to resist Britain’s
attempts to enslave the colonies.”
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Lesson 5
85
Student Handout
5
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Mary Katherine Goddard: Patriot 10
You are Mary Katherine Goddard, publisher of the Maryland Journal and the
first female postmaster in America. Originally from Connecticut, you moved to
Providence, Rhode Island; to Philadelphia; and finally to Baltimore. In all of these
cities you published pamphlets and newspapers supporting the rebellion.
You firmly believe in freedom of the press. You oppose the Stamp Act because it
will make printing more expensive and will limit free expression. You report on all
aspects of the conflict with Great Britain. You have also printed articles by Patriots,
such as Samuel Chase, that criticize colonists who fail to stand up against British
oppression. Several times British authorities have threatened to close your newspapers for “distorting” (changing) British views on the rebellion
John Andrews: Patriot 11
You are John Andrews, a Boston merchant and a strong supporter of colonial
independence. You believe that Parliament does not have the right to impose its
will on the colonies through taxation. Still, you are convinced that the taxes will
not stop. In your opinion, any time government officials or members of Parliament
think that England needs more money, they will propose taxing the colonies.
You believe that refusing to trade with England or any other part of the British
Empire will force the British to listen to colonial demands. You became very angry
when British troops occupied Boston and closed the port. You fear that the
colonists will be forced to pay for the goods that they destroyed in their protests.
You also fear that the British will deny Boston the right to future trade, and thus
force great poverty on the city.
Dicey Langston: Patriot 12
You are Dicey Langston of South Carolina. Your family, which owns large tracts
of farmland, fully supports the Patriot cause. Your two brothers have fled your
home because all your neighbors are Loyalists.
You believe that British taxation is oppressive to a free people. You also believe
that such taxes place a large burden on your family’s business. To support the
Patriots’ cause, you act as a spy. You pass along information you overhear from
Loyalist friends and neighbors to your brothers and other Patriots who are camped
outside a nearby town.
You and your father are often confronted by Loyalists who accuse you of being
a spy. On one occasion, you overhear a Loyalist plan to attack a nearby farmer. You
ride a horse through Loyalist lines to warn the farmer.
86
Toward Independence
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Student Handout
5
Mercy Otis Warren: Patriot 13
You are Mercy Otis Warren of Boston, a well-known historian and author. You
believe that the colonies should resist the “strong hand of foreign domination.” You
are convinced that the time has come for the colonies to break their ties to Britain.
You write articles for the Boston Gazette that criticize Loyalists, calling them
traitors. Your writings also attack Great Britain for sending troops to Boston.
History, you say, teaches that a standing army is the tool of tyrants (leaders who
abuse power).
You also write articles criticizing Massachusetts governor Thomas Hutchinson.
You say that Hutchinson has opened the way to rebellion by enforcing the unjust
laws of England.
Nathanael Greene: Patriot 14
You are Nathanael Greene, a Quaker from Rhode Island. Originally, you
opposed violent revolution because Quakers do not believe in making war.
However, you now feel that British policies place an unbearable strain on colonists.
You do not believe the colonists should pay for British protection.
You are self-educated and an anchorsmith (anchor-maker) by trade. However,
after pledging yourself to the rebellion, you study military tactics. You have been
elected a member of the Rhode Island legislature, and you are preparing the state’s
defenses against an attack by Great Britain.
You have also joined a military association and offered your services as a military commander for the upcoming revolution.
The Earl of Effingham: Neutralist 1
You are the Earl of Effingham, a member of Parliament. You are a Neutralist.
You believe that the coming conflict will have a negative impact on both England
and the colonies.
You tell Parliament that you are devoted to England and to the king. You say
that you will sacrifice your life and your wealth for the cause of defending England
against foreign attack. At the same time, you do not believe it is right for
Parliament to tax British citizens in America when they have no representation
in Parliament.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Lesson 5
87
Student Handout
5
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
James Allen: Neutralist 2
You are James Allen, a landowner from Philadelphia. You are a Neutralist. You
believe that the rebellion will keep you from collecting rent from your tenants. You
fear you will become poor because of the war.
You are angry because the colonial and British armies are both demanding that
you provide them with supplies. The Continental Army pays you with Continental
dollars, which are almost worthless. The British do not pay you at all. In addition,
you are upset because basic products such as meat, butter, and cheese have tripled
in price.
You believe that the conflict has caused a total breakdown in government and
law, and you want some type of government to protect the rights of citizens.
Richard Henderson: Neutralist 3
You are Richard Henderson, a merchant from Kentucky. You are a Neutralist.
You believe the Patriots are mostly wealthy gentlemen who have access to the
courts, participate in elections, and read newspapers. These few people, you fear,
will impose their will on Americans if they win the war.
However, you also believe that the British have not dealt fairly with the
colonists. You say that they allowed the first settlers to leave England and establish
themselves in North America without having to obey British law. The British government, you argue, allowed colonists to build trade without being taxed. You
believe that the British government is not being fair in taxing the colonies to pay
for old debts.
Patience Wright: Neutralist 4
You are Patience Wright of New Jersey, a prominent wax sculptor who moved to
England before the rebellion. You are a Neutralist. Among your friends are Patriot
Benjamin Franklin, William Pitt (a British statesman who is sympathetic to the
Patriots’ complaints), and the king and queen of England.
You spend most of your time making wax sculptures of well-known Patriots and
Loyalists and displaying them in your London studio. Both Patriots and Loyalists
want you to make as many of these figures as possible because you are able to create positive images for both sides.
You write letters to Benjamin Franklin in America, passing along small pieces of
information about British feelings toward the colonies. During the Revolution, you
will ask Franklin to help free your son-in-law, a British prisoner of the Continental
Army.
88
Toward Independence
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Student Handout
5
Ann Lee: Neutralist 5
You are Ann Lee of Albany, New York. You are a Neutralist. As a missionary in
the Shaker religion, you believe that war is wrong.
Originally from England, you were put in jail there for your religious beliefs. To
escape religious persecution, you moved to New York in 1774.
Although you believe the Patriots will win, you will support neither side during
the Revolution. Your only concern is to help your followers buy land where you
can build a church. You work as a servant and live in poverty in order to save
money for this purpose.
The British will arrest you and accuse you of aiding the Patriots. You will tell
them you do not believe in war and that you support no cause except the building
of your church. Eventually the British will set you free.
Peter Bestes: Neutralist 6
You are Peter Bestes, a slave living in Boston. You are a Neutralist. You have
placed an ad in a Boston newspaper asking for permission to buy your freedom.
Your ad tells colonists they are making a noble stand (honorable position) against
those trying to enslave them. You say you understand their feelings and their desire
to fight for political and religious freedom. You then ask for the privilege of earning money to buy your own freedom and return to your homeland in Africa.
“We ask you for relief, which as a man, we have a right to do,” you write. You
stress that you wish to gain your freedom by peaceful and lawful means.
Felix Holbrook: Neutralist 7
You are Felix Holbrook, a slave living in Boston. You are a Neutralist. You have
placed an ad in a Boston newspaper asking for permission to buy your freedom.
Your ad tells colonists they are making a noble stand (honorable position) against
those trying to enslave them. You say you understand their feelings and their desire
to fight for political and religious freedom. You then ask for the privilege of earning money to buy your own freedom and return to your homeland in Africa.
“We ask you for relief, which as a man, we have a right to do,” you write. You
stress that you wish to gain your freedom by peaceful and lawful means.
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute
Lesson 5
89
Student Handout
5
Historical Figures for Colonial Town Meeting
Chester Joie: Neutralist 8
You are Chester Joie, a slave living in Boston. You are a Neutralist. You have
placed an ad in a Boston newspaper asking for permission to buy your freedom.
Your ad tells colonists they are taking a noble stand (honorable position) against
those trying to enslave them. You say you understand their feelings and their desire
to fight for political and religious freedom. You then ask for the privilege of earning money to buy your own freedom and return to your homeland in Africa.
“We ask you for relief, which as a man, we have a right to do,” you write. You
stress that you wish to gain your freedom by peaceful and lawful means.
90
Toward Independence
© Teachers’ Curriculum Institute