Entry 18~ December 1783

The peace treaty was named the Treaty of Paris and recognized the United States' independence. Congress approved the document on April 15th. The document established the new borders and territories, and fishing rights. Also, Britain gave Florida to Spain. British also accepted some rights to settle more west of the thirteen colonies. All the soldiers returned successfully except the people hurt during the war. George Washington told how grateful he was for the hard working and devoted soldiers he had. In the end, we won this Revolutionary War and hopefully there will be more that we will win in the future. For now though,i'm just glad I have my whole family back until the next war, but I can worry about that when it comes up.
Until next time,
Abigail Samson

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

"American Revolutionary War | The Treaty of Paris Formally Ends the War | Event View." Xtimeline - Explore and Create Free Timelines. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. .~Photograph

Entry 17~ December 1782

The Battle of Yorktown was a successful end to the war to achieve peace. Not all battles and disputes were over but everything was considered to be ended. On November 30th, we ended a peace treaty with Britain and is considered and declared an important day. My family and I have been doing well and everything has returned to normal. I have to give thanks to George Washington for ending the war for everyone and I'm sure everyone is grateful for everything he did for our country.

National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. .~Photograph

"Battles of the American Revolution - 1780." Laughter and Lawter Genealogy Research Center. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

Entry 16~ May 1782

My husband and sons have come back since the war has ended and it has made us very happy and joyful! Peace discussions have begun between us and the British. Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, and John Jay spoke for the United States, while Richard Oswald spoke for the British. I am very happy that the war is over and we are discussing peace.

"Battles of the American Revolution - 1780." Laughter and Lawter Genealogy Research Center. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

Entry 15~ October 1781

George Washington cut off all the escape routes and surrounded General Cornwallis. The French blocked off the escape by water, and the battle began. After many weeks we eventually wore down the British defense. On October 19th, Cornwallis sent a white flag and a drummer as his sign of surrender. We took about 8,000 people as prisoners. The war was over! It was worth celebrating as everyone went outside and partied.

National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .~Photograph
Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

Entry 14~ June 1781

We are running low on money for supplies and soldiers. The allies are helping as much as they can but its not going as planned. The British had the South, Philadelphia, and New York. The Continental Army was harassing the British and General Cornwallis moved to Virginia. General Washington saw a opportunity to trap him at Yorktown and ordered to trap him by land. I just hope this will go as smooth as planned and get this thing over with.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.
National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

Entry 13~November 1780

General Gates formed an army to replace the one lost in the battle at Charleston. He hurried along to challenge General Cornwallis to a battle with his new and refreshed army. General Cornwallis and General Gates happened to meet very unexpectedly in Camden, the British base. They went into battle. The militiamen were cowards and mostly just ran away scared for there lives while the Continentals fought head on with the British. Eventually the battle had finished and we had lost again. This was a big loss for the Patriots. Soon we found out one of our military post generals had sided with the British and almost turned his post over to the British. Some of the frontiersmen terrorized some suspected loyalists and joined in a short battle near their home.

"Battles of the American Revolution - 1780." Laughter and Lawter Genealogy Research Center. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

National Archives and Records Administration. Web. 20 Nov. 2011. .

Entry 12~June 1780

General Clinton lead the British to a victory in Charleston. The Patriots were surrounded as soon as we got there. We surrendered and handed over our prisoners. We are losing our confidence and are all of a sudden losing our battles. General Cornwallis is back in New York and thinks the war is over. He left some of his British men in Charleston though. I have heard about some rebels that have been making some attacks on the British supplies and the loyalists.

"Battles of the American Revolution - 1780." Laughter and Lawter Genealogy Research Center. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. .

"Siege of Charleston Was Key Revolutionary War Battle." The Post and Courier, Charleston SC - News, Sports, Entertainment. 04 July 2010. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. .~Photograph

Entry 11~ July 1779

A guy named George Clark has attacked Kaskaskia in the mountains and they surrendered. The Patriots also took Cahokia. They surprise attacked Fort Sackville and marched through ice cold water for 18 days. They surrendered to us and this was called the War in the West. We have also gotten another ally, Spain, that is helping supply us.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

Winter, Ezra. Clark's Attack on Fort Sackville.

Entry 10~ December 1778

There was no fighting at Valley Forge, they almost died though. They didn't have warm clothes for the winter and had no food. I think I would hate being in that position of possibly not living. I didn't mention what was called the War at Sea during 1775 and 1776. We had created 4 American warships, a Continental Navy, and the marines. We were being the offensive side and they were defensive, but we went for their supply base instead. They seized it and weakened Britain's supply and naval forces. So that was about 2 to 3 years ago. I have heard of someone named John Paul Jones. It is said that he joined the navy and is considering himself as a pirate. He also captured many of the British supply ships, and is known as a hero. I have heard that Georgia finally joined the war and fell first. The British took Savannah quickly and without hesitation.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

George Washington Receiving French Generals at Mount Vernon. Photograph.

Entry 9 ~ August 1778

The Continental Army is still at Valley Forge, and the Continental Congress is now stating that every state supplies soldiers. My husband had to leave this morning so this morning has been full of sorrow. I hope that Nathaniel will not have to leave for war. Thousands of Africans have been joining the British side lately, and I think its because of the wealthier people not wanting to fight so they send in their African slaves and they get killed. So they would rather fight against those people and I really wouldn't blame the Africans, because I would probably do the same. My son and I have been tending the farm this afternoon because we need money. The French have been helping us more with the weapons, ships, and soldiers. They are great help and this alliance just might help us win the war. I wish the war would end soon I get anxious when I think about my boys out there fighting.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

Heaton, Augustus G. Baron Von Steuben at Valley Forge, 1777

Entry 8~ July 1778

General Clinton moved the Continental Army to New York because he didn't have a way to move horses over the sea. George Washington sent a half of his army to attack the British. General Lee found British and fought, but ended up retreating. George Washington wanted to counter attack and took the defensive positions. This ended in a draw, and neither side won.

"Department of Military Science - Battle of Monmouth." Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Web. 18 Nov. 2011. .

Armytage, J. C. Molly Pitcher at the Battle of Monmouth. Photograph.

Entry 7~ May 1778

A chain was added across the Hudson River by the rebels to form an obstacle for Britain. The British evacuated Philadelphia and marched carefully through New Jersey (where I am) to New York. When George Washington found out, he marched his army into New Jersey and as they met up I felt terror creeping in. They were about to fight in my own colony.

Hall, G. R. George Washington at Monmouth. Photograph

Horton, Gerald. "Timeline, 1778." Hortonn's Historical Articles. Web. 18 Nov. 2011. .

Entry 6~ December 1777

Apparently the British General John Burgoyne took Fort Ticonderoga and then headed to Albany, New York, but at the same time General Howe had gone and captured Philadelphia. The Continental Congress was forced to leave. The Patriots had made obstacles for the British. They trapped and surrounded Burgoyne's army. Also they surrendered, and this was called the Battle of Saratoga. This was the turning point in the Revolutionary War. Now, since we made the French King believe the colonists could win the war he agreed to an alliance. In December, George Washington settled at Valley Forge with his troops. They had no food or thick clothes for the winter.

Trumbull, John. Surrender of General Burgoyne at Saratoga.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4 Section 1." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

Entry 5~ November 1777

I have heard that a women named Betsy Ross is going to make the United States a flag. The flag is been approved by the president. Also I heard about another battle happening. On September 26, British troops forced the Continental Congress out of Pennsylvania. George Washington attempted to hold British troops outside of Philadelphia but failed. While the British filled the city, George and his troops went to Valley Forge.

Lucido, Aimee. "Timeline of Events That Happened in 1777 - Timelines.com." Timelines.com: Discover, Record and Share History with Timelines®. Web. 17 Nov. 2011. .

The First Flag Being Made. Photograph.

Entry 4~ December 1776

The 2nd Continental Congress formed a committee to write a document declaring independence. This created the Declaration of Independence which was our break from Great Britain. It was approved and we are now part of the United States. Most Indians are siding with the British but a few are siding with the Patriots. Some of the Indians are helping us deliver food to the soldiers at Valley Forge. The Continental Army has been on the run lately. We were all worried that this Army was going to eventually vanish, but the battle of Trenton made us feel a little more confident in the Continental Army.

Pine, Robert, and Edward Savage. The Second Continental Congress Voting Inde- Pendence.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4 Section 1." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

Entry 3~ February 1776

Henry Knox and some men were sent to transport the weapons from Fort Ticonderoga. He successfully carried all of them back. On March 4th, George Washington and his army moved to Dorchester Heights (this is a place known for overlooking Boston.) and placed cannons. When General William Howe woke up he saw the cannons pointing towards him and knew he would have to retreat and so he retreated to Canada. Thomas Paine wrote the pamphlet Common Sense in Philadelphia in January. People have been talking about it being published anonymously. We all knew he was the one that wrote it. This pamphlet argues that citizens should have the right to make the laws not the leaders, and I have to agree but I wouldn't take the risk of getting killed especially now because my family needs my right now. It was a very popular book and he ended up selling many copies.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4 Section 1." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

Hauling Guns by Ox Teams from Fort Ticonderoga for the Siege of Boston, 1775. Photograph.

Entry 2~ June 1775

I heard Paul Revere showed 2 lights awhile ago and it lead to a battle at Lexington and Concord. A shot was fired that even I could hear, we called it the Shot Heard 'Round the World. It was a quick victory when they got to Concord. We forced them to retreat with many casualties on their part. The 2nd Continental Congress created a Continental Army, that was commanded by George Washington. The congress wanted peace. Boston leaders sent men to New York. They were going to attack Fort Ticonderoga, and ended up capturing the fort and all their weapons. Britain was planning, but on June 17th we had surrendered them when they woke. They were forced to cross Boston Harbor to fight. They retreated twice, and we retreated once. We call this the battle of Bunker Hill. Even though Britain won this war, we are still determined.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4 Section 1." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

Rogers, C. Washington Taking Command of the American Army at Cambridge. Photograph.

All About Me~ Entry 1~May 1775

My name is Abigail Samson, and I have started this blog to tell about the Revolutionary War as it happens and I experience some of the traumatic events linked to and currently happening during the Revolutionary War. I live in New Jersey, I am a patriot, and I'm married to a farmer. We are poor, but have 3 teenage boys named James, William, and Nicholas. James is the oldest at age 18 and he is off at the war, William is the middle child at 16 and is also at war, but Nicholas the youngest at age 14 is still at home with me. I am proud of my boys but I also get scared from time to time, because I don't know if they are okay or not. I would be devastated if I found out one of them was gone. My husband, David, could get called at anytime to go fight. If that happened Nicholas and me would be left with the farm and we would have to tend to it ourselves. The 2nd Continental Congress was supposed to meet soon but something happened before they could. The governor heard about our stockpile and sent some of his men to come find and take them away. We have heard that Britain is preparing for battle, I just hope we can survive this one.

Deverell, William, and Deborah Gray. White. "Chapter 4 Section 1." United States History: Beginnings to 1877. Orlando, FL: Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 2007. Print.

Singleton, John. Mercy Otis Warren.