Maryland Society Sons of the American Revolution

All are invited.

In 1845, the Congress passed a federal law declaring the first Tuesday following the first Monday in November as Election Day. 🇺🇸

Here are some interesting facts and histories about Election Day that you may not know...

Facts About the History of Election Day - America250 America’s Invitation America’s Invitation A unique opportunity for Americans to share their stories and their hopes and dreams for the future of our country. Together, these stories create a portrait of America at 250 years.

Calling all Maryland Eagle Scouts... our contest is open to all Eagle Scouts currently registered in an active unit and who have not reached their nineteenth birthday. Over $25,000 awarded annually. Apply by December 31 - Baltimore Scouting, National Capital Area Council, Scouting America, Scouting America, Del-Mar-Va Council, Laurel Highlands Council, Scouting America, Chester County Council, BSA, Shenandoah Area Council

Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest – National Society Sons of the American Revolution The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) invites all Eagle Scouts interested in the American Revolution to participate in the Arthur M. & Berdena King Eagle Scout Contest. The contest is open to all Eagle Scouts who are currently registered in an active unit and, except as p...

Happy Birthday to Founding Father William Paca 📜🥳🎃🇺🇸

William Paca, a Maryland Delegate to the First and Second Continental Congresses, signed both, the Articles of Association, and the Declaration of Independence. Born October 31, 1740 and died just short of his sixtieth birthday, October 13, 1799.

William Paca was born on the 31st of October, 1740. He was the second son of John Paca, a gentleman of large estate, who resided in the county of Harford, in the state of Maryland. His father, sensible of the importance of a good education, placed his son, at a proper age, in the college at Philadelphia, at that time under the care of the learned and eloquent Dr. William Smith. On commencing bachelor of arts, in 1759, he entered the office of Stephen Bradley, a distinguished lawyer of Annapolis, for the purpose of pursuing the profession of law.

Mr. Paca was a diligent student, and early gave promise of eminence in his profession. He was licensed to practice in 1761, and was admitted to the bar at the provincial court in 1764. He established himself at Annapolis, where he had for his competitors, John Price, and Samuel Chase, with the latter of whom he became intimately acquainted, and with whom he acted an important part during the revolutionary struggle.

The political career of Mr. Paca commenced in 1771, at which time he was appointed to represent the county in the popular branch of the legislature. At this time, and for several years after, much contention existed between the government of Maryland, which was proprietary, and the people. The government consisted of three branches: a house of burgesses, the members of which were selected by the people. The second branch was called the upper house, the members of which were elected and removed, at the pleasure of the proprietor. The governor formed the third branch, without whose assent no act of assembly was valid. And in addition to this, the proprietor himself, who generally resided in England, claimed the privilege of dissenting from such laws as he pleased, although they had received the sanction of the above branches of the legislature. Hence, there was often no small collision between the lower house, or those who represented the people, and the upper house and governor, who were considered as under the influence of the proprietor.

In this provincial assembly, Mr. Paca represented the people, whose interests he strongly felt, and faithfully guarded. The interests of the proprietor and of the people were often thought to be at variance. An avaricious and oppressive spirit marked the proceedings of the proprietor and his partisans. It was important, therefore, for the people, to have men to represent them in the house of burgesses, who understood their rights, and were sufficiently bold to assert and maintain them. Such a man was Mr. Paca. He was learned as to a knowledge of law, and of the principles of the proprietary government; and at all times, when necessary, sufficiently courageous to resist the aggressions of avarice, and the usurpations of tyranny.

The following anecdote will illustrate the bold and independent spirit of Mr. Paca. In 1771, an act expired in Maryland, the object of which was to regulate the staple of to***co, and the fees of certain officers. This act the house of burgesses refused to continue, without a reduction of the officers' fees. As neither branch of the assembly would recede from the ground it had taken, the fee bill fell. In this state of things, the governor issued his proclamation directing the officers to proceed according to the old law.

The commotion excited throughout the province was great, and at some places, particularly at Annapolis, even tumultuous. At this latter place, a multitude of citizens collected to express their abhorrence of the conduct of the governor. At the head of this multitude were Mr. Paca and Mr. Chase. A procession was formed, and with these two gentlemen for leaders, they proceeded to a gallows which had been previously erected, upon which they hung the governor's proclamation, in due form, with a halter. At length it was taken down, inclosed in a coffin prepared for the purpose, and consigned to a grave dug beneath the gallows. During the whole ceremony, minute guns were fired from a schooner owned by Mr. Paca, which was stationed at no great distance. In conclusion, the citizens marched back to the city, where they devoted the remainder of the day to festivity.

The controversy to which we have now alluded had long existed, and continued to exist, quite down to the era of the revolutionary struggle. "When that struggle commenced, about the year 1774, there were men, therefore, in Maryland, who were well prepared to enter into it, with energy and decision. They had been trained in the school of controversy. They had studied every chapter relating to American rights; and possessing a boldness and a courage commensurate with their knowledge, they were prepared to act a decided part.

Of the illustrious congress of 1774, Mr. Paca was a member, in conjunction with Samuel Chase, and several others. They were instructed by the Maryland convention, from which they received their appointment: "To effect one general plan of conduct, operating on the commercial connexion of the colonies with the mother country, for the relief of Boston, and the preservation of American liberty." As a member of this congress, Mr. Paca so well pleased his constituents, that he was re-appointed to the same station, until the year 1778, at the close of which he retired.

Mr. Paca was an open advocate for a declaration of independence, as were several of his colleagues. For the accomplishment of such an object, they laboured with unwearied zeal. A majority of the people of Maryland, however, were not prepared for such a measure. They still felt a strong affection for the king, and the mother country, towards whom they expressed by their convention, early in the year 1776, many professions of loyalty and regard.

At the same time, they strictly enjoined their representatives in congress, not to consent to any propositions for publishing a declaration of independence, and accompanied these restrictions with a resolution, that Maryland would not be bound by any vote of congress, which should sanction such a measure.

In the life of Mr. Chase, we have related the manner in which a change was effected among the people in relation to this subject, particularly through the instrumentality of Mr. Chase. On the 28th of June, the convention of Maryland recalled their instructions to their delegates, whom they left free to vote in favour of a declaration of independence. In consequence, their vote was given in its favour, shortly after which the convention expressed their approbation of the measure, and in support of it pledged their lives and fortunes and sacred honour.

Early in the year 1778, Mr. Paca was appointed chief justice of the supreme court of his state, an office which he continued to exercise with great ability, until 1780, when he was advanced by congress to the still more important office of chief judge of the court of appeals, in prize and admiralty cases. In this new station, he acquitted himself with great honour. He entered with ability into the subject of international law, and had the happiness to learn that his decisions were highly approved, both at home and abroad.

In 1782, he was elected to the chief magistracy of his native state. Here, again, he was distinguished for great correctness and integrity, for dignity and simplicity. He entered with zeal into the interests of literature and religion, both of which he promoted by his private donations, and his executive patronage. These subjects he officially recommended to the general assembly in the following language "It is far from our intention," said he, "to embarrass your deliberations with a variety of objects ; but we cannot pass over matters of so high concernment as religion and learning. The sufferings of the ministers of the gospel of all denominations, during the war, have been very considerable; and the perseverance and firmness of those, who discharged their sacred functions under many discouraging circumstances, claim our acknowledgments and thanks. The bill of rights and form of government recognize the principle of public support for the ministers of the gospel, and ascertain the mode. Anxiously solicitous for the blessings of government, and the welfare and happiness of our citizens, and thoroughly convinced of the powerful influence of religion, when diffused by its respectable teachers, we beg leave most seriously and warmly to recommend, among the first objects of your attention, on the return of peace, the making such provision as the constitution, in this case, authorizes and approves."

The recommendation of Governor Paca was kindly received by the assembly, which passed several acts in aid of the several denominations of christians, which were at that time numerous in Maryland. The interest which he manifested in favour of religion, met the warm approbation of the various sects; and from the episcopalians, in particular, it elicited, through their convention, a formal expression of thanks.

After holding the office of chief magistrate for one year, Mr. Paca retired to private life, until 1786, when he again accepted the executive chair for a single year.

In 1789, on the organization of the federal government, he received from President Washington the appointment of judge of the district court of the United States for Maryland. This oflice he held until the year 1799, when he was summoned to another world, in the sixtieth year of his age.

Mr. Paca was twice married. The first time to a daughter of Samuel Chew, in the year 1761, while he was pursuing the study of law. The second time in 1777, to a daughter of a respectable gentleman of Philadelphia, by the name of Harrison. By the former lady he had five children, one of whom only survives. By the latter he had a son, who died shortly after his mother, whose decease occurred in 1780.

Few men in America, as maybe gathered from the preceding sketch, were ever more estimable in their character than Governor Paca. He possessed a mind of superior order, which was greatly improved by his in*******se with mankind, and his extensive acquaintance with books.

In his address he was unusually graceful, and in his social powers was excelled by few. His attention to the young was not the least excellent trait in his character. He sought their company, and took a deep interest in their moral and intellectual improvement. Even after he became governor of the state, he was in the habit of attending a club at Annapolis, composed of young men and gentlemen of science. In this school, many were trained, who afterwards became highly distinguished both as statesmen and lawyers. It was here that that celebrated orator, William Pinkney, first attracted the attention of Judge Chase, an account of whose particularly kind conduct towards him, we have given in the life of that gentleman. We shall only add to this notice of Mr. Paca, that as he lived a life of distinguished usefulness, so he died regretted by all who knew how to estimate moral worth, intellectual elevation, and political integrity.

Lives of the Signers to the Declaration of Independence, by Charles Augustus Goodrich, 1829.

Image: William Paca, by Charles Willson Peale, 1823 - Maryland Archives.

©2022-2024 Clifford Olsen/250YearsofLiberty

Happy Halloween! 🎃

Happy Halloween from W3R! 👻

Did you know that many ghost stories told in America today originated from legends from the American Revolution? Most famously there is the Headless Horseman of Sleepy Hollow, who is the ghost of a Hessian trooper whose head had been carried away by a cannonball, but there are many others for you to explore - from the ghost ships like the HMS Jersey to apparitions at Valley Forge and disembodied voices heard at Cornwallis' Cave.

We wish you a suitably spooky, safe and fun Halloweekend with your family and friends!

Photo source:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cgc76/10600132123

🇺🇸

Our challenge to you is simple and exciting: Create a song that bridges generations, capturing the vibrant spirit of the many voices of the American Revolution, and you could win the attention of music industry professionals, as well as one of our $3,500 prizes!

The Music and the American Revolution competition is open to high school and college-age musicians, as well as young independent artists who are under the age of 30. We want to hear what you can do and to give you a platform to do something fresh, new and exciting. Can you breathe new life into stories that all too often come across as dry and irrelevant to the present day? Let’s find out! Deadline for submissions is December 31, 2024.

Learn more at Battlefields.org/Music

Sure to be an event heard round the world! 🇬🇧🌎🇺🇸

Mark your calendar- our Concord250th Celebration is less than 6 months away!

Saturday, April 19 is the big day.
Look for events happening every month as we celebrate this momentous occasion!




# SupportLocal

Making plans for a great weekend March 21-23, 2025, for the Bush Declaration 250th Anniversary! Do you have a Bush signer in your tree?

Congratulations to the Col. Tench Tilghman Chapter MD SAR and Talbot 250 for honoring the legacy of Tench Tilghman and all Talbot Patriots.

Tench Tilghman: A Talbot County-born revolutionary hero EASTON — One of George Washington’s most trusted men has roots in Talbot County, and this week he was celebrated by a local chapter of the Maryland Society of the

Did you know that on this day in history 250 years ago, the First Continental Congress delegates, meeting in Carpenters' Hall, issued a petition to the King of England? They implored him to address their grievances with the Intolerable Acts and other sources of injustice, rather than seeking complete independence from British rule.

They stated that "Your royal indignation we hope will rather fall on those designing and dangerous men, who daringly interposing themselves between your royal person and your faithful subjects, and for several years past incessantly employed to dissolve the bonds of society, by abusing your majesty's authority, misrepresenting your American subjects, and prosecuting the most desperate and irritating projects of oppression, have at length compelled us, by the force of accumulated injuries, too severe to be any longer tolerable, to disturb your majesty's repose by our complaints."

The petition was presented to the King and parliament by Benjamin Franklin who was a colonial agent in London. Its rejection would lead eventually, following another attempt at reconciliation in the Olive Branch Petition, to the Declaration of Independence and war.

For the full text of the 1774 petition, please visit the following link or the link in our bio: https://www.masshist.org/database/viewer.php?item_id=663&pid=2

Happy National Civics Day! Today commemorates the date the Federalist Papers—which convincingly made the case for ratification of the United States Constitution—were first published.

On October 27, 1787, Federalist No. 1, entitled “General Introduction” and written by Alexander Hamilton under the pseudonym “Publius,” appeared in The Independent Journal. Hamilton, a Revolutionary War veteran, was a critical force in the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. He was a prominent delegate to the Constitutional Convention and, when the document was completed, he became the only New Yorker to sign it. The lengthy and contentiousratification process divided Americans into Federalists, who supported the Constitution, and Antifederalists, who opposed the document and its powerful centralized government.

To explain the Constitution and garner support for its ratification, Hamilton conceived of the Federalist Papers, a masterful series of 85 essays written by Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay. They were first published individually in New York newspapers, then in the spring of 1788, they were compiled in a bound two-volume work, The Federalist, published by J. and A. McLean.

Image: Alexander Hamilton, Major General of the Armies of the United States of America, Secretary of the Treasure, &c. &c., engraved by William Rollinson after a painting by Archibold Robertson (New York: Published at the Columbia Academy of Painting, 1804). The Society of the Cincinnati, Purchased with a gift from a private foundation.

More for

The National Park Service writes that Tilghman was even sick during his ride from Yorktown to Philadelphia "with chills and fever" and that he left the army in 1783 with failing health.

After Tilghman's death, Washington wrote to his brother Thomas Ringgold Tilghman and to his father James Tilghman:

"As there were few men for whom I had a warmer friendship, or greater regard than for your Brother—Colonel Tilghman—when living; so, with much truth I can assure you, that, there are none whose death I could more sincerely have regretted. and I pray you, & his numerous friends to permit me to mingle my sorrows with theirs on this unexpected & melancholy occasion.

Of all the numerous acquaintances of your lately deceased son, & amidst all the sorrowings that are mingled on that melancholy occasion, I may venture to assert that (excepting those of his nearest relatives) none could have felt his death with more regret than I did—No one entertained a higher opinion of his worth, or had imbibed sentiments of greater friendship for him than I had done."

Maryland 250 Commission

Members of the Col. Tench Tilghman Chapter MD SAR helped bring "Tench Tilghman Week" to Talbot County!

Col Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution Highlight Their Namesake Wesley Hagood, Col Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons of the Revolution, provides a brief history on Col Tench Tilghman as part of Tench Tilghman Week,...}

250 years ago today...

250 years ago on this day, October 20, 1774, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Association, which presented to King George III a plan of unified resistance of all of the American colonies to Britain’s “ruinous System of Colony Administration”—especially the Intolerable Acts, punitive laws that Parliament passed earlier in 1774 as punishment for the Boston Tea Party.

The Articles of Association—while pledging the Americans’ continued loyalty to the king—severed all economic ties with Britain, including a boycott on goods produced in Britain and its other colonies and a ban of the slave trade. The document was signed by 53 delegates, including George Washington, John Adams, Samuel Adams, John Jay, and Peyton Rudolph, who was president of Congress.

The boycott, which took effect on December 1, 1774, succeeded in damaging the British economy. But instead of repealing the Intolerable Acts, the Crown responded in March 1775 with the passage of another restrictive law, the New England Restraining Act. But the American colonists would not be deterred …

Image: Detail of the Articles of Association, October 20, 1774. National Archives and Records Administration.

Celebrate Colonel Tench Tilghman Week

Maryland State Archives’ Owen Lourie will present on the Maryland 400 soldiers who held the line during the Battle of Brooklyn in 1776 and saved George Washington’s army from certain destruction. He will also discuss Colonel Tench Tilghman’s observations during the battle and any role he may have played. This event is hosted by the Talbot County Free Library and sponsored by the Colonel Tench Tilghman Chapter of the Sons (SAR) and the General Perry Benson Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Register online here: https://talbot.librarycalendar.com/event/voices-maryland-400-marylands-revolutionary-war-soldiers-battle-brooklyn-1776-99

#1776