Category Archives: Revolutionary Veterans

A Tale of Two Jeffers: How Pension Information Differentiates Revolutionary War Soldiers

The first biography I wrote for Finding the Maryland 400 covered the life of Jacob Jeffers, a soldier who served in Maryland’s Fourth Independent Company during the Battle of Brooklyn. Jeffers later served in the Second Maryland Regiment until his … Continue reading

Posted in Biographies, Maryland 400, Revolutionary Veterans | 2 Comments

Revolutionary Veterans VI: The Long and Eventful Life of William McMillan

Regular readers of Finding the Maryland 400 will already know about William McMillan. As a 20 year old sergeant at the Battle of Brooklyn, McMillan survived a battle where “My captain was killed, first lieutenant was killed, second lieutenant shot … Continue reading

Posted in Biographies, Maryland 400, Revolutionary Veterans | 2 Comments

Revolutionary Veterans V: Thomas Stockett Brewer of Annapolis

Thomas Stockett Brewer also remained in his home state after the war. Brewer hailed from Anne Arundel County and likely lived in Annapolis before the war, where he was surrounded by patriotic sentiment. He likely worked as an apprentice or … Continue reading

Posted in Biographies, Maryland 400, Revolutionary Veterans | Comments Off on Revolutionary Veterans V: Thomas Stockett Brewer of Annapolis

Revolutionary Veterans IV: The Tragic Fate of James Marle

James Marle, a young man who enlisted as a fifer but was instead given a musket, shows the other reality that many veterans faced when they left Maryland. Originally from Baltimore County, Marle joined the military to be a musician … Continue reading

Posted in Biographies, Maryland 400, Revolutionary Veterans | Comments Off on Revolutionary Veterans IV: The Tragic Fate of James Marle

Revolutionary Veterans III: Leonard Watkins, gearmaker

Leonard Watkins decided to permanently return to his home in Montgomery County, Maryland, after the Revolution ended. Being a craftsman, Watkins did not face the same struggles that many of his fellow soldiers dealt with in acquiring land or growing … Continue reading

Posted in Biographies, Maryland 400, Revolutionary Veterans | Comments Off on Revolutionary Veterans III: Leonard Watkins, gearmaker

Revolutionary Veterans II: Levin Frazier, Soldier, Sailor, Land Owner

Levin Frazier, a farmer from Dorchester County, illustrates the possibilities of success for the veterans who chose to remain in Maryland after the war. He was born a poor man in his home county, and it is unlikely that he … Continue reading

Posted in Biographies, Maryland 400, Revolutionary Veterans | Comments Off on Revolutionary Veterans II: Levin Frazier, Soldier, Sailor, Land Owner

Revolutionary Veterans I: Mark McPherson, Kentucky Gentleman

Mark McPherson, a planter born in Maryland to a marginally successful family, left his home state despite having land and means in Maryland. A resident of Charles County, he inherited land from parents who died while he was still young. … Continue reading

Posted in Biographies, Maryland 400, Revolutionary Veterans | Comments Off on Revolutionary Veterans I: Mark McPherson, Kentucky Gentleman

The Fates of Revolutionary War Veterans

Today, the Revolutionary War is remembered as a triumph of liberty, a great struggle for the ideal of freedom that the American colonists so greatly desired. In truth, however, it was much more. The Revolution was not just a war … Continue reading

Posted in Biographies, Maryland 400, Revolutionary Veterans | Tagged , | Comments Off on The Fates of Revolutionary War Veterans