1763–1781 - American Revolution

William Whipple was a New Hampshire merchant, soldier, and politician. He signed the Declaration of Independence on August 2, 1776, making him one of America’s Founding Fathers.

The Battle of White Plains took place on October 28, 1776. After British forces captured a key position on the west side of White Plains, the Americans were forced to retreat.

Marinus Willett was a soldier, politician, and artisan from New York. A veteran of the French and Indian War, he became involved with the Patriot Cause in New York City. He was a key member of the New York Sons of Liberty, along with John Lamb, Isaac Sears, and Alexander McDougall. When the war started, he was appointed a Lieutenant Colonel in the New York Line. He participated in the Invasion of Canada and the Saratoga Campaign. Afterward, he served in the Northern Department until the end of the war, helping drive enemy forces out of the Mohawk River Valley.

Otho Holland Williams was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. He rose to prominence during the campaigns in the Southern Theater and is remembered for documenting the Camden Campaign and the disastrous American defeat at the Battle of Camden in 1781.

William Williams was a merchant, politician, and soldier who rose to prominence in Connecticut during the American Revolution. An early supporter of the Patriot Cause, he continued his support during the American Revolutionary War by helping fund the Capture of Fort Ticonderoga. As a member of the Continental Congress, he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, making him one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.

The Battle of Williamson's Plantation — also known as Huck's Defeat — was fought between the United States of America and Great Britain on July 12, 1780, during the American Revolutionary War. The battle was part of the Southern Campaign and resulted in an American victory.

James Wilson was a Scottish-born lawyer, merchant, and politician who rose to prominence in Pennsylvania during the American Revolution. Although he was a conservative supporter of independence, he voted for it and signed the Declaration of Independence, making him one of the nation’s Founding Fathers. Wilson also played an important role at the Constitutional Convention (1787), earning him the nickname “Architect of the Constitution.”

Witchcraft in Colonial America is typically connected to the Salem Witch Trials (1692–1693) and the Puritan Colonies in New England. Both Protestants and Catholics during the Colonial Era feared the unknown, and often explained things they could not understand as the “work of the Devil.” Because of this, witchcraft trials occurred in nearly all of the 13 Original Colonies.

John Witherspoon was a Scottish minister and educator who rose to prominence in New Jersey during the American Revolution. After immigrating to America, he served as President of the College of New Jersey, helped resolve differences within the Presbyterian Church, and became active in the Patriot Cause. As a member of the Continental Congress, he signed the Declaration of Independence and Articles of Confederation, making him one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.

Oliver Wolcott was a merchant, politician, and soldier who rose to prominence in Connecticut during the American Revolution. As a member of the Continental Congress, he signed the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation, making him one of the nation’s Founding Fathers.

Sylvanus Wood fought in the Battle of Lexington on April 19, 1775. Afterward, he captured a British soldier, who is believed to be the first prisoner taken in the American Revolutionary War.

William Woodford was a Virginia Patriot who led militia forces early during the American Revolutionary War, before joining the Continental Army. Woodford helped drive the British out of Virginia before fighting with Washington’s Army during the Philadelphia Campaign. Woodford was taken as a prisoner of war at the Siege of Charleston and died in captivity in New York.

David Wooster was a Connecticut militia leader who served in King George’s War, the French and Indian War and the American Revolution. He died in 1777, during the American Revolution, soon after the Battle of Ridgefield.

Writs of Assistance were broad search warrants that allowed British customs officials to search property without a court order and force law enforcement officials to help them. In 1761, James Otis challenged the Writs in court, leading John Adams to say, “American Independence was then and there born.”

George Wythe was one of Virginia’s most respected legal minds during the 18th Century. Known for his integrity, scholarship, and commitment to justice, he shaped early American law through his service in the House of Burgesses, the courts, and the College of William and Mary. He contributed to major political debates, supported independence, and issued one of the earliest statements of judicial review.

Battle of Yorktown facts, including dates, casualties, participants, who won, and more interesting facts you might not know. It was the last major battle of the American Revolutionary War and ended with the surrender of General Charles Cornwallis to General George Washington. It secured the American victory in the war, independence for the United States, and changed the course of history.

The Battle of Yorktown was the decisive battle of the American Revolution. General Charles Cornwallis surrendered his army to General George Washington on October 19, 1781, following a lengthy siege.