America - Celebrate 250!
An impressive number of founding members of the First Presbyterian Church of Baltimore played a critical role in the American Revolution.
Here is a bit more information about just a few of them.
Home Defense
As Deputy Commissary General of Purchases, James Calhoun managed supplies for the Continental Army. He became an officer in Baltimore’s militia in 1778 and Baltimore’s first mayor in 1797.
A fervent patriot, Samuel Purviance famously instigated a plot to kidnap the royal governor of the Maryland Colony, Robert Eden in 1776. Disappeared on expedition in Kentucky in 1788.
William Smith’s Committee of Correspondence membership facilitated secret communication between colonies. He later became Maryland’s first Representative to Congress.
Patrick Allison, pastor to the Continental Congress in Baltimore 1776- 1777 appointed by Washington. Published the influential Candid Animadversions arguing against a state religion under pseudonym Vindex.
A prominent patriot leader in Baltimore through the war, Isaac Griest served on the Baltimore Committee of Observation, acted as a quartermaster tasked with procuring clothing and supplies, and directed the building of military cannons.
Samuel Sterett was a passionate supporter of the revolutionary cause in Baltimore, distributing confiscated British property as a result of the war. He later became a congressman representing Baltimore.
~ ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ~
Link to: Rev. Patrick Allison's Candid Animadversions arguing against a state religion, written under the pseudonym "Vindex".
Link to: MD Historical Magazine (1965) article titled "The Cautious Revolution: Maryland and the Movement Toward Independence: 1774-1776, Part I" in which Samuel Purviance is placed into the context of the American Revolution.
Naval Blockade
Abraham Van Bibber Operated extensively out of the neutral Dutch Caribbean island of Sint Eustatius to coordinate supply pipelines of arms and gunpowder through the Chesapeake Region for the Continental Army.
Joshua Barney began naval service at 15 and quickly earned a reputation for bravery aboard the Hornet. Captured multiple times, he always escaped to quickly return to fight.
During the Revolutionary War, William Wilson routinely risked his fortune and vessels by signing non-importation agreements against British goods, financing privateers, and maintaining vital trade lines to supply the colonies.
During the war, John McKim and his family used extensive mercantile networks and capital to support regional privateering operations actively raiding British commerce to secure supplies for American forces.
~ ADDITIONAL RESOURCES ~
Click "play" on the video to learn more about Joshua Barney.
Support of American Troops
Appointed commissary general of purchases for the Continental Army, William Buchanan regularly corresponded with George Washington to resolve desperate supply shortages at Valley Forge, especially rum!
A leader of the Committee of Observation, Dr. John Boyd maintained a drugstore in Baltimore to distribute medical supplies in support American troops.
William Neill provided direct funding to General Lafayette’s troops, coordinated defense of Maryland’s coast and outfitted American troops passing though Baltimore.
Grandfather of Edgar Allen Poe, David Poe was appointed Assistant Deputy Quartermaster General by the Continental Congress to manage supplies for American Troops.
Appointed surgeon to the 5th Pennsylvania Battalion in 1776, James McHenry became Washington’s assistant secretary in May 1778, spending more than two years in Washington's headquarters, ultimately fighting at Yorktown.
Andrew Aitken served as an American Regimental Surgeon during the Revolutionary War in 1776 and later as a naval surgeon on a vessels commanded by Captain Stephen Decatur Sr.
