Posted by Jim McClure American Revolution, Archives, all posts, Books & reading, Events, Famous York visitors, People, War
Lawmakers shared in American Revolution’s adversity
With the growing fun connected with the newly branded York Revolution minor league baseball team, it’s easy to forget the sacrifices that came with the American Revolution.
The best estimate is that 4,000 York County men fought in uniform in the Continental Army. Those left at home – the aged, women and children – had to run businesses, farms and households in times of scarcity.
And even men of privilege in the Continental Congress paid a price… .
Henry Laurens, president of Congress during much of that body’s stay in York in 1777-78, spent months in the Tower of London when captured on a diplomatic mission. This broke his health.
His beloved son John was killed in a meaningless skirmish at war’s end. This broke his spirit.
