Losing items like buttons or keys can be frustrating, even for soldiers during the Revolutionary War. At Fort Fair Lawn, a British outpost in South Carolina, archaeologists found many objects, including a silver-plated button from the 71st British Regiment, known as "Fraser’s Highlanders." This regiment fought nearby but wasn't stationed at the fort, making the button's presence there a mystery. It could have been lost by a visiting officer or picked up by another soldier. These small artifacts help historians understand the daily lives and sacrifices of those who fought for independence.
The rediscovery of a long-lost portrait of Charleston merchant Richard Lushington sheds light on lesser-known Revolutionary War heroes. Lushington, a Quaker, led a diverse militia called the Free Citizens of Charleston, which included many Jewish men. Despite Quakers' commitment to nonviolence, Lushington fought for independence, possibly seeking acceptance in Charleston society. His unit fought in key battles, and after the war, Lushington became a respected city leader. His portrait, now displayed in Charleston, highlights the contributions of marginalized figures in the fight for American independence.
John Howland, Benjamin Tainter, Stephen Tainter, and Lewis Hurd, all from the same extended family, contributed to American history across generations. Stephen Tainter, who served as a drummer boy in the Revolutionary War and later became a doctor, is especially highlighted in a traveling exhibition by the American Battlefield Trust. His descendants, Stuart Halsan and Steven Pahre, take pride in their family’s history, which they feel personally connected to. They believe that Stephen’s story can inspire young people to stand up for their beliefs and strive to help others, no matter their age or beginnings.
Uncovering History
We invite you to visit the preserved locations along the Liberty Trail and to immerse
yourself in the extraordinary events that determined the fate of a nation.
This building was the home of the captain of the Lincoln Minutemen, William Smith, who led his men at the Lexington Green on April 19, 1775.
This 18th-century plantation home, on the grounds of the Hampton Plantation State Historic Site, served as a place of refuge for Francis Marion who hid here from when British troops.
Known for having the "Bridge that Saved the Nation," these grounds were once traversed by George Washington and the battered Continental Army as it retreated from New York
In the final days of the Revolutionary War, Rockingham became General George Washington’s last wartime headquarters, where he penned his Farewell Orders to the Armies of the United States. As he prepared to step away from military command, news arrived that the Treaty of Paris had been signed, securing America’s independence.
Located near the famous Treaty of Hopewell site, the Hopewell Plantation house was the Pickens' family home and later served as the South Carolina Governor's Mansion.
One of the bloodiest sites during the Battle of Lexington and Concord, this house saw extensive combat and still bears the scars left behind by the engagement.
This park features the Lands Ford crossing, used during the Revolutionary War by both British and American troops under Cornwallis and Sumter before and after pivotal battles.
Waiting on British troops to arrive on the morning of April 19, militia members used this tavern to wait for their arrival before assembling on the field of battle and sparking the American Revolution
Morristown National Historical Park marks the site of the Continental Army’s 1779-80 encampment under George Washington. It symbolizes America’s fight for independence and Washington’s leadership in uniting the army, remaining a lasting symbol of resilience and patriotism.
Utilized during the second Middlebrook encampment by the Continental Army, this home served as the headquarters for Nathanael Greene from 1778-1779.
This unassuming home, owned by the Covenhoven family, was requisitioned by British General Henry Clinton in the days prior to the monumental Battle of Monmouth.
An ingenious Patriot deception provokes a prominent Loyalist to surrender his outpost