Revolutionary War General John Glover dies   On This Day in History, January 30, 1797, Revolutionary War General John Glover dies. Glover was born in Salem, Massachusetts and lived most of his life in Marblehead. John originally trained to be a cordwainer, or a maker of fine leather shoes, but

Secretary of State Timothy Pickering dies   On this day in history, January 29, 1829, Secretary of State Timothy Pickering dies. Pickering was born in Salem, Massachusetts, graduated from Harvard and became a lawyer in 1768. He joined the Essex County militia in 1766. In 1769, he was promoted to

Fort Nashborough, now called Nashville, is founded   On this day in history, January 28, 1779, Fort Nashborough, now called Nashville, is founded during the American Revolution in response to Indian attacks on settlers in the area. After the Revolution began, many Cherokee and other tribes in the southeast joined

James McHenry becomes Washington’s Secretary of War   On this day in history, January 27, 1796, James McHenry becomes Washington’s Secretary of War. McHenry was an Irish immigrant who came to America in 1771 at the age of 22. His family started an importing business in Baltimore, but James studied

Georgia patriots make a stand at Burke County Jail   On this day in history, January 26, 1779, Georgia patriots make a stand at Burke County Jail. In December of 1778, the British began their new Southern strategy with the attack and capture of Savannah, Georgia. The British were forced

Presbyterian Church burned at Elizabethtown, New Jersey   On this day in history, January 25, 1780, the Courthouse and Presbyterian Church are burned in Elizabethtown, New Jersey by the British. Due to its proximity to New York City and Staten Island, the city was the site of numerous skirmishes and

Light-Horse Harry Lee and Francis Marion attack Georgetown   On this day in history, January 24, 1781, “Light-Horse Harry” Lee and Francis Marion attack Georgetown, South Carolina. Georgetown was a Loyalist stronghold protected by 300 British troops led by Lt. Col. George Campbell.   “Light-Horse Harry” Lee, whose real name

Major General John Sullivan dies   On this day in history, January 23, 1795, Major General John Sullivan dies. Sullivan was a lawyer from Durham, New Hampshire, who, in his younger days, became a hated figure for filing lawsuits against his neighbors. As the years passed though, he regained his

Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, otherwise known as Molly Pitcher, dies   On this day in history, January 22, 1832, Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley, otherwise known as “Molly Pitcher,” dies. The details of the Molly legend are somewhat uncertain. Molly Pitcher was actually a common name used for women who helped

Colonel Ethan Allen is born   On this day in history, January 21, 1738, Colonel Ethan Allen is born. Allen became a land owner in the late 1760s in the area known as the New Hampshire Grants, the area of present day Vermont. Before the American Revolution, both Connecticut and