Author: Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick

Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick is currently the executive director of the historic 1769 Saint Georges Methodist Church and Museum in Philadelphia. He holds a BA Degree from Temple University, an MA in History from La Salle University, and a Historic Preservation Program Certificate from Bucks County Community College. He has served with the National Park Service at Independence and Colonial National Historical Parks; and as the executive director of Historic RittenhouseTown NHL, the Masonic Library & Museum of Pennsylvania, the Historic Woodlands Trust, and the Northampton County Historical & Genealogical Society. Also, he was the Director of the Historic Jamestowne Fund for The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation. He is a previous contributor to the JAR as well as to many professional journals and publications.

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The War Years (1775-1783) Posted on

Retribution in Pennsylvania: The 1780 British Counter-Offensive to the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign

“The Expedition of Genl Sullivan against the six nations seems by its effects to have exasperated than to have terrified or disabled them,” wrote Continental Congressman James Madison in June 1780.[1] This 1779 Patriot offensive, known as the Sullivan Campaign or the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign, was meant to teach the Loyalists and their Native American allies […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick
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Politics During the War (1775-1783) Posted on

The Mutiny of 1783: America’s Only Successful Insurrection

In June 1783, while a formal peace agreement was being negotiated in Paris, what British arms had not been able to accomplish was effectively achieved by the very soldiers who had sworn to protect and maintain the American government. A military insurrection unfolded on streets of the national capital of Philadelphia, the only successful insurrection […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick
Features Posted on

The Impeachment of Senator William Blount—the First in American History

It is easy to suggest that William Blount made no significant contribution to the development of the United States. His achievements, although not negligible, were only on par at best, and far less than many of his more famous contemporaries. Blount served in the North Carolina militia during the American Revolution, but with little acclaim […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick
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Frontier Posted on

Maj. Gen. John Sullivan and the Occupation of Easton, Pennsylvania, May 7–June 18, 1779

For a brief seven weeks, the Pennsylvania frontier village of Easton became the second largest community within the state. With an estimated 25,000 inhabitants, Philadelphia was the largest city in Pennsylvania (and North America); under normal circumstances, Lancaster was second with between 3,000-3,500 inhabitants followed by York with under 2,000.[1] In 1752 it was estimated that […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick
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Conflict & War Posted on

A Chink in Britain’s Armor: John Paul Jones’s 1778 Raid on Whitehaven

John Paul Jones has earned enduring fame in American history for his sailing and fighting exploits during the American Revolution. His influence on the war, however, went far beyond his alleged immortal words while engaging the HMS Serapis with his vessel, the Bonhomme Richard. For a period in 1778, the mere mention of his name caused terror […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick
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Conflict & War Posted on

General Thomas Conway: Cabal Conspirator or Career Climber?

“French Officers hate him” and “none of the English Officers . . . love him.”[1] The American Revolution produced the names of great individuals who performed distinguished deeds we treasure and honor today. As there are historical heroes, there are also antagonists with adversarial roles who fall into the category of “all but forgotten.” Among the […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick
Features Posted on

Struggle for a Lighthouse: The Raids to Destroy the Boston Light

In the days following the British pyrrhic victory of Bunker Hill on June 17, 1775, Gen. George Washington, in his new role as commander-in-chief, assumed the leadership of approximately 14,000 troops.  While Washington’s army laid siege to Boston, the town’s British garrison of some 7,000 soldiers, sailors and marines were stretched thin as they attempted […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick
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Features Posted on

The Loyalist Raid on Newtown: The Consequences of Being Surprised

The small village of Newtown played a noteworthy role during the American Revolution from the time when General Washington’s army retreated in 1776 across New Jersey into Pennsylvania through the British occupation of American capital of Philadelphia until mid-1778. This was due to its geographical location in Bucks County, having been since 1726 the seat […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick
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Conflict & War Posted on

The Battle of Valley Forge

The name Valley Forge evokes strong emotions and memories that are indelibly embedded on the collective American psyche with legendary stories of immense misery, starvation and suffering amidst great heroic patriotism and dedication. The hilly site outside of British-held Philadelphia served as the winter cantonment—one of seven such large-scale military facilities during the American Revolution—for […]

by Andrew A. Zellers-Frederick