COMMEMORATIVE DIGITAL ALBUM
AN OFFICIAL
HISTORICAL
STORYTELLING
CELEBRATION OF
AMERICA'S 250TH
ANNIVERSARY
25 Musical Snapshots™ of the American Revolution
The Soundtrack of Independence
A Full Measure of the Revolutionary Experience
Compelling history happens when monumental events collide with the lives of everyday people. Journey to Liberty portrays the cornerstones of our nation being set at the flashpoint of these two forces, bridging thirteen pivotal milestones with ten intimate accounts of the participants who bore their weight. Woven into a single twenty-five-song tapestry of evocative Musical Snapshots™, these stories draw listeners into an immersive theater of the mind where the past is no longer a distant record, but a living, breathing encounter. This unified narrative forges the struggles of the founding into an enduring example of the power we each hold to help shape the unfinished story of liberty today.
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The American Revolution
the complete experience
Washington’s Final Testament
Each selection includes a preamble by George Washington
An emotional theater of the mind journey with the General through the agonies and triumphs of the founding of our nation. He brings these memories to life as one of his final acts of service—just days before his passing—to ensure that the true cost of our freedom is never forgotten. Within this experience, he reveals his fondest wish: that we remain one united people, bound by a shared devotion to the principles of liberty and the "sacred fire" of self-governance.
Sample
01. New World
Stamp Act
Washington’s Final Testament: The Complete Journey
December 12, 1799. Mount Vernon.
After five grueling hours overseeing his estate on horseback in a freezing winter storm, George Washington returns home. He is chilled to the bone, caked in ice and snow. Ever the man of duty, he refuses to change, choosing instead to sit for dinner with Martha in his cold, sodden clothes.
Later, warmed by a roaring fire and dry clothes, the General begins to speak. In this final, reflective evening, he delivers a comprehensive series of preambles that precede the 25 songs of this collection. He recounts pivotal events of the Revolutionary War alongside reminisces about the patriots he knew, or whose accounts had reached his notice.
By the time he retires, the day’s exposure has taken its permanent hold. Within forty-eight hours, his condition worsened by harsh medical treatments, the Father of our Country would be gone. This is his final look back; his complete narrative of the struggle for independence and the souls who achieved it.
This is Washington’s Final Testament.
"When the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act in March of 1765, they thought they were settling a war debt. Instead, they were triggering a public outrage that would reshape a continent. Initially, the colonial response was a slow burn of printed pamphlets and secret tavern meetings. By August, the simmer reached a boiling point in the streets of Boston, and the colonies realized their rights could no longer be requested. They had to be claimed."
The spark was lit in London town, a heavy tax to weigh us down
on every sheet a fee was set, to pay the empire's growing debt
No voice to speak, no jury trial, just a ruling from a distant isle
No fairness for the ones who fight, no voice to speak for what is right
no seat within the House to hear, no help to calm our growing fear
No tax without our own consent! Across the sea the message went
just let us walk our separate way, in the new world we create
The Sons of Liberty arose, harassing all the royal foes
the merchants joined to take a stand, with boycotts spread across the land
The pressure made the Chamber yield, and grant the colonies' appeal
No tax without our own consent! Across the sea the message went
just let us walk our separate way, in the new world we create
They pulled the Act but kept the sting, a message from a stubborn King
to bind us with a royal seal, no matter how the people feel
In every case and every way, the Crown would have the final say
Sample
02. Battle Cry
Boston Massacre
“The repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766 was a deceptive victory. It was immediately replaced by a chilling decree that Parliament held absolute power to bind the colonies ‘in all cases whatsoever.’ This shift from taxing paper to claiming total authority brought four regiments of Redcoats to the streets of Boston in 1768. For eighteen months, the city was a pressure cooker of civilian resentment and military occupation, a standoff where the friction of daily life was destined to strike a spark.”
The frigid wind in Boston blew, as Redcoat troops came into view
with bitter tempers, shortened fuse, a desperate, deadly fray ensued
Snow and clubs met steel and lead, five colonials soon were dead
Their blood was turned to battle cry, united in a common fight
beyond the tax, a deeper rage, a flame the Crown could not contain
As martyr blood on cobbles dried, when mob demanded eye for an eye
John Adams stood for what was right, to let the law and truth apply
When snow and clubs met steel and lead five colonials soon were dead
Their blood was turned to battle cry, united in a common fight
beyond the tax, a deeper rage, a flame the Crown could not contain
Through the colonies rang the sound of independent voices found
uniting in a common cause, a new foundation, different laws
Their blood was turned to battle cry, united in a common fight
beyond the tax, a deeper rage, a flame the Crown could not contain
Sample
03. A Protest
Boston Tea Party
“Following the Massacre, a tense three-year calm settled over the colonies. Then the British Parliament passed the Tea Act in 1773, a strategic move designed to bail out the struggling East India Company. To the Patriots, the issue wasn't the price of "bohea" tea. It was about the British having a monopoly. One December night that year, a well-organized group of patriots boarded English ships in Boston Harbor. Some were vaguely disguised as Native Americans. In a disciplined manner, they dumped 342 chests of tea into the salt water. Thousands of Bostonians watched the defiance from the wharves.”
The patriots of Boston town, no words upon their lips
Disguised as natives crept aboard the English bohea ships
The Sons of Liberty arose, to give the King his due
The eloquence of axe to chest, turned bay to frothy brew
Thousands witnessed from the wharf, the solemn pantomime
A party that would be henceforth, known as a protest, not a crime
A powder keg, the fuse was lit, the British lion roared
But every tax and tyrant’s law, would be answered with the sword
Thousands witnessed from the wharf, the solemn pantomime
A party that would be henceforth, known as a protest, not a crime
The thunder clouds of coming war, more certain than before
Were moving rapidly toward, the shot heard 'round the world
Thousands witnessed from the wharf, the solemn pantomime
A party that would be henceforth, known as a protest, not a crime
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04. Americans Forevermore
First Continental Congress
“The Crown’s response to the destruction of the tea was swift and brutal. Through a series of ‘Intolerable Acts,’ the British closed Boston Harbor, dissolved the local government, and placed the city under military rule. Parliament intended to make an example of Massachusetts to frighten the other colonies into submission. Instead, they achieved the impossible—colonial unity. In September 1774, delegates from twelve colonies gathered in Philadelphia for the First Continental Congress. It was here that Patrick Henry famously declared that the distinctions between Virginians and Northerners were gone—they were all united as Americans.”
In Philly’s hall they joined as one, twelve of the colonies
without the sanction of the crown, they met illegally
To fight against the cruel acts, of British tyranny
We are no more a Southern son, or from a Northern shore
because the hearts of all are united as one, Americans forevermore
They claimed the rights of English law, belonged to every man
they vowed to stop the British goods, from entering this land
With Massachusetts arm in arm, in a united stance
We are no more a Southern son, or from a Northern shore
because the hearts of all are united as one, Americans forevermore
The king ignored their formal plea, and named them rebel souls
so in response the boycott spread, in defiance, loud and bold
They stood as one against the crown, to wrestle for control
We are no more a Southern son, or from a Northern shore
because the hearts of all are united as one, Americans forevermore
We are Americans, Americans forevermore
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05. Questions of the Day
Battles of Lexington and Concord
“By the spring of 1775, the American identity was no longer just a sentiment—it was a mobilization. In Massachusetts, local militias known as Minutemen began stockpiling gunpowder and arms in the countryside. The British response came in April when about 700 regulars marched toward Concord to seize these supplies and arrest rebel leaders. But the secret was out. Across the moonlit roads, riders like Paul Revere spread the alarm. When the sun rose over the Lexington Green and soon after at Concord, the time for petitions had ended. A single unknown shot rang out—it marked the violent transition from colonial protest to a revolutionary war for independence, a moment of great concern for the future.”
In response to destruction of the tea
retaliation was applied most vigorously
As Minutemen prepared to protect the colony
the Redcoats marched to seize their armory
At Lexington the British had arrived at break of dawn
a brief and bloody fight before the conflict moved on
The famous shot at Concord saw the British withdrawn
a gauntlet back to Boston while being fired upon
“Can we fight? Can we win?” were the questions of the day
and “just how much was the price we would have to pay?”
When Congress learned of all the courage displayed
the promise of a Continental Army was made
News of the battles spread faster than a flame
while the British were trapped inside a Boston blockade
The hope of being reconciled was soon to dissipate
as the conflict grew and began to accelerate
“Can we fight? Can we win?” were the questions of the day
and “just how much was the price we would have to pay?”
When Congress learned of all the courage displayed
the promise of a Continental Army was made
Lexington and Concord were a spark to a powder keg
but the place that they had been would never ever be the same
A single shot that echoed was the end of quiet days
it was heard around the world, and set the colonies ablaze
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06. Do or Die
Samuel Adams
"While the Sons of Liberty had been stirring since the Stamp Act, their fervor sharpened as the crisis in Massachusetts escalated. I first encountered Samuel Adams, the man widely deemed the soul of that society, at the First Continental Congress. Despite our differing temperaments, we found a shared purpose in guiding America toward her inevitable separation from the Crown. Though a firebrand at the rostrum, he was often content to operate from the shadows, entrusting those with established standing to give public voice to his private sentiments. Much of his clandestine work in Boston was plotted within the cellars of the Green Dragon Tavern—frequently conducted within earshot of the very soldiers who would have gladly marched him to the gallows."
Beneath the copper dragon’s breath
on Union Street, the patriots met
The tavern’s roar hid coming rift
and secrets that the cellars kept
They whispered schemes of tea and lead
with Redcoats drinking overhead
As logic and defiance met
a plan was born that quickly spread
The die was cast on pain of death
no turning back, no faulty step
The tavern where the Masons met
held more than caught the eye
‘Twas here mechanics gathered and
prepared to do or die
A lad in shadow overheard
the war plans of the foe
Along he passed them mouth to ear
behind the Dragon’s door
One by land and two by sea
the message was conveyed
Three horse and rider racing west
ensured the warning was received
The die was cast on pain of death
no turning back, no faulty step
The tavern where the Masons met
held more than caught the eye
‘Twas here mechanics gathered and
prepared to do or die
Freedom shaped by common men
with tools of every trade
A heady blend of salt and earth
where liberty was made
The tavern where the Masons met
held more than caught the eye
‘Twas here mechanics gathered and
prepared to do or die
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07. Back to Golden Pen
Isaiah Thomas
"While Samuel Adams was the architect of liberty in Boston, young Isaiah Thomas served as its speaking trumpet, a restless agitator whose Massachusetts Spy became a dangerous instrument for the Patriot cause. An expert printer with a subversive streak, Thomas famously adopted Dr. Franklin’s "Join, or Die" device for his masthead, signaling a defiance that few dared to mirror. He was a man of a different stripe—an irreverent provocateur who delighted in pricking the pride of the King’s ministers. Where I sought to maintain the gravity of our movement, he was content to drag the Crown through the mud of the public square; yet, a revolution requires both the steady hand of the officer and the sharp tongue of the printer."
Old Franklin and I shared a life of printer's ink
exposing rot that withered in the light
He mocked every fool with a polished needle wit
I roused the pitchfork people to the fight
Samuel Adams was a bold and driven brother
our blended voices spanned the colonies
The Spy stripped bare the Lion's lies and mocked each blunder
to bring the Crown down on its royal knees
The reason I wrote and carved those broadside sheets
was to pierce the heart of common working men
Unmasking British fools of incompetent conceit
to drive royal swine back to golden pen
With treason on my lips and whispers of death in my ears
I moved the press away piece by piece in the night
Preserving the voice that fueled our rise to arms
and was first to write of that famous shot
The reason I wrote and carved those broadside sheets
was to pierce the heart of common working men
Unmasking British fools of incompetent conceit
to drive royal swine back to golden pen
My legacy is found on scraps of tattered paper
that helped create the freedom of the press
I traded comforts for a life of danger
but it was worth it to the very end
The reason I wrote and carved those broadside sheets
was to pierce the heart of common working men
Unmasking British fools of incompetent conceit
to drive royal swine back to golden pen
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08. No Longer Dueling Words
Battle of Bunker Hill
"Isaiah Thomas was the first to print a full account of the volleys at Lexington and Concord—notwithstanding his zealous partiality. Yet the next phase of British escalation arrived in June of 1775 upon the heights of the Charlestown Peninsula. There, our unified forces faced their first true military test. The colonial militia inflicted staggering casualties upon the Crown's elite ranks until their powder ran dry, forcing a desperate bout of hand-to-hand combat and an eventual retreat. While the British held the field, the engagement was a psychological triumph for our cause. And it brought a sobering realization to every man present: the road to liberty would be paved in blood."
To British trapped in Boston by colonial blockade
the heights above the harbor were the key to their escape
They planned to take the high ground and pound the rebels from above
Colonials got there in the night and beat them to the punch
The Redcoats were very angry when they discovered what was done
so General Gage called for attack to commence with rising sun
The first wave was a spectacle as Redcoats started to advance
the Colonials knew how to shoot, never even gave them a chance
The second wave was similar, like fish in barrel as saying goes
and many paid the highest price, including those who led the foes
The third wave, the Colonials, with nowhere left to hide
as ammunition drained away, turned to bayonet and knife
The realities of war laid bare, no longer dueling words
were transformed to ball and sword, on Breed’s and Bunker Hills
With overwhelming force they came, the rebels turned and fled
leaving carnage in their wake, that neither side would soon forget
Although the British won the hills, it was a hollow victory
the hated blockade still remained, a painful lesson in humility
The realities of war laid bare, no longer dueling words
were transformed to ball and sword, on Breed’s and Bunker Hills
When the dust had settled, every lingering doubt had fled
only two possibilities remained, either victory or death
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09. Man of Courage
Washington's Commission
"In the wake of the carnage at Charlestown, the Continental Congress realized that a unified people required a unified command. They turned to me, a Virginian whose stature and experience – they believed - made me a singular choice to lead the newly formed Continental Army. Despite the public's confidence, I was haunted by personal doubts. Yet I accepted the commission but refused a salary, only asking that my actual expenditures be defrayed. In July 1775, I arrived in Cambridge to greet a weary, ragtag collection of troops. It marked the moment a disparate rebellion began its transformation into a national army."
The drums of war began to beat
Redcoats were marching Boston streets
A ragged army standing alone
against the power of the throne
The army needs a leader who’s
forged in fire, tried and true
Uniting South and North as one
someone who engenders trust
A perilous and weighty call
stakes were high and hope was small
Growing shadows ‘fore the dawn
treason now awaits them all
Washington was called to lead
doubting his capacity
He took the sword but not the wage
a man of courage, strength and faith
As he arrived to take command
of a beaten bloody band
Needs were great and means were small
but inner fire burned in all
Washington was called to lead
doubting his capacity
He took the sword but not the wage
a man of courage, strength and faith
The work of war had now begun
impossible yet must be done
Needs were great and means were small
but inner fire burned in all
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10. Terrible Ironies
John Adams
"I have known John Adams for twenty-five years, and though we were respectful opponents, it was he who stood to nominate me before Congress to lead the Continental Army. In that same season, we faced one of the most agonizing truths of our history: the malignant progression of African slavery. This practice carried from England and began to flourish even as we ended the British custom of shipping convicts to our shores. While many of these outcasts were pardoned to join our Revolution, the bonds of African slavery only tightened. I and many other leading men are masters of slaves, yet John and Abigail Adams stand as shining examples of virtue, never owning a soul while vigorously speaking out against the practice. Our rejection of the convict trade eventually forced the Crown to divert its "undesirables" to Australia—a colony far more difficult to govern than our own. These unintended, tragic outcomes remain inseparable from our history, and a divine reckoning for our continued support of slavery must someday be made."
I watched England purge all her unwanted
five billion hours of human life for sale
Riffraff was cast to vast plantations
all across our vast American soil
Seventy-five saw the convict trade end
outcasts swapped their shackles for a gun
Then the conscience of the nation began to bend
as the locks on slavery were undone
Abigail feared the cost could not be paid
I shuddered at the morals from which we had strayed
When England shipped those broken souls
they built the muscle of Liberty’s sons
African slaves soon filled the holds
terrible ironies that the Crown didn’t intend
In Boston’s port many outcasts were found
who brought a rage that the King would feel
A bitter hate for a haughty Crown
they would grind his Empire beneath their heel
The New World no longer took convict souls
so the King sought a new exile shore
A distant land that the Crown controlled
to become a jail without a door
Abigail feared the cost could not be paid
I shuddered at the morals from which we had strayed
When England shipped those broken souls
they built the muscle of Liberty’s sons
African slaves soon filled the holds
terrible ironies that the Crown didn’t intend
From American street to Australian shore
two nations forged in exile fire
The grit and marrow that we both share
our everlasting brotherhood inspires
When England shipped those broken souls
they built the muscle of Liberty’s sons
African slaves soon filled the holds
terrible ironies that the Crown didn’t intend
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11. Beating Heart of Liberty
Declaration of Independence
“By the summer of 1776, the ‘New World’ had reached a point of no return. The blood spilled from Lexington to Bunker Hill had made reconciliation impossible. In June, the Continental Congress appointed a committee to draft a formal statement of separation. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to lead the effort, laboring over the words in a hot Philadelphia boarding house with input from several others. On July 4, 1776, delegates from all thirteen colonies risked their lives and their fortunes to ratify the Declaration of Independence. This was the formal announcement to the world that a new, sovereign nation had been born.”
Smoldering embers growing bright, Common Sense was on the rise
war was almost certainty, the Crown demanded bended knee
Congress met to fan the flame, a brand new nation to proclaim
that we would fight for liberty, we by right ought to be free
Thomas acting as the scribe, gave the Declaration life
debated by the South and North, was ratified on July fourth
We were all created equal and free, to pursue happiness, life and liberty
no monarch would rule us by decree, we would choose our own destiny
The beating heart of liberty
This declaration of ascendance, from colony to independence
the Signers made a solemn pledge, support the cause ‘til final breath
We were all created equal and free, to pursue happiness, life and liberty
we would choose our own destiny, the beating heart of liberty
We were all created equal and free, to pursue happiness, life and liberty
no monarch would rule us by decree, we would choose our own destiny
The beating heart of liberty
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12. Ninety Minutes
Battle of Trenton
“By the end of 1776, the fire of independence was nearly extinguished. Following a string of demoralizing defeats and a grueling retreat across New Jersey, the Continental Army was on the verge of collapse. On Christmas night, amidst a harsh storm of ice and snow, I led the freezing troops across the treacherous Delaware River. The surprise dawn attack on the Hessian garrison at Trenton was successful at a pivotal moment of the war. In less than 90-minutes of combat, the victory was won. In a season of painful losses, this singular strike reignited the cause and proved the revolution was still alive.”
The winter of the Declaration, defeated troops in desperation
they struggled for a single win, in times that tried the souls of men
A fragile nation on the ropes, one more loss might crush the hope
so Washington devised a way, surprising troops on Christmas day
They crossed the river in the night, in darkness, snow and sleet and ice
arriving with the rising sun, from north and south the battle had begun
Ninety minutes turned the tide, igniting continental pride
the enemy was in retreat, from Trenton’s narrow frozen streets
The underdogs had won the day, the victory brought hope and faith
and though the war would yet rage on, the paralyzing fear was gone
Ninety minutes turned the tide, igniting continental pride
the enemy was in retreat, from Trenton’s narrow frozen streets
And though the war would yet rage on, the paralyzing fear was gone
new hope for victory was born, in Trenton on that winter morn
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13. Chester (Revolutionary Remix)
William Billings
"The victory at Trenton gave a new face to our affairs. That day on the Delaware proved the flame of liberty couldn’t be quenched by winter’s frost. The spirit of that victory was fueled by patriotic songs that echoed through the ranks. While history remembers 'Yankee Doodle,' the true heartbeat of the march was 'Chester.' Written by William Billings, one of our first great composers, it became the second most popular song of the Revolution. And Billings wasn't just a composer; he was a musical rebel who believed that diversity in sound was the only way to truly capture the American spirit."
Let tyrants shake their iron rod, and slavery clank her galling chains
we fear them not, we trust in God, New England’s God forever reigns
Howe and Burgoyne and Clinton too, with Prescott and Cornwallis joined
together plot our overthrow, in one infernal league combine
When God inspired us for the fight, their ranks were broke their lines were forced
their ships were shattered in our sight, or swiftly driven from our coast
The foe comes on with haughty stride, our troops advance with martial noise
their veterans flee before our youth, and generals yield to beardless boys
What grateful offering shall we bring, what shall we render to the Lord
Lord, halleluiahs let us sing and praise, His name on every chord
Sample
14. Fateful Choice
Battle of Saratoga
“Following the revival at Trenton, the British planned a decisive blow - a pincer attack to sever New England from the rest of the colonies. However, the plan crumbled. General Howe changed his mind and instead opted to capture the Colonial capital of Philadelphia, rather than supporting General Burgoyne in the north. Left isolated in the wilderness of New York, Burgoyne was surrounded and forced to surrender his entire army at Saratoga in October 1777. This stunning victory sent shockwaves across the Atlantic. Convinced that the ‘New World’ could actually win, the King of France finally decided to join the war in support of the Colonies.”
With tensions mounting in the north, the British planned a bold attack
a show of overwhelming force, meant to break the rebels back
Howe was needed to win the campaign, but changed his mind and sailed south
the rebel prize he sought to gain, would turn to gravel in his mouth
The fortunes of the war would change, a fateful choice, a wayward reach
an army lost they could not replace, for a city that they couldn’t keep
Burgoyne was left in jeopardy, no more help would ever come
but fueled by his vanity, he still thought victory would be won
Man to man and steel to bone, the clash of arms and cannon roared
the day was won, the British owned, at a price they couldn’t afford
The fortunes of the war would change, a fateful choice, a wayward reach
an army lost they could not replace, for a city that they couldn’t keep
Soon vast militia lines arrived, and took the timbered field
Colonial fire soon revived, the sea of red was forced to yield
The fortunes of the war would change, a fateful choice, a wayward reach
an army lost they could not replace, for a city that they couldn’t keep
The tide was turning fast, beneath the battle scars
the King of France at last, would join the rebel wars
He saw the Colonies could win, and force the English will to bend
a grand alliance was born, from Saratoga
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15. Forged in Ice and Fire
Encampment at Valley Forge
“While Saratoga brought hope from abroad, the winter of 1777–1778 brought agony at home. As the British enjoyed the comforts of occupied Philadelphia, The Continental Army withdrew to the bleak hills of Valley Forge. It was a season of profound suffering - thousands lacked shoes, blankets, and rations. Yet, amidst the hunger and disease, a transformation took place. Under the relentless drilling of Baron von Steuben, the ragtag survivors were systematically rebuilt. They entered the winter as a demoralized militia and emerged as a disciplined, professional army - forged like steel in the frozen fields of Pennsylvania.”
As winter snows begin to descend, tattered ranks of soldiers pass
too tired to fight, too cold to win, how much longer can they last?
Defeated at Brandywine, and Germantown too
retreating to winter camp, seems they have little to lose
Plagued by sickness, chilled by frost, starving men begin to die
but yet, somehow when all seems lost, Providence gives hope and life
It’s dark and cold before the dawn, and home is what they most desire
but steely-nerved they marshal on, they’ve been forged in ice and fire
A Prussian comes with soldier skills, and trains the men of farm and field
he forges souls of iron will, and teaches them to never yield
It’s dark and cold before the dawn, and home is what they most desire
but steely-nerved they marshal on, they’ve been forged in ice and fire
They experience a miracle, a total change of disposition
perseverance now is in their veins, prepared to face the opposition
They’ve been forged in ice and fire
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16. My Youthful Eyes
Noah Warner
"I often find my mind recollecting the lads who served under my command—those who carried some of the heaviest burdens of the revolution. Noah Warner was one such soul; I knew him by sight because he was with the 13th Massachusetts, a Soldier of the Line, and one of my “brave fellows” at Valley Forge. It is a sobering reality that the backbone of our struggle was formed by the very young, with most regulars being mere lads of sixteen to nineteen years. These boy-soldiers traded the comforts of home for the rigors of service, maturing into veterans before reaching full manhood. Their shared deprivation forged a lifelong bond with all who gave their youth for our liberty."
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
The fire of freedom in my veins
while fighting for our nation’s rise
The shock and awe and bloody stains
were seared into my youthful eyes
At Freeman’s Farm we made our stand
in fields of blood and early fall
We gave the Redcoats lead and hand
but could not take the ground at all
For weeks we stayed on Bemis hill
and blocked the path of their escape
Until we crushed the British will
and saw our future change
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
The fire of freedom in my veins
while fighting for our nation’s rise
The shock and awe and bloody stains
were seared into my youthful eyes
We marched into the Valley Forge
with homesick hearts and bloody feet
We bore up under winter’s scourge
with only firecake to eat
The General’s grief was on his face
as he passed our frozen frames
We found a new and hardened strength
and traded boys’ for soldiers' names
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
The fire of freedom in my veins
while fighting for our nation’s rise
The shock and awe and bloody stains
were seared into my youthful eyes
From frozen huts to Jersey’s heat
we joined the fight on Monmouth field
And put our newfound skills to use
with discipline at last revealed
The British rage caused some to flee
but Washington, he stopped the tide
We stood and faced the enemy
and felt the General’s pride
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
At nineteen years I mustered out
the hardest part I thought was past
I lived through forty years of peace
with a wife and family
But then my nineteen-year-old son
was taken from my aged side
And all the battles we had won
could not contain the grief I hide
I enlisted at age sixteen
for my home and country’s sake
The things I’ve done, the things I’ve seen
nearly caused my heart to break
But then my nineteen-year-old son
was taken from my aged side
And all the battles we had won
could not contain the grief I hide
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17. Final Thunder
Battle of Yorktown
"After Valley Forge, the war shifted south and became a grueling series of skirmishes and tactical retreats with no clear winner. In 1781, a rare opportunity emerged. In a coordinated maneuver, I led the Allied colonial and French forces on a swift, secret march from New York to Virginia. There, we trapped the British army under Lord Cornwallis against the sea at Yorktown. With the French navy blockading the coast and Allied artillery pounding the fortifications, the British were suffocated in a crushing siege. In October of 1781, Cornwallis surrendered his entire force. It was a stunning defeat that effectively ended the Revolutionary War. Two years later, the Treaty of Paris formally recognized the new American nation."
The southern fight became a draw, through years of fierce hostility
Cornwallis fled to Yorktown shore, where his navy gave security
The Allies planned a northern strike, but instead went south in secrecy
they made siege trenches in the night, closing on the enemy
The war’s final thunder, our road to victory
became a global wonder, a pattern for democracy
As the allies moved in range, they launched an all-out fusillade
a roar of thunder and iron rain, an action meant to strangulate
The final blow to break the Crown, in silence came the bayonets
the British world turned upside down, as their sun began to set
The war’s final thunder, our road to victory
became a global wonder, a pattern for democracy
A new republic had been born, in relief Washington proclaimed
"Now the work is done, and well done," true independence had been gained
The war’s final thunder, our road to victory
became a global wonder, a pattern for democracy
The war was paused for two more years, of tranquil British ministry
a time of hope, an end of fears, leading to a formal peace
The war’s final thunder, our road to victory
became a global wonder, a pattern for democracy
Sample
18. Safe from Hangman’s Noose
Benjamin Franklin
"I have always held the highest admiration for Dr. Franklin, viewing his superior intellect as a primary pillar of our Republic. His diplomatic brilliance in negotiating the Treaty of Paris secured the formal recognition of our independence, while his international reputation lent a unique dignity to the American cause that remains etched in our foundations. Though our dispositions differed, I marveled at the sagacity he employed to secure our hard-won liberty and considered his presence in our councils a blessing. This was never more evident than during the signing of the Declaration of Independence. As delegates felt the weight of treason, Franklin broke the tension and reinforced the necessity of unity by drolly remarking that they must all hang together or most assuredly hang separately—one of Franklin's truly unexpected observations."
For many years I lived a loyal Briton
‘midst sixteen summers with my brothers spent
Within that grand, imperial vision
a place of grace and noble refinement
Like a large and beautiful porcelain vase
a unique and ancient glory nothing could replace
In seventy-four, to my great sorrow
I felt the weight of English proud belief
That ruffians meant to beg and borrow
was all they saw in our colonial grief
The noble vase was not just cracked, but shattered
by English hands so cruelly bashed and battered
The fame I gained from those experiments
gave rise to many opportunities
To serve at home and for the cause in France
with strategy and wise philosophy
Helping make us safe from hangman’s noose
The French Alliance was a vital win
a goal in Paris which I helped achieve
With men and treasure, the way was open
to give my brethren critical relief
Those who were once as dear as family
forfeited love through acts of cruel tyranny
The fame I gained from those experiments
gave rise to many opportunities
To serve at home and for the cause in France
with strategy and wise philosophy
Helping make us safe from hangman’s noose
The Peace of Paris sealed our victory
a crowning glory from my long career
We doubled our young land’s territory
to fuel the industry we hold so dear
We’ve traded a small room with a very heavy rent
for a great mansion with no landlord or extent
The fame I gained from those experiments
gave rise to many opportunities
To serve at home and for the cause in France
with strategy and wise philosophy
Helping make us safe from hangman’s noose
I hope the English find that we are not ungrateful
for ancient bonds we once held so very dear
But sometimes rebellion, though seeming fateful
is now and then quite good and commendable
Sample
19. A Rising Sun
Constitution and Bill of Rights
"The 1783 Treaty of Paris secured American independence. It was negotiated in the French capital to leverage the support of our strongest ally. Benjamin Franklin was the key architect, using his diplomatic fame to win very favorable terms from the British. Yet, this hard-won peace soon faced internal chaos. Under the weak Articles of Confederation, the states lacked a unified currency and central authority. In 1787, we returned to Philadelphia to draft the U.S. Constitution, and establish a stronger federal framework while balancing state interests. To guarantee individual freedoms, the Bill of Rights was added as a safeguard against overreach, finally establishing the foundation on which the nation prospers today."
Paris was not the final end, of our road to liberty
for as Franklin once observed, we have a republic, if we can keep it
The newly minted USA, was a friendly confederation
focused on the rights of states, no central way to build the nation
We are a rising, not a setting sun, to live by faith and liberty
our path was laid on strong foundation, to build a world where all are free
When debt ignited Shay's rebellion, our house of cards began to sway
to save the heart of failing union, we needed more than strength of states
Back to Philly the founders went, to balance need of state and nation
a stronger form of government, was forged into our Constitution
We are a rising, not a setting sun, to live by faith and liberty
our path was laid on strong foundation, to build a world where all are free
Three branches bound to hold the line, from many states, one sovereign soul
with checks and balances designed, to keep the people in control
Then rose the sacred Bill of Rights, a wall to guard each citizen
to keep our lamp of freedom bright. and check the reach of government
We are a rising, not a setting sun, to live by faith and liberty
our path was laid on strong foundation, to build a world where all are free
True liberty is found where law is held in high respect
our nation's greatness thrives as our freedom we protect
Sample
20. A Faithful Friend
Elizabeth Powel
"Our liberty was built on the sacrifice of so many, and though that debt is vast, several examples of service frequently come to mind. These individuals espoused the values for which we fought, showing that patriots from any walk of life, and with challenges of most any kind, can make a significant contribution to the cause.
"Elizabeth Powel was a woman of uncommon intellect and piercing candor, functioning as a vital intellectual peer and political confidante to the leading minds of our age. Her Philadelphia parlor served as a sanctuary of reason where she challenged and refined the ideas of men like Mr. Adams and Mr. Jefferson, grasping the complexities of governance as firmly as any statesman. While her spirited counsel was an essential anchor for many, it was her unwavering patriotism that proved most consequential to my own path. When my heart yearned for the peace of Mount Vernon, it was Eliza who challenged my resolve, famously reminding me that a premature retirement might damage our Great Experiment beyond repair. She remained the rarest of friends—one who spoke the truth without ornament—whose influence helped steady the course of our new nation."
I was born into a family both wealthy and influential
My position and my intellect gave me a seat at leading tables
I became an equal with the founders of our nation
Helping shape their thoughts and actions with my intuition
a faithful friend to the Republic, and a guardian of its birth
The General came when weary from the burdens of the state
to find a mind that understood the office and its weight
I saw the man who’d done enough, and longed for private rest
but with a voice of gentle candor, I spoke to virtue he possessed
I took my pen to warn him that his duty wasn't done
for the Republic might not stand without its greatest son
I was born into a family both wealthy and influential
My position and my intellect gave me a seat at leading tables
I became an equal with the founders of our nation
Helping shape their thoughts and actions with my intuition
a faithful friend to the Republic, and a guardian of its birth
Then came the test of Adams, filled with fire and with pride
a brilliant, restless spirit with no filter from his mind
I learned the art of listening to the passions of his soul
to steady his momentum and to help him keep control
I offered him a sanctuary where his thoughts could find their way
and in the heat of conflict, I knew just the words to say
I was born into a family both wealthy and influential
My position and my intellect gave me a seat at leading tables
I became an equal with the founders of our nation
Helping shape their thoughts and actions with my intuition
a faithful friend to the Republic, and a guardian of its birth
Then Jefferson arrived with ideals both polished and refined
to argue for the people and the power of their might
I challenged his philosophy and questioned every plan
a mind to match the logic of a complicated man
I offered him a sanctuary where his thoughts could find their way
and in the heat of conflict, I knew just the words to say
I passed by Franklin as he departed from the chamber
and asked for his opinion on our new form of government
His answer was both clear and stark - a truth we should consider
“A Republic,” he said, “if you can keep it.”
Sample
21. Ideals That Transcend
Thomas Jefferson
"Thomas Jefferson is a man of profound intellect and a fellow Virginian whose devotion to liberty is matched only by the complexity of his own heart. Though we have often disagreed on the path of our government, I know him to be a man of virtuous intent and deep honor. He remains a soul divided, caught between the soaring ideals of his pen and the heavy burdens of his own conscience. Yet, his brilliance is a foundation of our Republic, driven by passions that ignited our independence. I am certain his ideas will shape this land for as long as the American experiment shall stand."
I’ve pondered on accomplishments for my epitaph
beginning with the Declaration that I penned
Followed by religious freedom as my autograph
and ending with education that I commend
The quill with which I wrote the Declaration
quivered in my hand as I pondered on my life
I saw a higher standard for our future nation
but the truths of my existence cut like a knife
I know I am a man of deep contradiction
a champion of freedom but conflicted within
The light to hold aloft is not my imperfection
but ideals that transcend the frailty of men
I sought to free the mind from every heavy shackle
to illuminate and champion a brighter age
I edited the Gospels, eliminating miracles
allowing each to discover what is sacred
I know I am a man of deep contradiction
a champion of freedom but conflicted within
The light to hold aloft is not my imperfection
but ideals that transcend the frailty of men
I built a sanctuary for the human mind
a place of truth and elevated vision
A gift for every scholar that I had chosen
while others were refuted and excluded
I know I am a man of deep contradiction
a champion of freedom but conflicted within
The light to hold aloft is not my imperfection
but ideals that transcend the frailty of men
The seed that I planted with a hand heavy and stained
will grow from the darkness to prosper in coming years
The truth is a river, unstoppable and unrestrained
and will wash away immoral prejudice and fear
I’ve pondered on accomplishments for my epitaph
beginning with the Declaration
Sample
22. So Dearly Won
Samuel Kendall
"I recall the story of Samuel Kendall, who served on the frontier where militias stood as a shield against Native American raids backed by the British. Though the war left him injured, he returned to his community not as a casualty, but as a cornerstone—a man whose spirit was so irrepressible he was famously cast from several meeting houses for the "sin" of playing his violin with too much vigor. Beneath that humorous defiance lay a profound understanding that the rights we dearly won are a sacred inheritance. He lived to show us that a soldier’s true victory is found in the useful, honorable life he leads long after the guns have fallen silent, protecting our individual liberty as fiercely as he once guarded the frontier soil."
In the years of revolution, the Crown oft hired the native tribes
from the gates of Fort Detroit, they sent them out with bribes
Upon the settlers of the wild and stark frontier
to keep local militia from drawing ever near
’Twas a tactic of diversion from the theaters of war
to keep the men from joining where the conflict mattered more
As they stayed to guard the homesteads of their Continental kin
they protected patriot families from the raiders coming in
I fought for those whose men and brothers,
had left for battles far and wide
They prayed for victory and protection
and having loved ones at their side
When the Revolution came to its conclusion
I found the fighting shifted in a strange direction
Between kith and kin of differing opinions
brawling for things they thought were right
So why can’t we live in peace and unity
when that liberty was so dearly won
One day while we were scouting for the signs of enemy
in a skirmish with the proxies, I took a ball that broke my knee
It left me lame and mangled for the remnant of my days
to walk a slower journey, but with a steadier gaze
Not one to murmur in a hobble, I kept productive for my kin
in service to my neighbors with the work I mastered in
I even played the violin for my congregation
until they cast me out as a vexatious person
I learned that some prefer a long face
a funeral, and a fuss
To respecting all that God has made
and inspired in each of us
When the Revolution came to its conclusion
I found the fighting shifted in a strange direction
Between kith and kin of differing opinions
brawling for things they thought were right
So why can’t we live in peace and unity
when that liberty was so dearly won
I finally won the battle of the violin
by fleeing those who opposed its use and sound
For none can prove it’s from the devil
when its tones draw the heavens close around
So why can’t we live in peace and unity
when that liberty was so dearly won
Sample
23. Nation That I Love
Alexander Hamilton
"I first took the measure of Alexander Hamilton in the smoke of the Revolution, where his brilliant pen and tactical acumen made him my most indispensable aide. He is a man of singular genius, possessing an intellect that moves with the speed of lightning, and a devotion to the Republic that is absolute. As the architect of our nation's credit, he transformed a collection of bankrupt states into a respected power, though his bold spirit and sharp wit often kindled the partisan animosity I so deeply dread. Despite his volatile nature, his integrity remains unsullied, and his tireless service was an essential cornerstone that allowed our Great Experiment to endure its most fragile years."
At seventeen, my destiny was driven by my pen
from the Caribbean to New York’s distant shore
There I first learned to be a leader of men
and practiced the disciplines of war
A self-taught gunner before a single shot was fired
I rose in rank for the spirit I displayed
With my last gold, my men were fully outfitted
until Washington absorbed us to Continental brigade
As the architect of our financial union
I placed the nation’s honor above my own
Though I’ve been maligned and oversimplified
despite the shadows of my private weakness
I gave my best for the nation that I love
My guns at Trenton caught the General’s watchful eye
he saw a gifted prodigy, but valued more my pen
I drafted every letter as the glory passed me by
hungry for the field and the code of fighting men
I finally traded pen for sword as Yorktown’s call was made
my unit crept in silence toward the redoubt known as ten
We quickly lit on enemy at point of bayonet
and stunned the British while hastening war's end
As the architect of our financial union
I placed the nation’s honor above my own
Though I’ve been maligned and oversimplified
despite the shadows of my private weakness
I gave my best for the nation that I love
I left the field for Congress where I witnessed fiscal strain
a government that begged for funds it could not yet command
It appeared our sacrifice was ending all in vain
with empty treasury that could grant no permanence
I found the perfect moment for my fiscal argument
and built a bank of credit where my theories were displayed
These principles were built into our framing document
a cornerstone of honor as the nation's debt is paid
As the architect of our financial union
I placed the nation’s honor above my own
Though I’ve been maligned and oversimplified
despite the shadows of my private weakness
I gave my best for the nation that I love
A reasonable national debt
will be to us a blessing
A powerful cement that’s set
to unify our growing nation
Sample
24. Heart of All the World
Elizabeth Jackson
"Elizabeth Jackson was a patriot of the highest order, a woman whose life stood as a testament to the staggering price of our freedom. To lose her husband, and later her two oldest sons to the struggle, and then to offer her own life while tending to the suffering of our brave captives, is a level of devotion that shames even the most decorated general. While her only surviving son, Andrew, may possess a temperament as jagged as the frontier he calls home, I see in his fierce defiance the reflection of his mother’s indomitable will. He was forged in the kiln of her sacrifice, a reminder that the steel in a man’s character is often tempered by the fire in his mother’s soul. Ultimately, her story reminds us that our independence was not won by the sword alone, but by the quiet, unrelenting courage of the wives and mothers whose sacrifices remain the hidden foundation of our liberty."
My soul was feeling frozen as they lowered mo chroí ("my heart" - my husband) into the ground
the accident had left me with two lads and one beneath my heart
The third was born into a house without a sire to be found
with no time for mourning, a woman forced into her fate
I had to find a way to roof their heads and fill their plates by hand
as was common for the women left by fighting men across the land
I am the breath that kept the embers bright
the steady hand that warmed each winter night
I taught my sons to be true and forge their way
though I may leave them lone to seize the day
Let the nation long remember, when its banners are unfurled
that the heart of every mother built the heart of all the world
A fragile peace was shattered soon by sabers clashing out my door
the lads of Waxhaws were soon broken, bodies bleeding on the ground
The crimson Redcoat slaughter was a brutal show of force
the only mercy for the dead was the hallowed shroud I bound
I was a lonely witness as the light of life departed from my oldest son
as was the cost for mothers before the revolution had been won
I am the breath that kept the embers bright
the steady hand that warmed each winter night
I taught my sons to be true and forge their way
though I may leave them lone to seize the day
Let the nation long remember, when its banners are unfurled
that the heart of every mother built the heart of all the world
My boys were taken captive and held within a vessel’s hold
where a fever and the hunger were tools of the enemy
My Robert was a victim of the sickness and the cold
though I won their freedom, yet I soon lost him to his destiny
I had to leave my only son with a heavy, breaking heart
as was the cost for mothers when our world was torn apart
I am the breath that kept the embers bright
the steady hand that warmed each winter night
Let the nation long remember, when its banners are unfurled
that the heart of every mother built the heart of all the world
Sample
25. Freedom’s Flame
Fire of Four Founders
"The American Revolution was more than a conflict of arms - it was an ideological wildfire we often referred to as the ‘flame of liberty.’ Thomas Paine used the fire metaphor to ignite the revolution’s beginnings. Thomas Jefferson saw that fire spreading worldwide. John Adams spoke of the ‘fires of affliction’ that refined and strengthened the nation. And I viewed the ‘fire of conscience’ as essential to maintaining liberty. For us, this legacy was not a gift to be squandered. It was a torch to be held aloft to light the way. The flame represents the intersection of our history, our future, and our present day. It is a living destiny that remains bright only as long as each generation nurtures and champions its foundational principles."
A single spark began to glow, the flame of freedom’s first desire
within a deep and burning coal, it set a nation's heart on fire
Those were the times that tried the soul, the hammer strikes that forged our gold
Freedom’s flame, a shining torch of legacy
lights the night, a symbol of our destiny
Reflection of an inner source of energy,
let the flame of freedom reign
The glowing embers woke and grew, and spread across the global stage
the unquenchable flame arose, a beacon that would never change
No tyrant's hand could hold it back, the rising tide was moving fast
Freedom’s flame, a shining torch of legacy
lights the night, a symbol of our destiny
Reflection of an inner source of energy,
let the flame of freedom reign
The furnace of affliction burned, refined their souls in toil and pain
a spark of conscience, strength sustained, ‘till only truth and hope remained
Bought with their lives and lack of ease, a gift they hoped that we would seize
Freedom’s flame, a shining torch of legacy
lights the night, a symbol of our destiny
Reflection of an inner source of energy,
let the flame of freedom reign
Coda
The fire in the hearth flickers low as the General finally stands, his movements heavy with the fatigue of decades. He offers a final, tired nod to the shadows of the room before retiring for the night. Within hours, the strength that held the Continental Army and the nation together begins to fail. The doctors’ lancets and draughts offer no relief, only hastening the end. As the clock nears the final hour, he looks upon those who stayed by his side, breathes a final confirmation of a life’s duty completed—"Tis well"— and the noble spirit who remains forever the father of our nation is gone.
The Discovery Companion
Bringing Our Heritage to Life: A New Way to Experience the Journey
The American story is a vibrant legacy of courage, vision, and the enduring human spirit. To help you and your loved ones step directly into that light, we are gifting our high-quality tool of engagement—the 130-page Discovery Companion—with every download. This immersive narrative odyssey is our gift to you in celebration of America’s 250th anniversary. It is designed specifically to help you make your own journey to liberty more personal and meaningful, offering many opportunities to engage with the music and with others on the inspiring accounts of our founding.
This companion acts as a bridge, inviting you to gather your family, friends, and neighbors to celebrate our remarkable heritage. It serves as the definitive guide to the full "Washington’s Final Testament" version of the Journey to Liberty, encompassing all 25 songs that spotlight key events and inspiring accounts of patriots who helped shape our nation.
A Look Inside the Companion
The Discovery Companion is organized into modules designed to guide you through the music and the narrative. Each section is crafted to deepen your connection to the story:
The Narrative Listening Guides: These sections set the stage for each chapter of the journey. They provide the historical atmosphere and storytelling context, helping you hear the music through the eyes of those who lived it.
Lyrics and Legacy: Follow along with the full lyrics of every song while exploring the deeper meaning behind the verses. This section connects specific poetic lines to the real-world motivations and milestones that laid the foundations of our liberty.
Narrative Landscapes: This module provides the essential context behind the conflict, exploring the different perspectives and tensions of the era. It helps you understand the "why" behind the history, turning complex events into a resonant human story.
Heritage Source Deep Dives: We provide direct links to verified digital artifacts, allowing you to examine physical history from your own home. You can explore original documents, newspapers, and artifacts that bring a sense of tangible reality to the music.
'Theater of the Mind' Activities: These prompts invite you to step into the past and think from the perspective of those who were there. These activities turn listening into an active discovery, encouraging you to imagine your own responses to the events of the day.
Key Discoveries: Every module concludes with opportunities for reflection and sharing personal insights. These explore the true nature of the struggle—moving from history to the enduring ideas of unity, self-governance, and the shared inheritance of freedom.
Connecting with the Heart of the Story
The American story is, at its core, a story of people. While the music and narratives provide the backdrop, the history feels most relevant when we take a moment to look a little closer at the ideas behind the events. By thinking about how these themes still resonate in our world today, the characters and their choices start to feel less like legends and more like real people we can relate to. It’s about finding those personal "aha" moments that make the journey feel like your own.
Sparking Great Conversations
The most beautiful part of our heritage is how it brings us together. Whether around a dinner table or in a community circle, the Companion provides the structure for a shared experience. It allows different generations to gather, listen to the music together, and share what they find most inspiring about the journey.
Learn more about the Discovery Guide and view a sample Module here.
As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation and beyond, the Discovery Companion is our way of inviting you and those you love to make these memories even more impactful. We invite you to gather your favorite people, turn on the music, and see where this remarkable journey takes you.
About the Creator
Creator Steve Mortensen has produced computer-based music since 1987. An avid student of American history, his various passions as a storyteller, teacher, and photographer converged in early 2026 with the birth of Road to Liberty, a project celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. Steve’s connection to the Revolution is personal - he is a descendant of a Continental soldier who served at Saratoga and Valley Forge and also a distant kinsman of many Founders. He is an Eagle Scout, and a member of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution.
The Creative Process
Steve authored every lyric (and Washington preamble) and used artificial intelligence as a collaborative session musician to bring them to life. The process is a modern revolution of traditional music production. Rather than directing live musicians, Steve refines lyrics and prompts through countless iterations until the "perfect take" is captured.
Musical Snapshots™
The songs in this collection are akin to action photography - each captures a specific, high-energy or intimate moment in time. Like a live performance, the music may possess minor imperfections, but it carries a raw, moving energy that can never be replicated exactly. These Musical Snapshots™ represent the current intersection of human creativity and technological magic, where the heart of the lyric drives the soul of each song.
History and Imagination
While these Musical Snapshots™ are rooted in historical research, the author has occasionally taken minor artistic liberties. This collection seeks to honor the truth and spirit of the past while allowing for some creative flexibility.
The Personal Legacy of Liberty
Steve’s work on this project began as an exploration into American history to coincide with the nation’s semiquincentennial. The journey eventually took on a much more personal significance. He shares the following reflection on how his genealogical discoveries shaped his perspective:
"Tracing my lineage to the following patriots has been a transformative discovery of the familial connections we share with our forebears. Tens of millions of us share similar relationships to America's founders. This project is a tribute to the example and sacrifice of those who helped establish our nation.
Learning from their words and actions provides unique inspiration that enriches my life in meaningful ways. I believe that whether our relatives were famous founders or ordinary people, uncovering their extraordinary stories can enhance our lives and highlight the shared human experience that binds us all. Ultimately, exploring our origins offers a unique opportunity to be moved by the legacies of those who paved the way for us."
George Washington – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
John Adams – 2nd cousin, 8 times removed
Thomas Jefferson – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
Elizabeth Jackson – 5th cousin, 10 times removed
Elizabeth Powel – 4th cousin, 7 times removed
Benjamin Franklin – 4th cousin, 11 times removed
Isaiah Thomas – 6th cousin, 8 times removed
Samuel Adams – 3rd cousin, 7 times removed
Alexander Hamilton – 3rd cousin, 8 times removed
Noah Warner – 5th great-grandfather
Samuel Kendall – 5th great-grandfather
William Billings – 4th cousin, 10 times removed
Martha Washington – 4th cousin, 9 times removed
Abigail Adams – 3rd cousin, 9 times removed
James Madison – 4th cousin, 9 times removed
James Monroe – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
John Quincy Adams – 6th cousin, 7 times removed
Andrew Jackson – 6th cousin, 9 times removed
John Hancock – 3rd cousin, 11 times removed
Patrick Henry – 4th cousin, 7 times removed
Richard Henry Lee – 6th cousin, 6 times removed
Roger Sherman – 4th cousin, 10 times removed
Paul Revere – 4th cousin, 8 times removed
Joseph Warren – 4th cousin, 8 times removed
Horatio Gates – 5th cousin, 9 times removed
These personal connections were brought to light thanks to the extensive genealogical records and research tools curated by FamilySearch.org.
Companion Albums
Road to Liberty
An immersive chronicle of thirteen pivotal Revolutionary milestones, honoring the fondest hope of our nation’s founders—that the sacred fire of their hard-won lessons remains bright and vibrant for its people today.
Voices of Liberty
Ten intimate portraits of Revolutionary sacrifice, weaving together diverse accounts of devotion to duty and love of country that provide an enduring blueprint of patriotism and civility for our time.
...millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us.