Books to Borrow Martinsburg Public Library Recommends

We've all heard of George Washington and Betsy Ross. We all know the importance that Pennsylvania, and specifically Philadelphia, played in the war for independence. Joe Farrell, Lawrence Knorr and Joe Farley have written a book that will give us even more insight into how important our beloved Keystone State was during this pivotal time in American history. Pennsylvania Patriots includes biographies of 44 men and women who lived, worked and/or died in Pennsylvania, all of whom made significant contributions to the Revolutionary cause.

In this book you'll meet people like John Morton, the man who cast the deciding vote as to whether the Pennsylvania delegation would agree to declare independence. His decision cost him friends, relatives and neighbors, but it was a crucial one in our history. You can also read the story of Thomas McKean, who was simultaneously the governor of Delaware and the chief justice of Pennsylvania. He signed both the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of the Confederation, and some even postulate that he served as one of the first presidents of the United States under those articles.

You can also read about Joseph Hewes, the first Secretary of Naval Affairs; Pennsylvania Attorney General Jared Ingersoll; William Jackson, secretary of the Constitutional Convention; and many more.

Included in the book are just two women, Betsy Ross and Mary Ludwig (also known as Molly Pitcher). The stories of their contributions to the Revolutionary War are familiar to us all, but the author give a different background and explanation to make the stories come alive all over again.

Also included in the book is the location of the graves for each patriot, as well as a brief guide to Revolutionary War sites in Pennsylvania. This book is sure to be a must-read for those interested in either Pennsylvania history or the Revolutionary War. Here, compiled in one volume, you can find some of the most interesting and important stories in our commonwealth's history.