E Pluribus Unum
Lesser Known Patriots
The American Revolution Experience features a diverse group of revolutionary individuals and patriots that you may be less familiar with! ARE Houston adds even more diversity with our E Pluribus Unum panels.
E pluribus unum – which translates to “out of many, one” – has been a motto of the United States since the earliest days of the Republic. But in practice, the history of the country has often overlooked the participation of certain groups, including the vital contributions of people of color and women to the War of Independence and the founding of the United States. The E Pluribus Unum Educational Initiative, an ongoing effort by the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), focuses on members of underrepresented groups who supported the cause of the American Revolution.
DAR RESOURCES
https://honoringourpatriots.dar.org
https://www.dar.org/library/research-guides/forgotten-patriots
DAR Patriots of Color Database - https://services.dar.org/Public/DAR_Research/search_poc/?Tab_ID=14&Tab_ID_Sub=8&Action=search
Continue your Experience by learning more about these important individuals who contributed to the Story of America.
Main Exhibit:
https://american-revolution-experience.battlefields.org/people
Best for: Founding Fathers and people who corresponded with them.
This is the gold standard for researching major Revolutionary-era figures. It contains more than 185,000 digitized documents, letters, and papers from George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, James Madison, Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and the people around them. If a patriot exchanged letters with a Founder, you'll often find them here.
Library of Congress – American Revolution Resource Guide
Best for: Reliable biographies, primary sources, manuscripts, maps, and original documents.
The Library of Congress maintains one of the largest collections of Revolutionary War materials in the world. Their guides often link directly to letters, diaries, military records, and contemporary accounts.
Mount Vernon Digital Encyclopedia
Best for: George Washington and people in his orbit.
Mount Vernon historians maintain exceptionally well-researched biographies of officers, aides, family members, political leaders, and military figures connected to Washington.
Best for: Military leaders and battlefield participants.
Their biographies are concise, accurate, and written by professional historians. Excellent for quick fact-checking and introductory research.
Journal of the American Revolution
Best for: Lesser-known patriots and newly discovered research.
Many articles are written by leading Revolutionary War scholars and often cover overlooked figures, including women, African Americans, Native Americans, Loyalists, Spanish participants, and regional patriots.
American Revolution Institute of the Society of the Cincinnati
Best for: Officers, soldiers, and military history.
Their collections and scholarship are particularly strong for Continental Army personnel and Revolutionary War artifacts.
National Park Service – American Revolution People and Places
Best for: Public-friendly biographies and verified historical summaries.
A dependable government source that is especially useful when creating educational materials for students.
Massachusetts Historical Society – Adams Papers
Best for: Abigail Adams, John Adams, and their extensive network.
An extraordinary source for understanding the personal lives, correspondence, and relationships of Revolutionary-era figures.
For Spanish Texas and Gulf Coast Patriots
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The Gálvez Project
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Los Adaes State Historic Site resources