1. On July 4, 1774, exactly two years before the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, a committee of three men was formed to decide what Suffield should do about the increasingly restrictive acts which Great Britain imposed upon the colonies. Ultimately it was decided that Suffield would suspend all commerce with Great Britain, aid Boston during the English blockade of its port and abide by a forthcoming Congressional plan to secure and preserve “Liberties, Privileges and Freedom.” Who were the members of the committee?
a. Alexander King, Seth Pease, Gideon Granger
b. Alexander King, Joseph Pease, Gideon Granger
c. Alexander King, Oliver Phelps, Gideon Granger
2. Did enslaved men fight in the Revolutionary War? Yes or No.
3. Were any battles fought in Connecticut during the Revolutionary War? Yes or No.
4. Why was Connecticut known as the Provision State?
a. Connecticut provided muskets.
b. Connecticut provided more soldiers to George Washington’s army than any other state except Massachusetts.
c. Connecticut provided food, cannon, and other supplies to the Continental army.
5. During the Revolutionary War what was the meaning of a “Brown Bess”.
a. A British musket
b. A prostitute
c. A guernsey cow
6. Privateers cruised the Connecticut coastline during the Revolutionary War. They captured about how many British ships?
a. 500
b. 130
c. 700
7. According to statistics compiled by the National Mall Liberty Fund D.C., Suffield had how many African American soldiers or sailors who resided or enlisted in Suffield during the American Revolution?
a. 10
b. 4
c. 8
8. Connecticut’s governor was an advocate for war against Britain before and during the Revolutionary War. He was the only governor of the 13 colonies to champion America’s cause. What was his name?
a. John Winthrop
b. Oliver Wolcott
c. Jonathan Trumbull
9. Paintings of scenes from the American Revolution completed between 1790 and 1860 played a critical role in shaping popular understanding of the Revolution. One painter from Connecticut was called the “Painter of the Revolution.” His iconic painting “The Declaration of Independence” hangs in the U.S. Capitol Rotunda and is printed on the reverse side of the current 2-dollar bill. What is his name?
a. Gilbert Stuart
b. Charles Willson Peale
c. John Trumbull
10. The song “Yankee Doodle” was penned in the French and Indian War by a British army surgeon. The song made fun of the colonists, particularly New Englanders as Yankee was a derogatory term. However, the American Revolutionary patriots embraced the song; they made British prisoners dance to the tune. What is the meaning of “macaroni” in the song’s phrase “Stuck a feather in his hat and called it macaroni?
a. A piece of straw.
b. A wig.
c. An effeminate hair style.
Answers:
1. b. Alexander King, Joseph Pease, Gideon Granger
2. Yes. Enslaved men fought in both the American and British militias.
3. Yes. The Battle of Ridgefield was a series of American Revolutionary War skirmishes in Danbury and Ridgefield. The British also raided and burned towns in Connecticut which included Danbury, Fairfield, Norwalk, and New London.
4. All of the answers are correct. By the end of the war, Connecticut supplied 43% of the muskets.
5. Both a. and b. Taking up a “Brown Bess” refers to joining the army.
6. a. 500. In capturing the ships, they captured much needed food, supplies and ammunition.
7. b. 4. At least 820 Connecticut African American soldiers or sailors served in the Revolutionary War.
8. c. Jonathan Trumbull
9. c. John Trumbull
10. c. An effeminate hair style.