The following is an installment of “On This Day,” a series celebrating America’s 250th anniversary by following the actions of Gen. George Washington, the Continental Congress, and the men and women whose bravery and sacrifice led up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
April 22, 1776
Sentiments favoring independence from Great Britain are growing. A Charlestown, South Carolina grand jury drafts legal arguments urging a break from British rule, using language that will later be used in the Declaration of Independence.
John Adams is in Philadelphia. He is documenting the political divisions among citizens who are celebrating St. George’s Day. In a letter to his wife Abigail, he notes the widening gap between loyalists and patriots.
To put this in perspective: St. George’s Day in 1776 American colonies was akin to St. Patrick’s Day in Ireland, St. David’s in Wales, and St. Andrews in Scotland. In short, it was always a boisterous day of celebration of families, with communities coming together over port, beer, and a rather large feast. And it was celebrated uniformly by everyone.
The very idea that so much changed in the culture since April 1775 and Lexington and Concord has Adams realizing just how much has changed. He knows that there is no going back.
ON THIS DAY: NEW YORK IS CRAWLING WITH LOYALISTS
His letter to Abigail:
“This is St. Georges Day, a Festival celebrated by the English, as Saint Patricks is by the Irish, St. Davids by the Welch, and St. Andrews by the Scotch. The Natives of old England in this City heretofore formed a Society, which they called Saint Georges Clubb, or Saint Georges Society. Upon the Twenty third of April annually, they had a great Feast. But The Times and Politicks have made a schism in the society so that one Part of them are to meet and dine at the City Tavern, and the other att the Bunch of Grapes, Israel Jacobs’s, and a third Party go out of Town.
One sett are staunch Americans, another staunch Britons I suppose, and a Third half Way Men, Neutral Beings, moderate Men, prudent Folks — for such is the Division among Men upon all Occasions and every Question.”