This Month in
1776
In May 1776, the American colonies moved rapidly toward independence from England, highlighted by Rhode Island renouncing allegiance to King George III (May 4), the Continental Congress recommending the creation of new state governments (May 10), and Virginia instructing its delegates to propose independence (May 15). The Second Continental Congress also declared a national day of fasting and prayer.
General George Washington was primarily focused on fortifying New York City against an anticipated British invasion and managing the Continental Army's deteriorating situation in Canada. Following the British evacuation of Boston in March, Washington had moved his headquarters to New York, where he spent much of May overseeing the construction of "capital Works of defence.”
Grand Union Flag
May 1: Adam Weishaupt founded the Illuminati in Bavaria, promoting Enlightenment ideals.
May 2: France and Spain initially agreed to supply weapons to American rebels.
May 4: Rhode Island became the first colony to formally renounce allegiance to King George III.
May 8: The Siege of Quebec ends. Washington was forced to detach significant portions of his army—including brigades under Generals Sullivan and Thompson—to reinforce the struggling American forces in Canada. This had left his main force in New York "very weak.”
May 10: The Second Continental Congress convened in the Pennsylvania State House in Philadelphia, with Georgia finally represented. The Congress began discussing the creation of new, independent state governments.
May 14: Thomas Jefferson and his enslaved valet, 14-year-old Robert Hemmings, arrived in Philadelphia taking up lodging at the Graff House (7th and High Streets) from May 23. He was Virginia's representative to the Continental Congress meeting in Philadelphia.
May 15: The Virginia Convention voted to instruct its delegates in Philadelphia to declare the United Colonies free and independent states.
May 17: The Continental Congress proclaimed a national day of fasting, prayer, and humility. Washington issued General Orders for the army to observe May 17 as a day of "fasting, humiliation and prayer.” Rooted in Puritan custom, this was mandated by the Continental Congress to seek divine favor for the “Arms of the United Colonies.”
May 20: Congress debated the preambles to the resolution for new governments, with the middle colonies emerging as critical for the final decision.
May 20: In the Second Continental Congress: Georgia is finally represented; Maryland delegate Thomas Stone abandons the tactics of delay on the Preamble to the Congressional Resolution to create state governments, a popular demonstration in Philadelphia in response to the Resolutions is criticized by Stone and praised by Elbridge Gerry and John Adams, and the middle colonies emerge as critical whether reconciliation or independence will be chosen.
May 22: The Third Provincial Congress of the Province of New York organized in Fishkill. It instructed its delegates to the Continental Congress to oppose independence.
May 24: An Iroquois delegation met with the Continental Congress in Philadelphia, attempting to maintain neutrality. On this date, the delegation was presented to the "great warrior chief," George Washington.
May 26: John Adams wrote a letter to James Sullivan warning against expanding the right to vote too far beyond male property owners anticipating demands for voting rights for women and young men.
May 29: In a resolution signed by manual laborers in theMechanick-Hall, New York, the laborers directed their representatives in the Provincial Congress to instruct the New York representatives in the Continental Congress to declare independence. (NY Mechanics Declaration of Independence)
May 31: The Continental Congress instructed each of the provinces to establish themselves as states.
Late May: Colonel Reed purchased, at Washington's request, a set of campaign tents (marquees) for the Continental Army from Philadelphia upholsterer Plunkett Fleeson. According to the surviving receipt for this order, Fleeson made two "Marquees,” one tent for dining and one for sleeping as well as a baggage tent.