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Character List 1776

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Character List 1776 1776 Character List Name Vocal Solos State Part Size BACKGROUND OF THE CHARACTER Scenes Photo Age Gender Lines John Adams Baritone Raised in modest surroundings, in a traditional puritan colony in MA. Considered puritans "bearers of freedom". Eldest child of 3. 8 Massachusetts Lead Graduated from Harvard, became a lawyer, statesman, diplomat, & political theorist. Supported reconciliation if practical. "By the fall 6 40 Male of 1775, no one in Congress labored more ardently than Adams to hasten the day when America would be separate from Great Britain." 226 Ben Franklin Baritone/Bass After returning from GB, he was chosen to be PA's delegate to the 2nd Continental Congress and subsequently was one 5 Pennsylvania Lead of the Committee of Five, though disabled by gout and missed most committee meetings. Quipped at the signing, 5 70 Male "Yes, we must, indeed, all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately." Oldest, most famous & respected. 122 Thomas Jefferson Tenor Primary author of Declaration of Independence, member of the Committee of Five. 1/4th of the original draft, speaking critically of 3 Virginia Lead King George III and the slave trade, was omitted and he resented the changes. The preamble, authored by TJ, has been referred to 3 33 Male as one of the best known English sentences containing the most potent and consequential words in American History. Slave owner. 42 Abigail Adams M-Soprano John's third cousin, wife, & closest advisor. She wrote letters that have served as eyewitness accounts of the Revolutionary War. 3 Massachusetts Supporting She was taught at home, loved to read, and was in a book club. Had very advanced views on women's rights and government. 3 31 Female She believed slavery was evil. She was very active in politics and policy. She held strong views. John relied on her knowledge. 28 Martha Jefferson M-Soprano Born in Virginia, her father was a lawyer and slave trader. She died at 33 after a difficult child delivery. Third cousin of TJ. 1 Virginia Supporting Inherited over 100 slaves. Highly educated, musical, constant reader, good nature, and a vivacious & sharp temper. 1 28 Female She was an accomplished needlewoman. Was in delicate health most of her marriage. Asked TJ not to marry again after her death. 12 Edward Rutledge Tenor Youngest signer. Laywer & Politician born in Charleston. Scotish/English decent. Owned more than 50 slaves. 2 South Carolina Supporting Fiction vs Fact - In 1776 he opposes the anti-slavery clause, but in reality he had no opposition to it. His true condition was 2 26 Male that there be no opposition to the motion for independence. It had to pass unanimously. 32 John Hancock Any Merchant, statesman and patriot. Degree from Harvard. His family owned slaves. Had a fondness for expensive clothes. 0 Massachusetts Supporting He enjoyed playing the role of a wealthy aristocrat. Free Mason. He was one of the wealthiest men in the colonies. 3 39 Male He inherited slaves, but never bought or sold any. His wealth was 1/714th of the entire US GNP on his death. 73 Charles Thompson Any Secretary of the Continental Congress for 15 years - of Irish/Scotish decent - Leader in the crisis 0 Pennsylvania Supporting Creator of Seal of US, US prime minister for diplomacy/foreign affairs, his minutes caused brawls 3 46 Male Was a leader of Philidephia Sons of Liberty - Championed fair treatment of Indians 66 John Dickinson Baritone/Bass Family tobacco plantation in Maryland worked by slave labor, until 1777 when he freed them all. Lawyer/politician from 1 Pennsylvania Supporting Pennsylvania. Known as the "Penman of the Revolution", wrote "Letters from a Farmer in Pennsylvania". 1 43 Male His object was reconciliation, not independence and revolution. Refused to sign. Voluntarily left and joined the PA malitia. 57 Stephen Hopkins Baritone Surveyor & politician. Merchant, ship builder/outfitter, manufacturer of pig irons and cannons. Second oldest delagate. 3 Rhode Island Supporting Developed palsy in his hands, which shook greatly & affected his ability to write. Wore a hat to cover his thinning hair. 3 69 Male His form was bent due to age. Knew this would end in war. Consulted on the navy. Slave owner, with unusual relationship. 27 Caesar Rodney Any Lawyer and politician. Born in Delaware. Officer of Delaware miliitia. Had prosperous farm worked by 200 slaves. 0 Delaware Supporting Great wit, conversations were always bright, strong and conducted by wisdom, was very popular, and lifetime bachelor 2 47 Male Part of the minority (Country) party, worked with Thomas McKean. Road horse 70 miles to make the vote on July 2 10 Col. Thomas McKean Baritone Lawyer and politician. Born in PA. Irish/Scotish decent. Proposed that each colony have one vote. Outspoken 1 Delaware Supporting advocate of independence. Requried that Rodney, third delegate from Delaware, ride all night to break the tie 3 42 Male so that Delaware would be able to cast its vote in favor of Independence. 23 Richard Henry Lee Baritone Came from a wealthy family-military officers & polititians. Career politician. Early minded independence thinker 2 Virginia Supporting Put forth motion to declare indepencence from Great Britian 2 44 Male Parents died when he was 18 and in school in London 16 Dr. Josiah Bartlett Any Physican & Statesman, born in MA. First to be asked and affirm the question of declaring independence from GB. 0 New Hampshire Featured He served on all committees. 3 46 Male 8 Roger Sherman Tenor Lawyer and statesman. Only person to have signed Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the 1 Connecticut Featured Articles of Confederation and the Constitution. Member of Committee of Five that drafted the Declaration of Independence. 2 55 Male Son of farming family. Treasurer for Yale, honorary Masters from Yale. A terse and ineloquent speaker. Never kept a diary. 6 Lewis Morris Any Landowner and developer from New York, graduated from Yale, became Colonial Governor of New Jersey. 0 New York Featured Active supporter of independence. His brother, a British General, warned him that signing the document would have 2 50 Male concequences. To wit, he replied, "Damn the consequences. Give me the pen!" 10 Robert Livingston Baritone Lawyer/Politician. Graduated from Columbia. Part of "Committee of Five" that drafted the Declaration of Independence. 1 New York Featured Recalled by New York before he could sign it, but he sent his cousin Phillip Livingston, to sign it. Wealthy large family. 2 30 Male He was also a Free Mason. 3 Rev. John Witherspoon Any Scottish Presbyterian Minister immegrated in 1768. Became president of Princeton and modernized it through fundraising. 0 New Jersey Featured Known for his energy. Saw a "UFO" in 1774 referred to it as an "Orb of fire", piloted by an angel or "divine emissary" 2 53 Male Got involved as part of the New Jersey delegation after the Crown exercised authority over Church affairs. 11 James Wilson Any Scotish Decent to Prebyterian Farmers. Lawyer and politician. Argued that parliament could not pass laws for the 0 Pennsylvania Featured colony since the colonies had no representation in parliament. Viewed that power is with the peope, but should have 2 34 Male allegience to the British king. First to publish argument against British dominance. Voted his caucus. 13 George Read Any A lawyer and politician. One of 2 states to sign all 3 docs-Petition to King of Congress of 1774, Declaration of 0 Delaware Featured Independence and the Constitution. He was of Irish decent. A minority in Delaware wanted Independence. 2 42 Male He was with the Majority (court) Party, wanted reconciliation. Supported dignified protests. Voted against. Still signed. 9 Samuel Chase Any A lawyer from Annapolis - got his nickname "old bacon face" during his time as a member of the bar 0 Maryland Featured He attacked loyalists for being arrogant and prideful, to wit, they referred to him as "a busy, reckless incendiary, a 2 35 Male ringleader of mobs, a foul-mouthed and inflaming son of discord and faction, a common disturber of public tranquility" 12 Joseph Hewes Any Extremely wealthy shipping merch by 1776 - frequently interrupted by opposers - very mello-dramatic. 0 North Carolina Featured Graduated from Princeton NJ as a Merchant-started a shipping busines in NC-1 of most famous signers 2 46 Male His fleet was defacto navy. Quaker. Initally opposed Independence, came around due to constituents in NC 6 Dr. Lyman Hall Any Physican, clergyman and statesman. Was the Governor of Georgia 0 Georgia Featured Graduate of Yale in 1747, founded University of Georgia in 1785 0 52 Male His church held more radical views where the state populus was more loyalist 19 Andrew McNair Any Official liberty bell ringer, doorkeeper & custodian for 18 years (1758-1777) 0 No Featured 0 Recorded 60 Male Old, in failing health, died in Feb 1777 21 Picture George Washington NA This part has been precast. 0 Virginia None He knows who George Washington is. 0 44 Male He cannot tell a lie. He likes cherry pie. 0 A Leather Apron Any 0 No Featured 1 Recorded Male 3 Picture A Painter Any 0 No Featured 1 Recorded Male 3Picture A Courier Tenor 1 No Featured 1 Recorded Male 6Picture Cast - 28 (M(23),W(2),E(3) First continental congress began Sept 1775.
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