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Acton

(Encyclopedia)Acton, town (2020 pop. 24,021), Middlesex co., E Mass., NW of Boston; settled c.1680, inc. 1735. Among its manufactures are electrical machinery, chemicals, prefabricated houses, and preci...

Wodrow, Robert

(Encyclopedia)Wodrow, Robert wo͝odˈrō [key], 1679–1734, Scottish ecclesiastical historian. His principal work is The History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland from the Restoration to the Revolution (...

Taylor, George

(Encyclopedia)Taylor, George, 1716–81, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Ireland. He settled in Pennsylvania (1736), where he became a manufacturer of iron...

Braxton, Carter

(Encyclopedia)Braxton, Carter, 1736–97, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. King and Queen co., Va. He lived (1757–60) in England, returned to America, and...

Whipple, William

(Encyclopedia)Whipple, William, 1730–85, political leader in the American Revolution, signer of the Declaration of Independence, b. Kittery, Maine. Whipple, who had been a sea captain, was a merchant of Portsmout...

Armstrong, John, 1717?–1795, American pioneer

(Encyclopedia)Armstrong, John, 1717?–1795, American pioneer, known as the “hero of Kittanning,” b. Co. Fermanagh, Ireland. He laid out the town of Carlisle, Pa. In 1756 he led the expedition that destroyed Ki...

Laval, town, France

(Encyclopedia)Laval, town (1990 pop. 53,478), capital of Mayenne dept., NW France, in Maine. It has been noted for its linen products since the 14th cent. Among its other industrial products are textiles, shoes, fu...

minutemen

(Encyclopedia)minutemen, in the American Revolution, colonial militiamen or armed citizens who agreed to turn out for service at a minute's notice. The term minutemen is used especially for the men who were enrolle...

Fanning, David

(Encyclopedia)Fanning, David, c.1755–1825, American Loyalist in the American Revolution, b. Amelia co., Va. He led raids on the colonials in the Carolinas and wrote (1790) an account of his adventures in The Narr...

War of Independence

(Encyclopedia)War of Independence: 1 In Spanish history, see Peninsular War, 1808–14. 2 In U.S. history, see American Revolution. ...