The American Revolution is well-documented and through the many generations that followed those that fought their ancestors have kept good records. Many of those records can be found on the Daughters of the American Revolution and the Sons of the American Revolution websites.
Finding your Revolutionary War Ancestor can be exciting and while this is not an exhaustive resource, nor is The History Junkie a devoted website to genealogy, I have provided a list of Famous Kin of the American Revolution that I run across in my research.
The following is a list of Famous Kin of the American Revolution with a brief description of who the individual was:
A
John Adams Family Tree - Adams is one of the most influential figures during the American Revolution and would go on to mold the young republic as the Second President of the United States. He would be the first to see his son go on to become President.
F
Benjamin Franklin Family Tree - One of the most interesting men in American History who lived a long life. His accomplishments are well-known as a printer, inventor, scientist, diplomat, and signer of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution.
G
Elbridge Gerry Family Tree - Gerry was a Signer of the Declaration of Independence and the Vice President for President James Madison.
Nathanael Greene Family Tree - Greene was George Washington's, right-hand man. He took over the Continental Army after the debacle at Camden under General Horatio Gates. His actions would turn things around in the South for the Americans.
H
John Hancock Family Tree - Hancock was one of the wealthiest men in New England and a leader within the Sons of Liberty. He served as the President of the Second Continental Congress and eventually became the Governor of Massachusetts. He is known for his famous signature on the Declaration of Independence.
Patrick Henry Family Tree - Henry came onto the stage during the Stamp Act crisis and further made his name forever etched in American History when he said "Give Me Liberty Or Give Me Death" in response to the British. He would serve as the 1st and 6th Virginia Governor and father 17 children, 16 of which survived to adulthood.
J
Thomas Jefferson Family Tree - The most controversial family tree in American History belongs to Thomas Jefferson. This is due to his relations with Sally Hemings, his slave who gave him six children with four surviving to birth. Jefferson's first marriage was tragic with his beloved Martha who had many health issues and eventually died during childbirth. The couple had 2 children that survived into adulthood.
R
Paul Revere Family Tree - Revere became infamous for his midnight ride to alarm the militia of the British march to Lexington and Concord. He also served as a leader within the Sons of Liberty and was a well-known silversmith. In 1770, he created a well-known piece of propaganda depicting the Boston Massacre.
Benjamin Rush Family Tree - Rush is known as the Father of Modern Psychiatry for his work in Mental Health. He was one of the most influential Founding Fathers and would help mend the relationship between Thomas Jefferson and John Adams. He also took part in the Conway Cabal that tried to remove George Washington from command in the Continental Army.
W
George Washington Family Tree - Washington is the most well-known figure in American History. He was the Commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, President of the Constitutional Convention, and the First President of the United States of America and was correctly remembered as the Father of his Country.