Portraits of American Revolutionaries | Block Island Time
Block Island School teacher Kathleen Hemingway teaches her fifth grade class about the American Revolution at Block Island School. The American Revolutionary War was fought between 1775 and 1783 by colonists seeking independence from Britain.
“Fifth graders worked very hard on our American Revolution unit last month and created bio-poems about someone who played a role in the war. Below are bio-poems they created about someone involved in the Revolutionary War that they researched,” Hemingway said.
Here are the poems of the fifth graders. Each poem begins with information about the settlers they write about. —Rosemary Connelli
Mary Ludwig
Wife of William Hays, who fought at the Battle of Monmouth
Resident of Carlisle, Pennsylvania
Who believes the settlers can win the war
Who needs more water to give to soldiers, protective gear so she doesn’t get shot while she’s giving water on the battlefield, shorts, a t- shirt and sunscreen because it was hot
Who feels devastated when her husband collapses during battle so she takes control of his cannon
Who cries when the settlers die
Who laughs when the settlers win the war
Who wants freedom for the world
Who thinks others are grateful for his work in refreshing soldiers during battle
who loves his family
Who is known as Molly Pitcher
—Esthreya Perez Santana
george washington
Son of Augustine and Mary Washington Brother of Lawrence Washington, who left him Mount Vernon
Resident of Westmoreland County, Virginia
Who believes in the freedom of the British
Who needs non-wooden dentures
Who doesn’t feel so confident in the war against the British because they had fewer soldiers and supplies
Who cries when he tells how his father died when he was young
Who is happy to talk to his children, before they die
Who wants freedom for the world
Who thinks the UK government is greedy
Who loves his wife Martha Dandrige Custis
His nickname is Commander and Chief
—Mason Miro
Marquis de Lafayette
Relative of a Colonel who served in the 7 Years War, who died while serving
Resident of Chavaniac, France
Who believes in the American cause of freedom for the colonies, and freedom for France
Who needs the respect of soldiers and fellow officers
Who feels passionate about the American cause of freedom
Who cries when defeated in battle
Who laughs when freedom comes to America
Who wants for the world equality for all
Who thinks that others are not inferior but equal
Who loves Adrienne de Lafayette, his wife
Whose nickname is Hero of Two Worlds
—Zack Hobe
Abigail Adams
Wife of John Adams and mother of John Quincy
Massachusetts resident
Who believes in women’s rights
Who needs help around the house and with the kids, more money to help on the farm and more time to process thoughts and ideas about women’s rights
Who feels angry, because she has no help with her children or her farm, and because people don’t take her seriously
Who cries when her husband doesn’t support women’s rights and when her husband is dying
Who is happy when there are equal rights between men and women
Who wants for global fairness
Who thinks others should have the same benefits
Who loves John Adams
— Abigail Willi
John Adams
Son of John Adams Sr. and Susanna Adams
Resident of Braintree, Massachusetts
Who believes he believed in freedom for the 13 colonies
Who needs settlers to believe in his writings which do not agree with the laws made by the British.
Who feels happy writing the Declaration of Independence
Who cries when he had to leave his wife and six children to fight in the war of independence
Who is happy when he marries his wife
Who wants freedom for the world
Who thinks others who support the British are choosing the wrong side.
Who loves his wife Abigail Smith and his six children.
Who is one of the founding fathers
—Jillian Licari
george washington
Son of Augustine and Mary Washington.
Resident of Westmoreland County, Virginia.
Who believes that the future of the nation lies in the colonization of the West.
Who needs a nation to rally to the revolution,
Who believes that all slaves should be granted their freedom.
Who mourns his young daughter Patsy who has passed away.
Who laughs when he’s horseback riding, fishing and fox hunting in Mount Vernon.
Who wants the world to cherish union and avoid partisanship and permanent foreign alliances.
Who thinks others are equal and valuable.
Who loves Mount Vernon.
Who was called the first president of the United States and was called GW.
—Zane Turner
crispus attack
Son of Nancy Attucks, a Natik Indian, and Prince Yonger, a slave
Boston resident
Who believes in the freedom of the British
Who needs to step aside and should have had a gun to defend themselves during the Boston Massacre
Who’s Afraid of Being Forced to Join the British Navy Because They’re a Sailor
Who cries when he thinks of slavery as a whole
Who is happy when he escapes slavery
Who wants for the world that everyone has freedom.
Who thinks others should help in the fight against the British so they can have their independence.
Who loves his crew
Crispus the Martyr
—Akie Fontanille
george washington
Son of Augustine and Mary Washington
Resident of Westmoreland County, Virginia
Who believes in its colonies and their rights to become a country
Who needs men to fight in the Continental Army
Who feels thrilled that their life purpose of helping build a nation has been achieved
Who cries when he loses his parents, his brother and his adopted child
Who is happy when his victories in war are announced and when he lives and works in Mount Vernon
Who wants the world to get rid of slavery
Who thinks the people by his side in the army are important and brave
Who loves Martha, his wife
Who is known as the first president of the United States
— Anonymous
benjamin franklin
Father of William who opposed the Patriot cause
Resident of Massachusetts, London, France and Philadelphia
Who believes in independence from England
Who needs supporters for the patriot cause
Who feels mad at his own loyalist son
Who cries when his brother beats him and refuses to publish his writings when he was younger
Who is happy when he writes
Who wants the world to work together
Who thinks others should learn from his scientific and political information
who likes to learn
Pseudonym Mrs. Silence Dogood
— Anonymous
