Philadelphia
Family Reunion 2023
Wished You Were Here
80 cousins gathered for the 69th Annual NSWFD Reunion weekend at the Marriott Philadelphia Old City Hotel. On a late September afternoon, registrants were greeted by the Ambassador Committee who supplied them with maps and snacks, a list of registrants, an itinerary, and a blue tumbler embossed with the gold crest of George Washington’s family. “Sacrifice, Struggle and Succession” were written beneath the Wahington crest. The motto served as a theme for the weekend’s activities. These three qualities were referenced, explicitly or implicitly, through the weekend’s tours and presentations.
The Liberty trail Presentations
The Concept of “The Liberty Trail” is to highlight important events related to our host city and George Washington. These presentations are a continuation of our members delivering historical presentations.
Washington's Path to Philadelphia
Bob Asbury
Philadelphia in 1775, was America’s largest city with 40,000 residents and was the center of colonial government.
George Washington’s journey to Philadelphia begins in April 1775, with battles at Lexington and Concord in the colony of Massachusetts. These events and their impact propelled Washington into the national political arena.
May 1775, one month after the battles, Continental Congress was called into session for the second Continental Congress in Philadelphia to address how to respond and defend against the King’s attack on the colonies.
Of highest priority was the organization of an Army to defend against British incursion. On June 14th, a resolution was passed to form an Army “the Army of the United Colonies”. George Washington was appointed Commander.
Liberty Trail
Fleming Saunders
Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a Prussian soldier speaking little English, helped America win the Revolutionary War. The combat-tested veteran arrived in the colonies in 1777 and impressed General George Washington with his imposing military bearing and deep knowledge of the battlefield.
With interpreters at his side, the tireless Steuben rallied the demoralized men at Valley Forge; cold, hungry, ill-clad and dying of disease. He trained raw volunteers from the ground up, how to march, maneuver and shoot in unison. Hailing from far-flung parts of the continent, the troops bonded together as Americans under the firm hand of their foreign drill instructor. After the dark winter, a new army bloomed in the spring. The patriots showed discipline and courage under fire until the day the British surrendered at Yorktown in 1781.
Washington retreats to Valley ForgeWashington's Path to Philadelphia
Jodi Stevens
National Park Service Photo
In August 1777, a British Navy fleet of more than 260 ships carrying 17,000 British troops under the command of British General Sir William Howe landed on the northern end of the Chesapeake Bay about 40-50 miles southwest of Philadelphia. Their intent is clear - invade and capture Philadelphia.
General George Washington ordered the Continental forces totaling about 20,000 men to be placed between Head of Elk and Philadelphia to meet the British in battle. The Continental Generals found valiantly but with incorrect battle information, they miscalculated and the British were able to capture Philadelphia.
General Washington needed to be close to watch the activities of the British so set up winter camp at Valley Forge about 50 miles from Philadelphia. It was a hard, cold, trying winter but also one that turned rag-tag, unruly men into a disciplined army.