That summer he accompanied his father from Charleston to Philadelphia, where his father was to serve in the Continental Congress. [17] Henry Laurens to John Laurens, August 14, 1776 in Papers of Henry Laurens, 11: 222-236. [Don’t do anything stupid.] In a word, he had not a fault, that I ever could discover, unless intrepidity bordering upon rashness could come under that denomination; and to this he was excited by the purest motives."[19][37]. "[13], Upon his release, Laurens was unwillingly appointed by Congress in December 1780 as a special minister to France. In 1779, when the British threatened Charleston, Governor Rutledge proposed to surrender the city with the condition that Carolina become neutral in the war. Nathanael Greene, in general orders announcing the death of Laurens, wrote "The army has lost a brave officer and the public a worthy citizen. High quality John Laurens inspired clocks by independent artists and designers from around the world. According to Gregory D. Massey, a history professor at Freed–Hardeman University and author of a Laurens biography: Laurens speaks more clearly to us today than other men of the American Revolution whose names are far more familiar. Laurens was featured in an episode of the 1984 George Washington miniseries, portrayed by Kevin Conroy. Fortunately, this statement turned out to be untrue. John Laurens was born in Charleston, South Carolina in the year 1754 to Henry Laurens and Eleanor Ball. [6] From November 2 to December 11, 1777, Washington and several aides, including Laurens, were quartered at the Emlen House, north of Philadelphia in Camp Hill, which served as Washington's headquarters through the Battle of White Marsh. Laurens was set apart from other leaders in Revolutionary-era South Carolina by his belief that black and white people shared a similar nature and could aspire to freedom in a republican society.[1]. But with Hamilton glossing over other characters' relationships with slavery, how much can audiences trust this depiction of Laurens? Laurens arrived at Charleston in April 1777. [19], When the enemy rose to fire, Laurens ordered an immediate charge, despite the British having superior numbers and the stronger position. The musical’s rivalry between Hamilton and Burr peaks after the election of … [22] Gist's larger force arrived in time to cover a retreat, but was unable to prevent costly losses, including three American dead. In response, Laurens suggested that slaves could earn their freedom by fighting in the Revolutionary War, just as Hamilton tells audiences. Thursday, March 23, 2017 Nic Butler, Ph.D. Today we’re going to conclude the story of John Laurens, a Charleston native who’s one of the principal characters in Act One of the hit Broadway musical, Hamilton. John Laurens was born in Charleston, South Carolina on October 28, 1754, to Henry Laurens and Eleanor Ball Laurens, both of whose families were prosperous as planters cultivating rice. Laurens served as an aide-de-camp to George Washington, a diplomat to France, and an intelligence officer for General Greene. [19], On August 27, 1782, at the age of 27, Laurens was shot from his saddle during the Battle of the Combahee River, as one of the last casualties of the Revolutionary War. "[32] Years later, Massey regretted that the tone of his assertion had been decisive rather than equivocal, conceding that the matter "can not be definitively resolved."[33]. [17] At Moore House on October 18, 1781, Laurens and the French commissioner negotiated terms with two British representatives, and the articles of capitulation were signed by General Cornwallis the following day. The British threat to South Carolina and Georgia to form black regiments commanded by white officers plantations hundreds! 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