Many American Revolutionaries were much younger than you might think when they declared independence from Britain

How old were the American Revolutionaries when the colonies declared independence from Britain in 1776? 

Some were older, like Thomas Jefferson who was 33, John Hancock who was 39, or Benjamin Franklin who was 70. Others were shockingly young — even teenagers. James Monroe, for example, was 18 and Alexander Hamilton was 21.

All Things Liberty compiled a list of the ages of famous people at the start of the American Revolution. 

Here's everyone who was younger than 25 on July 4, 1776, including a the youngest signer of the Declaration of Independence:

Andrew Jackson, 9

While Andrew Jackson may have been too young to enlist when the Revolutionary war first began, when he was 13-years-old, the future president of the United States served as a patriot courier in the Revolutionary War. 

When he was captured by British soldiers, young Jackson was hit across the face for refusing to shine his captors shoes. He was left with physical and mental scars for many years after the war ended, but went on to become a hero in the War of 1812, a successful lawyer, and the seventh American President.

(Major) Thomas Young, 12

Major Thomas Young, the son of Thomas Young, John Adams' family physician and Boston Tea Party organizer, didn't waste any time getting involved in the Revolution.

Four years after the colonies declared independence, Young joined the militia and was quickly promoted to Major. 

 

Deborah Sampson, 15

Deborah Sampson disguised herself as a man so she could join the Massachusetts military. 

During her tenure in the Patriot forces she led dangerous expeditions, dug trenches, and helped capture 15 Loyalists. She kept her true identity hidden for two years until doctors caring for her discovered she was a woman. Soon thereafter Sampson was honorably discharged. 

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