Rev250-086 Washington Visits Philadelphia May 24 1776

Summary

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Episode Overview

Podcast: American Revolution Podcast
Host: Michael Troy
Episode: Rev250-086 Washington Visits Philadelphia May 24, 1776
Date: May 21, 2026

This special bonus episode commemorates the 250th anniversary of George Washington's 1776 visit to Philadelphia. Host Michael Troy delves into Washington’s motivations for the trip, his interactions with Continental Congress, key events and individuals he encountered, as well as myth versus reality about the now-famous meeting with Betsy Ross.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Washington’s Movements Post-Boston (01:35)

• Post-Evacuation Strategy: After forcing the British to evacuate Boston in March 1776, Washington lingered in New England to ensure they didn't return, then shifted his focus to New York City, anticipating the next British attack.
• Precautionary Measures: Despite the looming military threat, Washington decided to take a brief trip to Philadelphia to meet with Congress.
• Emergency Planning: Washington was so cautious about a potential British move during his absence that he "arranged for horses to be standing by, ready at regular intervals between Philadelphia and New York... so he could ride back at a gallop, changing for fresh horses every few miles." (Michael Troy, 01:55)

2. Arrival and Accommodation in Philadelphia (02:39)

• Staying on Chestnut Street: Washington and Martha secured lodging just a block from the State House (Independence Hall). Their arrival displaced Thomas Jefferson, who "had to pack his bags and find some other place to stay for a few weeks." (Michael Troy, 02:58)
• Portrait by Charles Willson Peale: Washington sat for another in a series of portraits, a notable act given Peale's legacy in capturing key figures of the Revolution.

3. Martha Washington’s Ordeal (03:19)

• Smallpox Inoculation: Martha underwent "an inoculation for smallpox, which at the time gave the recipient a limited version of the disease for several weeks or even months," due to the substantial risk present among the army. (Michael Troy, 03:25)

4. Washington’s Mission in Philadelphia (03:46)

• Purpose of the Visit: He was there to confer with Congress, primarily over military strategy such as defending New York against the expected British onslaught.
• Lack of Detailed Records: "Sadly, we don’t have a good record of exactly what they discussed, as Washington did not appear before the full Congress, which recorded its proceedings..." (Michael Troy, 03:52)
• Independence Debates: Although Congress was deep in debates over declaring independence, Washington’s talks likely touched on these historic conversations.

5. Creation of the Congressional Board of War (04:22)

• New Oversight Structure: Congress established a Board of War composed of members from each colony—“and Virginia, for some reason, got two.”
• John Adams as Chairman: This made Adams essentially the "first Secretary of War." Yet Adams felt out of his depth, writing to friends to "search the Harvard library for any books on military strategy." (Michael Troy, 04:38)
• Inexperience in Military Leadership: Notably, both Adams and Washington had sought out books on strategy upon their appointments, revealing "none of these guys were experienced professionals in the military." (Michael Troy, 04:52)

6. The Betsy Ross Flag Story – Fact vs. Legend (05:01)

• Washington’s Alleged Meeting with Betsy Ross: "By some unverifiable accounts, Washington also met with Betsy Ross during this visit..." (Michael Troy, 05:02) The classic story is sourced only to "a claim by Betsy’s grandson made decades after her death," and probably happened later, if at all.
• Washington’s Personal Interest in Symbols: "It would be in keeping with Washington's character to take a personal interest in the flag's design..." given his attention to details like uniforms. (Michael Troy, 05:32)

7. Washington’s Departure and Army Morale (05:45)

• Return to New York: Washington left Philadelphia on June 5 and arrived in New York the next day.
• Rumors and Relief: The army had feared he might resign; his return inspired a "strong celebration." Ultimately, the British took no immediate action during his absence, leaving Washington with more time to prepare.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Washington’s meticulous planning:
  "He arranged for horses to be standing by, ready at regular intervals between Philadelphia and New York. If something did happen, he could ride back at a gallop, changing for fresh horses every few miles." (Michael Troy, 01:58)

• On Martha’s ordeal:
  "Martha Washington had a much less pleasant time in the city. She got an inoculation for smallpox… Since she was spending so much time with the army, the risk of getting full blown smallpox was too high to ignore." (Michael Troy, 03:19)

• On John Adams as Secretary of War:
  "Feeling out of his depth, Adams immediately wrote to friends in Massachusetts to ask them to search the Harvard library for any books on military strategy. Apparently, his career as a country lawyer did not prepare Adams to run an army." (Michael Troy, 04:38)

• The flag legend skepticism:
  "The story itself may be apocryphal, as the only evidence is a claim by Betsy’s grandson made decades after her death." (Michael Troy, 05:10)

• Relief among the Continental Army:
  "The army had been rife with rumors that Washington had gone to Congress to resign his commission. Therefore, his officers and men met his return with especially strong celebration." (Michael Troy, 05:51)

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Timestamps for Important Segments

• [01:35] – Washington’s strategic moves and cautious journey to Philadelphia
• [02:39] – Displacing Jefferson and settling in Philadelphia
• [03:19] – Martha Washington’s smallpox inoculation
• [03:46] – Purpose of Washington’s visit and Congressional debates
• [04:22] – Board of War creation and John Adams’s military learning curve
• [05:01] – Betsy Ross meeting: history vs. legend
• [05:45] – Washington’s return to New York and boost in army morale

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Context and Further Resources

For more about Washington’s time in Philadelphia and related Revolutionary War context, check out Episode 89 and associated blog entries at amrevpodcast.com.

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This bonus “Revolution250 moment” encapsulates the urgency, uncertainty, and human dimensions of the American Revolution, offering listeners not just military and political detail but also a sense of the personalities and motivations behind pivotal events.

Transcript

[A]

You're listening to an Airwave Media podcast. Hello and thanks for joining Revolution 250. This is where we remember events that took place 250 years ago this week. It's a short bonus episode from the American Revolution Podcast to remember these important two 50th anniversaries from the Revolutionary War. This week, we remember George Washington's visit to Philadelphia on May 24, 1776.

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After General Washington had forced the British to evacuate Boston in March, he remained in New England for a while to make sure the British did not return. After about a month, Washington moved down to New York City, where he was expecting the next British assault. Even though Washington was leading an army that was preparing to defend against the largest military invasion any of them had ever seen, he decided to take a few weeks to visit Congress in Philadelphia. On May 21, George and Martha set off for Philadelphia. Washington was so concerned that something might happen in New York while he was away that he arranged for horses to be standing by, ready at regular intervals between Philadelphia and New York. If something did happen, he could ride back at a gallop, changing for fresh horses every few miles. When the Washingtons arrived in Philadelphia, they found a place to stay on Chestnut street, only a block away from the State House, what would later be called Independence Hall. To make room for the general and his wife, the landlord had to kick out their current border. Thomas Jefferson had to pack his bags and find some other place to stay for a few weeks. While in Philadelphia, Washington sat for a portrait with Charles Wilson Peale. This was not the first time, nor the last time that Washington would sit for Peale, who painted dozens of Washington portraits. Martha Washington had a much less pleasant time in the city. She got an inoculation for smallpox, which at the time gave the recipient a limited version of the disease for several weeks or even months. Since she was spending so much time with the army, the risk of getting full blown smallpox was too high to ignore. Washington's main purpose in visiting Philadelphia, of course, was to confer with the Congress. Sadly, we don't have a good record of exactly what they discussed, as Washington did not appear before the full Congress, which recorded its proceedings in the journal. But much of the discussion was over strategy and specifically whether the army should attempt to hold New York and against an overwhelming British attack. The answer was yes, they should attempt to defend the city. Congress was heavily involved at this time in debating independence, so that was almost certainly a topic of conversation as well. Of greater relevance to Washington was the creation of a Congressional Board of War to oversee war strategy. The board consisted of 14 members, one from each colony, and Virginia, for some reason, got two. The board selected John Adams as its chairman, making him effectively the first Secretary of War. Feeling out of his depth, Adams immediately wrote to friends in Massachusetts to ask them to search the Harvard library for any books on military strategy. Apparently, his career as a country lawyer did not prepare Adams to run an army. Of course, Washington had also wanted to buy some books on military strategy after he received his appointment as commander of the Army. None of these guys were experienced professionals in the military. By some unverifiable accounts, Washington also met with Betsy Ross during this visit to discuss the design of a new American flag. According to Ross family lore, Washington, along with Robert Morris and George Ross, met with Betsy. Morris and Ross were both Pennsylvania delegates. Morris was a wealthy Philadelphia merchant, and George Ross was Betsy's uncle. The story itself may be apocryphal, as the only evidence is a claim by Betsy's grandson made decades after her death. He claimed it was part of the family's oral history. If it happened at all. It probably happened about a year later in 1777. But it would be in keeping with Washington's character to take a personal interest in the flag's design, given how much personal focus he had put into designing uniforms and other details. In any event, Washington returned to New York, leaving Philadelphia on June 5 and arriving back in New York the following day. The army had been rife with rumors that Washington had gone to Congress to resign his commission. Therefore, his officers and men met his return with especially strong celebration. As it turned out, the British didn't do much of anything during Washington's absence. It would be months before General Howe's army could get its act together and and begin the invasion. Washington would have many more months to prepare his defenses. I hope you've enjoyed this Revolution 250 moment. For more context about this subject, please check out episode 89@blog amrevpodcast.com you can also subscribe for free to the whole podcast on whatever podcast platform you like. Thanks again for listening to this Revolution250 moment on the American Revolution Podcast.