York History: Examined through the Lives of York Families: 1775-1785

York historian James Kences examines the history of the town through the stories of 25 York families. This seventh session in our series will focus on the Revolutionary Era. Beginning in April 1775, and with the diary of Jonathan Sayward as centerpiece, Kences will use a unique set of source materials to examine York's experience of the American Revolution. Though the town's population only consisted of a few thousand, the men took part in the major campaigns of the conflict as sailors or soldiers. Focusing on the participation of numerous York residents provides different perspectives on the war--one that embraces what happened in York, but also what happened hundreds of miles away.