Demanding inclusion of words “free and independent States…absolved from all allegiance to the British crown…”
250th Anniversary of an American Revolution debate to be highlighted at Chapman-Hall House
Tue, 05/26/2026 - 9:00am
DAMARISCOTTA — On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee, a representative to the Continental Congress from Virginia, pushed the Congress to debate independence from England. The 250th Anniversary of this historic event will be highlighted at the Chapman-Hall House on Sunday, June 7.
Richard Lee’s proposed motion included the wording that the Colonies should be “free and independent States … absolved from all allegiance to the British crown…” Known since that time as the Lee Resolution, it was Mr. Lee’s effort to force the vote on independence. Among the delegates who supported his initiative were John Adams and Samuel Adams. In accepting his resolution, the Continental Congress chose five men, all members of the Congress, to draft what became the Declaration of Independence. In less than a month, that document would be voted, passed, and proclaimed throughout the Colonies.
What began the year before as a tug-of-war, literally, between the King and his Parliament, and the American Colonies, was now officially a war for total independence.
Richard Lee’s proposed motion included the wording that the Colonies should be “free and independent States … absolved from all allegiance to the British crown…” Known since that time as the Lee Resolution, it was Mr. Lee’s effort to force the vote on independence. Among the delegates who supported his initiative were John Adams and Samuel Adams. In accepting his resolution, the Continental Congress chose five men, all members of the Congress, to draft what became the Declaration of Independence. In less than a month, that document would be voted, passed, and proclaimed throughout the Colonies.
What began the year before as a tug-of-war, literally, between the King and his Parliament, and the American Colonies, was now officially a war for total independence.
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Visit the Chapman-Hall House on Sunday, June 7, and learn more about Richard Henry Lee’s Resolution.
Chapman-Hall House is located at 270 Main Street, Damariscotta. It is one of three historic sites under the care of the Lincoln County Historical Association.
Chapman-Hall House is located at 270 Main Street, Damariscotta. It is one of three historic sites under the care of the Lincoln County Historical Association.
The Lincoln County Historical Association is a nonprofit organization that provides stewardship for the 1754 Chapman-Hall House, the 1761 Pownalborough Court House in Dresden, and the 1811 Old Jail and Museum in Wiscasset. For more information about the Lincoln County Historical Association, visit www.lincolncountyhistory.org and Facebook Lincoln County Historical Association Maine.
Address
Chapman-Hall House
270 Main Street
Damariscotta, ME 04543
United States
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