Tag Archives: 18th Century

America 250: Finding resources on the American Revolutionary War (Part 2: archival sources, maps and state histories)

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2026 marks the Semiquincentennial or 250 year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You may have seen an increase in discussions about the American Revolutionary War and its impact (on a national and global level). You may be planning to attend one of the many events which are being held to commemorate America250, such as the RAI America 250 events.  

Over this week, we will be releasing brief blogposts aimed at helping researchers find primary sources on the American Revolutionary War, in a variety of different formats, geographic focus and subject areas. It is intended to help those interested in the War, who may already have some general knowledge on the subject, to dig deeper into the different primary sources available and start their own research journey.

This guide is primarily aimed at Oxford students and researchers, and some resources will require subscription access via SSO, but Open Access resources are also included. This is not meant to be a complete guide nor will it be updated with new resources going forward.

This is Part 2: archival documents, maps and state histories.

Painting of the original thirteen colonies.
Map of the first thirteen colonies and the years when they first entered the Union. Beside the motto “Join or Die” is a snake segmented into thirteen parts, each labelled with the abbreviation of a state, copied from a colonial block print, originally published by Benjamin Franklin. Painted in 1994 by Allyn Cox. Architect of the Capital

US archival documents– printed and manuscript

This collection is part of the archives of the United Society Partners in Gospel (USPG) or Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts (SPG) related to the activities of the North American branch. The collection includes correspondence and journals from missionaries documenting life during the American Revolution (the B and C series letter books) as well as sermons and responses from the Society. Note: the Weston Library holds the physical collections of the USPG.

The full text of thousands of American periodicals published between 1684 and 1912, digitised from the collections of the American Antiquarian Society. Search full-text, browse by publication date or search by Subject Terms (“American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783”).

This online site contains a range of transcribed primary sources. Although mostly aimed at younger ages, the sources provide a useful glimpse into American military history. Sources can be filtered to the American Revolutionary War.

Digitised images of the pages of American magazines and journals published from colonial days to the dawn of the 20th century. It includes 89 journals published between 1740 and 1800 which offer insights into America’s transition from colonial times to independence. It includes one of the first mass printings of the Declaration of Independence, a letter by George Washington on the crucial Battle of Trenton, and the writings and publications of Benjamin Franklin.

Collection of early printed American imprints (1639-1800). Over 37,000+ imprints embrace every aspect of life in 17th and 18th century America. Includes printed books, pamphlets and broadsides, alongside advertisements, chapbooks, diaries, gazetteers, hymnals, wills and more. Covers the Revolutionary War period – limit your search by date or use terms such as “American Revolutionary War” or “Continental Army.

Maps

Maps provide a useful visual tool to understand the military positions of both sides during the American Revolutionary War, as well as the British, French and American understanding of the country. They were also tools used by both sides to plan their next moves.

The Animated Map Collection helps to bring the story of America’s past to life, while illustrating the important role that these conflicts and battlefields played. Although aimed at younger audiences, this provides useful information about the American Revolutionary War’s battles.

Digitised maps from the collections of the Library of Congress. Includes general mapping of the geography and terrain, as well as military movements and encampments. Maps are sourced from seven different countries, including the United States, Britain and France.

A digital portal that collates digitized maps of North America made between 1750 and 1800 into a single place, sourced from 20 different libraries and archives. Maps can be searched by specific areas, time periods, colonial powers or native tribes, or by map features (such as images of animals).

Histories of the American Revolutionary War by state

Each American state has their own archive and library, which will include digitised collections related to their histories. The National Archives has a webpage which lists all digital state and territorial collections. You might also want to check University collections based in your state of interest.

The below are resources from the original 13 colonies specifically on the American Revolutionary War, or created to mark the Semiquincentennial.

Connecticut

Delaware

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Next time…. finding British and French sources!

For more guidance on finding resources related to American History, contact bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.

America 250: Finding resources on the American Revolutionary War (Part 1)

Posted on by

2026 marks the Semiquincentennial or 250 year anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. You may have seen an increase in discussions about the American Revolutionary War and its impact (on a national and global level). You may be planning to attend one of the many events which are being held to commemorate America250, such as the RAI America 250 events.  

Over this week, we will be releasing brief blogposts aimed at helping researchers find primary sources on the American Revolutionary War, in a variety of different formats, geographic focus and subject areas. It is intended to help those interested in the War, who may already have some general knowledge on the subject, to dig deeper into the different primary sources available and start their own research journey.

This guide is primarily aimed at Oxford students and researchers, and some resources will require subscription access via SSO, but Open Access resources are also included. This is not meant to be a complete guide nor will it be updated with new resources going forward.

This is Part 1: Useful Starting Points, Founding Documents and Founding Fathers.

Some good starting points

This is our Bodleian online guide to everything related to US History, Politics and Culture at Oxford, with new subscriptions and resources regularly updated. This specific page relates to the Colonial and Revolutionary era, and includes a range of different primary sources.

The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world, and includes a range of resources on US and global history. They also produce useful research guides, like the one linked above, which summarise their collections (both digitised and physical), and recommended external resources.

The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum, education, and research complex. Here you can find a snapshot of the material history of the American Revolutionary War, including portraits, pamphlets and objects.

Part of Society of Cincinnati Historical Society, the collection includes contemporary books, prints, maps and manuscripts from the period. This link is for the digitised collections, but the main website also includes online exhibitions and further information.

Based in Philadelphia, the online pages of the museum includes a catalogue of the key items, online exhibitions, interactive features and wider bibliographies. 

Decorative
Charters of Freedom Hall, National Archives, Washington, D.C. Part of the Photographs in the Carol M. Highsmith Archive, Library of Congress, Prints and Photographs Division.

Founding Documents and Official Papers

Hosted by the US National Archives, this webpage includes digitisations, transcripts and historic background of three key documents: the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution and the US Bill of Rights.

Hosted by the Library of Congress, this collection includes 277 documents relating to the work of Congress and the drafting and ratification of the Constitution. Items include extracts of the journals of Congress, resolutions, proclamations, committee reports, treaties, and early printed versions of the United States Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.

This landmark work in historical and legal scholarship draws upon thousands of sources to trace the Constitution’s progress through each of the thirteen states’ conventions.

Founding Fathers

Detailed Guide from the Library of Congress for each American Founder, including further links and bibliographies. The Library of Congress holds and has digitised the papers of several key political figures and presidents, such as Washington, Hamilton, Franklin and Jefferson

Based on the records of the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC). Includes correspondence and other papers of seven key figures from the American Revolutionary era.

Overview provided by the Smithsonian of each signer of the Declaration of Independence, with portraits and further bibliographic information.

Artwork
Declaration of Independence (1819), by John Turnbull.

Next time…. archival sources, maps and state histories!

For more guidance on finding resources related to American History, contact bethan.davies@bodleian.ox.ac.uk.