The popularity of the Hamilton musical, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda, has renewed interest in Revolutionary era history. As the oldest town in Dauphin County PA, having been founded in 1755, Middletown took part in this period of history and many of the people and events portrayed in the musical have direct connections to Middletown. 

Don’t be shocked when your history book mentions me. 

On June 10, 1774, the residents of Middletown published their “Resolves of Independence” from Great Britain at a meeting chaired by Colonel James Burd. These ideas later became incorporated in the colonies’ “Declaration of Independence”.

When the Revolutionary war broke out, many men from Middletown joined the Revolutionary Army and at least 12 residents died in the war.  

Excerpt from “My Shot”

[HAMILTON]

A colony that runs independently

Meanwhile, Britain keeps shittin’ on us endlessly

Essentially, they tax us relentlessly

Then King George turns around, runs a spending spree

He ain’t ever gonna set his descendants free

So there will be a revolution in this century

Enter me!

[LAFAYETTE/MULLIGAN/LAURENS]

(He says in parentheses)

[HAMILTON]

Don’t be shocked when your hist’ry book mentions me

I will lay down my life if it sets us free

Eventually, you’ll see my ascendancy

Here comes the General!

Middletown is noted in colonial records as being a supply depot for the Revolutionary Armies. Many small boats for General John Sullivan’s army were built here and his troops were supplied with provisions from local farms. The Swatara Ferry House (Old Fort) is reported to have housed Hessian prisoners during the Revolution.

During the Revolutionary era, Main Street in Middletown was a portion of the highway between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Consequently, a large portion of the travel between eastern and western PA passed through Middletown.  George Washington, Marquis de Lafayette, Alexander Hamilton, and many other noted men traveled this route.

Excerpt from “Right Hand Man”

[HAMILTON]

Here he comes!

[ENSEMBLE]

Here comes the General!

[BURR]

Ladies and gentlemen!

[ENSEMBLE]

Here comes the General!

[BURR]

The moment you’ve been waiting for!

[ENSEMBLE]

Here comes the General!

[BURR]

The pride of Mount Vernon!

[ENSEMBLE]

Here comes the General!

[BURR]

George Washington

Lafayette!

From July 1824 to September 1825, the Marquis de Lafayette, the last surviving French general of the Revolutionary War, made a tour of the 24 states in the United States. He received a hero’s welcome at many stops.  

On Jan. 30, 1825 Lafayette was on his way to Harrisburg. Dinner was prepared for him in Middletown at James McCammon’s hotel on the Northwest corner of the square. In the evening, he arrived at Harrisburg, where he was taken to the Governor’s residence.

Excerpt from “Guns and Ships”

[BURR]

How does a ragtag volunteer army in need of a shower

Somehow defeat a global superpower?

How do we emerge victorious from the quagmire?

Leave the battlefield waving

Betsy Ross’ flag higher?

Yo. Turns out we have a secret weapon!

An immigrant you know and love who’s unafraid to step in!

He’s constantly confusin’, confoundin’ the British henchmen

Ev’ryone give it up for America’s favorite fighting Frenchman!

[COMPANY]

Lafayette!

The Room Where It Happens

In 1789 the question of where the capital of the nation would be located was fiercely debated in Congress. In the House of Representatives Benjamin Goodhue offered the following resolution: “Resolved- In the opinion of this committee, that the permanent seat of Government of the United States ought to be at some convenient place on the east bank of the Susquehanna River in the State of Pennsylvania.

Daniel Heister moved to insert after the words “Susquehanna river: the words “Between Harrisburg and Middletown inclusive”

A lengthy debate followed. House members from the Northern and Eastern States generally favored the resolution while Southern States opposed it. Eventually the resolution was carried. However, when it went to the Senate the location was changed to Germantown, PA. Though when this change went back to the House it was voted down.

Then during the following year in 1790 the divide between the North and South had only become that much more entrenched and some felt the feelings were so strong that the safety of the Union was endangered. And as seen in the Hamilton musical, Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, Alexander Hamilton and others worked on a compromise to fix the site of the capital on the banks of the Potomac River.

Excerpt from “The Room Where It Happens”

[BURR]

Congress is fighting over where to put the capital—

Company screams in chaos

[BURR]

It isn’t pretty

Then Jefferson approaches with a dinner and invite

And Madison responds with Virginian insight:

[MADISON]

Maybe we can solve one problem with another and win a victory for the Southerners, in other words—

[JEFFERSON]

Oh-ho!

[MADISON]

A quid pro quo

[JEFFERSON]

I suppose

[MADISON]

Wouldn’t you like to work a little closer to home

[JEFFERSON]

Actually, I would

[MADISON]

Well, I propose the Potomac

[JEFFERSON]

And you’ll provide him his votes?

[MADISON]

Well, we’ll see how it goes

[JEFFERSON]

Let’s go

Western Pennsylvania. Here comes the President!

In 1791, the Federal Government, at the suggestion of Alexander Hamilton, the Secretary of the Treasury, imposed a tax of four pence a gallon on all distilled liquors. The people of Western Pennsylvania felt that this tax was about as unreasonable as the British tax on tea was and refused to pay it. Many less extreme measures were tried, but by 1794 Washington was forced to march 15,000 soldiers to Western Pennsylvania. One of the advisors that accompanied Washington was of course, Hamilton.

In Middletown, on the Southeast corner of Main and N. Union, where the 7-Eleven is now, was a tavern which Washington visited. Later in 1807 the tavern had been renamed “Washington House” in his honor. 

The following is an excerpt from “One Last Ride” as it was performed Off-Broadway in 2014. In this earlier version, rather than bowing out quietly as soon as Jefferson resigns from the cabinet, Washington exits triumphantly, after leading troops to put down the Whiskey Rebellion. Sadly, the Whiskey Rebellion content was cut in the transition to Broadway.

[HAMILTON]

Sir,

is this about the Whiskey Rebellion

In western Pennsylvania?

[WASHINGTON]

You could’ve given me a word of warning

[HAMILTON]

Because it is your Secretary of State, Thomas Jefferson

Who has been agitating these men to rebellion

[WASHINGTON]

Thomas Jefferson resigned this morning

[HAMILTON]

I’m sorry—what?

[WASHINGTON]

This is expensive stuff

[HAMILTON]

The whiskey tax is very unpopular

But necessary, sir

—

[HAMILTON]

But what about the rebels

Who are mad about this whiskey?

[WASHINGTON]

I have a plan, but it’s risky

[HAMILTON]

What’s your plan, sir?

—

[WASHINGTON]

We know from rebellions

We’re gonna teach ‘em

How to stay in line

Stay in line—

[WASHINGTON/HAMILTON]

You and I!

[WASHINGTON]

I never wanted a crown;

I never wanted to lead

But I couldn’t turn my back

On a nation in need

[HAMILTON]

Sir, you were born to lead

[WASHINGTON]

One last ride.

I’m past my prime

but I served with pride

And while we still have time

We’re gonna teach ‘em how to say goodbye

You and I

[COMPANY]

Western Pennsylvania

Here comes the President!

When you live in a place as historic as Middletown it is all too easy to merely see it as it is today. But cultural touchstones like the Hamilton musical can help us see the history that is all around us too.

Sources:

DeHart, Grace I. God’s Acres, 1997, Middletown, Pa, St. Peter’s Lutheran Church

Guns and Ships, Track 18 on Hamilton an American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording, 9 Aug. 21, Genius, https://genius.com/Leslie-odom-jr-daveed-diggs-christopher-jackson-and-original-broadway-cast-of-hamilton-guns-and-ships-lyrics

Hutchinson, C. H., and Middletown Area Historical Society. The Chronicles of Middletown: Containing a Compilation of Facts, Biographical Sketches, Reminiscences, Anecdotes, Etc., Connected with the History of One of the Oldest Towns in Pennsylvania. Reprinted ed., 1977.

Moore, John. “415 N. Union St.” 17th Annual Middletown Colonial Arts & Crafts Fair, edited by Middletown Area Historical Society, 17th ed., Jednota Press, 1992.

My Shot, Track 3 on Hamilton an American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording, 9 Aug. 21, Genius, https://genius.com/Lin-manuel-miranda-anthony-ramos-daveed-diggs-okieriete-onaodowan-leslie-odom-jr-and-original-broadway-cast-of-hamilton-my-shot-lyrics

One Last Ride, Track 35 on Hamilton an American Musical (2014 Workshop), 9 Aug. 21, Genius,  https://genius.com/Lin-manuel-miranda-one-last-ride-lyrics#primary-album

Right Hand Man, Track 8 on Hamilton an American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording, 9 Aug. 21, Genius, https://genius.com/Christopher-jackson-lin-manuel-miranda-leslie-odom-jr-and-original-broadway-cast-of-hamilton-right-hand-man-lyrics

The Room Where It Happens, Track 28 on Hamilton an American Musical (Original Broadway Cast Recording, 9 Aug. 21, Genius, https://genius.com/Leslie-odom-jr-lin-manuel-miranda-daveed-diggs-okieriete-onaodowan-and-original-broadway-cast-of-hamilton-the-room-where-it-happens-lyrics

Wikipedia Editors. “Visit of the Marquis de Lafayette to the United States Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 20 July 2021. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Visit_of_the_Marquis_de_Lafayette_to_the_United_States