The Peru Gazette

With Arthur Cohn, American Revolutionary War Historian and Author

6:30 p.m., 11 July 2025 at the Plattsburgh Memorial Chapel on the Oval

As we enter the 250th anniversary year marking the beginning of the American Revolution, it seems proper to revisit some of the lesser-known events and people from that era to examine what occurred, and perhaps, why.

When “the shots heard round the world” rang out at Concord and Lexington on April 19th, 1775, few realized that this was the opening salvo of an eight-year struggle for the independence of Britain’s American colonies to become the United States of America. By returning to the nation’s earliest events through writings, images and stories, we can often better understand what happened.

Richard Montgomery, son of Irish aristocracy, had become a professional British soldier who served in North America during the French and Indian War. After that service, in which Richard had proven himself in combat and as a gifted leader of men, he was promoted to Captain. After eight years of continuous action, Richard finally was able to return to Great Britian. Captain Montgomery’s friendship with several pro-American British members of Parliament, coupled with Montgomery’s long experience in North America, caused Montgomery to develop a sympathy for the American colonies.

In 1772, after being passed over for promotion to the rank of major, Montgomery resigned his commission in the British army and made the life-changing decision to emigrate to America. Arriving in New York City, Richard, now a civilian, bought a farm just north of city and courted and married Janet Livingston, the daughter of a prominent Hudson Valley family.

When war broke out, Richard was appointed to the New York Provincial Council. Soon after, he was offered a general’s commission in the new Continental Army being formed by its newly appointed Commander-in-Chief, George Washington. Montgomery’s military and leadership experience coupled with his commitment to his adopted country’s cause produced a remarkable record of success.

Art’s talk will introduce the audience to Richard Montgomery and take a focused look at the campaign of 1775, when an army under the command of Benedict Arnold and an army under the command of Richard Montgomery invaded British Canada and almost won the war.

The presentation will also examine Richard’s marriage to Janet Livingston Montgomery and their lives interrupted by conflict.

Brief bio for Art:

Art Cohn was born in Nyack-on-Hudson and graduated from Boston College Law School before becoming a professional diver, underwater archaeologist and public policy advocate for the preservation of shipwrecks. Art has participated in the development of national and international legislation designed to protect underwater cultural heritage and was the co-founder, and now Director Emeritus, of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum at Basin Harbor, Vermont.

Art is an Affiliated Scholar of the Institute of Nautical Archaeology at Texas A&M University, the Canal Society of New York State and the Clinton County Historical Association.

Considered an authority of the American Revolution, Art’s talk will discuss why the Champlain Valley is so important to the American story and the conflict that led Congress to ask us to have “A Grateful Remembrance” of Richard and Janet Montgomery.

This program is sponsored by the Clinton County America250 Committee under the leadership of the Clinton County Historical Association with funding from a 2025 Special Programs Grant from the Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership.  This event is open and free to the public.  For more America250 events, go to www.goadirondack.com, www.battleofvalcour.com and www.adcoastcultural.org .

For more information about the America250 Commemoration, please call Geri Favreau at 518/561-0340.