Remember Liss

08/26/2026

Did you know that Robert Townsend (Culper, Jr.) was going to serve in the Continental Army as a commissary? He was commissioned in 1776, right before the Battle of Long Island. “Despite later historians’ portrayal of Robert as a passive presence in the family, his service record paints a far more nuanced picture. On August 26, 1776, Robert’s civilian business dealings came to an abrupt halt when the New York Provincial Congress — almost certainly working on [his father] Samuel’s recommendation — appointed him as Commissary. His skills and knowledge of managing a storehouse and organizing sales were admittedly well suited for the role, and Robert was abruptly charged with procuring provisions for no one less than the president of the New York Congress and brigadier general of the Queen’s County Militia, Nathaniel Woodhull. It was a short-lived commission.” - Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution, p. 24.

08/23/2026

"Tragedy struck the [Townsend] family in early 1773, when Samuel Jr. caught a
fever and died at the age of twenty-four while on a business venture for
his father in Wilmington, North Carolina. Due to the nature of his
death from a contagious disease and the limited means of sanitary transport available at the time, his body was never brought home." Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution, p. 15. Thinking of Robert Townsend’s little brother Samuel today, after visiting his forgotten grave in Wilmington, North Carolina.

08/17/2026

EXCITING NEWS! Smithsonian Magazine just published my article - co-authored with Tiffany Yecke Brooks, PhD - about the patriot spy named David Maltbie who was very much like Nathan Hale (only more successful)!

This discovery was made while I was researching Liss and Robert Townsend. Readers of our books “Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution” and “Remember Liss” were already introduced to this incredible new story, and now the rest of the world gets to celebrate, too! I am now offering a new talk “David Maltbie: A Successful Spy of the Revolution” to benefit our non-profit Remember Liss, so please reach out to bring this story to your community. Happy 250th!

Newly uncovered documents reveal the story of David Maltbie, who relayed intelligence to the patriots in 1776, narrowly avoiding ex*****on as a spy

08/12/2026

On a recent visit to Charleston, I was able to visit a site near the dock where Liss arrived on the ship Lucretia from New York in 1785. She was being sold to a man named Richard Palmes (famous for his participation in the Boston Massacre) and was now separated from her 2-year-old son Harry who was still enslaved in Manhattan. I thought about the deep sadness, fear, and violence that she must have experienced in this place that now appears to be so tranquil. Hopefully in the future the International African American Museum can uplift Liss’s story. Visiting their museum was incredibly impactful and I highly recommend it to anyone spending time in Charleston.

07/24/2026

Join me in Milton, Georgia this Sunday for a special celebration of America's 250th!

07/22/2026

Thank you, Emma S. Clark Memorial Library and The Long Island Museum for yesterday's wonderful program about Liss!

07/05/2026

LISS IS IN NEWSDAY! Please read and share this Part 2 cover story, written by John Hanc, which features Liss as one of six Long Islanders who experienced the American Revolution and played significant roles in the fight for independence. Thank you to John Hanc and Newsday for uplifting Liss and recognizing her as an important historical figure of America’s founding! Remember Liss!

07/02/2026

BREAKING NEWS! Liss is featured in an article in the online edition of Newsday! The story, written by John Hanc, will be in the Newsday print edition on Sunday, July 5th – the Part 2 cover story – and I can’t wait to get a copy. (I’ll be able to share the full story on Sunday.) This piece features six Long Islanders who experienced the American Revolution and played significant roles in the fight for independence. I’m so grateful that Liss is being given recognition as an important historical figure during America’s founding. Her fight for freedom took much longer – and all Americans should learn more about her as we celebrate our 250th!

These Long Islanders endured a British occupation that lasted from 1776-1783.