1776: The Price of Peace and the Architecture of Conscience

Cost: Free (registration required)

Contact: Historical Society of Moorestown

Phone: 856-235-0353

Email: moorestownhistory@comcast.net

While the Continental Congress was signing the Declaration of Independence, a silent, radical, and often heartbreaking revolution of conscience was fracturing Moorestown. Join the Historical Society at the Moorestown Lbrary for a 45-minute revolutionary journey presented by Gary Ell. He will explore:

·The 1776 Loophole: How women and Black residents voted in NJ over a century before the rest of the nation.

·The Smith Brothers: The Quaker delegate who walked away from the Continental Congress.
Fractured Families: Local names like the Hollinsheads and Cowperthwaites torn between faith and the call to arms.

·The Exiles: The untold story of Moorestown families forced into exile in Canada.

Go here to register: History Lecture: 1776: The Price of Peace and the Architecture of Conscience - Events and Classes - Moorestown Library

About the Speaker

Gary Ell is an internationally published photojournalist, investigative journalist, and communications executive whose career spans over 25 years of leadership across the government, defense, and civic sectors.

Gary channels his investigative and storytelling expertise into historical preservation and civic engagement. He serves on the Board of Trustees for the Historical Society of Moorestown, acts as a leader for the town’s 250th initiative, and has served on the board of First Amendment Voice.

As a direct descendant of the founding families who established the West Jersey Colony and settled Moorestown, Gary’s passion for local history is deeply personal. He works to curate exhibitions and trails that keep our collective heritage alive.