Living History
Jack Crowder, a retired educator at St. Andrew Catholic School and Nolan Catholic High School, researches, writes, and makes in-character presentations about the Revolutionary War. (NTC/Juan Guajardo)
As the United States prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of its independence, there’s one retired Catholic school teacher who wants Americans to remember the patriotism, courage, and tenacity of the revolutionaries who made it possible.
“I’m alarmed we don’t spend more time teaching the history of our country,” said Jack Crowder, a former educator at St. Andrew Catholic School and Nolan Catholic High School in Fort Worth. “So many times we gloss over the American Revolution. I think it’s important to know the sacrifices people made back then even though the odds were against them.”
After the Second Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, 56 delegates signed the embossed document that declared the 13 American colonies were now “free and independent states,” and no longer under British rule.
“Sometimes teachers get too involved in details that are not important,” stressed the 82-year-old. “They get worked up over battles and dates rather than what is really consequential or what the Declaration of Independence really means.”
A graduate of Texas Christian University with a master’s degree in school administration, the St. Andrew parishioner served as principal of the parish school and then academic dean at Nolan for 10 years before returning to the classroom.
As for his own student years, “I enjoyed reading history, especially books about Daniel Boone, Davy Crockett, and George Washington,” Crowder enthused. “Other than that, I hated school except for sports.”
Two influential teachers — one in high school and the other in college — were so enthusiastic about their profession, they inspired him to become an educator.
Dedicated to history
Since retiring from full-time work in 2009, Crowder has written 13 books on Revolutionary War history and makes in-character presentations to schools and organizations based on the lives of six men instrumental to American independence. Most people have a passing knowledge of George Washington, Paul Revere, Benedict Arnold, Nathanael Greene, and Francis Marion, but the sixth citizen soldier has a personal connection to the speaker.
“Matthew David Scott from Virginia is my fourth great-grandfather who served three years under General Washington as a sergeant at Valley Forge,” disclosed Crowder, who discovered the ancestor thanks to a cousin’s genealogy research. “I don’t have battle stories, but I know where he served and have a copy of his discharge papers signed by General Washington and pay records from Valley Forge.”
During his 90-minute talks, designed using an interview format, the self-described storyteller answers a variety of questions without the help of notes. His wife, Peggy, a second-grade teacher at St. Andrew Catholic School for 40 years, helps with the program.
“I memorize 24 pages of dialogue and have to know the characters pretty well,” Crowder said, explaining audiences like to learn unknown facts about their heroes. “I get into things people wouldn’t find out in a general history class.”
The realistic period garments he wears enhance believability and help bring out a character’s personality. For example, Benedict Arnold walked with a limp. To impersonate him, Crowder places a rock in his boot so he falters a bit while pacing in front of his listeners.
Americans are familiar with the notorious traitor, but there is more to the turncoat’s story than most people realize, the historian is quick to point out.
“At the Battle of Saratoga, we defeated the British strictly because of Benedict Arnold’s leadership. He took over field command and turned the tide in our favor,” Crowder explained. “After that, the French came in on our side. He saved the revolution for us but is remembered only as a traitor.”
At the end of his presentation, the lifelong Fort Worth resident asks the audience to judge Arnold on the entirety of his service. Most vote to hang him.
A founding father
Another historic figure popular with the public is Founding Father George Washington. Because America’s first president was known for powdering his hair, Crowder dons a white wig to portray the military hero.
He’s less successful recreating Washington’s 6’2” height and physically imposing stature. Most men at the time measured no taller than 5’7”.
“He was very strong with large hands and feet,” said the author of the book “So You Think You Know George Washington? Stories They Didn’t Tell You in School!” “He was a powerful man, and I give examples of his strength in my portrayal.”
Washington was also an enthusiastic dancer and experienced at least two rejected marriage proposals. His eventual union with Martha Custis, the wealthiest widow in Virginia, was initially a marriage of convenience.
“He married her for her money and social standing, and she needed someone to look over her property,” Crowder said. “But it grew into a deep romance. Washington called Martha his ‘dearest patsy.’”
The father of our country was also a slave owner — something he later regretted and opposed privately. In his will, Washington ordered the freedom of the enslaved people he owned and provided for their care and education.
The misdeeds of some of the Founding Fathers are truths you can’t overlook, Crowder admitted, but they’re often viewed from a modern perspective.
“People look at our Founding Fathers, see their warts, and want to condemn them,” the seasoned educator continued. “They lived in a different time with different moral standards. We should judge them by the completeness of their lives and not some incident or belief you don’t agree with.”