New York Joins the Independence Movement, July 9, 1776

The New Yorkers’ pleas were in vain. The British government was not convinced. Colonial officials in London doubled down on repressive policies.

As relations between the colonies and Britain deteriorated, rebelling New Yorkers elected and convened four  “Provincial Conventions” in 1775-1776 to chart a course for the future.

The fourth one assumed the name of “Convention of Representatives of the State of New York” in December 1776, despite the fact that the “State of New York” did not yet exist.

Rebelling New Yorkers along with other colonists, determined that the time had come to separate from Britain. That was articulated by the Continental Congress in the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

But New York’s delegates to the Continental Congress lacked formal instruction to approve the document. That was provided five days later by formal resolution of the Provincial Congress. New York representative did not actually sign the Declaration until August 2, 1776.