The American Revolution series by Ken Burns featured British Loyalist Col. John Peters of Bradford
Because Colonel Peters was required to travel to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774, from time to time, he would be mobbed by the “Liberty Boys” because of his continuing and intense loyalty to the crown prior to the Revolutionary War beginning on April 19, 1775. This, according to Richard M. Ketchum's book “Saratoga, Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War.”
By Bernie Marvin
Colonel John Peters of the Queens Loyal Rangers was featured on the new Ken Burns series on the American Revolution. It was premiered last week with six, two-hour shows on Public Broadcasting System for New Hampshire and Vermont. Courtesy photo.
Bradford - The newest Ken Burns documentary is a six-part, 12-hour series on the American Revolutionary War. This television documentary was released to the public just last week and featured in the third section a Mooretown (now Bradford, Vermont) military man, British Colonel John Peters, and his family.
Colonel Peters hailed from Connecticut and settled in Piermont for several years, then moved across the Connecticut River to the town of Mooretown (later to become Bradford), Vermont. The town was established in May 1770 in New York before it became the State of Vermont. The town was known as Waitstown and Waits River Town before adopting its original name, Mooretown. That’s when Colonel Peters lived there. The name originated with Sir Henry Moore, the Royal Governor of New York.
According to Wikipedia, after the American Revolution, residents of Mooretown stated they no longer wanted the name to remind them of a royal governor, so they petitioned the Vermont legislature to rename the town Bradford in 1788.
The television story revealed that Peters, born in 1770 in Connecticut, was a Yale graduate and first settled in Piermont, then later moved to Mooretown on the banks of the Connecticut River, where he owned a considerable amount of land, a large home, several saw mills and grist mills, and a large farm.
He actually lived in New York at that time (it was not yet apportioned to Vermont) and was appointed Justice of the Peace, Colonel of the local militia, Judge of Probate, County Registrar, Clerk of Court, and Judge of the Court.
Because Colonel Peters was required to travel to the First Continental Congress in Philadelphia in 1774, from time to time, he would be mobbed by the “Liberty Boys” because of his continuing and intense loyalty to the crown prior to the Revolutionary War beginning on April 19, 1775. This, according to Richard M. Ketchum's book “Saratoga, Turning Point of America’s Revolutionary War.”
Colonel Peters knew after these experiences that the American countryside would not be satisfied with anything short of total independence from England. On his way back from Philadelphia to Mooretown, another gang threatened to kill him as “an enemy.”
Peters back in his hometown was hated and abused by his neighbors and even his own father turned against him. Peters got a mission to go to Canada with American militia members, where he acted as a double agent, spying on both sides.
Peters was branded as an outlaw; his wife and eight children had been turned out of their home and sent off in a sleigh with only one bed to Ticonderoga, 140 miles through the woods, the snow, and bad roads. The group arrived “more dead than alive.”
The family group was then sent on their way to Canada; they became lost, were discovered by a passing British ship, and were transported to St. John’s, Canada. By that time, Colonel Peters was reunited with his family and taken to Montréal. He was ready to seek revenge, and that month, he began to recruit men for a regiment approved by British General John Burgoyne, who named his unit the Queen's Loyal Rangers.
Later in the war, Colonel Peters returned to Vermont, this time to join the fight with his Queen’s Loyal Rangers at the Battle of Bennington, where the British were soundly defeated. He left the Revolution and returned to England with his family.
Bradford takes aim at ESPN
If you’ve never played or even heard of archery tag, don’t worry. Most haven’t. But that’s changing fast. Players use soft foam-tipped arrows and face shields and score points by hitting players on the other team. It’s an arena-style game that’s as much about timing and teamwork as it is about aim. It’s safe for beginners, challenging for competitors, and a lot of fun both competitively and recreationally.
By Sara Lornitzo
Shown (L-R) are Team USA Member Roger Wholie of East Corinth, VT; Michael Morrissette, Coach and Owner
of Running Water Recreation Center in Bradford; and Team USA member Miky Steele, of Windsor, VT.
Bradford, VT - It starts with a bow, an arrow, and a moving target—and once you try it, you’re hooked. Archery Tag is an action-packed sport that mixes the intensity of dodgeball with the skill of archery. It’s safe, fast-moving, and exploding in popularity.
And on Friday, August 1, 2025, two players from Bradford are taking it all the way to ESPN OCHO.
Only eight athletes nationwide were chosen to represent Team USA in the international Archery Tag match against Canada. Two of those members are Roger Wholie, 36, and Miky Steele, 25. The two have been training at Running Water Recreation in Bradford. Coach and manager Michael Morrissette, who just turned 60, has been working hard to get his team to this point, and he will be joining them in Florida. Michael, along with his wife Kelly, own and operate Running Water Recreation in Bradford. Together, they’ve built something rare: a small-town training ground with national impact.
If you’ve never played or even heard of archery tag, don’t worry. Most haven’t. But that’s changing fast. Players use soft foam-tipped arrows and face shields and score points by hitting players on the other team. It’s an arena-style game that’s as much about timing and teamwork as it is about aim. It’s safe for beginners, challenging for competitors, and a lot of fun both competitively and recreationally.
And it’s not just Archery Tag. Running Water Recreation has bouncy houses, mini golf, and more, and can be hired for events if you want them to come to you. They have hosted games at many of the schools in and around the Upper Valley. Whether you’re planning a birthday, looking for a new hobby, or just want to try something different, they’ve got the gear and the space.
The league is open to players from age 8 to 73 years old, but kids as young as 5 and adults well into their 80s have picked up a bow just for the pure joy of it. It’s one of the few sports where everyone, regardless of age or background, can be part of the action.
League registration for Archery Tag opens again in September, but the center is open for those who just want to play. The center offers drop-in games for those rainy summer days, and it’s a fun after school activity. It’s also a great outlet for kids who need something physical but fun - and for parents who want an alternative to screen time.
The game fits right in with ESPN OCHO’s lineup of quirky, alternative, and adrenaline-pumping sports. It’s a rare chance to see something like this in the spotlight…and to see two local players take the field on behalf of the entire country. It’s a reminder of just how much potential there is right here at home. It’s fun, it’s fast, and now…. it’s local.
Don’t miss the international Archery Tag event on ESPN OCHO, Friday, August 1st. Stream it live on ESPN+ and look for coverage across ESPN’s social media. Bradford’s going national. Let’s show the country how we play.
Roger Wholie and Miky Steele are shown as they practice Archery Tag at the Running Waters Recreation in Bradford recently. The two are part of a team that will represent Team USA in an international Archery Tag match against Canada, which will be shown on ESPN.