I've been reading from an excellent book lately. I recommend it for those looking to see what the commoners were up to before, during and after the revolution. It's called,
The Many Headed Hydra: Sailors, Slaves, Commoners and the Hidden History of the Revolutionary Atlantic
http://www.amazon.com/Many-Headed-Hydra-History-Revolutionary-Atlantic/dp/0807050075
Hope you get the chance to read it.