Nonsense. Take any three Southerners you want, and that includes IMHO the greatest American ever, George Washington, and they don't equal the contribution made to independence and our ultimate success as a nation made by John Adams.
Adams was the quiet force behind many of the achievements made by Washington, Jefferson and the other Virginians. He gave the Virginians all the opportunities they had for success because he understood that the nation could not succeed if Virginia were not just as involved in the struggle as New England. He willingly let others take the glory as long as the outcome fit his vision.
IMHO, Washington was the ‘Indispensable Man’ based on his character, courage and charisma. But John Adams was the giant behind the scenes who made it all happen. Adams made Washington CiC when New Englanders were already fighting the British and had better claims of the leadership of the military. Adams best friend, John Hancock who had already suffered much in the cause of independence sought command. Adams instead worked behind the scenes to assure Washington was selected to bring about sectional unity. The simple fact that Adams understood was that New Englanders would fight for freedom under any good leader. Virginians, being snobbish would only follow another Virginian. He understood that hidebound southern sectionalism and used it to his advantage. Jefferson gets credit for the Declaration of Independence, but it was Adams who wrote the first draft months before and kept it in his pocket wisely choosing not to openly push for a formal declaration until the ‘time was right.’ In June of 1776, with the largest naval armada ever assembled until that date approaching New York harbor, Adams made his move and offered his independence resolution to Congress. His arguments, all well laid out and designed to counter the opposition he knew he would receive, especially from the Southern contingents, carried the Congress. Adams selected the young Jefferson to write the final version, which minus Adams damnation of the King for fostering the slave trade, was for all intents and purposes the same document as Adam’s first draft but with more eloquent wording. Adams created the US Navy. He arranged the first European loans for America from the Dutch republic. He risked his life several times crossing the Atlantic in winter, taking up arms as a common Marine in attacking a British frigate, crossing the Pyrnes mountains in winter to get to Paris and solidify French support and all the while Jefferson stayed safe and warm with his slaves at Montecello.
Who contributed more? Jefferson was a man of words, many not even his own. Adams was a man of words and deeds. If you read more about him you will be in less awe of the Virginians and have a better understanding of the founders.
Please note my ommission of Thomas Jefferson, who I honestly feel is the most overrated American of the generation we are discussing.
Actually, Jefferson didn't even stay at Monticello at times. Whenever the British entered that part of Virginia, TJ fled his home, earning him the sobriquet "The Coward of Carter Mountain." Three times the British invaded Virginia while he was our governor, and three times he failed to call out the militia to defend the homeland.