Lives, fortune, honor.............
Location:?British North American Colonies??????????
Date:?July, 1776
Scenario:?13 British Colonies file for divorce
We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by Authority of the good People of these Colonies, solemnly publish and declare, That these United Colonies are, and of Right ought to be Free and Independent States; that they are Absolved from all Allegiance to the British Crown, and that all political connection between them and the State of Great Britain, is and ought to be totally dissolved; and that as Free and Independent States, they have full Power to levy War, conclude Peace, contract Alliances, establish Commerce, and to do all other Acts and Things which Independent States may of right do. And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor.
The last paragraph of the Declaration of Independence has always been, to me, the key to the entire document.?After detailing the grievances and lack of response from the crown, the authors and signers state their intention to “put their money where their mouths are”.?Pledging to each other their lives, fortunes and sacred honor, they made the commitment to back up their words.?To be able to pledge one’s honor, one must be acting honorably.?Few would argue (maybe Great Britain) that this was not a just, moral and honorable cause.?
Backing up those words meant commitment, not only by putting one’s name on a document, but also by those who answered the call to take up arms against the mightiest military in the world.?
As we approach the 248th anniversary of our “divorce” from Great Britain, I would like to recognize some of those whose commitment to the cause was to lay their lives on the line:
Jacob Ridgeway – New Jersey Militia – 1776-1777
John Justice – Sgt. – Corps of Guards – Continental Army – New Jersey - 1780
Joseph Brown - Van Cortland's Battalion - New Jersey Militia
William Legg – Private - Pope’s Company - Haslet's Delaware Regiment of Foot – 1777-1780
Matthias Travers – Captain – Dorchester County Rifle Battalion – Maryland Militia – 1778
John Ashcomb Travers, Sr. – Private – Maryland Milita – 1782
Thomas Jones – Dorchester County Militia – 1776
John Hidgon - Brigadier General Armand's First Partizan Legion - Maryland Infantry – 1781
Jacob Klein – Captain Heyser’s Company – German Regiment – Continental Army – 1777-1778
Daniel Schultz – Pennsylvania Militia
George Gantt – 1st Lieutenant – Magruder’s Company – Lower Battalion – Prince George’s County Militia – 1778
William Watkins – 3rd Maryland Regiment – 1782
Conrad Freidrich Biebleheimer – Corporal – 4th Co. 6th Battalion – Northampton County Pennsylvania Militia – 1780-1782
Leonhardt Zimmerman – 2nd Co. 1st Battalion - Northampton Pennsylvania Militia – 1776-1781
Thomas Archbold – Shannon’s Co./Bell’s Co. - Pennsylvania Militia – 1777-1778
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John Bradford – Private – Capt. John Barry’s Co. - ?8th Virginia Regiment of Foot
James Longest – 7th Virginia Regiment
James Joseph Cox – Safeguard – Virginia State Navy – 1777
William Brumfield – Private – Virginia Militia
Henry Myers – Col. Wilson, Crawford and Sisson’s Pennsylvania Troops – 1778-1780
William Thompson – Capt. John Reynold's Company - Col. Shryhawk's Regiment – Maryland Continental Line – 1776-1779
John McClimans – Pennsylvania Militia
George Darrow – Captain – New York Militia
Joel Gaylord – Private – Swift’s Battalion – Connecticut Line
William Williams – Captain Young’s Company – 7th Virginia Regiment - 1777
Daniel Ross - Henry County, Virginia Militia - 1776-1780
Independence Day is a very special day in our family.?My daughter is a direct descendant of these 26 men: 12 on my side and 14 on her mother’s side.?Patriot blood flows strong in our veins.?
There are consequences to words and consequences to actions.?Standing up for ideals in which you believe requires a firm reliance on those with whom you stand, and the inner peace to know you are battling for a just and moral cause.?These men left their homes and families to battle the most powerful military in the world.?They knew their cause was just, for it is still the most powerful magnet to millions of people around the world.?That cause is Freedom.?
As we go about our daily routines, free to live our lives, enjoy our liberties and pursue our happiness, let us not forget those that went before us:?Men and women who pledged and sacrificed their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor in the name of Freedom.??
And to truly honor those for whom the establishment of this nation was worth such sacrifice, let us all live up to our ethical, moral, and professional obligations to the citizens of this great country.
Enjoy the Independence Day holiday. We owe our forefathers nothing less.
Please consider our veterans and first responders when choosing charities to support. Here are some ideas: