Oak Grove in Westmoreland County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Westmoreland Association
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 30, 2009
1. Westmoreland Association Marker
Erected 1940 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number J-68.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Revolutionary. In addition, it is included in the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 27, 1766.
Location. 38° 10.975′ N, 76° 59.999′ W. Marker is in Oak Grove, Virginia, in Westmoreland County. Marker is on Kings Highway (Virginia Route 3) just west of James Monroe Highway (Virginia Route 205), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Colonial Beach VA 22443, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. History at Oak Grove (here, next to this marker); Charles B. Smith (approx. one mile away); Bristol Iron Works (approx. 2.4 miles away); King George County / Westmoreland County (approx. 2.6 miles away); George Washingtons Birthplace
this page online
Additional commentary.
1. The Association of Westmoreland
Roused by danger and alarmed at attempts, foreign and domestic, to reduce the people of this country to a state of abject and detestable slavery by destroying that free and happy condition of government under which they have hitherto lived,
We, who subscribe this paper, have associated and do bind ourselves to each other, to God, and to our country, by the firmest ties that religion and virtue can frame, most sacredly and punctually to stand by and with our lives and fortunes, to support, maintain, and defend each other in the observance and execution of these following articles—
First: We declare all due allegiance and obedience to our lawful Sovereign, George the Third, King of Great Britain. And we determine to the utmost of our power to preserve the laws, the peace and good order of this Colony, as far as is consistent with
Photographed By J. J. Prats, August 30, 2009
2. History at Oak Grove and Westmoreland Association Markers
Secondly: As we know it to be the Birthright privilege of every British subject (and of the people of Virginia as being such) founded on Reason, Law, and Compact; that he cannot be legally tried, but by his peers; that he cannot be taxed, but by consent of a Parliament, in which he is represented by persons chosen by the people, and who themselves pay a part of the tax they impose on others. If, therefore, any person or persons shall attempt, by any action, or proceeding, to deprive this Colony of these fundamental rights, we will immediately regard him or them, as the most dangerous enemy of the community; and we will go to any extremity, not only to prevent the success of such attempts, but to stigmatize and punish the offender.
Thirdly: As the Stamp Act does absolutely direct the property of the people to be taken from them without their consent expressed by their representatives and as in many cases it deprives the British American Subject of his right to trial by jury; we do determine, at every hazard, and paying no regard to danger or to death, we will exert every faculty, to prevent the execution of the said Stamp Act in any instance whatsoever within this Colony. And every abandoned wretch, who shall be so lost to virtue and public good, as wickedly to contribute to the introduction
Photographed By Charles Wilson Peale, 1784
3. Richard Henry Lee (1732–1794)
An American statesman from Westmoreland County, Virginia, is perhaps best known for the motion in the Second Continental Congress calling for the colonies independence from Great Britain. His famous resolution of June 1776 led to the United States Declaration of Independence, which Lee signed. He also served a one-year term as the President of the Continental Congress, and was a U.S. Senator from Virginia from 1789 to 1792, serving during part of that time as one of the first Presidents pro tempore.
Fourthly: That the last article may most surely and effectually be executed, we engage to each other, that whenever it shall be known to any of this association, that any person is so conducting himself as to favor the introduction of the Stamp Act, that immediate notice shall be given to as many of the association as possible; and that every individual so informed, shall, with expedition, repair to a place of meeting to be appointed as near the scene of action as may be.
Fifthly: Each associator shall do his true endeavor to obtain as many signers to this association, as he possibly can.
Sixthly: If any attempt shall be made on the liberty or property of any associator for any action or thing to be done in consequence of this agreement, we do most solemnly bind ourselves by the sacred engagements above entered into, at the risk of our lives and fortunes, to restore such associate to his liberty and to protect him in the enjoyment of his property.
In testimony of the good faith with which we resolve to execute this association we have this 27th day of February 1766 in Virginia, put our hands and seals hereto.
Richard Henry Lee Will. Robinson Lewis Willis Thos. Lud. Lee Saml. Washington Chas. Washington Moore Fauntleroy Francis Lightfoot Lee Thomas Jones Rodham Kenner Spencer M. Ball Richard Mitchell Joseph Murdock Richd. Parker Spence Monroe John Watts Robt. Lovell John Blagge Charles Weeks Willm. Booth Geo. Turbeville Alvin Moxley Wm. Flood John Ballatine, Jr. William Lee Thos. Chilton Richard Buckner Jos. Pierce Will. Chilton John Williams William Sydnor John Monroe William Cocke Willm. Grayson Wm. Brockenbrough Saml. Selden Richd. Lee Daniel Tibbs Francis Thornton,Jr. Peter Rust John Lee Jr. Francis Waring John Upshau Meriwether Smith Thos. Roane Jas. Edmondson Jas. Webb. Jr. John Edmondson Jas. Banks Smith Young Laur. Washington W . Roane Richd. Hodges Jas. Upshau Jas. Booker A . Montague Richd. Jeffries John Suggett John S. Woodcock Robt. Wormeley Carter John Blackwell Winder S. Kenner Wm. Bronaugh Wm. Peirce John Berryman John Dickson John Browne Edwd. Sanford Charles Chilton Edward Sanford Jos. Lane John Beale, Jr. John Newton Will. Beale, Jr. Chs. Mortimer Wm. Pierce John Berryman John Dickson John Broone Edwd, Sanford Charles Chilton Edward Sanford Daniel McCarty Jer. Rush Edwd. Ransdell Townshend Dade John Ashton W . Brent Francis Foushee John Smith, Jr. Wm. Ball Thos. Barnes Jos. Blackwell Reuben Meriwether Edw. Mountjoy Wm. J. Mountjoy Thos. Mountjoy Gilbt. Campbell John Edmondsen, Jr. Charles Beale Peter Grant Thompson Mason Jona. Beckwith Jas. Samford John Belfield W . Smith John Augt. Washington Thos. Belfield Edgcomb Suggett Henry Francks John Bland, Jr. Jas. Emerson Thos. Logan Jo. Milliken Ebenezer Fisher Hancock Eustace John Richards Thos. Jett Thos. Douglas Max Robinson John Orr
— Submitted September 2, 2009.
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on September 2, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,296 times since then and 51 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 2, 2009, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 3. submitted on September 2, 2009.
