Liberty Tree

Liberty Tree. Ulmus americana ‘Princeton’. , The original Liberty Tree was a stately elm in Boston, Massachusetts. It was a rallying point for the Sons of Liberty, an organization of Patriots who played a key role in resisting British tyranny and creating support for rebellion against Great Britain. In retaliation, British troops cut down the Boston tree in August of 1775 and used it for firewood. But Boston’s Liberty Tree had not stood alone – in those days, nearly every town in America had its own Liberty Tree, living symbols of the Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Assembly that are safeguarded by the Declaration of Independence and our Bill of Rights. We, descendants of the heroes of the American Revolution, who by their sacrifices established the United States of America, dedicate this tree as a living tribute in celebration of 250 years of American Independence., In gratitude, we descendants of patriots of the American Revolution dedicate this tree to their memories., In memory of 4th great-grandfathers Pvt Benjamin Hershey, Captain McCallen's (8th) Company, Londonderry Twp, Lt. Col. John Rogers' Regt, Lancaster County, PA Militia; Lt. Johann Jacob Pence / Bentz Sr, Captain William Nalle's Company of Volunteers, Augusta County, VA, Veteran of the October 10, 1774 Battle of Point Pleasant; and Cornelius Weygandt, Committee of Safety, Northampton County, PA: Patriots of Pennsylvania and Virginia, they served the cause of Liberty. Thomas R. Hershey, Findlay Ohio, Member, 5th Virginia Regiment, Brigade of the American Revolution., Honoring our 5th great-grandfather Hugh Henry, Sr; 4th great-grandfather, 1Lt. Hugh Henry, Jr and his brothers Sgt. David Henry, Sr; Pvt. Isaac Henry; Pvt. John Henry, Sr; and Pvt. Thomas Henry: Patriots and Pioneers of Virginia and Tennessee. Gage C. Georgeff, Willoughby, Ohio; Henry B. Stobbs, 1SG, USA (Ret.), Tiffin, Ohio., In memory of our ancestors Cpl. Erasmus Lee Tippett, 2nd Rgt. North Carolina Light Dragoons, and his brother, Pvt. Erastus Lee Tippett, 3rd North Carolina Regiment, Patriots of North Carolina and Tennessee who fought in the name of Liberty. Henry B. Stobbs, 1SG, USA (Ret.), Tiffin, Ohio and Cathy L'Altrelli, Maryville, TN., Honoring 4th great-grandfather, Cpt. Asa Bryan and 6th great-grandfather Major Thomas Kilgore, Sr, North Carolina Patriots who fought in the name of Liberty. Henry B. Stobbs, 1SG, USA (Ret.), Tiffin, Ohio., In memory of the men and women who achieved American independence, whose descendants we are: Let us always treasure the values of the Liberty Tree - freedom, continuity, and strength. The Fort Findlay Chapter, NSDAR., Honoring our Patriot ancestors. Stephen and Karen Oberst, Lindsey, Ohio., We dedicate this Liberty tree to the memory of our Patriot ancestors, John Michael Boltz I, Pvt. John Michael Boltz II and Pvt. John Michael Boltz III of Pennsylvania; Capt. Benjamin Clark of Connecticut and soldier of Pennsylvania; Third Sgt. and Ranger Alexander Hinds, Pvt. Edward Stacy Whitacre, and Pvt. John Whitacre III of Pennsylvania; and Cpt. Joel Sherrod of North Carolina: brave men who risked all in the name of independence. Kenneth and Teresa Bailey of Pemberville, Ohio, and their children, Isaac Bailey and Megan Bailey McGranahan-Smith., In memory of our Patriot forebears Pennsylvania delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1776 and Major Joseph Powell, Private Jacob Bishop, Hans Michael Feazel, Captain John McGuire, and Private Joseph Hensley, steadfast sons of liberty whose courage, sacrifice, and devotion to the cause of American independence helped lay the foundation of a free Republic. May their service be remembered with gratitude, and their legacy live on in the hearts of their descendants, who honor them today. Mark and Angela Cook, Brittany Cook; Drew and Brianne, John, James, and Charlotte Avsec., Honoring our Dryden family Patriots: our 5th great-grandmother Agnes (McClure) Dryden who provided supplies and support for the Patriot cause; William Dryden and James Dryden who fought under Capt. Robert Craig in Col. Campbell’s Virginia Regiment, and their brother, Ensign Nathaniel Dryden who offered the ultimate sacrifice for his country at the Battle of Kings Mountain, 7 October 1780; along with our 5th great-grandfather and Patriot Ancestor Captain Moses Guest, Sr. who served at that fateful battle as a Captain in the North Carolina Revolutionary militia. David Michael Dryden Family., In memory of the Larson family patriot Benjamin Lincoln (1733-1810), Continental Army Major General, first U. S. Secretary of War, and an original member of the Order of the Society of the Cincinnati. May God continue to bless the Republic of Liberty that our brave patriots fought to establish. Dwayne and Susan Beggs of Findlay, Ohio, and their children Brent Beggs and Brigette Beggs Cummings., Key Documents in America’s Founding , November 11, 1620: Mayflower Compact The Pilgrims agreed to make fair laws and govern themselves., July 10, 1754: Albany Plan of Union Benjamin Franklin suggested that the thirteen colonies should work together for defense and trade. The plan was not accepted., October 19, 1765: Declaration of Rights and Grievances The colonists told the British government that it was unfair to tax them when they had no representatives in Parliament., April 12, 1776: Halifax Resolves Leaders in North Carolina became the first to officially call for independence from Great Britain., July 4, 1776: Declaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson, this document announced that the thirteen colonies were free from Britain., Adopted November 15, 1777; Ratified March 1, 1781: Articles of Confederation America’s first plan of government., Signed September 17, 1787: United States Constitution Created a new system of government with three branches, legislative, executive, and judicial, to make sure power was balanced., October 1787 – May 1788: The Federalist Papers A series of essays by Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay explaining why the new Constitution was a good idea and how it would protect freedom., Proposed September 25, 1789; Ratified December 15, 1791: Bill of Rights The first ten amendments to the Constitution. They protect important rights such as freedom of speech, freedom of religion, and the right to a fair trial., September 19, 1796: George Washington’s Farewell Address Washington’s goodbye message as president. He urged Americans to stay united and to avoid letting political parties divide the nation.