Sarah Palin in 2012: patriotism

Friday, July 3, 2009

Profiles in Courage, Patriotism, and Sacrifice pt. 2

by Janet Crain

Francis Lewis, Signer

Not all of the Revolutionary Patriots were soldiers or commanders of soldiers. Some were statesmen who cast their lot with a new country at considerable risk to their person, families and fortune. Francis Lewis was one of these men.

FRANCIS LEWIS was born in Llandaff, Wales on March 21, 1713. He lost both of his parents at the age of four or five and was raised by a maiden aunt – an intelligent, compassionate woman of more than modest means. He was sent to school in Scotland and later to the prestigious Westminster School in London. Afterward he served an aprentice in the London Mercantile.

Upon reaching age 21, he inherited his father's estate. He then acquired a great deal of merchandise and sailed with it to the Colonies. He was very successful there. He married his partner's sister and begain a family.

But as a uniform supplier, business required him to travel to where the British Army was encamped. The fort of Oswego was captured by the French and the English comander Colonel Mersey was shot dead by Lewis's side. The French then captured him and promised kind treatment. However after the surrender, Lewis was handed over to the Indian allies of the French. He fully expected to be killed immediately but soon found himself able to converse with the Indians, due, he said, to the similarity of the Welsh and Indian language.

The Indians treated him kindly and returned him to Montreal where they asked the French that he be sent home. The French however took him to France as a prisoner. Some time later he was exchanged for a French prisoner and allowed to rejoin his family. He prospered in his business and retired at age 52 as one of the wealthiest men in New York.

He then entered politics and soon became known as a radical. He was among the first to join the "Sons of Liberty". He was also selected as a delegate to the Second Continental congress, as he was known for his independent and patriotic character, his integrity and his intellectual powers.

He became convinced that separation from England was necessary. He moved his family to Long Island. This proved to be an unfortunate step. Soon after the signing of the Declaration of Independence, a party of British light horsemen destroyed his home in Whitestone, New York. His extensive library and valuable papers were destroyed.

Not content with this wanton act, the English took his wife prisoner and confined her in deplorable conditions. Mrs.Lewis was never again a well woman and died a year or two after her release.

Francis Lewis's daughter turned against him, whether for political or personal reasons it is not known. His latter days were spent in greatly reduced circumstances having lost his fortune in the Revolutionary War. Lewis died in New York City on December 31, 1802 at the age of eighty-nine.

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Profiles in Courage, Patriotism, and Sacrifice

by Janet Crain
Little did Colonel Patrick Ferguson know when he issued his famous broadside that he was writing his own death warrant and signaling the beginning of the end to Britain's rule over this country.

He did everything right, strictly by the book as he had learned in British officer's school. But at the end of the day he lay dead surrounded by most of his men. And all because he underestimated the furor of the Overmountain Men when they learned of his insults. History book version here: http://www.tngenweb.org/revwar/kingsmountain/ferguson.html And my ancestor, Martin Gambill, was largely responsible for getting the word out. And often when confronted by some unpleasant duty I think of him and how easy my way of life is compared to his of danger and sacrifice and I am both proud and ashamed. I hope this inspires others to do their duty, because America is once again under attack.

The Revolutionary War and Martin Gambill's Ride

Much is written on the internet about the ride of Martin Gambill prior to the Battle of King's Mountain, which was the true turning point of the Revolutionary War. We have all read Longfellow's poem about the midnight ride of Paul Revere, but few have read of a much longer ride, that of Martin Gambill. I felt that was somewhat unfair, so I decided to compose a poem about Martin Gambill's ride. First, to set the stage, let me explain a bit about the times. Militias existed in many areas. These Militias worked in concert with the Continental Forces commanded by General Washington and others. These forces were the "home guard" much like the National Guard of our times. According to what I have read, the British General Cornwallis had much of his army near present day Charlotte, NC. He wanted to move North to either flank, or come behind Washington's Continental Troops, who were not having much success battling Clinton's forces in New York. He was somewhat afraid of the mountain Militias who could be a real thorn in his side once he began his northward march. Cornwallis selected a Major Patrick Ferguson to neutralize this threat from the mountain Militias. The mountain Militia leaders were expecting Ferguson, and had devised an early warning system. Brush piles were made on key, higher mountain tops. If Ferguson was seen moving west, fires would be lit to warn of his advance. It just so happens that Colonel Shelby from Tennesse had called many of the militia leaders to a meeting at the home of Colonel John Sevier (later an organizer and governor of the state of Franklin in NE Tennesse) near present day Boone, NC. As the meeting was in progress, the leaders saw the signal fires lit on distant peaks. Ferguson had begun his march. Several of the Virginia leaders were not present. (Captain Enoch Osborn, and Colonel Campbell to name two) In a day with no phone or telegraph, and very poor roads, it was necessary for a rider to be dispatched to warn the Virginia Militia leaders. Martin Gambill volunteered for this duty. In 24 hours he rode over 100 miles of poor trails, crossed rivers and creeks, and lost at least 3 horses to exhaustion. He lost one horse as he crossed the New River where Captain Enoch Osborn was plowing a field. Captain Osborn sent the exhausted rider up to the house for breakfast, while he removed Martin's saddle and placed it on one of the plow horses. Martin continued up the New River to the Mouth of the Fox Creek, which he followed upstream, and through Comer's Gap eventually to the Holston River, and downstream to Colonel Campbell. Martin's remarkable ride enabled the Militias to meet in 7 days at Sycamore Shoals in Ashe County, NC. The mountain Militias went on to join Colonel Cleveland, and Major Winston near the present day town of Morganton, NC. From there they marched southward to meet Ferguson's army, which turned tail and headed back toward Charlotte, and the safety of Cornwallis' larger force. Ferguson decided to deploy his troops on King's Mountain, where he would have the advantage of defending the high-ground. In the battle, the mountain men were victorious, killing 500 or so of Feguson's troops in the first two hours of battle. This victory changed the plans of Cornwallis, and perhaps changed the course of history.

Read the Poem Here:

http://www.graysonosbornes.com/17.html

Martin Gambill, who married a Miss Nall, was one of the first settlers of the county on New River, in the eastern part. He was a true patriot in the days of the Revolution. Colonel Ben Cleveland sent a letter to him by a messenger to carry to Col. William Campbell. He went to Enoch Osborne, who lived on New River, near the mouth of Bridle Creek, Va., to borrow a horse. Esquire Enoch Osborne took the harness off of his horse, where he was plowing, and loaned to him to ride to Washington County, Va. Colonel Campbell, in compliance with the request, came with three hundred and fifty men and joined Cleveland, McDowell, Lenoir and others to meet Col. Ferguson the British commander of English and Tories.

Foot Prints on the Sands of Time: A History of Southwestern Virginia and Northwestern North Carolina Dr. A. B. Cox
Originally published by The Star Pub. Co. Print, Sparta, N.C. Aug. 1900.