April Fools (Day)!
Instead of trying to pull one off, I thought I would just bring examples.
There they are, the dynamic duo of foolish Destructocrats. The poster children for April Fools everywhere.
Before we get started, please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. https://wqth.wordpress.com/2019/01/01/dear-maga-open-topic-20190101/
In general that means to be respectful to each other and to pull no shenanigans that your mom might find offensive or otherwise cause jail time. That said, free speech is honored here.
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For those who are unaware, the American Stories you will read in this series are about the period around the signing of our great Declaration of Independence. It is pure coincidence that POTUS Trump recently unveiled same on the wall in the Oval Office, the series started months before that event. Of course I had no advance notice, just a mutually shared respect for our nation’s history and perhaps its greatest founding document.
My focus is on providing summary information about the signers, founding fathers, major events and observations of conditions on the ground. I do not provide a complete list of sources, this is not a biographical/documentary type work. However, nearly everything I provide in summary form is taken from sources openly accessed from the web. Sometimes the information is conflicted, so I use my judgment based on the reliability of the sources and government information if available. For example, some founder birthdates and number of children in families are frequently different in utilized sources. As a result I may pick the one that is in general consensus or state the discrepancies.
Occasionally I provide links to sources to provide a basis for that part of the story. I also consistently utilize one excellent publication that is from The Sun newspaper of Conway, SC that was published as an Independence Day supplement over 30 years ago. It provides short summary biographical information on each signer.
My goal is to not only inform the readers of these great patriots who risked everything for the good of all Americans past, present and future; it is also to draw comparisons, parallels and interconnections with patriots and the state of America today. I want readers to see the signers were real people with human desires and personal issues like all of us. None had it easy, including the wealthy and privileged. All chose the hard road when it became time. All suffered worldly loss in some form. None expressed regret for having done so.
From these comparisons I hope you will see the hand of God that has protected and led our progress as a nation. Our founders did and expressed it repeatedly in the founding and their personal documents as well as evidenced by their words and lives. It is this writer’s opinion that we should go and do likewise.
Now on to today’s story.
Do we go there right off the bat? Oh. what the heck, why not? It is April Fools Day.
I really do not want to cast dispersions or offend any reader with this discussion. It is just a fact we have not yet addressed the 800 pound gorilla in the room. I promise not to digress and go deep into the beliefs, practices and perceived impacts of this organization worldwide over thousands of years. What was true for its members in the beginning would bear very little resemblance to how it is today. For this series we just need to acknowledge its presence and observe what may have been its effect on America during the Revolutionary War period of this series. Of course, I am talking about freemasonry.
To set the stage, remember that both Britain and the colonies were populated with large segments of members, just more so in Britain. That presented a major problem as Britain was executing their plans to rule the world while losing their shirts financially. To understand the history of the organization better as well as the history around the war period from the freemason (Masons) perspective we will go straight to the gorilla’s mouth. Please read the short summary link below.
Did you notice that France’s Marquis de Lafayette, who was a major ally to the colonists was also a Mason? Most have read or heard that George Washington was one from reports (especially Masonic reports), but did you know that according to the organization’s representations, many of his Generals may have been intentionally selected by him because they were Masons? How about John Paul Jones who directed the naval activities? Yes, the same one who replaced his boss, Esek Hopkins, the brother of Declaration signing patriot Stephen Hopkins. The same Jones who used similar defensive naval maneuvers successfully that Esek developed, over which Esek was criticized and had his command taken.
There were about a hundred social lodges and also fifty or so Mason affiliated military lodges in the colonies at the time of the war. We would probably know the latter as party bars and indoctrination centers for current and future Masons, many of whom went on to serve in the Colonial Army. The following is an interesting history of them per a lodge. Take it with a grain of salt as they even state they have no actual record of their “history” in a similar manner as the previously linked article.
Let’s take a closer look at the brags of the Masons in that first link above. What about that statement of Washington trusting fellow Masons for his Generals and that nearly all of them were Masons. If true (it isn’t), what were the actual results of those represented in the article? Warren, Wooster, Herkimer, Mercer – dead in the first year of hostilities. Whipple and Hancock – active, but much of their time, especially with Hancock, was spent in Congress and with other activities. We also have Hancock’s dubious, I am too-sick-to-hold-office period that coincided with Shay’s Rebellion. Interesting that he returned to the governor’s role after the worst of the period was over, so that he could claim the reconciler role.
Of them all, Whipple seems to have served with distinction on the battlefield in the northern campaigns. Muhlenberg – served with Washington in major battles, but the Masons really do not know much about him and his connections to them. We know his connections to Lafayette and German factions were beneficial to the colonists. He primarily led VA militia in the southern regions. Girard – have no idea how or why he was even listed. He was a merchant with a dubious personal life who had precious little to do with the war effort and nothing noted in his historical accounts other than shipping into ports that were blockaded at times. If it were not profitable for him to do so I doubt he would based on his personal life. He did not even become a Mason until well after the war in 1788. In my opinion it is a bit of a stretch to include him.
They had a major dilemma to work through. What was a British Mason in the military in America supposed to do in opposition to a Colonist Mason in the military if they were supposed to be “brothers” and not opposed to the government? Good question with no clear answers. Britain had a very large segment of Masons. America had its share and some of them were loyalists to the Crown as you can imagine. Below is a discreet paper discussing the issue from a California Masonic lodge.
https://www.goldenstatechapter.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/FREEMASONYANDTHEAMERICANREVOLUTION.pdf
As this text is copy protected – I will just summarize their response to the issue. Since Masons are to be “a peaceable subject to the Civil Powers” and to “never be concern’d in plots and conspiracies against the peace and welfare of the nation”; they are in a bit of a pickle with this one. What happens if Masons who are in power are the non-peaceable oppressors of fellow Masons who are citizens under the same King and Parliament? What happens if Masons in power and in the British military take actions against Colonists and fellow Masons in direct conflict with existing legal documents and treaties between the parties?
In this case and in reality, they killed and injured each other anyway. If you are British Masons you also burn down the homes and imprison your “brothers” in dungeons and prison ships where they starve and die of diseases while terrorizing their families and communities. Quite the brotherhood. Their words seem to want to disassociate their actual activities in the world from what the organization says they do. I can almost hear “It’s nothing personal, just doing my job.”
So lets go back to American icon Gen. George Washington. See the link below.
https://crossexamined.org/george-washington-christian-freemason
As we know you can be a Christian, which the vast majority of our founders were, and be a Mason as well. They are not mutually exclusive unless you choose for them to be. However, to be a Christian you must check your allegiance to freemasonry at the door when in conflict with the teachings of Christ and the Word. One master – not two – is required to be a Christian. If this article’s representation is correct and I found other sources that substantiate many of their claims, Washington attended a grand total of four Mason meetings his entire life per their own organization’s records that have been shared. That meant he was just a social type member during the rare times he was involved, probably a 3rd degree or less. Yet, records of Christ’s Church in Alexandria, VA, his home church, show he was very active there. In fact, there was a Washington family box of seats and his adopted daughter, Nelly, stated he rarely missed a Sunday despite it being 2-3 hours travel time from his home. In fact, his church attendance happened wherever he was even during the war per records and statements of men who were there. His men heard him reference God and Christ to them in encampment and there are quotes from them in the records. The linked article then provides the following,
And if he did not believe in Jesus Christ, how then would skeptics be able to define the following statement from George Washington’s prayer journal, “O eternal and everlasting God…Increase my faith in the gospels…daily frame me more and more into the likeness of thy son Jesus Christ, that living in thy fear, and dying in thy favor, I may in thy appointed time attain the resurrection of the just unto eternal life.”
There were several portraits made of him in Masonic garb, but he actually sat for none and he was reported to having stated that one was “mason propaganda”.
I think we can probably shut down the Masonic exaggerations and misinformation at this stage, but let’s take one more step to refute their self promoted value and that Washington made it nearly a requirement to be a Mason to be a General. Who were the other Generals under Washington’s command that were not freemasons? We have previously addressed the good and bad exploits of one in Gen. Horatio Gates (and will again). How about many of those listed in the following link?
https://www.mountvernon.org/george-washington/the-revolutionary-war/washingtons-officers
The link is direct from a Washington archivist’s information. There were other Generals not listed in either link as well.
To summarize, George Washington was obviously Christian first and foremost from his own words, actions, documents and reports from those in his association. There is the direct derogatory quote from the man himself about the Masonic portrait. He is recorded as having only attended four Masonic meetings in thirty years of reported membership. There were many more prominent military leaders and generals who were not Masons that were selected by him to serve in command of troops beyond what is represented by the Mason organization. Better yet, most of them were not killed in battle like so many of the Masons.
This case is closed.
There is no doubt that members of the Masons contributed greatly to the war effort just like non-Masons. We remain very grateful for their contributions and service. But to claim the high ground and associations they do even today is disingenuous and false. Once again we see that the truth will set us free.
Let’s finish this part with the two remaining Connecticut signers.
Samuel Huntington
I like to refer to Samuel Huntington as the Steady Eddie of the signers and our early government. That description honors him, he served our young nation so well. His story that follows explains why.
Huntington was born in 1731 in the town of Scotland in Windham County, Connecticut to parents, Nathaniel and Mehetable Huntington. He and his family were of the Congregationalist Christian faith. His father was a farmer and clothier, who built his home in the town in 1732 that still stands. The predecessors in his family had immigrated there in the mid-1630’s. Samuel was educated some in local common schools, but for the most part was self educated. He apprenticed as a cooper (barrel, cask, vat, etc. maker) at age 16 while continuing to work on the family farm. He borrowed books to study in history, Latin, and the law, from the library of a local minister as well as attorneys. He was admitted to the bar at age 23 and opened a practice in Norwich, CT. He married Mary Devotion in 1761 at age 29, who was the daughter of his minister, Rev. Ebenezer and Martha Lothrop. She was 21 years old. Her family had fled persecution and immigrated from France and England in the mid 1600’s.
Huntington was first elected as a representative to the Connecticut Assembly in 1764 where he was reelected to serve for ten years. During the period he was also named as the King’s Attorney by the Royal Government until he was named a Justices of the Superior Court. This led to him being Chief Justice in 1778. As the struggles with Britain worsened he became a vocal critic of the Coercive Acts of Parliament. The members of the CT Assembly elected him to be a delegate to the Second Continental Congress. When it came time to vote on the Declaration, he approved and signed the document without hesitation. He continued to serve in the Congress in committees during the war as well as back in the CT Assembly. When John Jay was named as a minister to Spain, Huntington stepped into his role as President of the Congress in 1779. He was instrumental in the passage of the Articles of Confederation as he assuaged the fears of the states who struggled with the decision since he was a Federalist. In his letter to each state he said the following, “By the Act of Congress herewith enclosed your Excellency will be informed that the Articles of Confederation & perpetual Union between the thirteen United States are formally & finally ratified by all the states. We are happy to congratulate our Constituents on this important Event, desired by our Friends but dreaded by our Enemies.”
Oh yeah, the quiet message of strength that remains in America today.
Huntington remained in the President of the Congress position until his health took a turn for the worse and he returned to CT in 1781. A few months later Cornwallis surrendered to American and French forces at Yorktown, which signaled the end of the war. Per the Descendants website, he wrote to Chevalier de la Luzerne, the Minister Plenipotentiary of France, giving full recognition to the French contribution toward the American success: “I cannot deny myself the pleasure of congratulating you Sir on the important & Glorious Success of our Combined Forces on the complete Capture of Lord Cornwallis and all his Army. The conduct of the Comte de Grasse so far as it hath come to my knowledge charms me: his drubbing the British fleet Sufficient to teach them to stay at due distance not again attempt to Interrupt the Siege & main object. May our Successes this Campaign be in proportion to the Generous and unparallel Aids received from his most Christian majesty and prove Eventually productive of the Happiest Consequences to the perpetual advantage of both nations.”
In 1785 he was selected as Lt. Governor of CT. The following year he was elected Governor. He dealt with many issues including selecting the permanent site for the state house in Hartford. He presided over the negotiations for approval of the U. S. Constitution in 1788. He served as Governor of the state to the day he died in 1796, two years after the death of his wife, Dorothy. The couple had no children of their own, but had adopted Samuel’s nephew and niece , Samuel, Jr. and Frances, when his brother had died. As an adult Samuel, Jr. moved to the Ohio territory and was instrumental in the future state’s development. He went on to serve as the third Governor of that state.
Samuel Huntington was a solid Christian human being. The Descendants website described him best in my opinion, “Huntington was always supportive of encouraging the states to fully comply with levies for men, supplies and money. Not an alarmist, nor a defeatist, Huntington was a steady, faithful, calm patriot, well respected and admired by his colleagues. His steady hand helped keep the Congress together as the infant nation faced military reverses in the field, following the euphoria of the surrender of the British Army under General Burgoyne at Saratoga on October 17, 1777.”
Samuel Huntington was the leadership glue that helped hold the independence movement focused and together. He was a great American Patriot.
Oliver Wolcott
We have another signer who did so much it all cannot be covered in detail in a summary series such as this. Oliver Wolcott was born in 1726 in Windsor, CT. He was the youngest of 10 to 15 children (depending on sources) of Royal Governor Roger Wolcott and mother, Sarah Drake Wolcott. The family was of the Puritan faith. Not much is known or stated about Oliver’s early years. However, he entered Yale and graduated at the top of his class in 1747. He immediately received a Captain’s commission in the NY militia by Governor Clinton. He went on to serve in the Seven Years War. When he returned he chose to move to Litchfield, CT to study medicine under his uncle. However, his career plans changed as he settled on property his father owned. He became a successful merchant and was appointed the county sheriff at age 25. He was popular and developed an interest in politics, which saw him elected to the General Assembly in both houses. This led to him being appointed as a judge.
He married Laura Collins in 1755 who was from Guilford, CT and they had five children together. She was from an established respected family of Captain Daniel and Lois Collins. Their common beliefs and relationship are best represented by letters to her from Oliver. One such letter from Philadelphia in 1776 said, “MY DEAR–I feel much concerned for the Burden which necessarily devolves upon you. I hope you will make it as light as possible…. You may easily believe that the situation of publick Affairs is such that the critical Moment is near which will perhaps decide the Fate of the Country; and that the business of Congress is very interesting. Yet if any excuse can reasonably be allowed for my returning, I shall think myself justified in doing so. The circumstances of my affairs demand it.”
From geni.com, “The patriotism of Laura Wolcott was in keeping with that of her husband. Her home was thrown open at all times to those who were in any way aiding the cause. And while Oliver Wolcott gave freely of his money for patriotic purposes, she furnished blankets, stockings, and supplies from their farm for the army, almost continuously.“
By 1771 Wolcott was named a Major of the Thirteenth Regiment and Colonel of the Sixth Regiment in 1774. He was an enthusiastic supporter of the independence movement. His business suffered with the unrest, yet, he did not let that stop him as he knew what was coming. He was chosen for the First Continental Congress with service following again in the Second. From connecticuthistory. org comes the following, “Wolcott noted in April 1776 that, “a final separation between the countries I consider as unavoidable.” In the summer of that year, a brief illness and Wolcott’s increasing role in military affairs drew him away from his political responsibilities, resulting in his absence from Congress during the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Despite his absence at that watershed moment, he signed the parchment copy of the Declaration that autumn (and also later signed the Articles of Confederation in the summer of 1778).”
During the time soon after the Declaration was approved and signed he commanded fourteen regiments in the defense of New York City under the direction of Gen. Washington. His forces assisted in the defeat of Gen. Burgoyne and the British troops in the Battles of Saratoga. He was named Major General over all of CT militia afterwards and spent the rest of the war with his men defending the state’s coastal communities.
After the war ended he returned to politics. He was elected Lt. Governor of the state in 1786 and Governor ten years later. He died in office the following year. Unfortunately his beloved Laura did not live long enough to see him as Governor as she passed in 1794. Their son, Oliver Jr., became Secretary of the Treasury under Presidents George Washington and John Adams. He went on to be elected Governor of the state after that.
An incredible servant of the people, Oliver Wolcott was a great American Patriot. So were his wife and oldest son. It was a family tradition.
Conclusion
The nature of this series is to provide summary discussions about each of these patriot founding fathers and their families. I urge readers to research deeper with each and other subjects they have interest in knowing more about from that special time in history. The more we know the history, the better prepared we are for the world in which we live today.
Enjoy your day and be blessed, folks! Go make something good happen.