As I have been researching and writing these stories I have been deeply moved by how each patriot started as well as how they finished their respective journeys in life. I am of the philosophical camp that it is not how you start, it is how you finish. However, the exercise of researching and writing these stories has led me to remember the primary message of the following song. I guess we are never too old to be reminded of a valuable lesson.
Y’all probably did not know that this old gray hair has enjoyed some of TobyMac’s works through the years, especially when he was in DC Talk. I have never been a fan of secular rap or hip hop, but music dominated, poetic rap of Toby and a few other Christian artists is a different story. I also especially enjoy the works of (David) Crowder with the earthy raw emotion in his words, observations and musical style. I am big fanboy of him, however, I enjoy many styles and genres of music. This song may or may not be familiar to you, so I am happy to provide this official lyrics version.
As we have dug into the lives of these incredible patriots I have been struck by the intention and commitment to doing what they individually believed was right for all colonists no matter the cost. This also was expressed in the behavior and support of their wives and families. They were globally focused on the greater good and not just on themselves and their families. Some seemed to throw all caution to the wind and attack the prospect of independence and freedom from the chains of oppression. Others sought compromise and accommodation until they were boxed into corners and forced to choose. All seemed to relish the opportunity to give their input and insights while serving in the governance of assemblies and congresses. They sensed they were playing a part in something much bigger than themselves and spoke of it in their letters and journals. When it became obvious to most that it was time to change history; all of the signers found consensus and were ready to accept whatever fate awaited them. They walked to the table to sign with solemn minds and hearts.
Fellow Christian – don’t you just love it when the Lord implements His plans and you get to play a part in it? This American Experiment was more than just a bunch of pizzed off rebel colonists. Something that grand developed from people who were of a similar ancestral lineage with linked family bonds who were placed under the thumbs of the leaders of the world’s great superpower of the day. Where have you seen that before, Christian? Oh yeah, in stories of struggle throughout the Holy Word. Fast forward to the past decade here in America. Can you see and feel the parallels, interconnections, etc. with history in America today?
The song speaks to that dash between birth and death that we see on many tombstones. You will read of the personal history, the dash, on one such tombstone below concerning a Declaration signer. It leads us to see that the time we spend in the dash is about the choices we make. It addresses how we spend that time has eternal consequences. We should choose wisely what we do and not waste it. Our time may not be one of a bitter war or strife, but it will always be a time of reaching the lost and hurting. Many God fearing men and women in these stories went about doing just that even when some had much safer options. We are the beneficiaries of their choices. They modeled what we know from John 15:13, which says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (NKJV)
I am eternally grateful for what those great founding fathers and their families did with their dashes. I have peace in doing these stories because I now see how the details of history relate to what God planned for America. To think that approximately 250 years later we are in the same camp as the Sons of Liberty and working out our freedom and liberty as AMERICA FIRST MAGA movement patriots is humbling as well as inspiring. Thanks to our collective commitment and response, our George Washington is in the White House saving and helping America prosper along with his patriot Vice President, who is performing the modern role of John Adams. While Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin and others were building the rep and security of America in other lands, so is our equivalent Secretary of State and various cabinet members. The revolutionary warfighters stayed on the alert and protected the homeland against all enemies foreign and domestic, just as ours today under the leadership of a man who has been there and done that with honor and distinction on the battlefields as well as with a man who has defended our borders from illegals invading for decades.
We may even have advantages the patriots did not have with a hugely wealthy and successful man in a Darth cap with incredible vision, talent and intelligence who can slice through those who create their own fiefdoms within our central government. This man can deliver a modern, fiscally responsible operational system of government unlike any other on the planet that by its presence will prevent much of the corruption and fraud that we have endured for so long. He is doing what always must be done to starve the evil doers – follow the money and cut off the flow.
We also have men and women with steely resolves leading the work to root out those alien criminals and terrorists who would take us down that were invited in by past incompetent and even demonic administrations to infiltrate our ranks. This restoration that will lead to The Golden Age for America is being accomplished with perhaps the greatest cabinet and patriots backing any POTUS in history since the Declaration was signed. All desire to be a part of something bigger than themselves and we can all feel the success that awaits. They are ready and willing to protect and provide for America with the personal time they have left within their dashes, so that we can make the most of the time left within ours and all future Americans. They have been chosen for this great moment in history.
It is now time to discuss a couple more great founding fathers who accomplished much during their dashes.
George Walton
This signer was supposedly born in 1741 in Prince Edward County, VA, although it is not known with certainty and guesses range from 1740 – 1750. George Walton‘s education was informal and for the most part he taught himself. Both parents died when he was young, so he was adopted by an uncle who did not believe in schooling. As a result he apprenticed as a carpenter under that uncle. In 1769 after realizing he had an interest and the intelligence to do so, he moved to Savannah, GA to study law. He was later admitted to the bar in 1774. It is in this independence infused area that he joined the patriot movement. He spent many years in the state in its development as well as in a political feud with the infamous Button Gwinnett that we previously discussed.
In the lead up to the Revolutionary War he was elected Secretary of the state’s Provincial Congress and President of the Council of Safety. He became a delegate in the second Continental Congress that led to him being a Declaration signer. Somehow in the period he found time to marry Dorothy Camber and they had two sons together.
After the Declaration signing he entered into the Revolutionary War as Colonel of the First Regiment Militia in the state. He was hit in the leg by a musket ball, thrown from his horse and taken prisoner in the Battle of Savannah while serving under Gen. Robert Howe. Unlike some of his fellow colonist prisoners throughout the war, he was allowed to heal before being sent to Sunbury Prison. He was later released in 1779 in a prisoner exchange.
As a political ally and friend of Lachlan McIntosh he was involved in controversy his entire political career. He was even censured by the state legislature in 1783 for his role in the famous duel that resulted in Gwinnett ‘s death, but never formally charged. By this point he was considered to be one of the most competent and successful lawyers in the state. He was used to negotiate a treaty with the Cherokees in TN as well. He was requested to assist at the U. S. Constitutional Convention with its preparation, but declined due to all he was doing for the state.
None of the previous conflicts with Gwinnett prevented him from being named as the Chief Justice for the state that same year. He served in that role until 1789 while becoming a Presidential elector. He was also the acting Governor of the state in 1789 – 1790. He served as Superior Court Judge starting in 1789, which continued until 1798. In 1795 he served as a U. S. Senator on an interim basis.
He retired to the Augusta area and passed away in 1804. Though he owned a plantation, he had no slaves. This was possibly due to his upbringing as well as his understanding that all people were created equal. He was an abolitionist in a period and region where it would least be expected. Only one son survived from the marriage to Dorothy; George, Jr. He became the first Secretary of the Territory of Florida as well as the acting Governor. He was of great comfort to his father during his later years. Dorothy lived in Pensacola after her husband’s death and she passed away in 1832. Walton County, GA is named after him.
From an Augusta Press article of 10/14/21 by Scott Hudson:
In the center of Greene Street and across from the Municipal Building in Downtown Augusta sits an obelisk known as the Signer’s Monument. Underneath it lies the graves of Lyman Hall and George Walton, two of the three signers of the Declaration of Independence from Georgia.
Less than a mile away from the Signer’s Monument is Meadow Gardens, Walton’s home. The modest home is located near the corner of Walton Way and 13th Street. It has been preserved and holds weekday tours.
George Walton lived through very difficult, humble beginnings. He was self taught and driven to both learn and do his best for his country. He was a doer, not a public speaker known for his inspiring quotes. He gave his entire life to the independence movement as well as on the battlefield. After that he threw himself into public service and the law. As a result Georgia and America benefitted greatly. We have much to appreciate about this great American patriot.
John Witherspoon
With the previous discussion in Part 9 about Stockton and son in law, Rush, meeting with John Witherspoon in Scotland pre war, it is probably time to review him as a Declaration signer. John Witherspoon was born in 1722 or 1723 in Gifford, Scotland. His parents were James Witherspoon and Anna Walker. His mother taught him in the early years and he was able to read by age 4. She used the Bible and later in his youth he was able to recite the New Testament. His father was a minister of Yester Parish and very involved in the General Assembly. His mother came from a long line of ministers as well. The couple had six children.
John was so advanced in his education and in the understanding of English, Latin, Greek, French, the classics and mathematics that he was sent to the University of Edinburgh at age 13. By age 16 he had a Masters of Arts with a thesis in Latin. By age 20 he received a Doctor in Theology and was licensed to preach. At age 22 he received his first parish. Three years later he married Elizabeth Montgomery. They had nine children with five surviving that traveled with them later to the colonies.
When Dr. Samuel Finley died as President of the College of New Jersey, Witherspoon was solicited for the role by Stockton and Rush among others as mentioned previously. He had been requested to do so years before and declined. This time he was persuaded and they left for Philadelphia in 1768. He was successful almost immediately. He grew endowments, improved the curriculum, and helped bring peace within the Presbyterian Church. By 1770 the students began advocating for independence and Witherspoon agreed, including stating this belief in a commencement address. He was soon chosen to represent the county in the Provincial Assembly and went on to be chosen as a delegate to the Continental Congress.
When others in the period waffled on independence by suggesting the time was not ripe to do so, he replied to one such complainer, “Not ripe sir, we are not only ripe for the measure but in danger of rotting for the want of it”. Not long after the Declaration signing and the war increasing, the college was taken by the British. They proceeded to occupy the campus, burn down the library, and destroy his documents and personal writings. The next year he lost one son in the Battle of Germantown.
He stayed with the Continental Congress until 1782. He helped reorganize the Board of Treasury along with performing other duties that utilized his expertise. Prior to that in early 1778 he had begun the difficult rebuild of the college and was able to restart classes later in that year. As the war ended Witherspoon became more active than ever. He was in the voting delegation that approved the Constitution for NJ. He was a key contributor to the newly organized, independent Presbyterian Church in America. His contributions as a pastor, educator and patriot brought great recognition to Princeton.
In 1789, his wife passed away. A month later he turned his attention to involvement in the NJ Assembly. He soon had responsibilities that included prisoner treatment, pensions of invalids, public debts, promotion of religion and morality, divorce, paper money, vital statistics and promotion of manufacturing. The seemingly odd thing was he kept two slaves, although as he aged he turned his attention toward abolition and the systematic acclimation of slaves into society as free men. It seems that a number of his descendants were involved in Confederate causes in the years that followed. Witherspoon believe as Charles Carroll did, that the nation was heading toward abolition anyway. He preferred the slave be assisted into freedom and the world that laid ahead rather than cutting them loose to make a go without preparation and acceptance by society.
Apparently, Witherspoon was not done with living at this point, so at age 68 he married 24 year old Ann Marshall Dill. The couple had two children, one of whom died a week or so after birth. It was not long before he lost his eyesight and passed away in 1794.
He left us with many memorable quotes, a handful of which are below:
It is only the fear of God, can deliver us from the fear of man.
Never rise to speak till you have something to say; and when you have said it, cease.
Those who wish well to the State ought to choose places of trust men of inward principle, justified by exemplary conversation.
The people in general ought to have regard to the moral character of those whom they invest with moral authority either in the legislative, executive, or judicial branches.
Never read a book through merely because you have begun it.
Wisdom. Words for all of us to take to heart just like they were in that day. The following is inscribed on his tombstone in Princeton Cemetery, a description of his dash.
Beneath this marble lie interred
the mortal remains of
JOHN WITHERSPOON, D.D. LL.D.
a venerable and beloved President of the College of
New-Jersey.
He was born in the parish of Yester, in Scotland,
on the 5th of February, 1722, O. S.
And was liberally educated in the University of Edinburgh;
invested with holy orders in the year 1743,
he faithfully performed the duties of
his pastoral charge,
during five and twenty years,
first at Beith, and then at Paisley.
Elected president of Nassau Hall,
he assumed the duties of that office on the 13th of August, 1768,
with the elevated expectations of the public.
Excelling in every mental gift,
he was a man of pre-eminent piety and virtue
and deeply versed in the various branches
of literature and the liberal arts.
A grave and solemn preacher,
his sermons abounded in the most excellent doctrines and precepts,
and in lucid expositions of the Holy Scriptures.
Affable, pleasant, and courteous in familiar conversation,
he was eminently distinguished
in concerns and deliberations of the church,
and endowed with the greatest prudence
in the management and instruction of youth.
He exalted
the reputation of the college amongst foreigners,
and greatly promoted the advancement
of its literary character and taste.
He was, for a long time, conspicuous
Among the most brilliant luminaries of learning and of the Church.
At length,
universally venerated, beloved, and lamented,
he departed this life on the fifteenth of November, 1794
aged 73 years.
John Witherspoon made his mark on America that will long be remembered especially as a patriot and leader of what became Princeton University. He laid a foundational building block for education and faith that has stood the test of time. He was a great American patriot.
Conclusion
I will stop here with this part. The lessons learned appear profound. We find the dash on every tombstone represents the results of the breath God gives all of us. We find that with the Declaration of Independence signers that they gave all for freedom and liberty. None were perfect men, they all had feet of clay just like all of us today. Yet, they allowed themselves to be used by the Lord to achieve what we now experience despite all of the hardship and strife.
With Walton and Witherspoon we see two very different men and a study of contrasts. One was raised in hardship, not even permitted to experience the love and care of parents for a time due to life and death getting in the way. He was self taught by his own curiosity and intelligence to achieve. He had the internal fortitude to take on the challenges of his life and overcome while finding meaning for his existence.
The other was raised in plenty and of good repute. He experienced the benefits of societal standing and parental love and care. He learned the value of his Christian upbringing and threw himself into learning all he could as quickly as he could with the religious and educational opportunities that were made available. He achieved at an incredible pace and was placed in positions of trust in his native Scotland as well as later in America.
When it came time to walk to the table to sign, they both did in solemn agreement and despite their very different journeys. They both did so knowing it could result in their deaths and harm to their families and communities. How is it that an orphaned southern colonist boy who grew up hard in GA and a Scottish born boy brought into a world of privilege who immigrated to America to restore a college in New Jersey, could equally share legacies as great American patriots? That is our shared American legacy. Both were needed, both answered the call, and both were honored to serve all of the citizens and as a result, all of us.
The hand of God was on display then and is now. We need to hear him and respond. As Isaiah said in Isaiah 6:8, “Then I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?” Then I said, “Here am I. Send me!” (NASB)
