I begin by going back to the opening Part of this series that was posted almost one year ago today. I had no plan to time this out in the way it has, in fact, when I started this series it was being done on random days, not as a Daily Opener. Then Gail suggested I do so to pick up the author slack and Wolf gave the approval. So here we are.

This series started because it was clear to me along the way that God was delivering We the People from evil once again. That understanding crystalized at Butler, PA. Then on November 5, 2024, Donald J. Trump and JD Vance won the election in convincing fashion even with the commies cheating their azzes off.

At various points in American history there have been inflection points when God’s hand has pulled us back from the brink of total destruction while using committed American patriots equipped for the task to do so. I have no doubts that He did it again that day in Butler as well as election day. Since that latter point the transformation that began and remains on-going has been a whirlwind that is tightly orchestrated. In my opinion this did not happen by good fortune; it was predetermined by God while being guided, planned and implemented by His instruments and servants.

As I finish this series I have grown to realize that I do not agree with all of the words and actions of any one patriot in our entire history. There is always something they did or said that I wish was different. I know I am not alone in that realization. I know I am not alone in the realization that there are many things I wish I had said or done differently as well. All of the giants from our founding forward were simply flawed men and women who gave their all to the cause of freedom and liberty. They did their best and that is all anybody could ask of them… or of us today.

I am also struck by a simple introspective question we all should ask. Am I part of the solution or the problem?

Thinking things through before speaking or acting would eliminate a lot of issues. Which is what our founding fathers did in the final Declaration of Independence document. They literally kept all of the windows and doors closed in the middle of summer in the assembly room of Independence Hall to insure secrecy. To be sure there were many disagreements, much pompousness, misunderstandings and so on within the human condition of those involved. However, they came together in consensus agreement on the final content of the document and signed their names affirmatively; while knowing they were committing treason and were subject to death. They knew they were not only endangering themselves, they were doing so to their families, communities, and the colonies themselves.

They knew the new nation would be totally dependent upon God’s protection. When you study their letters and statements they say it openly. At minimum 50 of the 56 were professing Christians with the others being deists or drifting between the two beliefs, but who also believed in a Creator as the Declaration document stated.

That is the context for the colonists’ words and actions. God or a Creator was their source of authority to do and say what they did in the Declaration of Independence. The British believed that the Crown and Parliament were the established authority of the colonies.

I guess we know who won that question of authority. A higher calling than one of man tends to do that.

As a result of the passionate engagement of patriots then as well as similar commitments down through the years; it is still true today. When you hear or see anything to the contrary you know it is false and intentionally misleading. That should alert you to a possible seditionist or traitor if not proven to be just an ignorant statement.

The founders took courage and did what had to be done to be free, but not before they invited God/Creator into their process and acknowledged their dependence upon His providence and will. They made a one way, front loaded covenant with God/Creator. So what has God/Creator done in response?

We are still here and the most powerful, influential nation on earth despite our missteps and sins. We just need to refocus, clean the decks, and get better at our mission. A reminder…

A Look Back

From my first January 5, 2025 post:

…I contend that it is that same American spirit that charges through the words of the Declaration of Independence that led to the greatest, ongoing experiment in national governance in world history. It is a spirit that is very much alive and expressed by the massive America First MAGA movement today, whose spirit is spreading like wildfire worldwide.

Not all of the 56 signers were present during the discussions and negotiations that surrounded the production of the document. They signed on anyway. They knew what was at stake and agreed in principle with the contents of the document. In this series we are going to dig down into understanding their roles and who many of them were as human beings. We need to personally identify with their commitment such that we may be emboldened to go and do likewise. This series will focus on many of these brave patriots.

Hint: They acted a lot like many America First MAGA patriots do today. Quite a few were from wealth and dignified. A handful were truly messed up people. Others were heroic and inspirational. Some were bombastic and others were pensive. A large number were highly educated and accomplished. Others were less educated, yet enlightened and committed to the cause. Blended together they gave us the foundational start for a truly blessed nation.

At the time I wrote that statement I had no way of knowing how applicable it would be now that we have arrived at the end. Simply, my heart had been stirred to tell these stories here on the Qtree, where patriots are many.

Have you noticed what has happened internationally with the MAGA movement in the year since I wrote those words above? It became a worldwide movement that has resulted in America gaining great respect, $18 trillion in investments, and world peace breaking out in unheard of places between long term enemies. The old order is being destroyed before our eyes. They fight back harshly because their self constructed evil world is being attacked. When we sift past the propaganda and fear porn we realize their takedown is all being handled systematically and with truth, which is further evidence of God’s hand guiding our nation.

I brought this forward again because when we read the signers’ stories, we see that our MAGA elected officials are similar in so many respects. None of the current version are perfect, but there is little doubt they are giving their all for We the People as the patriots did then. There were counter operations and enemies of state acting as black hats back in their day just as there are today. Nothing was easy then, nothing is easy now.

We need to take time to celebrate the wins and patriots who brought them, discuss the parallels between then and now as well as identify the sometimes hidden black hats and seditious activities that undermine the American Experiment. We already know most of the traitors.

7th/8th Grade American History – A Lesson Learned

I have posted previously that I homeschool a couple of subjects with our Grandson #1 who is a 6th grader. We share a love for history. His focus and intensity rises when we study the assigned material and he asks really thoughtful questions. Before this Series on the signers I would not have been able to answer some of them. A handful of the answers to those questions are different and contrary to what the course curriculum and even some alleged historical accounts provide. We do not shy away from discussing those differences.

An example from a past subject of a Series I did on here is the Great Chicago Fire accounts from over 150 years ago in 1871. Nearly all current historical accounts of the event still say that bad ole Elsie the cow caused it by kicking over a lantern in the O’Leary’s barn as I discussed in the Fire! series. However, even AI calls that a myth now. Yet, the authorities of that day made the O’Leary’s the scapegoats without ever charging them. That continued to be the story for over a century until they were absolved by city leadership three decades ago long after the couple was dead. Yet, virtually none of the current historical accounts we reviewed noted the owners and cow were absolved from the accusation. The curriculum we used still showed it the former way. Since that curriculum is used by over a million kids, well, you get the picture. Ridiculous.

Shifting back; with the subject course curriculum provider regarding the Boston Massacre they gave a stock answer that did not rock the boat. Instead of accepting on face value we researched and discussed the actual documentation and evidence to base our own conclusions. When we do this sometimes they are different, sometimes they are similar. But the point I am teaching #1 is to do the work himself with adult assistance as needed and never accept anything of substance at face value. It teaches him critical thinking in all things.

As an example as it applies to this Finale of the series, some founding fathers, especially those in the Sons of Liberty, used the awful event of the Boston Massacre to grow the discontent and move the people more toward the independence movement (thankfully). However, many of the independence supporting descriptions in print, art and verbally left out the violent mob aspect that threatened the British soldiers. In our study the curriculum portrayed these subject colonist depictions as patriot “propaganda” and provided a definition of what propaganda is.

This was an unfortunate illustration. The curriculum providers either do not know or do not want to present the truth. To call the depictions propaganda is over the top. In reality, we only know what others from the period and soon after have provided. The truth is what it is and there is no consensus, just narratives about the actual events subject to perception of the presenters and perspectives of the readers. There were dozens of eye witness statements in the trials and even they could not get their stories straight. Some of the “witnesses” could have been operatives on either side as there were over 400 people present in the chaotic event. There is no way to know for sure and examine deeper because they are dead.

As a developer of curriculum, historian or teacher you should never call historical representations as being propaganda without proven evidence. It reveals a bias when you do. In the real world of education in America we know great bias exists, so I was not the least bit surprised. Most folks realize that the leftists love to rewrite history. They make sure they hire and appoint people of their political and cultural persuasions into roles that influence school text. When proven wrong most shrug it off as being not important. If there is one thing we all have learned together on the QTree; schools and education sources are filled with their own propaganda, outright lies, and agendas.

They were not done. The only victim of the shooting mentioned in the curriculum account was a man of color, Crispus Attucks, who was the first person shot for throwing projectiles at the soldiers. Apparently Attucks was a freed man, a mulatto. He was one of eight people shot, five of whom died from their wounds. None of the other names of victims were listed in the curriculum’s account. The objective of the curriculum writer for noting the name and skin color of the person is totally out of context with the historical account, but reveals their bias. I informed #1 that none or all of the victims names should have been listed without skin color because the color of one’s skin was not relevant to the event. Mr. Attucks was not shot for having a different skin color than others; he was shot for throwing crap at British soldiers who did not obey orders and military protocol. It was good they asked no questions about Attucks on the quiz/test.

The propaganda discussion in the curriculum turned into the opening I needed to explain how #1 should “think things through” and come to his own conclusions, even if he needed to answer any quiz/test questions as the material had been presented fo scoring purposes. This taught him to become more discerning about what he read or heard. He could then be content knowing the truth even if the material misrepresented or outright lied. The smirk on #1’s face told me he got what I meant. Yes, a child with my genes in him. 😂

Which is what all of us patriots have learned over the past decade that Donald J. Trump has been trying to lead our country. Take NOTHING at face value. Research and test it. Quit accepting other viewpoints who try to influence as fact without verification and evidence. instead, look for the motives of the presenters and influencers first.

The actual results of the Boston Massacre trials are documented. The commanding officer of the soldiers was ruled not guilty and it seems to be a correct verdict. Many in the crowd testified to not hearing him give a command to fire and they also observed him standing in front of the soldiers, which he would never do if he wanted them to shoot. These witnesses were generally not loyalists, they were part of the mob that generally did not like the British military at all. Six of the eight soldiers were also found not guilty, which seemed unlikely since 8 colonists were hit and 5 eventually died from the musket fire. But there was insufficient proof to convict. Two were found guilty of manslaughter due to overwhelming witness testimony and evidence they fired their muskets. However, their punishments were only a brand on one thumb of each person’s hand. The curriculum portrayed them guilty of only causing accidental deaths. Nope. They had to know better than that since the convictions are in court documentation and first person accounts. That was intentional misinformation. So I corrected it with #1 and fortunately there were no questions on the quiz/test.

However, their very real propaganda will be accepted by thousands of home schooled students and their parents who did not do the work to check it closer. But as for me and my house…

As those knowledgeable of the event would know, John Adams, was the lead lawyer who represented the British soldiers. He was excellent at his craft. He accepted the case when all others were reluctant to do so. The royal Governor Hutchison was trying to defuse the heated emotions and independence movement. So, Hutchison delayed the trial and encouraged Adams to take the case as they had a good relationship. John Hancock urged Adams to accept as well to calm the patriot waves. Adams agreed and the result we now know. The curriculum portrayed it as Adams having sterling, personal moral reasons of not wanting anybody to go without legal council and doing the right thing no matter the consequences.

Yeah, OK.

The truth is that Hutchison could have used loyalist lawyers to defend or not even charged the soldiers. But he knew the situation was a powder keg ready to explode. So convincing a respected colonist lawyer with both loyalist and independence minded connections and clients to take the case that softened the blowback made more sense. Hutchison accomplished his goal by using Adams.

Adams accomplished his of keeping the British from using even more violence to quell the unrest than the colonists were prepared to experience. Based on his comments afterwards he knew the verdicts would not reflect the complete truth that the British soldiers murdered 5 and wounded 3 other unarmed colonists indiscriminately. Incited to do so or not, the British soldiers’ responses were way over the top. Two being convicted of lesser charges was at least something to offer while buying time for his cousin, Samuel Adams, and the other patriots of the Sons of Liberty like Paul Revere to gather more support for the movement.

John Adams was not in that hell raising patriot group. He preferred to work on the independence issues he supported through the law and politics. He really was not a man of the people anyway, he felt more comfortable with the elites and aristocrats. His success in the defense of the defenseless kept his hands clean with the British authorities and military. That would prove useful for his continued acceptance in their circles for intel as the events unfolded.

When the Boston Tea Party subsequently took place, we know that a large number of well armed and capable British soldiers were there and observing, yet, took no action against the fake Indians dumping 342 valuable crates of tea from three British ships into the Boston Harbor. The troops wanted no part with the even larger hostile crowds who were present like those that had been faced with the Boston Massacre. Their lack of response also reflects Hutchison having already developed a plan for addressing future unrest that did not include violence if it could be avoided. That plan hit the colonists in the wallet and involved recovery of lost taxes, making the mercantilists whole for the damages, and even more oppression from Parliament against them.

All of these historical characters had a part to play. Only they would know the truth of what they did and they are not talking because they stopped breathing long ago. We just know the narrative taught in schools and in various curriculum is often shallow and sometimes manipulated. That makes them susceptible to fake or incomplete narratives. The documents and evidence from first hand accounts combined with critical thinking works better.

The MAGA movement will be written about one day as the shot heard around the world for our period in American history as well as world history. At least it will in the reports and stories of honest authors. After that the propaganda and lies may be used to deflect from its true value and effect. However, the trajectory of world and human history made a marked turn that cannot be hidden and the truth will be known to those who choose to pursue it. You know it from the huge international investment into America and the major changes in dozens of aligned nations around the world. That cannot be hidden – it is a parting of the sea type change.

Just like the long term effects of the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. Once again, history becomes our guide.

Something About Those Words…

I hope your heart quickens as mine does when you read the following words once again;

In Congress, July 4, 1776

The unanimous Declaration of the thirteen united States of America, When in the Course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another, and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.–That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, —That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness...

That part in bold stands out to me. What Thomas Jefferson and the founding fathers saw in those days 250 years ago is what We the People of the MAGA movement see today. It is our moral and legal authorization to do what we have been doing.

Exciting times. As Thomas Jefferson said in my two favorites quotes from him,

“I prefer dangerous freedom over peaceful slavery.”

“Educate and inform the whole mass of the people. They are the only sure reliance for the preservation of our liberty.”

And so both will continue. God bless America.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community. 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.

Please note a name change for this series next week. Although it started as “American Stories: When in the Course of human events” with an emphasis on the signers of the Declaration of Independence. it is now time to move on. There are many more stories to tell.

Be blessed and go make something good happen!

While completing this series my heart and mind have been stirred by the patriots and their families. It has also made me curious about members of our family trees. It has been encouraging to see more study and research into American family genealogy. Our Aubergine is well versed in it and inspired me to get back to work on it recently after she posted some of her results and connections. Two decades ago I did some research on my family and came up empty beyond the mid-1800s. I restarted it with more current resources lately and was amazed. It is a testament to the interest of many more people wanting to know their family histories and taking time to post results with supporting documents. I first restarted with my paternal side as there were more readily accessible sources.

In this series of “begats” in my paternal lineage there were various maternal maiden names that need traced as well. Those will come as time permits. I also looked at the paternal lineage on wifey’s side of the family on a limited basis. The original purpose, which has since expanded, was to add this information to the two memory books of our fathers. However, in doing so I did note one curious connection from 1720 in North Carolina that has led to many jokes in our household. It seems we have a mother in common from that year. 😂 She originated from my side and married a man on wifey’s side. She then had a son that eventually led to wifey’s father and her.

So kissin’ cuzins would be us! I knew there was sumthin’ about that gal. No hillbilly jokes, please. Around here we use Bammer (Alabama) jokes. I made the mistake one time of telling a kissing cousin Bama joke to a really nice guy from that state who really had married his first cousin.

Oopsie. He took it well. I was a bit embarrassed. But I digress.

😀

This paternal trace on my side of the fanily originates in Scotland in the 1100’s with family members migrating into Ireland and England in the 1400-1500’s before soon leaving for the colonies. At its farthest point back that I have traced individuals, my paternal direct linage came from the Kent, England area pre-emigration to the colony of Rhode Island. A royal governor of that colony is in my direct lineage. He is about the only prominent or famous dude in all of those centuries I could find. Other than one Captain in the British Navy well before the Revolutionary War period, it appears all of the men on that side were grunts doing grunt things.

This particular paternal trace has progressed from 1547 in Middlesex, England to a 1661 marriage document in Quaker information in Maryland to the family migration, births and burials in the Raleigh area of NC during the early 1700’s to the migration of descendants to southeastern KY lumbering and coal mining areas, followed by moves to eastern TN lumbering and coal mining areas. In the process it has become very apparent I came from a Christian background with all of the baptism and christening documents that have been posted. It is in my blood. I am glad because I have not desired to live any other way. As a side note I immediately become emotionally involved when I hear the sound of bagpipes. I never understood why when I was younger. I do now.

In the middle of it all there was one who was born in 1731 and died in 1798 who served in the colonial army as a member of the 3rd battalion of the Cumberland County, PA militia. I was able to trace others, including younger military aged sons from North Carolina, who enlisted in Virginia and served honorably. Just knowing that brought patriot pride.

When we examine our family trees, we experience a slice of Americana that binds us even more to this great country. It becomes personal instead of simply names and events in a book. We are American by birth and by choice, it is our heritage. It helps us understand better why the non-enemy peoples from all over the world want that same citizenship and birthright as well. American pride is a real thing. You can tell the motives of those people by their desire to assimilate into the American Way. If they don’t want to assimilate, they are compromised and may be enemy combatants. They will never be real Americans if they do not assimilate. That is how you can identify them.

I will never understand why citizens of Great Britain willingly chose to throw all of it away by not resisting the opening of their doors to hordes of Islamic muck rakers and jihadists. Their blind allegiance to the Crown and Parliament has been their undoing. Their plight illustrates how right our patriot fathers and mothers were for kicking them and their lackeys out of America. Now, we are having to do it again with the heathen hordes that came in illegally that were invited by the uniparty and Demoncraps in particular. Of course, that bunch has always been tightly associated with the Brits and the (un)royal family. There should be no more pretending about bipartisan support of America and its culture. We have seen the enemy, we cannot unsee it. They are still the same as they were centuries ago.

It is a dirty shame THAT is not taught in public schools today. But it can be in private schools and homeschooling. As for me and my house…

As we near the completion of this topic of American Stories there are just two signers left that are far too important to the cause of liberty to take time away time from their stories. As we have learned the state of Virginia mattered greatly to the efforts of the patriots in their quest for independence. Below is just one more example. If there was such a thing as American royalty, perish the thought, this family would be listed near the top.

Benjamin Harrison V

We will now discuss a signer with a distinguished family tree and legacy. Benjamin Harrison V was born in 1726 at the Berkeley Plantation in Charles City County, VA. It is the site of one of the first annual Thanksgiving celebrations in America in 1619. That is correct, two years before the popular Plymouth, MA related native Indian and pilgrim feast tale told to schoolchildren. Interestingly, it is also reported as the location where the Army bugle call of “Taps” was first written and played in 1862.

His parents were Benjamin Harrison IV and Ann Carter Harrison. He was the eldest son of their ten children. He was born the same year his father completed the Berkeley Plantation mansion, which is constructed of brick that was fired on the property. The initials of both his father and mother appear on a date stone over a door. Harrison V’s (H-5) great-great grandfather (H-1) emigrated to the area in 1633 from the Isle of Wight in England.

H-5’s mother was the daughter of wealthy planter and politician, “King” Carter. Carter owned over 300,000 acres and a thousand slaves. For a time he was Treasurer of Virginia, on the King’s Council, and very involved in colonial government. The Carter family traced their roots in America to predecessors who emigrated to the area in 1649.

H-5 was tutored at Berkeley until attending William & Mary College in classical studies with patriot notables, Patrick Henry and Thomas Jefferson. However, at age 19 a lightning strike killed his father and two sisters back home at Berkeley in 1745. Already disenchanted with college life anyway, he returned home to take over operations of their 1000 acre farm that included ship building and horse breeding. Three years later at the age of 22, H- 5 married Elizabeth Bassett of nearby New Kent County, a niece of Martha Washington. Her great grandfather, William, had also emigrated to the area from the Isle of Wight.

H-5 grew into a physically imposing man during the period. As an older adult he stood 6′ 4″ and weighed about 250 lbs. He and Elizabeth had eight children who survived to adulthood in their 40 year marriage. He and his family had between 80-100 slaves, but had a more humane view and treatment of them, feeling a great responsibility for their care. Families were respected and kept together. The Harrison family were Anglican and felt a duty to teach them about Christianity. Many other slave holders would not do so as they were considered property, while H-5 and family made sure that the willing were baptized. Unfortunately, some of the other younger Harrison men in the extended family were less principled and had relations with slaves. Over the years that followed H-5 began working to stop the slave trade and introduced legislation to do so.

H-5’s family had deep involvement in politics going back to H-1’s arrival there. There are records of their many squabbles with British authorities going back to 1640. One Harrison was even imprisoned for six years for challenging British authority over charges of tyranny and treason. H-5 entered politics in 1749 with his election the House of Burgesses where he periodically served as Speaker until royal governor Lord John Dunmore shut it down in 1774. Throughout his years of service and due to his influence the Brits tried to win him over to their side with potential appointments, but he always refused and sided with colonial causes. He strongly opposed the Stamp Act, but did not agree with Patrick Henry’s resolutions proposing civil disobedience.

With the dissolution of the House of Burgesses, he was immediately selected for the First Continental Congress in 1774, during which he participated greatly from the beginning. He chaired the committee that debated the drafting of the Articles of Association and signed them later that year. He roomed with Peyton Randolph and George Washington while they were in Philadelphia and remained a major contributor throughout his service in Congress into 1778 including the signing of the Declaration.

H-5 was well noted for his use of humor that helped reduce tension among the patriots through the years. From the Descendent site is this humorous conversation with Elbridge Gerry as they prepared to sign the Declaration.

“I shall have a great advantage over you, Mr. Gerry, when we are all hung for what we are now doing.  From the size and weight of my body I shall die in a few minutes and be with the Angels, but from the lightness of your body you will dance in the air an hour or two before you are dead.”

H-5 did not trust yankees. 😂 He was well known for not trusting anything that came out of the New Englanders. He was a major backer of state’s rights. The only powerful patriot he trusted from that NE area was John Hancock, of whom he thought very highly due to his fair treatment of all. He said of Hancock that he was “noble, disinterested and generous to a very great degree.” Despite his opinions, he was chosen by all to read Thomas Jefferson’s draft of the Declaration of Independence on July 1 as well as to chair the debate the following day.

While serving he solicited assistance from other countries as a member of the Secret Correspondence Committee.  He worked closely with General Washington in planning the American army. He even served as a lieutenant in the county militia during the war and was a chief magistrate as well. Berkeley Plantation was ravaged during the war by Benedict Arnold and British troops, which included throwing their many family portraits into a fire, losing family historical documents and artifacts in the aftermath. That same Berkeley became the site of Gen. George McClellan’s headquarters as he gathered forces in the failed attempt to take Richmond for the Union during the Civil War many years later.

Further from the Descendants site:

After the war, Harrison remained active in Virginia politics as a member of the House of Delegates, which chose him to be its speaker.  When his second- cousin Thomas Nelson, Jr., resigned from the governorship in 1781, Harrison was elected governor of Virginia and was re-elected twice.  He was instrumental in shaping the U.S. Constitution as a member of the Virginia Ratification Convention in 1788 when he argued strenuously for a Bill of Rights prior to ratification, not after.  Failing that he voted in favor and helped secure Virginia’s ratification in a close vote.  He sat on the committee that recommended rights to be included in what became the Bill of Rights.

Whew. It wears me out just reading all this great man did on behalf of our nation. But after all that he returned to serve in the state legislature in 1791 before developing a severe case of gout and passing away at age 65. Elizabeth died a year later. They are buried at their beloved Berkeley Plantation, a national historic landmark.

Up to that point H-5 was long known for being healthy, active, and dignified in manner. He was rotund and found to love good food, wine, and bawdy behavior. As many noted he excelled in dealing with difficult situations and people as he was cheerful, steady and did not allow problems to bother him. John Adams wrote that Harrison had “contributed many pleasantries that steadied rough sessions.”

But Elizabeth’s and his story cannot be fully told without discussing their descendants. How about two future POTUS among other notables? From Wiki:

Among them was eldest daughter Lucy Bassett (1749–1809), who married Peyton Randolph (1738–1784). (Remember who H-5 roomed with in Philly?) Another daughter, Anne Bassett (1753–1821), married David Coupland (1749–1822). The eldest son was Benjamin Harrison VI (1755–1799), a briefly successful merchant who served in the Virginia House of Delegates but who died a self-indulgent, troubled, young widower. Another was Carter Bassett Harrison (c. 1756–1808), who served in the Virginia House of Delegates and the US House of Representatives. Other children were Elizabeth Harrison (1751–1791), who married physician William Rickman (c. 1731–1783) and Sarah Harrison (1770–1812), who married John Minge (1771–1829).

The youngest child was General William Henry Harrison (1773–1841), who became a congressional delegate for the Northwest Territory and also was governor of the Indiana Territory. In the 1840 United States presidential elections, William Henry defeated incumbent Martin Van Buren, but fell ill and died just one month into his presidency. Vice President John Tyler, a fellow Virginian and Berkeley neighbor succeeded him. William Henry’s grandson, Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901), was a brigadier general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Benjamin served in the U. S. Senate and was elected president in 1888 after defeating incumbent Grover Cleveland.

Do you see what I mean that if it were a thing, the Harrison clan would be American royalty? We owe a big debt of gratitude to H-5, Elizabeth and family for their selfless, patriotic service to America.

Please remember Wolf’s rules for our community, which includes labeling all AI. In general the rules mean 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.

It is that time again. The Savior of all mankind is remembered and lifted up on the day. It is a story that never gets old or loses its meaning. Enjoy your times with family, friends and fellow church members. Pray for our nation that we may find favor and please Him.

Be blessed and go make something good happen! Merry Christmas!!!