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!!!

Last week I gave the Trumpmania economic and government strategy and plans that are being implemented to regain control of America and accelerate our world dominance. I now discuss a macro economics answer as to how we get the huge national debt off our collective backs. Are you ready?

Spend less than we take in. Pay back the debt. Done.

Don’t fall for the doomsday BS or even the termination of the Fed being needed. In my opinion, the latter will be neutered back to its original intent by #47 because it can be used for the white hats to our collective benefit – at least for now. Long term, all bets are off on what happens to it as the functions they perform are literally Treasury’s responsibility. After its usefulness is done it could be shut down or materially changed. There is no doubt it has been used as a weapon against us since 1913. Watch how #47 and Scott Bessent turn it into an asset against foreign trade and currency manipulators. Boomerang.

If you have not already, watch the Marlow interview with Scott Bessent in the link below. Watch now or in your spare time, but watch it. Even if you have zero understanding of the economy you will come away with knowledge that will be useful to you going forward. Trump has this. Trust him.

https://www.breitbart.com/economy/2025/11/24/exclusive-scott-bessent-vs-the-elite-how-the-treasury-secretary-keeps-on-winning-for-maga

As for day to day media information, watch the world or business news, read an article, listen to a podcast – whatever. Believe what you will believe. Just know that if the GDP of America; its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) – defined as the total monetary value of all final goods and services produced within a country during a specific time period, typically measured annually or quarterly – averages 4% annually over the next three years the national debt will begin declining at a decent rate and the annual budget deficit will turn into a surplus every year. Actually that begins to happen irrespective of tariff revenues. Fact, it is an economic reality proven time again. They report it quarterly and annually. You will now be able to trust the reported data because of #47 and DOGE.

Guess what has happened already for two quarters in 2025? Yup, around 4% GDP. What is a primary reason for the Schumer Shutdown exclusive of political party infighting? The negative economic impact it had on the recovery and acceleration of business investment under Trump. Yes, TDS. It slowed the recovery down to probably around 1.5-2% per Kevin Hassett, chair of Trump’s National Economic Council. The Demoncraps felt it would help them to win a few blue state elections. They gave the 🖕 to We the People in doing so. Kevin may be downplaying it. The Atlanta Fed predicted we would still see 3.9% in the fourth quarter even with the Schumer Shutdown.

The people you can trust for reporting the truth on the economy are Scott Bessent and Kevin “Happy” Hassett. Both have our backs and the blessing of #47 to handle things. The latter has long been one of my favorite truth tellers. Just a really good dude. Signals are out that he and Kevin Warsh are the two at the top of the Fed Chair list. Both are outstanding and will do MAGA proud. We should know soon.

Next up add in the net tariff revenues. Which is why PDT predicts they will be able to eliminate the personal income tax, especially for low and middle income folks. PDT still needs the SCOTUS to rule in MAGA’s favor on them. If they do not, expect the markets to react negatively for a time and for PDT to retool their approach to using them. Bessent has already said they have other Constitutional methods to use if needed. The prayer is that they are not needed.

The Demoncraps care more about hurting Trump than the well being of even their own voters. Which means he and MAGA are over target. Demoncraps do that for personal party politics and don’t give two shits what any American thinks about it if it helps them gain or retain power. That is why there should be no bipartisan deals negotiated with them. We the People lose by giving them leverage if they do. Advance MAGA legislation and if the Demoncraps do not sign it, expose them openly while eliminating any financial or other support you legally can to their districts. Time to play hard ball.

With nearly $20 T being invested into America over time, 4% annual GDP is likely to be the floor if there are no Demoncrap generated disasters. If We the People deliver control of both houses of Congress, there is nothing stopping 5+% from happening annually for a very long time. The filibuster threat cannot even stop that because MAGA can deliver another reconciliation bill and PDT can use impoundment. The latter is the POTUS authority to delay or not fund non-essential appropriations. Since the Demoncraps cannot get any appropriations approved without GOP help going forward, stopping the funding of non-essential appropriations helps reduce the size of government, which reduces expenses and capital costs.

Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick is already predicting 6% GDP at some point in 2026 as it currently stands. That is record breaking, but also sustainable if the patriots and We the People do our jobs with the midterms and beyond. That totally rebuilds the foundation of America economically and militarily. No adversaries will want to take that on. FAFO will rule and their demise will be swift and painful.

We could discuss multipolarity of regions of the world here, but I will wait. Just know that the Monroe Doctrine is the rule of order on this side of the world again. Both Chyna and Russia know it. The Euros are on their own. We will maintain a military force as a deterrant, but that will primarily be for America’s protection. Since the Euros want to shiz in their nests, it will be up to them to clean it up. #47 will be glad to sell them some of our weaponry and equipment to fight their forever wars.

To you, all of this means federal deficit reduction; which means lower interest rates, more liquidity (cash) in the economy, more economic growth, more well paying jobs with good benefits, continued low inflation and more opportunity for all of us long term. Anybody opposing that is a declared enemy of the American Way and Experience.

In reality, most of the world is over the old system that destroys to the benefit of the elites. They want what is now being delivered by #47 and patriots. Which is why the leaders of those nations agreed to high tariffs and massive investment into the USA. They are over forever wars and meddling in their own national affairs. We need to make sure it continues.

What that means personally to each and every one of you reading this is thousands of dollars of annual buying and investing power more than you have now with prices of products edging down or stabilizing at current levels. The extra funds compound annually if you invest into about anything that has and holds real value; not just CD’s, stocks and bonds. Land/property, precious metals, collectibles, etc. will also increase in value.

Method For Lasting National Prosperity

The actual method to reset everything PERMANENTLY in this country is the same that it has been since forever. It is a balanced budget amendment along with an amendment for no personal federal income tax in our U. S. Constitution. They must include enforcement provisions that even SCOTUS has no options to abort like the first and second amendment. Wut, you say? Yes, that is all it takes.

Which is just like the Brits treated the colonists. Some things never change without rebellion. The timing of the Fed potentially going away would affect the timing of the balanced budget amendment and its amendment language.

How do I know for sure that two amendment method works? Because there are very prosperous red states that do exactly that. I live in one. There are others. All are in really good financial shape with stable to growing employment and rising incomes of their citizens even in nationally troubled economic times.

Why must there be amendments to the Constitution you may ask? How many amendments to the Constitution have been terminated or repealed in over 236 years? One. The 21st effectively repealed the 18th. It was the repeal of prohibition – booze. That’s it. How many people do you know who would rise against the government for only spending what it takes in or eliminating personal income taxes? Exactly.

I am sure it is safe to say the 80/20 rule would apply. After ratification the two amendments would survive any future challenges easily. The political will to get it done resides within the MAGA movement. #47 is already on board with it and pushing for the personal tax elimination. It needs a block of GOP elected officials sufficient to make it and balanced budgets Constitutional amendments. That means killing dead their allegiance to the old system. Which means some existing elected officials have gotta go.

Primary out the RINO’s and elect large numbers of MAGA GOP. Increase the overall number of MAGA elected officials in government everywhere. Set the options on the table, explain what they do for the American people, and enjoy the fruits of their passage.

As an example, nearly every state ranking of financial health and solvency include Tennessee and Florida in the Top Five. Both require balanced budgets and have no personal income taxes. There are nine states with no personal income taxes and 49 with with some form of balanced budget requirement. None of the states that are without personal income taxes are anywhere near the bottom of the list for economic health. That honor is reserved for all of the high debt, highly taxed blue states with personal incomes taxes such as Illinois, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey and California. They are the bottom feeders who suck the economic lives out of their citizens who continue to seemingly enjoy the condition of being bent over by electing the people who stick it to them. That they do should tell We the People to completely ignore or shout them down every time they open their mouths.

When you add right to work state status, no personal income taxes, and a required balanced budget, you get an influx of population and business growth. It is a proven formula for success. Those same principles work for the federal government as well. It creates the environment for success. It shores up The Golden Age.

So how do we reduce and eventually eliminate our massive national debt? Are you ready?

Again, spend less than we take in. Use the difference, the surplus, to pay back higher interest treasury debt first. Even Dave Ramsey knows and tells people that in their personal finances.

Besides forcing a balanced budget via amendent, how do you get to surplus?

Well, that’s the good part. #47 and cabinet have already done enough, but are continuing to do it even more as explained above. The answer is massive investment into America that increases manufacturing, energy and natural resource development. Return to true supply side economic independence instead of playing the globalist game of London and Europe. That dramatically increases tax revenue collections over time. Add in massive tariff surpluses already in place that can be directly applied to the debt or given back to We the People as a, wait, what did #47 call it, oh yeah, DIVIDEND.

Dividends are paid from profits. America, Inc. is making money now and will make even more in the future as the business investment takes root. Again – America, Inc. is no longer just a user of funds at that point. Successful businesses pay dividends to shareholders, which in this case is us – We the People.

The balanced budget amendment generally includes requirements on what is done with surpluses. The sooner you get to surplus the sooner you can use future, more inflated dollars to pay off older, less inflated debt. Paying off debt reduces the carrying cost (interest expense) of remaining debt and it becomes a smaller percentage of the annual budget expenses going forward. The more you do it, the faster the debt repayment accelerates.

We can also accelerate the rate and total reduction by simply marking our massive gold reserves to market as well. That improves the balance sheet by $1.4 T +/- overnight based on current quotes. Doing it will probably also mean a return to the gold standard with the dollar solidifying as the world’s reserve currency. America then finds stability from less inflation, less to no market bubbles, less to no forever wars. All of that has been fueled by phony baloney fiat currency of the past.

However, there is no guesswork that the Sovereign Wealth Fund is going to be used because both PDT and Scott Bessent have discussed it publicly. The link below explores it and other subjects accurately in my opinion.

https://erikc.substack.com/p/sovereign-wealth-fund

Surplus tax revenues from an expanded economy + tariffs + Sovereign Wealth Fund investment = National Debt demise. Balanced budget with restrictions on surplus fund usage keeps it there. We do not have to do a thing for all of this to happen to our benefit except be good citizens, show up in big numbers to vote for the patriots, and protect our nation.

This will be the last of my planned current day economic summaries for awhile. I have done all I can do to inform. I will still post in the comments on current activities if I can add to the flow. If conditions on the ground change dramatically in a different way, I will revisit. Me and my house chose the Lord, #47, and the patriots. So I am going to do what I have asked of everybody else – make a difference for America.

It is now time to discuss another largely unsung hero of the signers. This one was special and a critical piece in the quest for independence as we will see with another highly important founding father in a couple of weeks. Enjoy!

George Wythe

George Wythe was born in 1726 in the former Elizabeth City County, now city of Hampton, Virginia on the prominent Chesterville plantation. Over time the previous settlements and towns dissolved or merged into the city of Hampton, such that it lays claim to being the oldest continuously English speaking city in North America.

George was of the third generation of this predominantly Quaker family. His parents, Thomas III and Margaret Walker Wythe, were planters and Thomas owned a half interest in a wharf in Hampton. Unfortunately, Thomas passed away when George was three years old. His well educated mother homeschooled George. He became proficient in Latin and Greek while she also taught him the classics, logic and science. He entered William and Mary (W & M) Grammar School at age 14, studied two years, then spent two years in the study of law under his uncle, Stephen Dewey, in Charles City Council. After that he returned to Chesterville to continue his studies. At the age of 20 in 1746 he easily passed the bar exam.

Since his brother, Thomas IV, was established at Chesterville he moved to Spotsylvania County to open his practice. George moved in with the King’s attorney, Zachary Lewis, because Lewis had a great deal of case backlog. While there he met Lewis’ daughter, Ann. They fell in love and were married a year later. Unfortunately, Ann caught a fever and died seven months later. George was distraught with grief. He returned to Williamsburg and joined Ann’s uncle, Benjamin Waller, in his practice to get a new start on life. While there he was selected to clerk for two important committees of the House of Burgesses. This led to many contacts and an entry into the world of politics. In 1754 he was selected to fill a vacant seat in the House of Burgesses.

A year later his brother, Thomas IV, died and George inherited Chesterville. That same year he married Elizabeth Taliaferro, whose family lived a few miles outside of Williamsburg. A wealthy landowner and architect, Elizabeth’s father built the couple a nice brick home in the city to begin their lives together. It served as their home for over thirty years. The home was restored and has been owned by Colonial Williamsburg since 1938.

George would win and lose seats in the House of Burgesses for several years. In 1758 Francis Fauquier became the new royal Governor of Virginia. As a neighbor, Francis formed a close bond with George, who at that point was teaching at W & M. This included them bonding with a 20 year old student named Thomas Jefferson. The three of them were joined by fellow W & M professor, William Small, and became a tight knit group who frequently met for dinner to discuss science, literature, architecture, politics and morals. This continued for five years.

Wythe joined Patrick Henry in 1763 to argue against the Two Penny Tax. A year later they had a mini falling out over the Stamp Act. Wythe had sent an letter of admonition previously to Parliament concerning the Two Penny Act and was waiting on a response. When the Stamp Act was approved, Henry and supporters reacted harshly, while Wythe wanted to wait for an official response from his letter. Henry’s resolutions passed in the House and Governor Fauquier, Wythe’s friend, was forced to dissolve the General Assembly immediately in response.

A few years later George was elected Mayor of Williamsburg and had become more prominent in the area. When Lord John Dunmore was named royal Governor, the two frequently clashed. It became apparent to George it would no longer be possible to support the Brits and he moved more toward independence causes. After the battles of Lexington and Concord, Dunmore seized the arms and powder from the colonial magazine at Williamsburg. When the colonists learned of it they went after Dunmore and he was forced to escape to a British ship off shore. He left and never returned.

George then went to Philadelphia as Dunmore’s replacement to the First Continental Congress that year. From the Descendants site:

During the continuing debate over independence, he asked his fellow delegates, “In what character shall we treat? As subjects of Great Britain? As rebels? Why should we be so fond of calling ourselves dutiful subjects? We must declare ourselves a free people.”

In the spring he returned to Virginia to argue for Thomas Jefferson’s plan for their state government and returned to Philadelphia in time to sign the Declaration of Independence in September. He then moved Congress to make Jefferson, B and Silas Deane colonial agents (ministers) to France; for them to act as ambassadors. From our story on B, we now realize just how important it was to have him in France. We can thank George Wythe for that observation and recommendation.

He returned to Williamsburg the next year and was elected Speaker of the Virginia House of Delegates where he assisted Governor Patrick Henry is meeting obligations to fund and supply the military. Even though he was exposed to British forces, he remained in Williamsburg throughout the remainder of the war and avoided capture. In 1777 he was also named as a justice on the state’s Chancery Court, on which he served until 1788. In 1779 Jefferson as Governor appointed him to a new professor position over Law and Police at W & M when James Madison was President of the school. Many famous elected officials, attorneys and future judges were taught by Wythe over the years that followed which included Henry Clay, Littleton Tazewell, James Monroe and John Marshall. Remember that for a future Part.

He and Elizabeth hosted Gen. Washington in their home before the battle of Yorktown. He later worked on the Articles of Confederation as well as the Constitution in 1787 before he had to quickly return home when Elizabeth fell ill and soon passed away. The next year he worked within the state for the eventual ratification of its Constitution. In 1789 he resigned from W & M to move to Richmond with one of his students (William Munford) to be near the Chancery Court. Over the years that followed he studied Hebrew and began conducting electrical experiments there along with that former student. He returned to public service as a Presidential Elector in 1800 and 1804; both times voting for his long term friend and political ally, Jefferson. He had freed his slaves many years before at Chesterville and was adamant in his belief that, “…. freedom is the birthright of every human being….”.

The grandson of a sister came to live with him while in Richmond, George Wythe Sweeney. Wythe had written him into his will in 1803 as he and Elizabeth had no children. When he later discovered Sweeney was stealing from him he modified the will to read that Sweeney received half and a former freed slave, Michael Brown, would receive the other half. Sweeney discovered the changed will and codicil. He secretly began poisoning both Wythe and Brown with arsenic in their food. Both died, but before Wythe did he wrote Sweeney totally out of his will by order of the judge presiding over the murder charge. Sweeney had also poisoned Wythe’s former slave housekeeper, but she survived and sought to testify in Sweeney’s murder trial. Her testimony was disallowed because she was a Negro and not allowed to testify against a white man by law. As a result Sweeney was ruled to be not guilty.

George Wythe was 80 years old when he died and is buried at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Richmond. this is the same church where Patrick Henry gave his famous “give me liberty or give me death” speech. Per the Descendants site,

Wythe will be forever known by the comments of those with whom he associated.

“Four days after his death, on June 10, the Richmond Enquirer wrote: “Kings may require mausoleums to consecrate their memory, saints may claim the privilege of canonization; but the venerable George Wythe needs no other monument than the services rendered to his country, and the universal sorrow that the country sheds over his grave.”

From Thomas Jefferson, “No man ever left behind him a character more venerated than George Wythe. His virtue was of the purest tint; his integrity inflexible, and his justice exact; of warm patriotism, and, devoted as he was to liberty, and the natural and equal rights of man, he might truly be called the Cato of his country…. (He was) my faithful and beloved Mentor in youth, and my most affectionate friend through life.”

Benjamin Rush, “a profound lawyer and able politician. I have seldom known a man who possessed more modesty or a more dove-like simplicity and gentleness of manner.”

Reverend Lee Massey called George Wythe “the only honest lawyer I ever knew.”

Historian/biographer Reverend Charles Goodrich, wrote: “With all his great qualities, he possessed a soul replete with benevolence, and his private life is full of anecdotes, which prove that it is seldom that a kinder and warmer heart throbbed in the breast of a human being….As a judge, he was remarkable for his rigid impartiality, and sincere attachment to the principles of equity; for his vast and various learning; and for his strict and unwearied attention to business. Superior to popular prejudices, and every corrupting influence, nothing could induce him to swerve from truth and right. In his decisions, he seemed to be a pure intelligence, untouched by human passions, and settling the disputes of men according to the dictates of eternal and immutable justice…. He took a great delight in educating such young persons as showed an inclination for improvement. Harassed as he was with business, and enveloped with papers belonging to intricate suits in chancery, he yet found time to keep a private school for the instruction of a few scholars, always with very little compensation, and often demanding none.”

George Wythe was absolutely essential as a cornerstone building block in the creation of America. He will be honored for as long as America exists.

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.

I wish all of you a Merry Christmas. Thanks be to God for the Savior of all mankind entered the world this week over 2000 years ago. He shall be called the Prince of Peace…

Be blessed, enjoy your times with family and friends, and go make something good happen!