Happy 4th of July!
Most of the time people think of the Declaration of Independence on this day but before John Hancock signed big and bold there were “Associations.” These were folks who joined together against British Tyranny and did so in writing. You can read more about these associations and their “resolves” here at NCpedia.org.
Well, wouldn’t you know it? One of the nuts from my tree was an original signer of such resolves signed in August of 1775 in Tryon County, North Carolina. That would be my 6th ggrandfather, James McAfee.
I don’t know much about James McAfee. He appears to be the son of Irish immigrants, born in North Carolina in 1737. At the time of the signing he was married and had at least one child, an infant. I try to think of what it was like, what it meant, for James to put his name and life on the line to stand up to his government and join in the call for independence, to risk being called a traitor. That kind of conviction is rare today.
This great country we now know as The United States of America exists because of people standing up. I have several ancestors who took part in the American Revolution. I’m glad they and others like them were brave and willing.
Have you uncovered any Revolutionary War veterans in your tree?